Labyrinthitis vs Meniere's

[bubbagumpshrimpin]

I have a hard time figuring out if I have Meniere's or Labyrinthitis. I have been diagnosed with both, and recently my ENT and myself are thinking it's more like Meniere's. Anyone here can help distinguish the difference? Note: I am 34 never had ANY symptoms before other than some common allergies.

My symptoms:
6 weeks ago - felt a bit of tinnitus and blockage in right ear when I was traveling/flying overseas on vacation, didn't think much about it, thought I was just under the weather.

5 weeks ago- back home from vacation, suddenly woke up in the middle of the night with loud shrieking in my ear, and severe spinning vertigo. First time ever experience anything like vertigo. Went to ER, diagnosed Labyrinthitis, attack lasted 3hours, told me to rest and go home.    

For the next 10 days, I had significant buzzing tinnitus, pressure/fullness in the ear (much like in the middle of a descending flight), hearing loss overall fluctuating from 40% of normal to 70% of normal but really bad at lower frequencies, brain fog, almost constant dizziness. ENT prescribed a course of steroids, which did not work. Has another vertigo attack, also lasting 3 hours.

After 4 days, or 3 weeks ago, things improved a good amount. Hearing improved, fluctuating from 80% of normal to 95% of normal, and I can hear the lower frequencies now. Dizziness has subsided. No more brain fog. Ear pressure has mostly subsided. It feels more like a little blockage (like coming out of a pool) rather than pressure of a descending flight. Tinnitus continues and fluctuates.

For the next 3 weeks, until now, no more vertigo. Dizziness has subsided except for 2-3 minor about no dizziness. My main concern is the tinnitus, still ongoing doesn't seem to be improvement.

So, this is Meniere's?

[Chana Lerner, AuD]

Ménière’s disease is a chronic, incurable vestibular (inner ear) disorder. Ménière’s disease can develop at any age, but it is more likely to happen to adults between 40 and 60 years of age. The exact cause and reason why Ménière’s disease starts is not yet known.
Labyrinthitis is an ear disorder that involves irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the inner ear. This interferes with balance and hearing. There are many causes of labyrinthitis. Labyrinthitis usually goes away within a few weeks. Most patients are completely better within 2 to 3 months. Medications help to reduce symptoms.
Complete physical, neurological, vestibular, and audiologic exams should be done.

[bubbagumpshrimpin]

* in the end I meant 2-3 minor bouts of dizziness