Menières?

BTW I normally have 'perfect' balance- due to always being sporty and growing up in the mountains, cycling, skating, etc, skiing from the age of 2 and learnt to snowboard aged 50. So for me, it is truly disconcerting feeling so dizzy I can't walk in a straight line!

Sounds really awful. The worst I ever had, was the first one. I was in town with our new French assistante who was staying with us until she found her own accom- and we stopped for a coffee (which was italian and quite strong)- I went to the loo.¨, and could hardly walk back to the table. I explained to her I had no idea what was going on as it had never happened before, and she held me to walk across the market to Boots. She sat me on a chair and went to talk to the Chemist, who came over. I asked him to phone my husband for advice and he gave me Buccastem- a tiny table you place under the tongue- and called us a taxi and they held be to the backdoor into the taxi (no way could I have driven the car, which was left in the car-park in town till the next day!). When I got home, it felt, as I was going up the stairs, as though my legs were disappearing from under me into the stairs- the weirdest sensation ever- I did wonder if my coffee had been laced with LSD or something... Fortunately the violent sickness only started once I got into bed and I had a bucket by my side.

This poor French girl (the best assistante we ever had) must have wondered what on earth was going on.

Thanks all for your comments- I feel totally 'normal' today (whatever that means...) so all fingers crossed. Will go to the French chemist and get Busccastem just in case, and ensure I take precaturions when I go out and drive. You are all very kind.

Unfortunately I had no choice other than to drive, luckily down very quiet lanes, but by the time I got home I could only crawl into the house on my hands and knees (thankfully I don't think anyone saw me).

It's a case of keeping my fingers crossed and definitely drinking lots of fluids (probably 3 litres a day when it's warm or if I'm rushing about getting a bit stressed); I also make sure I have cans of coke in the car, and a couple of snack bars.

Sorry to hear that Granjura. I take my phone everywhere and have been rescued a couple of times by DD. As you know, you can't even stand up let alone walk securely.

I take betahistadine regularly and am pretty sure that it reduces the frequency of the Menieres attacks. I think I now have fewer than 2 a year and it doesn't last for more than a few hours each time. If I feel 'funny' i also take cinnarazine but that is very infrequent. Sadly no one knows for sure what causes MD or what you can do to avoid it. The betahistadine increases the blood flow in your ears. I have no idea why that would be a good thing!

I had a series of cortisone injections into my ear which was supposed to halt the MD progress but it didn't work for me.

Each attack damaged your hearing a bit more and sadly I now have very impaired hearing in the affected ear.

On top of the Menieres I have benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and the Epley manoeuvre helps with that. BPPV is caused by crystals in the semicircular canals getting into the wrong place and the Epley should put them back in the right place.

Oh gosh that sounds like a tale of woe now that I've read over what I wrote. It's not so dreadful really. I'd ask for a referral to an ENT specialist or a balance clinic and see what they can suggest for you. Don't plan to take up tight rope walking.

Thank you all so much. Loopylou- no way would I drive in that state- if I can't walk in a straight line, I wouldn't drive - truly! Been thinking of what to do if that happens- so must make sure I do take my phone and press the 'home' button. Must make sure I always have Stugeron with me and water. The Swiss chemist said she didn't have Buccastem, which is what I was given in the UK- but it seems I can get it in France, so will get some just in case. Will definitely see a specialist early if it happens again- maybe it won't- I seriously hope so.

I had a really bad bout of giddiness several years ago with the room swinging round, could not get out of bed, which left with me with giddiness for quite a long time (about 2 years). The GP queried Meniere's and prescribed Serc tablets, but in the end he decided it was fluid in the middle ear and said I could possibly have to have grommets fitted.

I have fluid in the middle ear again after a bad cold but without much giddiness thank goodness.
If I move my head too quickly I see flashing lights and then get a headache, I don't know if it is connected.

I hope it passes soon.

I was diagnosed with Ménière's 35 years ago, and have had tinnitus ever since. I have bouts of the intense giddiness, vomiting etc about twice a year; I was prescribed Betahistamine tablets but yhey made no difference.
I think my bouts are exacerbated by low blood sugar and not drinking enough so now I drink lots of diet coke + take Stugeron and fervently pray it goes quickly. Three times it's happened when driving and I've literally crawled from one lay by to the next to get home. If I can lie down it usually goes within 24 hours but I feel spaced out for several days.
Commiserations for fellow sufferers

My best friend used to suffer terribly (sadly lost her to pancreatic cancer aged 52, 14 years ago)- and they did the manoeuvre for her several times, to no effect. Her husband almost 'forced' her to go on a sailing holiday and one night they had a terrible storm, and the boat was thrown around all over the place. She never had it since. So yes, something to do with misplacement of crystals in the ear. Let's hope it won't happen again, if it does I shall go and see a specialist of course.

Being pampered and just given a small omelette with green beans- feeling much better now, although head still a bit wooshie.

No advice but .

I suffer from BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo), which has the same symptoms. My first and worst attack was when I was pregnant with DD1, 45 years ago. I haven't had a bout for about 5 years now, mainly because I avoid all movements which I know can trigger them, such as rapid change of orientation of head, looking at the sky, turning over in bed too fast. When we do sit-ups at exercise classes, they are nearly finished by the time I have lowered myself into position with foam blocks under my head!
I always used to carry Sea-Legs travel sickness tablets with me, but really the only thing that helped the dizziness and vomiting was lying prostrate for about 2 weeks, followed by having a spaced-out head for a month or so.
I know of some people for whom the Epley manoeuvre (suggest you Google it) has been successful, but the thought of it scares me, as the moves are just those that I hate! I am not sure whether Menieres can be treated this way.
I hope you will not suffer again in the future granjura, it is an awful condition which can rule your life. Certainly no fairground rides or water park slides with GCs!

ouch- not reassuring.

I have two friends who suffer from this. They seem to be out for the count for a while and as both get older seems to be more frequent. I've no idea of their meds.