Meniere's Disease Support Group

My name is Kayla, and I have never created entries like this. I am hoping that someone will read this and give me some sort of feedback. From the age of 17 I have had bouts of vertigo. The first time I had an episode, I went to the ER, was diagnosed, and was not relieved of symptoms for two weeks. The second bout only lasted a few days. Now almost three years later, I have encountered a much worse episode. I was feeling the common symptoms of vertigo since late January, early February of this year. I stupidly tried ignoring it, thinking it would pass. I have no insurance, and am very short on cash, so I did not want to see a medic. Over the past two weeks or so, accompanied by the dizziness and nausea, was extreme unsteadiness, a buzzing in my right ear, and occasional hearing loss. I am twenty years old, and had no idea why I was having trouble hearing. When I'd stand up, everything would become very dark and I felt as though I was about to pass out. In tears I went to the Newport Hospital Emergency Room. This was Monday night, Febraury 25. The physician's assistant told me my prognosis sounded more like Meniere's Disease rather than just Vertigo. He suggested I take Meclizine or Promethazine. As these are the two most commonly prescribed drugs, I had already taken them in conjunction with my previous attacks, none of which made the slightest improvement. He then said he'd write me a prescription for Valuum, but unfortunately, I had been given that before as well, and all it makes me do is sleep. Because these three medications have not helped in the least, he told me there was nothing he could do for me. I asked for a CatScan. He told me no because he did not feel like my life was at risk. He suggested I go to R.I. Hospital in Providence because they are more equipped with certain technology that might help indicate what is wrong with me. I went to RI Hospital's ER yesterday morning. May I suggest to anyone out in the area...never go there unless you have no other resort. I waited 9 HOURS before I was even seen by a doctor because they "just installed new computer software" and kept losing my name on the list. Anyways, they were only able to do a partial CT of my inner ear, but for some reason could not perform one soley dedicated to the affected area. Consequently, my results came back normal. She referred me to an Ears, Nose, and Throat doctor. Before I left she wrote me a prescription for Prednisone, a steriod she felt might alleviate the pressure in my ear. It's been 12 hours since I've taken it, and unfortunately, I feel worse. I called the Newport Hospital ER tonight to see if it was worth me making the trip. At this point, I feel unbelievably worse. Surrounding noises feel as though they are shaking up the inside of my head. I am almost too unsteady to walk. The nurse in the ER told me, "You can come in but there is nothing we can do for you." Why won't anyone help me? Called a local ENT today. They will only see me if I provide the cash up front...cash I do not have. Because no one can figure out what is wrong with me, they are just dismissing me. I know there is no cure, but I have read of possible surgery. I have read of ways I can adapt my lifestyle to suit this disease...if I even have it, that is. I see my primary physician tomorrow. I am demanding blood work and a CT that will capture the entire inner ear. I do not know what to do. I truly do not think I can live like this. Instead of telling me to go home, why won't these so-called professionals try to figure out what is wrong with me and come up with a solution, even if it is just temporary. I am writing this in an attempt to see if maybe someone out there has a similar experience. If I don't have any answers, and neither do any of the doctors I've seen, maybe there is somebody who has already been through this and has come out of it okay. I feel like an idiot telling people, "I'm dizzy. This is unbearable." I know dizziness and ringing in the ear does not sound too traumatic, but for those who have been through this, you know how bad it is. Please help me!

Kayla
Posted on 02/27/08, 08:02 pm