If you haven't figured it out by now, if I don't post for awhile it usually means I'm having several really good days, or several really bad days. Well, it's been over 2 weeks since my last post and unfortunately it's because I've had many bad days BUT, this time my bad days weren't ENTIRELY connected to meniere's disease. I've had a HORRIBLE cold. Coughing, sneezing, headaches and congestion. You know...the common cold. No big deal. I treated it as best I could with over the counter meds...except of course, trying to avoid the ones that don't mix well with meniere's disease such as anything containing aspirin, alcohol or caffeine. I drank lots of fluids and got plenty of rest...but I only felt like I was getting worse! It was awful. I'm not big on going to the doctor (I've been there enough because of my condition) so I was avoiding it as long as I could. But by the time day 10 of sleepless nights, endless coughing and a runny nose came along and there didn't seem to be an end in sight I gave in and went to the doctors. For the most part my diagnosis was no big surprise, I found out I was finishing up with an upper respiratory infection with post-nasal drip. Something that did surprise me however was that I had a double ear infection! What?! How could someone not know they have an ear infection, let alone a double ear ear infection? I can answer that question with two words: Bilateral Meniere's. You see I already suffer from the common symptoms of an ear infection on a daily basis.
Ear pain: check
Popping/ringing in the ear(s): check
Fullness feeling in the ear(s): check
Trouble hearing: check
Balance problems/dizziness & vertigo: check
These symptoms are common for me on any given day! I had no idea that I was suffering from a double ear infection. I just thought my cold was triggering some meniere's episodes. BUT in actuality my ears were all kinds of angry. With meniere's disease the inner ear is what is effected. But with an ear infection it's the middle ear the suffers. I had BOTH the middle AND inner ear mad in BOTH ears. I'm kinda surprised I was doing as well as I did through this whole thing! :)
Thankfully, now that we are treating the infections and cough I'm on my way to better days... I hope! It's still a slow healing process, and it's been a rough couple of weeks but I think I'm FINALLY starting to feel better. Back to my "normal" meniere's self...with just my inner ears messed up. :)
Hope you are all staying healthy and dizzy-free.
Much Love,
Shanon
