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Original poster

Weird symptoms - what on earth could cause this?

53 replies

Alakazam8 · 03/09/2022 10:00

Right, I have had this happen on 2 occasions now so am worried about what it is. It happened exactly the same both times so need to go to GP and find out what it is but is bizarre so wanted to find out if anyone else has had same thing. It
starts with a loud ringing in my left ear that lasts a while, shortly followed by the room I’m in or place I’m in spinning to the point where I can’t move in a straight line really, or focus on where I should be going this is then followed by overheating, sweating profusely I then am very sick quite a few times (about 8)
both times it has happened we’ve been out so needed to get home. When I lie down and sleep for an hour or so the sickness/nausea passes but am left feeling awful and still dizzy. Will be contacting the gp this week as yesterday was the second time this happened.
has anyone experienced the same please?

OP posts:
Original poster
Alakazam8 · 07/09/2022 00:18

I’m pretty sure too. I will wait until I have had one more attack and then go back and ask for a referral. Think that’s the best thing I can do at the moment.

OP posts:
Original poster
Alakazam8 · 07/09/2022 00:24

For those pp who have meniers - do you have hearing loss with it. That was given as the reason why it couldn’t be that but when I came home and re read the info I think that it doesn’t always have hearing loss. Mine starts with a loud buzz/whistle at a medium pitch, the same sound both times incidentally and I believe that meniers starts with sounds like this- and benign vertigo doesn’t?

OP posts:
ThisIsNotAFlyingToy · 07/09/2022 00:39

What was the gap between the incidents? I've had sudden room spinning, can't move, taking half an hour to get upstairs and then throwing up twice but on consecutive nights. Nearly 3 years ago now and never happened since. I've assumed, and a doctor agreed, that "just" vertigo. I was experiencing hearing loss at the time so assumed linked and possibly viral.

Original poster
Alakazam8 · 07/09/2022 06:11

A week gap between them. That’s reassuring to know- all I want really is for it not to happen again but would be nice to properly know what it is/or to have been tested..

OP posts:
MarthatheWombat · 07/09/2022 06:18

Alakazam8 · 07/09/2022 00:24

For those pp who have meniers - do you have hearing loss with it. That was given as the reason why it couldn’t be that but when I came home and re read the info I think that it doesn’t always have hearing loss. Mine starts with a loud buzz/whistle at a medium pitch, the same sound both times incidentally and I believe that meniers starts with sounds like this- and benign vertigo doesn’t?

Do ask to be referred, there's a few tests a consultant can do to rule out bppv and then investigate if it's menieres/vestibular migraine. My symptoms are exactly as you've described but my consultant said on my hearing tests that because they came back normal it's more likely to be vestibular migraines. However she said it's difficult to fully diagnose one or the other as they are so similar. My hearing does come and go in the affected ear and I get lots of symptoms of fullness/tinnitus.

Raspberriesandblueberries · 07/09/2022 06:26

I think if you’re going to ask to be referred, it would be sensible to see an ENT consultant who has expertise in Ménière’s disease as they’ll be best placed to spot it if that is what is going on. From memory, there is a useful list of ENT consultants on the Menieres Society website.

TeeBee · 07/09/2022 06:52

Could you go back to your GP surgery and ask for a second opinion from a different doctor? I wouldn't wait.

Original poster
Alakazam8 · 07/09/2022 07:28

Might do that- am due a blood test so I could ask on the same online form I use to request them.

OP posts:
arewe · 07/09/2022 08:57

Vertigo

arewe · 07/09/2022 09:07

HouseInChaos · 03/09/2022 13:08

Its worth watching this on the Epley manoeuver and trying it if it's crystals in your ears:

Try this ^
I have just remembered I had suffered with similar symptoms couple years ago, wasn't able to see my GP and Google was telling me about some weird crystals in my ears, which have relocated somehow (after bad case of cold in my case). I absolutely did not believe the google and phoned my friend doctor abroad. She told me the crystals were real 😀 So found 2 exercises on YouTube- one of them was exactly this, with the link above, I did both exercises one after another and it was sorted after doing it once only! I was amazed I didn't know about those crystals in our ears before!

Naliny · 07/09/2022 17:14

Typically, MD has three symptoms, namely hearing loss, vertigo, and tinnitus. That is the textbook case, but we are not textbooks.

In my case, I’ve had one-sided hearing loss for 19 years, starting at the age of 20, before my first vertigo attack last year. To this day, I do not suffer from tinnitus.

