Meniere's Disease - Open forum, what worked for you?

[molldoll26]

My mother was diagnosed with Meniere's disease about one year ago.  Her symptoms are primarily those associated with loss of hearing.  Ironically she was diagnosed and started experiencing the problems/symptoms shortly after having a crown put on one of her molars on the side with the Meniere's.  Has anyone heard of dental work making or creating Meniere's?  Do you think that it is possible it really isn't Meniere's and just something that happened with the dental work?  She has seen two different specialists and both just basically told her to avoid salt and caffenine.  Neither of these things have helped.  Any suggestions?  What has worked for you?  Thanks so much.

[gigi1014]

My husband got an epidural shot for low back pain and felt funny the rest of the day. He woke up with dizziness and vomiting and could not stand up with out getting sick.  He was diagnosised with Meniere's 2 yrs ago and this is the worst episode he has ever had! We ended up in the ER where he had to stay until he could keep something down.  What I find ironic is that he has swelling in his right foot, ankle and lower leg and the ear that fills up with fluid with the ringing in the ears is the right ear also.  He is a poster child for allergies and has been on Zyrtec D along with a fluid pill. I guess my question is would that shot he got for his back pain set off his Meniere's?  I am so tired of drs not listening to what we are telling them and just ride it off.  Any suggestions?
Gigi

[woodrat]

I have had this lousy disease for 27 years  Two surgeries.  The first one was just a money maker for the doc.  Second, they put that steroid in my ear.  It helped quite a bit for 14 years.  Rarely had an attack.  Past 6 months it came back with a vengeance.  Had an attack every 2-3 days.  Several times I had two in one day.  They were much more severe than I had ever had before.  Hearing was already gone in that ear.  I decided to have the labrynthectome surgery.  Had it on the 18th of April.  I was somewhat dizzy for about 4 days with an upset stomach.  Dizzy is gone but balance is still off.  I've been told it will take from 1-6 months to get the balance back to normal.  The good part is, no more attacks.  Finally...freedom

[nonaeroterraqueous]

So far, things are getting better.  The attacks are getting further apart and milder.  The only thing I'm doing differently is taking a diuretic (a potassium-preserving kind), but I'm not sure if that's the reason or not.  I had a debate with my ENT on the effectiveness of dietary sodium restriction.  "Wouldn't my body's homeostasis negate my efforts to regulate sodium intake?" I asked.  Because I now know for certain that my kidneys are healthy and working properly, I should be able to safely assume that if I eat more salt, then my body will expel the excess, and if I eat less salt, then my body would conserve it.  If my body could not self-regulate, then I would be a dead man if I didn't eat exactly the amount of salt I need each day.  Unless I go to extremes, my kidneys will fine-tune my sodium levels no matter what I eat.  That's just the way it works.  It takes a diuretic to change the target level set by the kidneys.  The ENT did not agree, but I think I stumped him.  Doctors probably get nervous dealing with people who have science degrees.

Whatever the case, I'm doing much better now than I was four months ago.  For all practical purposes, I'm back to normal, and my hearing is fully restored to normal levels.  The tinnitus is soft to nonexistent.  The headaches are absent most days.  The vertigo is virtually a thing of the past, except for the occasional stumble.  This, I can live with.

[Squirellgirlfairy]

Hi,
I was having the roaring in my ear...very loudly and nothing was working. I lowered sodium, drank water all day, went to the gym, no alcohol, no caffeine...steroids didn't work...I was to I just have to deal with it pretty much by the ENT. Well then I went to a awesome chiropractor... After only 2 adjustments I am 80% better!!!!! He explained that if a bone is in the way(c1 or c2) then your ear can't drain. Hope this helps you!

[Bamboo1324]

Are you still getting your C1 adjusted? Are you still doing good?

[mercyk373]

Hi  there,
Wow, 40 years is a long time! It is also a testimony tat Meniere is a
NON- Terminal illness. that is precisely why  we should not give up on our quest to live a vertigo-free life.

I do not know if you have the disease present in both ears like I do. It certainly makes it the most difficult challenge to an ENT to treat a bilateral menierian. It is like you are very limited in your options.

In any case, I have been bedridden for years, yes years! in a row. I certainly understand your fears, apprehension, anxiety and depression.
Meniere has no cure...yet but it can be successfully treated and tamed.

I am living now a life that it seemed out of reach years ago. Have faith.
I do not want to spoil your reading but do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions after you finish reading my story.

Fear not. Remember, stress is Meniere number one trigger!
all of your stories echo mine; that is one of  the reasons that prompted me to write my memoir. There is help available; unfortunately, not all specialists are fully knowledgeable on the subject
I will be waiting to hear from you again,
Blessings,
Mercy

[Lady311]

I have been a Meniere's sufferer for forty years.  That's right.  Forty years.  Last Monday I suffered a particularly bad attack and am still "off balance.'  I have bought many books on Meniere's, anxiety and depression.  Mercy, I just purchased yours, hoping to find something that may help.  Because I am older, I am starting to give up hope.  This last attack, after a particularly good week, has me depressed.  There is an important event coming up in a few months and I am terrified that I will have an attack before or during it.  I rarely leave my house anymore.  So discouraged and so fearful.

I read the intro to your book and I like the way your story unfolds.  After I read it, I will report back.  God help us all.