3rd ENT appointment...and a consultant who listened!

ENT consultant visit today...he actually listened. Reckons I've got menieres symptoms rather than vestibular migraine. Going back on the betahistine- low dose 8mg for ear pressure - and going to persevere. It was good being listened to and was given a 6 month open appointment to return if further problems. This makes up for the dreadful first one...3rd time lucky! He explained overlapping symptoms, problems treating menieres as older treatments now discredited etc.

I had a vertigo attack on the way and stumbled in the hospital car park, which may have been stress related. He advised rest, healthy eating, cut caffeine, salt (recommends not to cut salt completely as zero salt can cause depression, didn't know that) ...I feel like I have a plan! Hope you are all managing ok. xx

[Happyrosie]

I’m so pleased for you Fuzzy! A proper diagnosis is more than one step forward.Keep us posted as to how you get on.

[Hidden in reply to Happyrosie]

Thank you, Rosie. I feel relieved they're recognising it as menieres symptoms. I'm in my bed having a rest, ups n downs but feeling positive overall. Hope you're ok? xx

[Happyrosie in reply to Hidden]

Good to hear. I’m fine, Fuzzy. Getting ready for my two-hour stint at our local foodbank tomorrow. There are people far worse off than me even in my prosperous corner of the south east of England. Certainly takes my mind off things. But glad I hardly ever have dizzy spells now.

[Hidden in reply to Happyrosie]

That is good to hear. That's really good of you doing that. You're right. 👏 xx

[surreycccfan]

Fuzzy, that's GREAT to hear you had a successful ENT appointment and you now feel like you have a plan 👍

[Hidden in reply to surreycccfan]

Thanks very much, Surrey. Hope you're well. x

[doglover1973]

That's great news Hidden ! It's so nice when a doctor actually listens. The six month option is very handy too. Just as well you don't have to cut salt completely .. I'm thinking of the crisps 🧂

[Hidden in reply to doglover1973]

Thanks Jo. Ha ha true, I'm going to cut the crisps down...I've lost a couple of pounds, trying for another couple. I like small goals, big ones are overwhelming. 😊 🧂 Take care xx

[doglover1973 in reply to Hidden]

Nice work Hidden Keep it up. It's not easy losing the lbs is it .. I lost a fair few when I first got troublesome T but I've put them back on . Too much choc to console myself 🍫

[MOLKO1972 in reply to doglover1973]

You can't beat a bit of choccie...makes life with T a bit more bearable

[Hidden in reply to MOLKO1972]

Very true xx

[rabbits65]

Oh that’s very good news Fuzzy to be listened too very nicely . After all they are paid very good money after all . That’s interesting about salt , I did know that we are supposed to have a little salt as we sweat a lot out through our skins , mind you now I’m 69 I don’t appear to sweat. I would like to go back to ENT as well as I have issues to discuss . I am learning to live with my tinnitus , in the mornings I feel very much better it’s just from about 4 pm onwards I start to feel very full in my head I guess as we get tired this stresses the body and tinnitus thrives on us being even a tiny bit stressed. Plenty of rest your consultant says . I will try too if my poodles allow !!!

[Hidden in reply to rabbits65]

Thanks. Yes it is def worse or I'm more aware of it at night. I was meant to be referred again through my GP but I emailed and phoned the ENT secretary til they saw me...

I like the lighter UK nights in the summer for walks. Bet your dogs are great company. xx

[rabbits65 in reply to Hidden]

Yes I’m on holiday with my poodles in Dorset this week with my sister , had a lovely week and I have had an improvement in my T probably due to relaxation . Lots of walks , sound of the sea etc . Mind you I live in Bexhill on sea . Hope you feel better soon 😊

[Hidden in reply to rabbits65]

Sounds brilliant! xx

[MOLKO1972]

Fab...well done Fuzzy!

It's always nice to read good news

Hopefully will be second time lucky for me...but we will see!

Hope you're doing OK after your stumble x

[Hidden in reply to MOLKO1972]

Thanks. Fine now, I had to go lie down when I got home but was ok after stumbling. Ironically the visit to ENT was a bit of a stress trigger! Good luck with your appointment too.

[MOLKO1972 in reply to Hidden]

Glad all is OK.

Ahh thank you...my appointment is 22 June and I'm determined to have my say this time and not shocked into silence, due to an unsympathetic Consultant.

[doglover1973 in reply to MOLKO1972]

Good luck !!!

[MOLKO1972 in reply to doglover1973]

Ahhh thank you

[Hidden in reply to MOLKO1972]

Good luck 🍀 take some notes with you? x

[Beagleears]

Hi Fuzzy so glad you had a good consultation that gives you a plan to help alleviate some of your symptoms. Personally I have found 8mg betahistine marvellous for vertigo and balance issues doesn't change tinnitus though. Be prepared for 2/3 bad weeks whilst adjusting to the medication and take it with food as even though I took it with food it did make me feel poorly at first I had really bad digestive problems won't say more than that but I could tell it helped me as I felt more balanced straight away. I never add salt to my food when cooking and don't even have it in the house but it's in every day food like cereals and bread so I still get some salt in my diet. Good luck and take care.

[Hidden in reply to Beagleears]

Thanks very much, that is great advice. Appreciate it. I'm glad it helped you. I was initially on 16mg last year and had to stop taking it as I was flattened, then had a detour with trying lots of other tablets in the mean-time - now giving it another go. They said it helps improve blood flow to the inner ear. x

[Beagleears in reply to Hidden]

That's what my doctor told me as well it's started to help my ears they are not so dry and itchy as they were and strangely I haven't had really bad hay fever this year. I'm normally terrible when the trees are in blossom I'm just assuming the betahistine has helped but I could just be having a better year with the hay fever. Anyway the lower dose works for you take care.

[Hidden in reply to Beagleears]

That sounds promising. Glad it helped you! 😊 x

[Harrier58]

Hi Fuzzy, so good you found someone who listened and the open appointment must give you confidence that you know you can go back if worried. Good luck with your plan forward and keep us posted.

[Hidden in reply to Harrier58]

Thanks v much. Hope you're well.

[Tanney]

Hi Fuzzy. I have bilateral (both ears) meniere's disease. If I can be of help to you on your journey with MD I'd be happy to help. I've found over the years that some things we can do really help manage this inner ear disease. Here is what I've found....1. take the Betahistine as directed EVERY DAY even if you are feeling well.

2. I take 16mg Betahistine four times/day for total of 64mg/day and I have not had a vertigo attack in years. How often are you now taking the 8mg of Betahistine....I presume 3 times/day....correct?

3. Meniere's Disease is often caused by allergies....especially nasal allergies. If you have nasal allergies it is vital that you manage them year round. I use a salt water nasal flush twice/day + a prescription nasal spray after the nasal flush.

4. If you take ORAL (by mouth) antihistamines you must stop them. Oral antihistamines neutralize the benefit of Betahistine because Betahistine is a histamine., Use only nasal spray antihistamines.

5. Manage your stress level. Stress makes MD and Tinnitus worse. I use Ativan 0.5mg under my tongue which calms the inner ear.

6. eliminate most of the caffeine and salt in your diet. Totally Eliminate alcohol.

I wish you luck on your journey. Let me know if I can be of further help.

[Hidden in reply to Tanney]

Thanks for the great advice. I was prescribed 16mg last summer but was very unwell on it...disorentiated, stumbling...couldn't function...I've had other tablets since such as migraine preventers...now going to try 8mg, still to get the prescription through. Been reducing stress and tweaking diet. Gave up takeaways, that is probably the main one. Thanks, much appreciated. xx

[Linley]

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