I am not familiar ..... what is a Mensch Displacement ....... is
that when a guy must relocate from New York City to
Vienna Virginia?

Joe

--
Joel34

I wasn't in an accident, but I was diagnosed with something called
Meniere's Syndrome several years ago, and you are describing all of
the symptoms that I have had in the past...not sure if an injury could
trigger such a syndrome, but it might be something to get checked just
in case.

Ah, wait, just did a google search and it says "after trauma"-
http://www.bme.jhu.edu/labs/chb/disorders/menieres.html

Hope you find some answers soon!

Carolyne in TX

Meniere's syndrome

What is Meniere's syndrome? Meniere's syndrome and endolymphati
hydrops both refer to a condition of excess pressure accumulation i
the inner ear. Symptoms include:

Fluctuating hearing loss (hearing that is good sometimes and ba
sometimes)
Occasional vertigo (usually a spinning sensation, sometimes violent)
Tinnitus or ringing in the ears (usually low tone roaring)
Aural fullness (pressure sensation in the ears)
What causes it? What is Happening? Presumably, there are two fluid
that fill the chambers of the inner ear. Too much pressure from thes
fluids will stretch these nerve-filled membranes and may cause hearin
disturbance, ringing in the ears, vertigo, imbalance and a pressur
sensation in the ear. Inner ear inflammation or infection: Autoimmun
disease, (Lupus, Rheumatoid dz), Syphilis, Allergy, High Cholesterol o
Triglyceride in the blood stream, Thyroid hormone disease Diabetes.

How is it diagnosed? Many test may be required.

Hearing test: to document the patient's present hearing acuity an
subsequent fluctuations. Sometimes the patient does not notice a los
in the high frequencies.
Blood tests: "EAR-LABS". To rule out obvious salt/sugar chemica
imbalances, infections, hormonal problems. Allergy testing: This i
usually done by blood test initially, and the confirmed by ski
testing.
ENG: Test of the inner ear functions - particularly the semicircula
canals. The ENG measures their response to warm and cold water. Th
test should be done on an empty stomach, and after discontinuin
Antivert, antihistamines and sedatives for two weeks (these drugs ma
alter the results of the test). It may make the patient somewhat dizz
or nauseated. The test tells whether the inner ears are weak.
ECOG: A test specific for distortion of the nerve-containing membrane
of the inner ear, presumably due to pressure fluctuations of th
perilymph. It is most accurate when Meniere's is active.
ABR: A test to see if there is anything that slows the transmission o
sound impulses to the brain along the hearing nerve.
MRI Scan - Brain scan that looks for abnormal masses or abnorma
anatomy. Please note tumors are rarely found but very important to rul
out.
How is it treated? Treatment Strategy Depends on :

Severity of Symptoms Hearing Balance function
Ability to identify affected ear
Age / Medical condition
Type of employment Roofer vs. desk job personnel
Dietary Management i.e. Avoid: foods with high sodium content. food
with high cholesterol or triglyceride content foods with hig
carbohydrate content chocolate, excessive sweets-candy, etc. caffein
and tobacco
Medical Treatment of Symptoms The goal of these medications are to mas
the vertigo. Antivert: 1 tablet every 8 hours or as needed. Droperidol
1-2 drops under the tongue. Compazine: 1 rectal suppository for nause
(use when too sick for pills) Medical Treatment of Pressure Build U
Dyazide: l "water pill" a day in the mornings. Neptazane: glaucoma dru
50-100 mg 3 times a day. Steroids: Taper as directed
Standard Surgical Treatment:

Endolymphatic Sac Decompression: Decreases the pressure build up of th
endolymph by removing bone that encases the endolymph reservoir sac
This allows the sac to expand more freely and allows the pressure t
dissipate. This has approximately a 65-80% chance of (1) controllin
vertigo (2) stabilising hearing acuity. It is a relatively low ris
procedure that can preserve hearing.
Vestibular Nerve Section: For patients with useful hearing in bot
ears, cutting the diseased balance nerve can often cure the symptoms
This has the advantage of a high cure rate (about 95 %) and ca
preserve hearing in the operated ear. The surgery involves both a
otologist and a neurosurgeon and is more complex than the endolymphati
sac decompression.
Labyrinthectomy: Has the advantage of a high cure rate, (greater tha
95 %) and is useful in the patient whose hearing on the affected sid
has already been destroyed by Meniere's. It involves removal of th
diseased inner ear organs but does not require entry into the crania
cavity and is thus less complex than the vestibular nerve section.
Newest Options

Vestibular Rehabilitation Balance retraining is important for many
reasons. Improved preparedness for impending attacks. Improved
tolerances of attacks Overcoming damage to the inner ear system after
attacks.
Streptomycin Perfusion: An antibiotic that specifically affects the
balance nerve is placed through a small puncture in the eardrum. A
small amount is also given intravenously. This antibiotic essentially
deadens the balance nerve and usually (90%) spares the hearing. Success
has been reported to be about 90% although relapses are possible.
Dexamethasone Perfusion: It would seem to make sense that if oral
steroids work, they may work even better through the inner ear. This is
done via the same method as Streptomycin Perfusion but using steroids
instead.
Electrical Stimulation for Meniere's A certain subset of tinnitus
patients have Meniere's syndrome. These patients, in a on going study
done by Dr. Li, have shown a tremendous amount of success in reducing:
Tinnitus, Aural fullness, and Vertigo with interesting improvement
rates!