My husband, David, has had 14 acute vertigo episodes in the last 37 days. That's roughly 1 every 2 1/2 days, though he has gone as long as almost 5 days and as little as 1 day 17 hours. Two years ago he developed sudden hearing loss and then fullness in his left ear. He had an MRI which was negative. A year ago he had slight vertigo that we resolved with the Epley Maneuver. Then last October he had 4 or 5 episodes of acute vertigo between 10/15 and 11/15. We got an appointment with an ENT that specializes in balance disorders. A physical therapists did a slew of balance tests. They ruled out BPPV and gave him some exercises to do and scheduled testing. The first available date was in January. David was in remission when he was tested (the tests took 2 hours and one involved warm and cool water, I don't know what the tests are called). So the results were negative. The ENT suggested that he either had 'Migraine without the headache' or Meniere's. When we saw him in early March after the vertigo started up again he diagnosed Meniere's and prescribed a diuretic. At this point David is taking: 1. Acyclovir 800 mg 3X day - started 12 days ago 2. Dyazide (diuretic) 1X day - restarted 5 days ago 3. OPC (Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins) suggested by Santa - 2X per day started 3 days ago 4. Low salt diet - 1 year 5. Treatment by Upper Cervical Chiropractor (started almost 2 weeks ago) The cycle is always the same. His left ear starts to fill up, his hear deteriorates, and the rushing sound starts about 2 days after the last Vertigo and culminates in Vertigo. Afterwards his ear is clear, his hearing better, and the rushing sound gone. We are at our wit's end, exhausted and discouraged. The last one (8:00 PM on Tuesday) was bad. It took 15 mg of Valium to get under control, plus Zofran. He had taken Meclizine at noon and 6:00 PM that day hoping to prevent the attack. During this episode he was very sensitive to light. I am waiting for delivery of Vinpocetine and Lemon Bioflavinoids. He has an appointment with Dr. Rauch in Boston next Tuesday. We are in Maine, so I will have to be very careful about timing the 2.5 hour trip or we could miss it. If Dr. Rauch offers decapitation I think David at this point would say 'go for it'... Does anyone have any advice on how to break this cycle? ???
If he is sensitive to light, it sounds like MAV (migraine) to me. I do not have migraines, but wonder if they could try a preventative medicine for migraines?
I agree you need to look into MAV seriously. There is a thread in our database about it and a great book called Heal Your Headache by David Buchholz. The most common form of MAV does not happen with a headache. I have MAV as well as MM and do not get headaches or migraines. If David does have MAV it would be a shame to go through surgery for Meniere's. You should also keep a journal of what he eats and drink a day or 2 before and day of an attack. A pattern will form and you can pinpoint his triggers. Has David been tested? VNG, VEMP, MRI, hearing etc etc
During episodes of vertigo I believe everyone is sensitive to light. I suggest asking Dr Rauch for a prescription for Valtrex (valacyclovir is the generic) My GP gave me a prescription for Valtrex - enough for 3 grams per day for a year. I'm glad he did. If I had just gone with what Dr. Gacek suggests than I believe I would still be having vertigo and fullness. Our weather has been rain for the last 6 days and it's high allergy season here. I was trying to taper off the valtrex only to find that in my case I am not ready for tapering off. I was trying 2 grams per day and I seemed to be ok. Then I dropped to 1 gram and I could feel the symptoms wanting to return. With this weather and the allergens I went back to three times yesterday. I also did 3 times with OPC and today is the best day I have had since trying to taper off. Best wishes with Dr visit and speedy recovery. Vicki is very good with helping and if you do have MAV she is the expert here.
David's wife already stated David started Acyclovir 12 days ago and that he's been through all the testing. centrallanding, I hope Dr. Rauch is able to do something to help your husband. One vertigo attack is one too many. Sounds like he's going through hell right now. I agee with Philosopher. Classic Meniere's.
MAV is always something to look into with Meniere's and migraines or headaches are not necessary to have MAV. Some doctors feel MM and MAV are one in the same. I don't personally but I do know many people with MM also have MAV and many times when non destructive Meniere's treatments do not work it may be MAV doing it's thing. I never thought I had MAV and have MM for 50 years. Turns out I have both.
It may turn out David has only Meniere's and needs surgery but he has 1 week before seeing Dr Rauch, why shouldn't they explore MAV in the meantime and possibly find some relief
Vicki -- most people don't understand MAV like you do. When I mentioned dr gaceks course of meds I wasn't saying he prescribed acyclovir --'I was saying his course of action wouldn't have worked for me because it was too short of a duration I have been on valtrex 3 grams per day for a lot longer than he suggests As severe as David's case I suggest he needs valtrex over acyclovir. I was on acyclovir for about five months and it didn't help much The valtrex and the OPC together are what I attribute for my past two successful months
Santa some of us go need to beyond the time frame Dr Gacek suggests. It took me many months before I could go from 1200 mg to 800 mg. I agree with nicgmer because MAV should not be discounted where Meniere's is concerned and should be looked into since he tried a few treatments that work for many but are not working for him and especially we were asked for suggestions to help stop his horrible cycle he is suffering through.
