Monday, August 25, 2008

Vertigo Tinnitus Do You Have Meniere’s Disease?




The windows are open letting in the refreshing smells of spring. The master bedroom drapes drawn closed although it was mid afternoon. Even dull light was more than my migraine could tolerate. Cloudy and raining outside, I could smell the rain soaking into the once dry soil but I could not hear it drifting down from the clouds and splattering on the driveway under the bathroom window. The spinning sensation inside my head kept me nauseas and unable to stand. It was compound by the sound of a TV, a radio, or a telephone. My house was incredibly silent. I seemed to be capable of hearing the phone ring a second before it actually rang. The aggravating hissing sound in my ears left me powerless to think of anything else but it.


The diagnoses came in late spring. "You have Meniere's disease." The Eye, Ears, Nose and Throat doctor went on to say there is no cure and the original cause is unknown. I am writing a prescription for a mild diuretic. It should help control the fluid buildup in your ears. I am also writing one to help control the nausea. Your hearing will fluctuate. Until one day, you are completely deaf.


He took out a "post it" and wrote something on it. He then told me to look it up on the computer. Just that quickly, he mater of factually announced his diagnosed and even quicker, he left the examining room.


I sat in his tiny little expensive examination room devastated. Two doctors, an MRI to rule out a tumor, months of hearing and balance test, dimension classification of hearing loss and a diagnosis I have never heard of, Meniere's disease. This is just great, something else incurable.


Several days later, between migraines, I struggled to watch the computer monitor. I looked at the "post it" he had given me-Men Eire's disease. I typed in the words and received a notice; did you mean
Meniere's disease? I clicked yes. There it was Meniere's disease. Named after the French doctor Prosper Meniere . Meniere's disease is a vestibular disorder that produces an abnormally large amount of fluid called endolymph that collects in the ear, thus affecting the brain and setting off recurring symptoms.


SYMPTOMS;



  1. Trouble focusing on the written word

  2. Vertigo-sever dizziness

  3. Tinnitus-roaring sounds or loud ringing that never stops

  4. Fluctuating hearing loss

  5. Sensation of pressure or fullness that cannot be corrected by swallowing

  6. Pain in the affected ear

  7. Headaches

  8. Abdominal discomfort

  9. Diarrhea

ATTACK TRIGGERS;



  1. Stress

  2. Overwork

  3. Fatigue

  4. Emotional Distress

  5. Abdominal illness

  6. Pressure Changes

  7. Certain Foods

  8. Too much salt in foods

  9. Working in a loud environment

For me, the biggest disappointments have been the not knowing when the next sever attack will occur, the balancing act I perform each time I take a step, and entering loud or busy places. They remind me that I am not whole. That something IS WRONG with me. Even though, some days I think I am perfectly fine. Then I try to maneuver through a door way without touching, rubbing against, or bumping it.


RESOURCES


Meneres.org


National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders or NIDCD


Vestibular Disorder Association or VEDA

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear this, Mckay. Your post gives a very detailed information. Try to meditate. I read that the causes of this patology are mainly stress and negative emotions, and these can be eliminated with meditation practice. It would not make any harm:)
Don't stop that lovely mild physical activity you started days ago:)
Be positive and resolute against any odd, you will see the results.
Take care,
Elio

Mckay K said...

Elio you are certainly correct. Meditation and controlling the stress levels in my life has made all the difference.

This diagnosis was six years ago. I have progressed considerable since then.

I wrote about Meniere's disease because one of my readers had inquired about the effects of the illness on my life.

I wrote about the illness but failed to explain how I have adjust my life to deal with the illness.

Your concern and uplifting comment quickly pointed that out to me. Thank You!

Anonymous said...

This is some thing new to me about eniere's disease which cause problem in ears.


Thanks
Christina Crease
onlinedepressionhelp@yahoo.com

Mckay K said...

Christina, as you can tell, it was to me as well. That is the reason I wrote this post.

Once you have it, there are ways to avoid the flare up of Meniere's disease. And, they are list on this post. The hope is that a cure will be found.

Thanks for your honest comment.

Anonymous said...

Hi there,

THanks for the visit. You have such great word really. I try to make my rounds sometimes easier said then done.

Chronic Chick Talk

Mckay K said...

Hi Chick, it is always good to receive you visits.

Be well

Carol King said...

Once again Mckay you rise above your challenges and offer excellent information even though you suffer a great deal.

You will always be an inspiration to me and many others.

Best wishes
Carol

Mckay K said...

Carole it is comments like yours that keep me focused and moving forward.

Thank you!

Cliff said...

First thank you for stopping by my blog this morning.

Based on what I have read so far on your blog, you strike me as a strong person to be able to go through so much and still persevere.

God bless
Cliff

Speedcat Hollydale said...

Hey, nice to see you and Cliff met.

Sounds difficult, McKay. This was very informative to me ... I had never heard of "Meniere's disease".

I like Elio Galluzzi's advice too. When I look at the list of triggers, I see myself.
Ironically, my down time after work when I blog for a bit is very relaxing to me. Of course family, laughing, and faith are also very very important.

