Meniere's Disease Part 1
"Signs and symptoms of Meniere's disease include:
After an episode, signs and symptoms improve and might disappear entirely. Episodes can occur weeks to years apart" (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2017).
I've had issues with my right inner ear for as long as I can remember. When I was 3, I had a tube put in. Every time a doctor looks in my ear, they always comment on the amount of scar tissue on my ear drum. I've always wondered if the problems I have with my ear stemmed from the infections/scar tissue or if the infections/scar tissue are a result of the problems I've had.
The first issue I remember having was when I was talking to my friend Jody on the phone. The connection had static and her voice was fuzzy. I told her that something was wrong with her phone. The next time I used that phone and the same thing happened, I decided it was the phone. It didn't take long to realize that it was me. I can't remember how old I was when this happened, but I know it was before the following experience.
I was 14 years old. Other than the hearing thing, I wasn't having any other issues. I woke to the beeping of my alarm. I flipped around to turn it off only to have the room continue to spin - and it was spinning quickly. I immediately laid back down. The sensation of spinning was so strong that I knew I was going to vomit. I laid there contemplating what I was going to do. My parents were in the bathroom getting ready for the day. Even if I could walk the 10 steps to the bathroom door, I'd have to wait until my parents could open the door. I knew I wasn't going to make it, but decided I had to try. I moved my head slightly and immediately started throwing up. A lot. I didn't dare move again. What was I going to do? I tried to yell to my mom, but accidentally moved my head and immediately threw up again. I laid on my vomit covered pillow afraid to move even a small amount to a clean part of my pillow.
It felt like hours until my brother opened my door to get me for family prayer. I still remember him saying, "Mom, Tracy's sick." I can't imagine how I looked. It must have been a shock for my mom to see me that way. She came in with towels and tried to clean me up, but as soon as I would lift my head, I'd start throwing up. Eventually, my stomach was empty so when I moved, I would only dry heave. After about two hours, I was finally able to move without problems. My mom was able to get an appointment with an ENT that same morning. He checked me and said there wasn't anything wrong. He said I would never suffer from an attack like that again. Since it was my first attack, my brain had no idea how to compensate, but after that point would know how to handle them. He was right. I've never had an episode like that since. He wrote a prescription for something and sent us on our way.
I went another 2 years without another incident. Other than having constant tinnitus, I thought everything was great. Then one day, I started having vertigo episodes about every other day for a few weeks. I never got sick with them, but they were still awful. During these attacks, I learned that the quickest way to clear them up was to sleep. I don't have any idea why, but if I took a 20 minute nap, I'd wake up clear-headed. It didn't matter how long I would lay still; if I didn't sleep, I'd still be dizzy. There was one time I had an attack while driving. Luckily I was on my way to pick up my brother, so he was able to get us home safely. I had to hold onto the car while switching to the passenger's seat so I wouldn't fall. Then there was the time I was at school and told my teacher I needed to go to the nurse because I was dizzy. The best part is when I asked for someone to help me get there. It was clear that he didn't believe me and almost didn't let another student help me. He must have thought twice since there was a flight of stairs involved. There was also the time that I felt one coming on towards the end of the school day. I was able to make it to my locker, but then wasn't sure if I could make it out of the building. I asked my friend Jason to hold my arm to keep me stable, but instead he carried me out of the building to my ride home. Yeah, that was embarrassing. I don't remember seeing a doctor, but I remember that he gave me a prescription. Again, I'm not sure what it was, but I remember taking the pills.
I know doctors' aren't perfect, but my goodness. I had two of the four symptoms listed above and not one specialist even suggested it. It took another year and all four symptoms before I was finally diagnosed and had answers. That story to follow in another post.
- Recurring episodes of vertigo. You have a spinning sensation that starts and stops spontaneously. Episodes of vertigo occur without warning and usually last 20 minutes to several hours, but not more than 24 hours. Severe vertigo can cause nausea and vomiting.
