MRI Anxiety and Meniere’s Disease

[Tam-56]

I now also have Meniere’s Disease. Anyone out there have this? I have history of sinus for as long as I can remember. After my Moderna shot in February had sinus infection and blocked ear with pressure that occurred at the same time. Been that way ever since, three bouts of vertigo lasting hours (happens about once a month). Finally got in to see an ENT ...inner ear degenerating causing progressive loss of hearing ... loss of balance and the pressure feeling (awful) is loss of hearing. It can be genetic, inflammatory, immunologic dysfunction, infection or trauma.

This is my second bout of the blocked ear thing ...got it shortly after I began Ibrance and Letrozole in May three years ago and lasted all that summer (on and off) finally clearing up in August. Also have history of migraine (without the headache). I need to monitor salt intake as inflammation is a trigger. These symptoms point to Meniere’s Disease.

I also need to have brain MRI as well which I have never had before.....and claustrophobic! 😲 Any hints to get through a brain MRI? No problems at all with CAT. I tried once 30 years ago ... hoping technology has improved since then. 🙏 I’m so frightened what it might reveal!

Maura❤️

[Wintervt]

Hi Maura,

So sorry to hear about your vertigo. I have had dizziness since my diagnosis and have had two MRIs. The technology is great, during my last MRI when I was in the machine soft music played and beach scenes were projected overhead, so I didn't feel claustrophobic.

Jade

[Maludagui in reply to Wintervt]

Oh this is good

[Tam-56 in reply to Wintervt]

Do you take meds for vertigo? ENT doc prescribed ID-lorazepam 1 mg ...looked it up ...I shouldn’t have.

It sounds like MRI technology has come a long way! Thank you for sharing your experience.

[Wintervt in reply to Tam-56]

No, I don't take meds. My dizziness has decreased and happens occasionally and only when I stand up too fast after sitting.

The MRI technology has really come along. Wishing you all the best!

xo Jade

[AvidBooklover]

When I had an MRI recently, I took my usual .25 Xanax before it. You can ask your doctor for a higher dose, but then you need someone to drive you home.

Good luck...clear your mind of possible diagnoses!

[Tam-56 in reply to AvidBooklover]

AvidBookLover

Yes I need to stop projecting...thank you for the reminder

Is Xanax a once in a while when needed med or do I need to be on it a while before it works?

[AvidBooklover in reply to Tam-56]

Definitely works, as needed. It is pretty standard for those with MRI anxiety...ask your doctor!

[PJBinMI]

My doctor's have all been very willing to prescribe either Xanax or Ativan for me to take before an MRI. My first MRI revealed that while I am not claustrophobic, I am sensitive to noise, and the sound of the MRI makes me want to hit somebody or some thing! I don't remember which of those two meds is shorter acting but your docs probably know and that can be the better one to take. The instructions that I have been given is to take one tablet about an hour before the test and then another one, preferably under the tongue, just before the test. I usually take that second one after I've changed into whatever I am to wear for the MRI and am about to walk into the room where the MRI machine is. I have had a few head MRIs. Something I have learned from being in treatment for metastatic breast cancer for just over 17 years, is that some radiologists are so afraid of missing something on our scans that they over interpret little things that turn out to have nothing to do with cancer. My onc and I went on several wild goose chases early on and as I am sure you can imagine, there was a lot of anxiety about that! So I guess what I would suggest is not giving too much credit to the MRI report, but wait to hear what your onc has to say--they are the ones who know us and our specific cancer. Whenever I have to have a test, now my prayer before hand is that it will reveal anything that needs to be known.. That helps me relax more about results. Better to know than not know so treatment can be tailored to what we need. I hope this helps.

[Tam-56 in reply to PJBinMI]

I totally agree that radiology reports can generate a lot of anxiety. My onc always sets me straight on what is there and what is nothing to worry about. Thank you for sharing your experience with meds ...I will ask for something.

You are amazing living with MBC for 17 years! You give us all hope. Thank you so much.

[Ladyriderinfla]

I have a good friend that had it. Not sure of the cause but it was so bad it was debilitating. She had to have several shots in the ear that cleared it up permanently but she lost most of her hearing in the ear. If you have already lost some hearing it might be worth talking to your ENT about.

[lynnhbtb]

First,I read where vertigo was a side effect of COVID vaccines in some people. It may resolve on its own, in time. I sure hope so.Secondly, my husband was diagnosed with Meniere’s in hi s early 30s. He’s 55 now. He is on a pill to help with water retention and if he eats too much sodium it will act up. He does have persistent ringing in one ear. No surgery and he won’t consider a hearing aid. He does have nerve damage. We never knew what it’s from. Probably genetic.

I sure hope your vertigo is a passing thing. There’s a maneuver to change the ear crystals positioning you might google. I’ve had vertigo from that before as a chemotherapy side effect. It worked over a day or so.

I hope your problem resolves.

Lynn (one of several Lynn’s on this site)

[Tam-56 in reply to lynnhbtb]

Lynn,

Thank you for sharing your husband’s Ménière’s disease with me as I do not know anyone who has this condition. It is quite rare.

I’m happy to report that my ear pressure/blocked ear has resolved...just yesterday!! It is such a relief to hear again. I have not had another vertigo episode so far. Although I still feel a little off balance, I do feel better.

My doc at Mass Eye and Ear says it is hereditary and is the degeneration of the middle ear. Looking back the two episodes I have had, once after beginning Ibrance and the second one after the first Moderna vaccine...I’m thinking my trigger for an Meniere’s episode may be an assault to my immune system. I was prescribed a strong anti-inflammatory drug I need to carry with me. It sounds like your husband has coped well with this disease over the years. There is something about guys and hearing aids...I think the technology has improved over the years.

All the best to you Lynn

Maura❤️