(I moved this post, per member suggestion...Thanks!) Hi gang, hope all are doing well. I think this may be my first post and I want to keep it brief. Diagnosed with Meniere's in 2011. Managing with Mazide 25mg and potassium daily. Have about one to two week long attacks a year. Diet is Not well regulated for sodium, but I try. Met an oncologist who works at a very reputable southern California hospital. I informed her of my issues. She contacted the research clinician working with multiple Meniere's patients and trying different options to control symptoms. I was asked to try Bright Nutrition's Inner-Ear Balance. He said MOST of his patients are having good results using this product. He also said Nitrites are the most important dietary factor in sodium reduction I should worry about. Seems obvious to me and I am sure the conscientious here will be the same. Today is my first day using this product. So far, no digestive issues, which is a plus. Let's see how i do. I am in no way endorsing this, just working out my own treatment as it is always in my hands. Ill report back if anything changes in my health. Thanks, Drew~
Here are the listed ingredients in Inner-Ear Balance http://brightnutritioninc.com/products/functional-herbal-formulas/inner-ear-balance Astragalus Root, Pueraria Root, Seashore Vitex, Common Peony Root, Cimicifuge, Phellodendron, Licorice, Chinese Angelica Root (Dong Quai), and Ginseng. None of these are known (by me, at least) to suppress herpes viruses. Apparently, they do increase inner ear circulation. –John of Ohio
John, I implied nothing when sharing what I am doing with my treatment. It is clear from your writings you have strong beliefs about what is the cause of the syndrome we experience. I sense you object to my course of action. I am impressed with the work you have put into this issue and the positive results others have experienced using your recommendations. Have you conducted a double blind study using your methods? As I said, this was recommended by a research clinician. Worth a try? Of course, as no one method is successful in treating and preventing symptoms. I will report back my experiences to the group and the clinician. Drew~
I would say it's worth a try if you have already tried antivirals and had no success with them. By this, i mean that you've taken valacyclovir at 3000 mg per day for at least 6 months with no improvements.
No did I imply, in any way, this product would bring no relief to Meniere's sufferers. As do many others, those of us trying new and alternative (as well as accepted, traditional ones) would like to know the details any of these new approaches. I made the post merely to reveal the ingredients of the product, which were not previously disclosed. Readers must make for themselves decisions about using the product, both from your helpful posting, and a consideration of the actual ingredients. And, yes, I did make the comment (accurate I believe), that none of the ingredients are known to suppress herpes viruses. I made this notation because it is now well established that antiherpetic prescription drugs do bring substantial rates of symptomatic relief. Scrutinize the peer-reviewed data in Dr. Gacek's paper here: http://www.mm3admin.co.za/documents/docmanager/6e64f7e1-715e-4fd6-8315-424683839664/00056616.pdf And, no, I have not conducted a "double-blind" study of the efficacy of my regimen (http://www.zoominternet.net/~kcshop/JOH.pdf). There are few, if any, double-blind clinical studies of Meniere's treatments. Gacek's profound data were derived from a straight, un-blinded clinical study of 211 Meniere's patients. I presently have 274 personal reports (140 pp) from regimen users, telling regimen successes and failures. 241 regimen users have reported successes (substantial or complete reduction in Meniere's symptoms), with 33 reporting no useful or absent reduction of symptoms. The lysine of my regimen, as with Gacek's prescription antiherpetic drugs, is well-documented in its ability to suppress or terminate herpes virus activity. From time to time, critics of my regimen have noted that no substantiating double-blind clinical trials have ever been conducted; therefore my efficacy rates are, for them, in question. For those who wish to restrict their Meniere's treatments to double-blind clinically proven therapies, good luck. There are virtually none, whether conventional or alternative. I appreciate the posting of this new Meniere's therapy product. Whether it has any antiherpetic outcomes or not is immaterial. The only things that count are, a) is the product safe, and b) does it bring symptomatic relief. Let us know how this works in those regards, please. If this works, it will be another therapy to add to the several successful ones listed on the Database pages (http://menieres.org/talk/index.php?board=3.0). --John of Ohio
Thanks John, To offer some background, I have not been assessed for viral infections. I will speak to my physician about this. I am due for a regular blood panel anyway. Fortunately, I have great insurance. Generally, I prefer to stay off as many drugs in my life as possible. That said, I am willing to look as deep as necessary to locate the causes and eliminate the effects of living with Menieres'. About a year ago, I began your regimen. My own discipline issues and some digestives issues prevented me from continuing after only several weeks. What contributed is I usually have one or two periods a year where symptoms and outright attacks occur in clusters. It was hard to stay self-motivated. What brought me to try something new was meeting someone interested in my case and my symptoms recently becoming bi-lateral. My triggers seem to be ongoing diet spikes in sodium, loud construction noise, hot weather and stress combined. I am currently recording medicinal and life factors on a log. I have been taking the Inner Ear Balance for about three weeks now. My blood pressure has consistently dropped to 117/60, or so from 126/74. I am 56 years experienced. The physician that introduced me to this product stated the goal of the clinical research is to get people of standard treatments such as diuretics. That's it; No causation research to my knowledge. I appreciate your efforts in your research. My interest is tracking and sharing what I learn and an overview of the journey along the way. Drew~
Many have presumed that it would be wise to have a herpes virus blood (or other) test conducted before initiating antiherpetic drugs. That would, indeed, be wise if there accurate viral presence tests. There are not. The species of herpes virus that cause Meniere's may be very different from more common, sometimes easily-detected viruses. Secondly, there is no reliable test to accurately detect herpes infections in the inner ear or its associated nerves. Posthumous electron microscopic examination of inner ear tissues can reveal herpes (or other) viruses embedded there; but that's a bit tardy for effective treatment. --John of Ohio
That leads to the issue of obtaining a prescription to medication without substantial evidence of disease. Well, others have done this. I will speak with my physician, and others if necessary.
