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CPAP and menieres - bobbyj - 05-29-2017
I am a 72 yr old male and have bee a compliant cpap user for over 10 years. Approximately 2 years ago I began to exhibit severe vertigo with numbness and nausea. After the third attack over a 6 month period I was diagnosed with Menieres Disease. I have recently had four more attacks on a almost weekly cycle. my ENT has doubts to it being Menieres. I have had a consistent headache during the last two plus months and with the feeling of being sinus related. When the attack occurs the rescue squad thinks I am having a heart attack with profuse sweating and nausea. I am trying to discover a link to cpap and inner ear disturbance. All of my doctors are stumped.
RE: CPAP and menieres - Melman - 05-29-2017
I have Menieres Disease. It was diagnosed years ago. I control it with a diuretic and very low sodium diet (1,000-1,200mg/day) and have have been asymptomatic for years. Consistent use of CPAP has not caused any symptoms.
You didn't mention hearing problems. Significant distortion of sounds in one ear and hearing loss is usually a hallmark symptom of Meneires at the onset.
RE: CPAP and menieres - bobbyj - 05-29-2017
Thanks for the response. I have all the inner ear symptoms associated with menieres. Have been on diuretic med for 20 years. Keep my salt as low as possible. Tinitus gets really bad and also the full sensation in both ears. Once I sense a coming attack, I have about 10 minutes until life goes bad. Recovery time is two plus days.
RE: CPAP and menieres - Melman - 05-29-2017
You have my sympathy. Fortunately I only have it in one ear and have never had symptoms as bad as you describe. I see a Meneirs specialist. He says if I sense a significant attack coming on to call his office and he will get me in for a steroid injection. That was the treatment when I had my original attack and it cleared the serious symptoms quickly. I then had a period of about 6 mos of poor balance but then the low sodium diet started it's magic and I've been virtually asymptomatic since then.
I know I'm one of the lucky ones. The wife of a friend had constant vertigo and finally had to have the nerve to the effected ear severed. No symptoms but now completely deaf in that ear. If it hits her other ear down the road she's in trouble.
I understand it's unusual to get in in both ears but 10-20% may.
I mentioned that CPAP has not made my symptoms worse. Actually the opposite seems to be true. I have had significant tinnitus for years. Since I've been using my CPAP routinely for the last 5 months and gotten my AHI below 1 the tinnitus has disappeared. Go figure
I'm not about to claim it's a cure.What model Airsense do you have? Is it an autoset?
I suggest you download sleepy head from the link at the top of the page and post some data on this forum using the instructions in the links at the bottom of this message. We can at least help you optimize your CPAP therapy if necessary and perhaps help with some of the symptoms you describe. They may not all be associated with your Meneirs.
RE: CPAP and menieres - trish6hundred - 05-29-2017
Hi bobbyj,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Hopefully, you can find a solution to help with your ear problems and I wish you good luck as you continue CPAP therapy.
RE: CPAP and menieres - Beej - 05-29-2017
If the regular care for the Meniere's isn't working, I would check for other explanations.
You might consider a 2nd opinion from a neurologist. Some folks get vestibular migraine, which can include severe nausea, vomiting, difficulty standing and walking, double vision, twitching eyes (nystagmus), or other vision disruptions ...without having the headache folks think comes with all migraines.
RE: CPAP and menieres - Sleepster - 05-29-2017
I recommend finding a good doctor who specializes in balance and ear issues. Take a look online at Dr. Vrabec with the Center for Balance at Baylor College of Medicine. I realize that unless you live near Houston you can't actually visit him, but look for that kind of clinical practice somewhere near you.