- Hearing loss. Hearing loss in Meniere's disease may come and go, particularly early on. Eventually, most people have some permanent hearing loss.
- Ringing in the ear (tinnitus). Tinnitus is the perception of a ringing, buzzing, roaring, whistling or hissing sound in your ear.
- Feeling of fullness in the ear. People with Meniere's disease often feel pressure in the affected ears (aural fullness) or on the side of their heads.
After an episode, signs and symptoms improve and might disappear entirely. Episodes can occur weeks to years apart" (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2017).
I've had issues with my right inner ear for as long as I can remember. When I was 3, I had a tube put in. Every time a doctor looks in my ear, they always comment on the amount of scar tissue on my ear drum. I've always wondered if the problems I have with my ear stemmed from the infections/scar tissue or if the infections/scar tissue are a result of the problems I've had.
The first issue I remember having was when I was talking to my friend Jody on the phone. The connection had static and her voice was fuzzy. I told her that something was wrong with her phone. The next time I used that phone and the same thing happened, I decided it was the phone. It didn't take long to realize that it was me. I can't remember how old I was when this happened, but I know it was before the following experience.
I was 14 years old. Other than the hearing thing, I wasn't having any other issues. I woke to the beeping of my alarm. I flipped around to turn it off only to have the room continue to spin - and it was spinning quickly. I immediately laid back down. The sensation of spinning was so strong that I knew I was going to vomit. I laid there contemplating what I was going to do. My parents were in the bathroom getting ready for the day. Even if I could walk the 10 steps to the bathroom door, I'd have to wait until my parents could open the door. I knew I wasn't going to make it, but decided I had to try. I moved my head slightly and immediately started throwing up. A lot. I didn't dare move again. What was I going to do? I tried to yell to my mom, but accidentally moved my head and immediately threw up again. I laid on my vomit covered pillow afraid to move even a small amount to a clean part of my pillow.
It felt like hours until my brother opened my door to get me for family prayer. I still remember him saying, "Mom, Tracy's sick." I can't imagine how I looked. It must have been a shock for my mom to see me that way. She came in with towels and tried to clean me up, but as soon as I would lift my head, I'd start throwing up. Eventually, my stomach was empty so when I moved, I would only dry heave. After about two hours, I was finally able to move without problems. My mom was able to get an appointment with an ENT that same morning. He checked me and said there wasn't anything wrong. He said I would never suffer from an attack like that again. Since it was my first attack, my brain had no idea how to compensate, but after that point would know how to handle them. He was right. I've never had an episode like that since. He wrote a prescription for something and sent us on our way.
I went another 2 years without another incident. Other than having constant tinnitus, I thought everything was great. Then one day, I started having vertigo episodes about every other day for a few weeks. I never got sick with them, but they were still awful. During these attacks, I learned that the quickest way to clear them up was to sleep. I don't have any idea why, but if I took a 20 minute nap, I'd wake up clear-headed. It didn't matter how long I would lay still; if I didn't sleep, I'd still be dizzy. There was one time I had an attack while driving. Luckily I was on my way to pick up my brother, so he was able to get us home safely. I had to hold onto the car while switching to the passenger's seat so I wouldn't fall. Then there was the time I was at school and told my teacher I needed to go to the nurse because I was dizzy. The best part is when I asked for someone to help me get there. It was clear that he didn't believe me and almost didn't let another student help me. He must have thought twice since there was a flight of stairs involved. There was also the time that I felt one coming on towards the end of the school day. I was able to make it to my locker, but then wasn't sure if I could make it out of the building. I asked my friend Jason to hold my arm to keep me stable, but instead he carried me out of the building to my ride home. Yeah, that was embarrassing. I don't remember seeing a doctor, but I remember that he gave me a prescription. Again, I'm not sure what it was, but I remember taking the pills.
I know doctors' aren't perfect, but my goodness. I had two of the four symptoms listed above and not one specialist even suggested it. It took another year and all four symptoms before I was finally diagnosed and had answers. That story to follow in another post.
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