I dont think this was mentioned to you yet but another suggestion is take note of the foods that have a higher arginine to lysine ratio. Arginine promotes HSV lysine suppresses it. If I eat too many nuts, grapes, raisins etc I bring on a vertigo attack even on an antiviral. here is a database of foods higher in lysine than arginine http://nutritiondata.self.com/foods-000083000000000000000.html and same database of food highest in arginine http://nutritiondata.self.com/foods-000089000000000000000.html
this shows the lysine vs arginine in foods http://nutritiondata.self.com/foods-009083000000089000000-3.html
I'm a nut, I'm nutty. I love nuts but I had to give them up because of MM. I love Popcorn, had to give it up because of diverticulitis. I love Roller coasters, and dammit I'm not giving them up. Even if I puke afterwards. It does sound like David is exposing himself to something that is triggering the reactions. It could be the weather, food or allergens, etc. I think some of us have had some sort of trauma or Allergies or exposure to loud noises which can weaken our inner ear and allow a virus to sneak in their and take up an abode. I know I am not one who can sit down and tell you everything that I might have eaten or done that could trigger a reaction. Sometimes vertigo has hit while sitting at the computer and I have had to stumble to the bed and remain there until the next day. But, I don't know what or if something triggered it. I'm am so bad at monitoring things I eat or drink. I just want to SAY to David I believe we/he can BEAT this Virus. We need to exercise ( I know it's hard when you feel the way you do) and eat a healthy diet and take probiotics and most of the stuff on JOH's Regimen. I did everything on his Regimen for seven months (everything on his regimen is great for better health.) David---there is a light at the end of this tunnel and it's not a train---it's CONTROL of this virus. It's getting your life back!! And YOU will GET YOUR LIFE BACK!!
What is classic menieres. I thought it was idiopathic. I believe I had menieres and MAV. I was diagnosed with menieres but turns out I had menieres and MAV. Once I started to treat my condition as MAV in 2009 my improvement was rapid and I have been well ever since.
Thanks to everyone for their ideas and expressions of support. I will get the headache book. I think that if it is allergies or MAV an elimination diet will help. I have tried to find food connections but this thing seems to have a mind and schedule of it's own. I also would like him to be taking Valtrex but his insurance only covers 30 pills in 30 days. I would drive to Canada to get it though if it would help. I don't get the feeling that Dr. Rauch is a believer in virus as a cause but maybe he will surprise me. We are now at 2 days since the last attack and the fullness and noises are starting. He had two OK days. Thanks again, and if you think of ANYTHING else, please let me know. Cheryl
Dear Cheryl, I don't like taking Valium or Meclizine, but If I have to choose between one of those or a Bout with Vertigo I am all in with the Valium (Diazipam or however you spell it) or Meclizine and sleep it off. Vertigo is like a VERY BAD HANGOVER. It truly sucks. You don't even get to have the fun before the hangover.
for MM high arginine foods will trigger attacks, check out the links I sent about those foods, because I brought on a vertigo attack by unknowingly eating too much at once even taking an antiviral. maybe check if his insurance will cover valcylvoir better its the generic of valtrex
Santa, help me understand the comment on not eating nuts. I eat raw (unsalted) pecans in salads and yogurt. Now I'm wondering if that's a bad idea. I just ordered the Headache book today and plan to explore that theory as I have daily dizziness, no headaches, and no hearing loss.
Cheryl, while not "cheap" by any means, I was able to get a 30 day supply of generic valtrex from Costco for about $90. I had to go that route because when i had a refill thru my insurance approved provider it was a different lab and immediately I started experiencing the fullness and ringing again. So it was worth it to me to pay the month supply in cash so that i could get it from the lab that seems to work for me. And the Costco by me has been very helpful and will even specially order it in for me to ensure that they fill thru just the lab that I have found relief.. (And until this one I had never been concerned about brand vs generic vs one manuf or another.) I have a prescription for 1mg Ativan that can be taken if an attack hits. It is placed under the tongue. This was key in getting my attack "under control" and not lasting for hours. Under the tongue it gets in the system quicker and as a result there is no issue with puking it up during the attack. And i do know that it easier said than done...but if your husband can try to focus on positive things (whatever those may be) to help minimize stress or anxiety it will be a huge benefit. Stress is a MAJOR trigger for me - that and fatigue/lack of sleep.