I went to Neurootologist and we have concluded that I have an atypical case of Maniere's disease. He was familiar with Dr. Gacek's study, but said he has not had the success in the study. He also said that with my intermittent symptoms, he was reluctant to prescribe something I would have to be on forever. He is not unwilling to.prescribe anti-viral, but feels I.am.not in need now. He did prescribe prednisone for six days. He said that it can push Menieres into remission. Prednisone is anti-inflammatory. I was doing research and trying to understand inflammation. Something that injures the body in someway , a bruise or a disease cause inflammation which the body through its immune system then fights? I guess my question is since autoimmune system as tested and found to be excellent what are the chances inflammation is causing my vertigo? I do feel better, I say skeptically and cautiously since I have been on Predisone. Any words of wisdom from this remarkable group will be appreciated. Thanks
Inflammation is highly the likely cause of all meniere's in my opinion. See even salt and water can cause inflammation, if you consume too much salt, you then drink and hold more water causing you to get 'inflamed' and your weight goes up. This is why we are put on a low salt diet to keep the inflammation to a minimum. Some Docs say you have extra fluid in your inner ears and that's why we get diuretic pills that's an inflammatory condition from just water. Some have a herpes origin for their menieres where the hsv has latched on the balance nerve and when it becomes active the nerve gets inflamed and causes a disruption in signals causing the symptoms. Some have allergic origins for their menieres to either environmental stuff or food that causes inflammation that leads to meniere's symptoms, so I think the common ground for the most part aside from MAV which can have similar symptoms is mostly caused by inflammation. I don't quite understand MAV too well just yet and what causes it so can't comment on it as much.
I know that the predominant opinion expressed on here is that the cause is viral. It would be nice if there were a blood test or MRI or some test that could identify the source of the inflammation. Thanks for the input.
Do you have any other symptoms? Shoulder / hip clicking, finger tightness, one leg seeming shorter than the other? On the same side as your ear symptoms?
If I were a doctor looking to get some extra money for a nice swimming pool, then I'd do exactly what this clown is doing. Get my patient to spend money on diversions rather than try the antivirals, which have almost no side effects, to see if it helps. Going out on a limb here, but I'm guessing if the steroids don't work, he's going to have another thing to try that doesn't involve antivirals.
I'm thinking that if the anti-virals work, what's the problem with being on them longterm? If they don't, you stop. Prednisone has a much worse record for side effects than anti-virals.
Agreed. Antivirals are about the safest thing you can put in your body. It's absolutely criminal that some doctors won't script it.
Thanks all. Mustang I do have one leg shorter than the other, but I do not know if it is the affected ear. I do not have any of those other symptom.
You should look into NUCCA chiropractic. This is a specific chiro discipline that focuses on aligning the atlas. The adjustment is very gentle. Nucca.org to look up a practitioner in your area.