I have seen a specialist in London, who specializes in Ménière’s disease. He said not all three symptoms always need to be there. So I would definitely not rule out MD, just because Of the lack of hearing loss. Also, in the textbook cases the hearing loss often only develops later on in the disease. For me it has been the complete opposite.

On another note, have you recently had coronavirus?

Original poster
Alakazam8 · 07/09/2022 19:33

Thanks for the further responses. No haven’t recently had coronavirus. So isn’t connected with that. I read too that hearing loss is a later symptom too. I have had a lot of ear problems in the past though so as I said to the gp I would find it hard to say if I have any hearing loss or not.
would anyone else recommend trying the exercise with the crystal relocation thanks @arewe or could it make things worse without really know ing what it is?

OP posts:
Naliny · 07/09/2022 20:14

I haven’t gone through all the messages / looked at what manœuvre she’s referring to but if it’s the Eply manœuvre I’d be wary. That manœuvre is meant to treat BPPV which is sth completely different (in my experience the vertigo associated with BPPV only lasts seconds and comes only with movement ie when you turn around in bed or move your head, so it’s pretty easy to differentiate it from the MD vertigo), and I have heard of many MD patients who have attempted the manœuvre (or had it done to them by well meaning but clueless doctors) causing a big onset of MD symptoms.

ThisIsNotAFlyingToy · 07/09/2022 20:26

Naliny · 07/09/2022 20:14

I haven’t gone through all the messages / looked at what manœuvre she’s referring to but if it’s the Eply manœuvre I’d be wary. That manœuvre is meant to treat BPPV which is sth completely different (in my experience the vertigo associated with BPPV only lasts seconds and comes only with movement ie when you turn around in bed or move your head, so it’s pretty easy to differentiate it from the MD vertigo), and I have heard of many MD patients who have attempted the manœuvre (or had it done to them by well meaning but clueless doctors) causing a big onset of MD symptoms.

Yes, a doctor was about to show me the manoeuvre and then realised what he was doing just in time 😃

Original poster
Alakazam8 · 07/09/2022 21:48

ok will steer we’ll clear then. I was absolutely clear to GP that I hadn’t moved awkwardly/suddenly so that doesn’t point to vertigo either. It definitely didn’t just last for a few minutes either!!!

OP posts:
JustDanceAddict · 08/09/2022 07:21

Re hearing loss/tinnitus with Menieres. I have constant tinnitus in left ear and have also lost hearing in that ear.
i see a consultant at UCLH now for yearly check ups. You’ll might get an MRI too, I’ve had a couple.,

JustDanceAddict · 08/09/2022 07:25

Ps: not all hearing - moderate loss.

dragonDan · 08/09/2022 07:27

I was going to say BVPP too.
I get attacks of it. Not as bad as the first couple of times but particularly when I'm stressed or tired.

dragonDan · 08/09/2022 07:29

Sorry meant to say there isn't an awful lot they can do but a physio can perform the epley manoeuvre which might help

Original poster
Alakazam8 · 08/09/2022 08:23

@dragonDan what were your symptoms those first few times please?

OP posts:
LollingAround · 08/09/2022 08:32

Can you afford to go private? Sorry if you are unable to but it might be easier and quicker.

Original poster
Alakazam8 · 08/09/2022 09:45

Unfortunately not- wouldn’t be able to afford it.

OP posts:
dragonDan · 08/09/2022 11:58

@Alakazam8
In my case it was like the room was spinning and I felt really sick and nauseous with it. The first time it was when I moved my head to the left so I couldn't drive. It went on for about three weeks.

Original poster
Alakazam8 · 08/09/2022 12:02

Thanks @dragonDan I had those symptoms but it is the ear symptom that makes me think it isn’t vertigo. Also I can’t associate it with having moved my head awkwardly. Did you have any buzzing as a warning sign?

OP posts:
Elsiebear90 · 08/09/2022 12:11

I have the same symptoms except the room doesn’t spin or move, it feels like I’m the one moving.

I had a lot of tests done and they said one of my inner ear canals in my affected ear isn’t working, they don’t know if it’s something I was born with or whether I’ve had a stroke and not been aware. My hearing is normal so they said it could be early Ménière’s or vestibular migraines, thing is I read vestibular migraines happen in people with a history of migraines and I’ve never had a migraine in my life. I’ve also developed sea sickness which I never had before.

I haven’t had any symptoms since around May or June and I’m not on any medication since the beta histamines they gave me just made me sleepy and didn’t seem to work, so I have no idea what it is. Have a follow up soon with the consultant so hopefully will get more answers then!