So last Monday I got an answer to my vertigo question, is it because of the MS or do I have Menieres Disease?
I have Menieres Disease!
I guess it's the lesser of two evils........I've had a few people ask me which I'd prefer it to be? Well actually I'd prefer it to just go away so I don't have to deal with it at all but I guess that isn't an option!
I had a hospital appointment last Monday, they were going to look in my left ear and see if they could see what was going on and if necessary they would put a grommet type thing in the ear. It was all going to be done under general anaesthetic.
We got to the hospital and I was called through to see the Doctor. Straight away he told us that they couldn't do general anaesthetic today as some members of staff were off sick and it was too dangerous to do without the correct number of people. However he did explain that the test they wanted to do in my ear was perfectly safe and OK to do with local anaesthetic. So they were happy to go ahead with that, if I was happy too. He then explained that they would look at putting in a Collar Button, which is a kind of grommet type device that they put in the ear. He said it depends on what he sees when he gets to look in my ear.
I agreed that he could go ahead with the test, I have to admit that I hadn't realised that there was a test that could be done to confirm Menieres Disease. I did wonder why it hadn't been done before but I guess we had to rule out the MS etc.
I was first on the list so there was no waiting around. I was taken into a small theatre room where the Doctor piped a cream into my ear. This was the local anaesthetic. It needed about an hour to work so I was taken to a recovery ward to wait. The doctor had also told me that they wouldn't be putting the Collar Button in today because my ear canal wasn't straight enough, if they do put one in it will have to be done under general anaesthetic.
After they'd finished with the next patient, they came and got me and took me back to the theatre. There was an audiologist in the room along with the Doctor and nurses. The audiologist was there to put some sensors on my forehead. The doctor then vacuumed out the anaesthetic cream and explained that he would be putting a thin probe in my ear. After that there would be some knocking sounds. I didn't need to do anything, just lie there!
The test itself didn't take long, around 20-30 minutes and it didn't hurt either! The doctor said he'd talk to me after I'd got changed and so I was taken back to the recovery ward again.
When the Doctor came to see me he didn't beat around the bush he just said that I had tested positive and that yes I did have Menieres Disease. I wasn't really surprised as it was what we had all suspected anyway.
He said that they would see me again in about a month.
I'm on Betahistine 16mgs three times a day which he was happy with but that is the maximum I can take so he suggested that maybe I could take less of it at the moment while I'm not having any clusters. I have lowered my dose down to 16mgs once a day for now so that when I do have some attacks I've got somewhere I can go with the medication.
He told me to try and make sure I have a low salt diet and stay away from caffeine as much as possible! And then there was the usual advice that if I do have any attacks to look after myself, stay in bed etc all the things that you have no choice but to do when you have a vertigo attack.
I'm doing okay at the moment (I'm touching my head while I write this of course!) My last attack was December 16th. That is really very good! I'm just hoping that it lasts......if not for a long time then at least until after we get back from our trip to Disneyland Paris in a couple of weeks!! ;-)
I hope you are all doing okay and that the New Year is starting well for you all.
Sending much love and best wishes
Amelia XxXxXxXxXxXxX
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