wed@drutx.UUCP (DeibertWE) (04/30/85)
I sure hope, for your sake, that it isn't Meniere's disease. It's something I was unfortunate enough to find out I had about two years ago. For about 6 months it made life a living h__l. Eventually, about 9 months after the first attack which brought severe dizzy spells as well as total loss of equilibrium I lost most of the hearing in my right ear. The symtoms I saw described in the original article were suspiciously like those that I endured, with the notable exception being the pounding heart. At this point in time though, I get dizzy very seldom and when I do it's a very mild attack. My ear rings ALL the time though. Below is the best BRIEF description that I've seen for Meniere's. Very uncomfortable chronic condition in which there are episodes of severe dizziness and loss of balance. Symptoms: Sudden onset of incapacitating dizziness or spinning sensation, with loss of balance. There is usually severe nausea and vomiting as well. Almost all people with Meniere's syndrome eventually have some loss of hearing as well. There might be ringing in the ears or a feeling of fullness in the ears at the start of an attack. The episodes of dizziness may happen frequently or only every few years. They may be as short as a few minutes or as long as several days. Cause: A variety of possible causes, including acute or chronic ear infection, tumor, allergy, medications, stress, many systemic diseases and unknown factors. Attacks may be precipitated by acute ear inflammation or stress. Severity of Problem: Attacks are always incapacitating for as long as they last. Depending on the frequency and the length of time attacks last, the person may be miserable and unable to function or may have very few attacks and do well. Contagious: No. Treatment: Many have been tried, with varying success. Medications that are effective against motion sickness, antihistamines and those that cause fluid loss are often successful. Reduction of salt in the diet may help certain people. In very severe cases surgery to remove the structures of the inner ear may offer the only possible relief. However, this surgery leads to complete loss of hearing in that ear and is therefore a drastic step. Newer treatments such as ultrasound may provide promise for this difficult problem. Prevention: None Known. +=+=+= It seems to me that Meniere's Disease is a name they hang on this problem because nobody knows what causes it or it's cure. i.e. In my case I went through all the tests, running water in the ears, cat scans etc. Also no medication I was given was of any help I just had to sit it out. The ONE thing that I noticed does bother this condition (at least with me) is caffeine. It has an almost immediate negative effect. Good Luck!!!! William D.