I Have Been Experiencing Dizziness, Dull Headache , Hot Flashes

Brief Answer:
Metabolic disorder of some type to be considered

Detailed Answer:
Good evening and thank you for your question.

The amount of information is sparse and therefore, precision with regard to a spot on DIAGNOSIS will be difficult at best but if we want to simply attack this problem from the "first thing" that strikes me given the fact that you are a 58 year female with a medical history of MENIERE'S disease then, I would say the following:

1. Assuming that you did not have some type of surgical menopause 30 years ago for some reason and that you still have all your female organs then, you MAY BE going through some residual symptoms of MENOPAUSE even though you may THINK you went through it already.

In other words, even after periods of entirely stopped for 1 year or more....there are a good number of women who will continue to have OCCASIONAL Hot flashes along with feelings of bloatedness, dizziness, and feelings of lightheadedness or even vertigo because a rogue egg or 2 are still left over and the last little bit of ESTROGEN is trying to be squeezed out of the ovaries. If that's what this is...then, no worries....it will eventually stop COMPLETELY.

2. I might suggest a good screening panel of hormones to include THYROID function studies which look at:
A. Free T4 (FT4) &THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE (TSH) in the serum
B. Random Cortisol
C. NORmetanephrine and METAnephrine in serum are very sensitive for what is called a PHEMOCHROMOCYTOMA (tumor of the ADRENAL GLAND).

3. You may also benefit form an U/S of the neck (looking at thyroid gland) as well as ADRENAL GLANDS to detect any abnormalities of mass lesions as of yet undiscovered.

4. Of course, "common sense things" that DOCTORS themselves should pick up on rather quickly would be to ask you whether or not you're taking ANY medications that could be causing these symptoms as a result of SIDE EFFECTS that you're not tolerating?

5. Are you taking any OTC or HERBS/HOMEOPATHIC drugs as "natural" remedies that could be responsible?

6. Meniere's is unlikely to be at the root of the problem since dizziness and dull headaches certainly can result in the symptoms, however, Meniere's Disease if almost accompanied by HOT FLASHES.....these are caused by HORMONAL IMBALANCES or interferences from other sources.

7. I would also recommend working you up with an MRI of the brain (not a CT scan please)...but an MRI and an MRA. I would also look into possibly doing what is called a HIGH RESOLUTION IAC study (of BOTH ears) to see if there were any anatomical/structural problems can be seen on the scan. I wouldn't be surprised if it came out TOTALLY NORMAL.

There are other potential differential diagnoses but honestly, with only those 3 symptoms and no other clinical data or individual/family background to go on...one could write for hours on any number of things with those symptoms, may of which would only have a probability of occurring if you lived in a tropical rainforest or Amazonian climate! LOL....

I will recommend ONE PARTICULAR MEDICATION to stay away from since it does nothing for these sorts of symptoms (in my opinion) and could actually make things paradoxically worse. This medication is a favorite of internists and ER physicians, but it has largely been falling out of favor with neurologists due to its side effects and lack of overall efficacy in the majority of patients.

This medication is named MECLIZINE OR ANTIVERT.

And so, if I've provided useful or helpful information to your question could you do me the favor of CLOSING THE QUERY along with a few POSITIVE words of feedback and maybe even a 5 STAR rating if you feel it is deserved? I'd love to stay in the loop and get some updated information on how things are going in the next few weeks if you can remember to drop me line at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi ?

Also, You can always reach me at that address for this or other questions. I wish you the best with your symptoms and hope this information helps.

This query required 48 minutes of professional time to research, assimilate, and respond in complete form.

---