Take care,
Eric (Speedy)

Mckay K said...

Cliff your encouragement means so much. You are right, I must preserver.

When I was first diagnosed with Meniere's disease, the most calming experience I had was visiting a website written by a nurse who had the disease.

She told of her personal experience and how it had devastated her life. I knew that I could not allow it to do the same to me. But, I did want other to know that it does get better. They just have to know where to look for help. A then follow it.

Jerry, thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment. You are always welcome.

Mckay K said...

Eric, The love of family and friends is so important in relieving the stress we put on ourselves each day.

While reading your blog showing your beautiful granddaughter and her latest golf swing, I felt the love you have for her.

My faith has proven the doctors wrong many times. It has successfully guided me through each hurdle in my life. And is what sustains me.

When you mention blogging as helping you to relax, Oh my goodness, my blogging friends mean the world to me. Like you, it is my relaxation.

Elio's advise has, often times, nourished my spiritual growth and for him I am so grateful.

Once again Eric you are so right. Laughter keeps us out of the doctor's office.

Laughter, faith, family and friends what a winning combination!

Thank you so much for you advice.

Shauna said...

My sweetest kindred spirit,

Your ability to write so beuatifully, combined with knowing in doing so, you are entering one of your best ways of relaxing. We all need it, we all get it in different ways.

My tears ran and clouded the words as I read; of sorrow for you, ANOTHER diagnosis...another thing to deal with. Yet your positive outlook, even if you have written the reality of a disease, is what has bonded us; and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Shauna KS

Unknown said...

Hi. I hope this message finds you well. I just want to thank you for reading my blogs. I see you often on the sites and you always leave really thoughtful comments. I've added you to my blogroll.

Have a great evening!
roschelle

Mckay K said...

Shauna, My Kindred Spirit, because I know of the pain you suffer each day, and the effort it takes for you to post, it always warms my heart to see a comment from you.

I have been abundantly blessed by amassing positive, caring friends through blogging. You, of course, are one of them.

Thank you so much for you loving words.

Be well

Mckay K said...

Blog Queen you write so eloquently about poignant issues of today. It is always a pleasure to visit your blog.

Rochell, certainly I consider it an honor to be on your blogroll.

Thank you!

Posh Totty said...

Thank you for this information, I think this can maybe help a good friend of mine :o)

Hi, by the way, Iv been reading your blog for a while now, so thought it about time I popped in and said hi

Mckay K said...

Hi Posh Totty,

I certainly hope that it helps your friend. If it does, please visit again and let me know.

So glad you decided to say hello. We love comments here.

I have visited and enjoyed your blogs also!

Stay well

Jessica said...

Sweetheart, I just consulted my "Prescription for nutritional healing" reference book. It says the triggers could be allergies, consumption of caffeine or alcohol, stress (nice and vague, huh?), barometric changes, pregnancy, sugar, loud noises, and excessive salt.

Now this is quite a list. If I were to go through my life to find out the cause, I'd start with mold testing. Have you had your home tested for black mold? It makes people so sick in so many different ways.

Blessings! Jessica

Jessica said...

Let me know if you want more detail because there is a page and a half of information in this book! High cholesterol contributes to the disease...taking 5mg daily of manganese is essential...

Mckay K said...

Hi Jessica,
My cause was determined to be the very noisy high stress job that I unknowingly chose as a career.

Due to my compound disabilities, I eliminated the initial cause when I took early retirement. However, the damaged to my ear still exist.

Although my cholesterol levels were good, test revealed that I was a diabetic and in addition was suffering with high blood pressure.

By controlling what I ate (reduction of salt, sugar and the elimination of alcohol from my diet), I successfully brought my diabetes and high blood pressure into normal ranges. I no longer take medication for either.

I would not rule out the possibility of black mold in this house. I originally tried to have my home tested. I thought there was assistance (my homeowner’s insurance or a government agency). Many phone calls later proved that not to be the case.

The prices quoted to me, for a private company to perform the test, were far above my means. Until you mentioned it, I had completely forgotten about that unpleasant experience.

Thank you, Jessica, for your valuable contributions to this blog and your sincere concern for my health and the health of our readers!

Jessica said...

Yes, mold testing is pretty expensive. I have not tested my house, because no one is seriously ill here. I wouldn't count on insurance for anything! They just sent me a check for $16 to get the hole in my roof fixed and the drywall replaced. I'll send it back!

How excellent that you're controlling your diabetes. May you continue to be an inspiration for your readers.

Mckay K said...

Hi Jessica
I have had some less that productive experiences with my home owner's insurance. From what I can tell, it is a growing problem for the insured. They will gladly take your payment but when it is time to pay from their end, that is a different story.

That $16 will not even buy a sheet of dry wall.

I had a similar circumstance. The roofer told me that I should have let him contact the insurance company.

Sending the check back is best. Then they should negotiate with you on the repairs. At least that is what I was told by my roofer.

Be well

Cosmetic surgery Atlanta said...

It is very painful a disease specially when you have to undergo the attack.The dizziness and the nausea along with the passing of stool poses a great discomfort and pain to the patient.