Meniere's or Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Question

Hello,

I have been researching like crazy about Menieres and BPPV, and many of my symptoms point exactly to either one of these, but I don't have the spinning and nausea like everyone else does. I have been suffering with this malady for fourteen years. I have been diagnosed from everything to anxiety to heavy metal poisoning, but no matter what I do, it's still there. I did have a remission for several years when I lived in AZ. I live in Utah now.
Here are my symptoms--maybe you can help me figure out if it is Menieres. BTW, tomorrow, I go to a Balance and Hearing Center.

Ok, these are my symptoms.

Lightheaded
off balance--feel like I am leaning to my right side all of the time.
Tinnutis
Fullness in left ear
Constantly stuffed up--even when I am on allergy medicine
Ear pain
Face pain
Tingling sensation on left side of face
Shortness of breath
Anxiety--because of the off-balance, dizzy problem.
Ear infections
Spacey feeling or Brain fog

I can barely drive to pick up kids from school and when I am in crowded places like Wal-mart, I panic. When I am home, sometimes, I can't even read, because of the spacey feeling.

What do you all think?http://images.bravenet.com/common/images/smilies/11_confused.gif

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

HiI was really interested to read your post. I have menieres disease but have at times had the other non-menieres symtoms that you mention.May I enquire as to your diet and do you smoke?

samantha1234 · Answer

I just posted a message about TMJ problems that I suffered with that caused me great ear problems.  When I read your list of symptoms I saw myself there, going from dr. to dr. and them looking at me like I was crazy.  After going to a specialist for TMJ and getting a mouth appliance it is all gone.  Honest!! Even the brain fog.  If you are interested look up the TMJ stuff - it is amazing what a jaw that is out of place can cause.

Anonymous · Answer

I just posted a message about TMJ problems that I suffered with that caused me great ear problems.  When I read your list of symptoms I saw myself there, going from dr. to dr. and them looking at me like I was crazy.  After going to a specialist for TMJ and getting a mouth appliance it is all gone.  Honest!! Even the brain fog.  If you are interested look up the TMJ stuff - it is amazing what a jaw that is out of place can cause.(Not a member, but I HAD to comment on this!)I agree completely!  I came down with Meniere's last summer and went through six months of absolute ***l!  Violent bouts of vertigo three or four times a week.  It got so I had to stop driving and nearly went on disability.  Then I stumbled upon a dentist who specializes in TMJ.  He took one look at me and said, "I can help you."  I got fitted for an appliance that sits across my lower teeth and "translates" the jaw muscle, relaxing it and allowing it slide down and forward.  This relieves pressure on my inner ear caused by years of grinding (I didn't even know I was a grinder!).The appliance cost me $1,500 and the insurance company wouldn't touch pay even a portion of it.  But it was the best $1,500 I ever spent.  From the very moment it went in, I have been COMPLETELY symptom free.  Bottom line: I got my life back.I'd been to four ENT's, had every test in the world (some of them quite painful), had changed my diet and taken all kinds of pills.  None of it helped.  The last doctor was ready to start injecting something into my inner ear that would kill my balance nerve.  Thank God I found that dentist before doing that!I can't recommend investigating the TMJ angle strongly enough!  I saved my life!

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