Ear, Nose & Throat Community

Get as many details as you can tomorrow.....and try to get them to give you a definitive diagnosis, or at least a provisional or working diagnosis.

While people may have similar symptoms, it does not mean they all have the same cause or causes for those symptoms.

I hope your tests went well and you got some much needed answers! I have had ear pressure for about 6 months now and dizziness started about a month ago. I know it can backfire when we get our information online from unconfirmed sources, but I read an article that stated Ativan is sometimes used to treat vertigo associated with Meniere's Disease. I had recently stopped taking Ativan for anxiety, but still had an active prescription, so I gave it a try and had relief from the dizziness within half an hour. It's the only thing I've found that helps that problem completely. My ENT did confirm that it can be used to treat dizziness, is aware I'm taking it only as needed, and was ok with that. I would talk to your doctor about it. Obviously, you will need to see what effect it will have on you and we are all different. I had already been on Ativan off and on for about 4 years, so I knew the effects it had on me. It really did help with the dizziness though and it's worth looking into.

Its me again. Just an update since the last time I posted... I went to my neurologoist & my mris came back fine the pituitary tumor he thought he seen came back to be a mistake thank god! Since the last time I posted I have had my heart tested and my brain. My heart tests came back fine but my brain wave test had a spike in it which he said is a sign that I spiked a seizure during the test. He also told me that from my history & my symptoms he would say that he thinks that is what I am having are seizures but he isnt 100% so he put me on some type of seizure medicine that made me worse that I already was. I called into his office and told them my symptoms and he told me just to come off of it then he vacationed to China and I'm left without an answer until he comes back bc the other nuros in the office wont deal with his patients or something of that sort. I found out the pressure I have in my ears are from inflmation in my jaw & the pain but thats all i've found out. Still suffering with this drunk dizzy like feeling. Its so horrible i've been house bound for about 3 months i'm afraid to drive anywhere b/c of how my head feels... My nurse practioner that i've seen has been trying to help she wanted me to try anxiety drug I tried it but came right off of it. I'm not depressed or anxious those anxiety/depressant drugs make me cry non stop & I was as happy as could be before even taking them. I will never try them again. But I hope something gives soon. I'm so tired of trying different medices they scare te crap outta me. So I told myself until they find the problem I wont take another pill... Hope everyone has a great day...

It is YOU that really needs a great day...

Have you thought about getting a second opinion from another neurologist? Not someone in the same practice, but perhaps a well-respected one in a different area. I don't know where you live, but it seems to me that you deserve a bit more hands-on care until this issue is solved. If you do have a possible seizure disorder, then perhaps a repeat test is in order.

I am so sorry that you are still struggling and putting your life on hold. Although I am not a neurologist, I feel that you need to have another opinion.

I have had the same thing gong on. I have been through the doctor, the MRI, the heart monitor and EchoCard. They are still looking for answers and its costing me a bunch. My symptoms are same. I feel woozy drunk off and on, pressure in head, mainly left ear area, left ear rings, sometimes both ears ring and pressure (which makes its all seems worse). My vision will go a little strange like things shift now and then, I actually fainted at work. I feel nautious and sick to my stomache now and then.
Whats been done. Ears checked, MRI, blood check, diebetes checked, taken Sudafed, Meclazene, Mucinex, Allergy meds. All test are good, and none of the meds helped.
What may have caused it?
I play in a band and had one instance of loud noise in my left ear which may have caused damage. My right ear was plugged for about a month and could not get it to clear.
My Doctor is leaning towards Maneres desease, but says that is like a last resort thing.
I feel I am waisting my time with Doctors guessing They are refering me to a neuroligist now. I know its not my heart and or nerves. Its in my head area and it feels like if I had those little tubes in my ears it would probably solve everything. It pops/click almost everytime I swallow. And they said my eustation tube was plugged, well wont that cause pressure and wont pressure cause woozy feeling? It seems like when I stand with my legs lock straight or crossed while leaning, I get the woozy feeling really quick.
I just read a diff post where they had alot of our symtoms and it turned out to be nerves in the neck, and a chiroprator fixed it. Not sure if I buy that.
My spelling is bad and dont have a spell checker on here. Hope you find a cure. I too have a 4 year old and 3 year old, and feel like I am letting them down not playing as much. But I just feel lousy everyday.

Keep in mind that similar symptoms in two different people do not imply that both have the same disorder. For instance, there can be hundreds of different causes of vertigo/dizziness. It is is also possible to have more than one medical issue, all causing similar cross-over symptoms. You have some of the more complex array of medical symptoms known, and yes, the evaluation is long, difficult, frustrating, and expensive. Even in the end, whether a specific cause or causes are found, that does not imply that it can be "cured" medically or surgicallly. Some human afflictions simply defy a diagnosis.....and resist our entire armada of treatments.

Tubes in the ear are for middle ear problems and Eustachian tube dysfunction. While you could have a certain degree of this as PART of your problem, it is highly unlikel that putting in tubes will solve ALL of your symptoms. These things also cannot be fixed by a chiropractor.

The source of your symptoms could be in the brain or the delicate, microscopic parts of your inner places -- places that cannot be easily seen, even with the prying eyes of the best MRIs on the planet. Menieres is diagnosed clinically -- there are no special lab tests.

Right now, finding an effective treatment to control your symptoms should be high on your doctor's to do list. My heart goes out to you and I hope that a solution can be found for you soon. It is okay to be frustrated, but never give up hope.

I am curious if your symptoms are always the same everyday or if they are worse and better. After my first bout of what they diagnose as vertigo, I have felt the drunk/hungover feeling ever since. However lately I will have better days, It seems like some days I only get this really woozy feeling here and there. I dont have it as much on some days. It is never gone. and my ear never stops ringing. But yesterday I felt much better through the day and had one instance of a bad headache and feeling hot and woozy. I am do move slower though. My symptoms are not gone, maybe I am just getting more use too them. Like this ringing in my ear this morning is driving me nuts cause its quite and all are sleeping here.