My first real Meniere's attack, triggered autonomic dysreflexia

Yesterday was yet another adventure in chronic disease and pain.

I went to the ENT Friday about a sudden onset of hearing loss and feeling of fullness in one ear since I had a sinus infection several weeks ago. I've had tinnitus and occasional dizziness, not vertigo, and nausea since breaking my neck a year and a half ago. He gave me hearing test, Hallpike, checked for ear wax, etc., and told me I have Menieres. I didn't really believe it.

Monday I got a script for Klonopin from the neurologist to try to ease the muscle spasms and spasticity from central cord syndrome. I was nervous about taking it because of all the possible side effects so I took only 1/4 dose instead of the half prescribed and only once a day.

Yesterday I was watching the morning news, got up of the couch to go to the bathroom, and WHAM! I was hit like a brick with vertigo, severe nausea and heaving. (I can't vomit because of stomach surgery.) I staggered to the kitchen holding on to walls and counters and grabbed a Zofran, chewed it up and made it to the bathroom, heaving all the way. I made it to back to the couch and my cell phone and called a neighbor to come sit with me. I could barely talk and was sweating my PJs soaked. I haven't been able to sweat since breaking my neck. Odd. I thought I was having a reaction to the half dose of Klonopin. I'd taken a half pill with my pain meds over 2 hours before.

The neighbor got my BP cuff and my pressure was 150/? with HR only 52. Not super high, but the HR was too low. This is not a symptom of Menieres or Klonopin reaction, but it is for autonomic dysreflexia, which I get when it's triggered by pain like constipation and such. It's serious because it can cause a stroke if BP goes way up, but last time I went to the ER I heard the doc say "panic," and gave me Ativan. Fortunately, that time the event was over by the time they got around to checking my BP. I wasn't anxious to go there again, thinking this attack would end in minutes.

I found out a Meniere's attack doesn't necessarily end in minutes. I was heaving, despite Zofran, for 2-3 hours. That's about it took for the BP and HR to get under control. I felt awful for another 4 hours. Today has been fine.

I called the ENT today, but he is out until Monday. I suspect he'll want to do some more tests.

My mom had Meniere's in her 90's but I never knew of her getting an attack, just hearing loss. Now I know why some of you list this on your sig files.

So sorry you've been hit with this monster of a problem. For most people attacks last no longer than a few hours. At some point you will figure out what your triggers are and be able to get meds down to control it before it gets bad. By chance were there thunderstorms when the attack hit? Sudden barometric pressure changes are a sure trigger for me.

Feel better.

Hey Ms. Alcie..."Another Adventure in CP" sounds like the title for a book we could all write!

I'm sorry you're having added issues, sweet.  My husband was diagnosed with Meniers in 2006, after negligent ENTs had allowed infection to infiltrate his ethnoid sinuses.  He was hospitalized with hardline antibiotics IV, along with Solumedrol (sic).

There was fluid backed up into his ears, causing the symptoms.  Once he got the infection cleared, the vertigo with projectile vomiting ended (yay).  His adventure, however, did not end there.  The steroid spiked his HBP and blood sugar levels (usually normal).  All issues corrected themselves, thankfully.  I have no doubt that our local GP saved him from the "specialists" who ignored his suffering. 

DH now KNOWS that he needs to fast track to the quick clinic for Rocephin injection at first sign of sinus infection.  He just cancelled his own birthday (yep) because he was fighting this chronic issue once again.

I DO HOPE you feel better.  I'm still waiting for update on tadpoles!   I saw my first itty bitty frog yesterday, as well as a tiny skink.  Our garden pond has been "melodious" since early March with the chirping FROGS.  They're so loud at night, they drown out the surround sound of the TV at night.  Of course, where there are frogs...there are SNAKES. In our case, bad ombres...Moccasins and Cotton Mouths.  It's not just the pond/rocks that lures the venomous snakes.  We also have Copperheads and Rattlers with wooded area of property...Oh, my.

Keep the stories of grandkid adventures with Alcie coming.  I love to hear ALL of them...medicine for the soul.  Enjoy every moment=)

Hugs~Dixie