Well my 6 month illness finally has a name. On top of my Menerie's Disease I have been diagnosed by the ENT specialist as suffering from Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. What is this tongue twister disease you may ask.
BPPV occurs as a result of otoconia, tiny crystals of calcium carbonate that are a normal part of the inner ear’s anatomy, detaching from the otolithic membrane in the utricle and collecting in one of the semicircular canals. When the head is still, gravity causes the otoconia to clump and settle. When the head moves, the otoconia shift. This stimulates the cupula to send false signals to the brain, producing vertigo and triggering nystagmus (involuntary eye movements). So basically I have rocks in my head - we already new this right?
Treatment: Dexamethasone intratympanic injection. Yep long needles shoved into my eardrum with the purpose of relocating the particles to an area of the inner ear which does not cause vertigo. However, after several months or years these particles can find their way back into areas of the inner ear which will require a repeat treatment.
Conclusion: We know what it is, how to treat it, and I have a whole week to sit here (scheduled 01/14/14) and think about how scary this all sounds but if it will give me quality of life back I think it 100% worth the discomfort and fear.