Greetings:

Not sure how I found this site - I probably clicked on a link while researching Meneires. Anyway, glad I found someplace to look for answers.

I started experiencing Vertigo symptoms about a year ago. I had two episodes, about a month apart, and after the second one, I sent a message to my PCP. She referred me to an ENT specialist and said that they would probably order vestibular therapy. Sure enough, they did. At my first session, the therapist tried to recreate the symptoms using various positioning techniques, moving my head around, tilting me, trying to balance on a treadmill, the whole gamut. He spent about an hour trying everything in the book and could not cause any vertigo. About the only symptom I got was a headache from all the yanking around. He finally said "There's nothing I can do for you". That was my first and last session. So much for vestibular therapy.

After a third attack, I went to the ENT, a really nice and attentive NP. She did a thorough exam and decided to order an MRI to rule out any brain tumor or obstruction. She did mention the word Meneire's at that visit. That was the first time I had heard of that condition. She also ordered a diuretic (triamterene) and said I should start on it right away and see if it mitigated any of the episodes. We talked about the tinnitus that I had been experiencing for a long time and she indicated that there really wasn't any help for that.

I had the MRI about a week later and a follow up visit with her after another week. We also did an audiogram at time. We went over the MRI which was negative. I told her the diuretic was wiping me out and I was not tolerating it well. She ordered a change to 12.5 mg THCZ, which I started on and am on to this day. The audiogram showed pretty significant loss in the left ear, particularly low frequency loss. Looking at the audiogram and taking in all of the other symptoms that I presented with (tinnitus, aural fullness, vertigo) her initial thought was probable Meneire's. That was early 2024.

During the Spring and Summer of 2024, I only had two other episodes - one somewhat mild and one severe. I scheduled another visit with my ENT and asked her at that time if there were any surgical options (having researched this option myself). At that point, she suggested a second opinion with a surgical MD in their group who specializes in conditions of the inner ear. Unfortunately, he was scheduled out 6 months, so I had to wait until just this week to see him.

Long story short, the MD confirmed the diagnosis and basically said stay on the diuretic, watch the salt intake, call us if you need anything. Not much help, but at least he agreed 100% with my NP. I did tell him that I had been taking Lipo Flavonoid for the tinnitus which has been really unbearable at times. He said that there are no scientific studies supporting the claim that Lipo Flavonoids do anything to mitigate tinnitus symptoms and any change in the symptoms is likely "a placebo effect". I told him that they really seemed to help me and he basically said "knock yourself out", in other words. So much for my visit with the MD that I waited 6 months to see. Underwhelming, to say the least.

So, here we are. I have Meneires and am trying to live a normal life. I'm somewhat afraid of travelling and really afraid of flying, for fear of another attack. The diuretic seems to be having some effect, even though my BP drops low at times. The Lipo Flavonoid helps to manage my tinnitus (in spite of the MD). All that said, I think I can manage it.