Possible Ménière’s disease exercises

[Lambskins1]

Hi, I know this is an older thread but I have recently been told I have possible right sided Ménière’s disease. I have vertigo which has been controlled by betahistine 16mg and I have also had steroid injection into my right ear to calm down the vertigo symptoms which has worked. What I’m really struggling with is the on a boat feeling that I have when walking around. I find that my ear feels full and I also have tinnitus. I do some vestibular exercises by twisting my head side to side etc with eyes open then closed as directed by the hospital but wondered if anyone has seen an improvement from these exercises on their everyday balance? My balance tests and hearing tests came back ok - my anxiety about feeling on a boat is very high and I do not feel like myself at all - I am signed off from my work as a teacher and I am taking mirtazapine at night for the anxiety. Any help much appreciated x

[Happyrosie]

Hello Lambskins1. You have my sympathy - I was diagnosed with BPPV which has similar nausea, vomiting, balance issues. I have some suggestions.1 continue with the exercises recommended to you - they should gradually train your brain to accept what your eyes and body are telling it and not your ears.

2 search 'vestibular rehabilitation exercises' on Brain & Spine Foundation. You are already doing one or two of these. One of these, for instance, tells you to move your eyes left and right instead of your head. Also try out the others they suggest but NOT the ones where you stand and move your body.

3 then try the exercises you've got, and the others I've suggested above, standing up where you can hold on to the back of a chair, for instance. Instead of sitting down. If you can do this, you have definitely made progress.

4. search NHS website for "exercises for older people" (don't be put off) and, when you are feeling a bit less poorly, try the ones for balance.

5. If the betahistine helps that's fine, but you could ask your doctor to trial Prochlorperazine. This is what I was prescribed and it worked quite well.

You wont' be able to work or drive probably for a couple of weeks - but I'm sure you will improve gradually.

If after a few weeks you are not recovered, ask your doc tor about the Eply procedure.

I wish you well.

[Lambskins1 in reply to Happyrosie]

Hi Happyrosie, thanks so much for your support and reaching out to me. I will keep up the exercises and do them more often as well as looking into your suggestions. I took prochorperazine for a while but my ENT asked me only to take it when I need it as I can’t take it long term. I have a few of the tablets left so I can always take one if needed. My gp has agreed to me going down to an 8mg dose of betahistine as a trial to see if that helps with the feeling of disconnectedness I have when walking about but I’m not sure it will - I can always increase the dose again though. I’ve tried the Eply manoeuvre and it didn’t work for me (tried this in ENT clinic to check for BPPV and I’ve had it done at my gp surgery) think they’ve ruled it out and going towards Ménière’s disease instead. I am used to vertigo these days and can cope with it, it’s just the balance and unsteady feelings that I need to work on. Thank you so much and I hope you have a lovely day xxx

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Horrible feeling being sea sick and not in control ..mine gets so bad I have to crawl and when I try get GP to help they seem totally ignorant to my demise ....it's getting me down now