The best test to see if it's viral is to take antivirals. They are very safe, with rare instances of side effect. As long as you check kidney and liver functions twice a year, you'll be fine. If it does affect those organs (very rare), then it will not progress rapidly enough to hurt you once you stop taking the antivirals. Take this paper to your doctor. http://www.mm3admin.co.za/documents/docmanager/6e64f7e1-715e-4fd6-8315-424683839664/00056616.pdf And this one: https://fhs.mcmaster.ca/otolaryngology/documents/recoveryofhearinginMeniresusingantiviraltreatment.pdf If your doctor won't at least try it, then he's worthless to you. Many doctors won't script it because they don't make any money from this. Any doctor can script it. You don't need a specialist. My family doctor does mine.
Yes ^^. Unfortunately we dont have tests for everything. Doctors know this and try treatments based on speculation all the time. Re circulation in the inner ear, my dr told me taking niacin (the kind that causes flushing) does as much as any medicine to increase circulation. Didnt do anything for my symptoms but ints cheap and easy to try and 'doctor approved'.
I am not sure what you believe can be confirmed by your physician. There is no test available that can confirm that anyone has Meniere's (much less the cause). There are tests that can rule out other potential causes and by that narrow down to process of elimination. Many people have found success controlling their vertigo with anti virals - and unless someone has a predisposed kidney issue it is a fairly safe and easy thing to try to see if it works for you. I am glad that you found something that is helping you. Others here have also found great relief through other methods - JOH, Anti Virals, Diet, etc. Sharing of information is great as there is no "one" thing that seems to work for everyone.
For me, any alternative treatments being documented is a good source of information. 2 of my cats have Feline Herpes Virus. I put lysine in their food everyday. That's been keeping their symptoms at bay. They have flare-ups and the vet will prescribe Antivirals. I think Lysine is a very important supplement to use for the herpes aspect of Menieres. When is your Dr. Appt.? Keep us posted. Welcome.
Hey ReelPlayer, I've heard of the product you're trying and am curious if it helps or not. I believe they offer a money back guarantee like Lipoflavanoid.
I am unaware of a guarantee. I will let you know how things go. My blood pressure has been a stable 125/76 or so over the course of four years. I take Maxide 37.5 MG 25 Mg once a day during the period to control sodium retention. The meds are commonly prescribed for high blood pressure. I am continuing the Maxide while adding the Inner-Ear Balance. After two weeks on the Inner-Ear Balance, my blood pressure is down to 117/58. Something is going on. That's for sure.. I'll keep you posted. Drew.
Okay gang, the results of my blood lab work came back. I tested positive for Herpes Simplex Virus 1 HSV1 . I have never had any of the normal blister type symptoms HSV1 is known for. Perhaps it is manifesting itself with the Meniere's symptoms? This would explain why stress causes a sharp increase in my symptoms. While there is no diagnosis for the cause of my symptoms, it is interesting... This gives me the perfect in to try antivirals. I made an appointment for next week to visit my MD. I'll report back what transpires. Prozeal; I'll will let you know my experiences with Inner Ear Balance as I learn them. So far, lower blood pressure and a sense of calmness. Which is not to bad.
Hi Reel, that's good news (in a way). The recommended dosage for herpes is much lower than what Dr. Gacek recommends for MM, so you might want to take his paper to your MD and have a discussion about what dosage to take. Good luck!
Hi gang, Today was my day to visit my regular MD after my blood work. I brought in the Dr. Gacek reports so I felt armed and ready to defend a position of trying an antiviral. The stars must have been aligned...When I started talking about my interest in trying something new, my MD informed me his father is also a Meneire's sufferer. This was only my second visit with this MD, so I had no idea. I asked how he was treating his dad and he said he is controlling symptoms through diet and diuretics. He gladly took the reports for his own education and personal interest. He also told me this dis-ease is more common than most people think. He sees it here and there in his patient group. He was very interested the the antivirus approach and immediately wrote me a 3 week prescription (800mg 3x/day) of acyclovir (Zovirax). Since this is Kaiser Permanente, I expected this go go no further, However, he is also referring me to an ENT to handle my case. I will be curious to see how that goes. I walked out with my $5 prescription in hand. I am still continuing the Maxide (diuretic) and Potassium daily until we decide to make a change. I may lay off the Inner Ear Balance since I do not know how an herbal formula will react with the cocktail I am now consuming. I will see how I feel in a few days with the new med. My journey continues. I will report back changes in my health to the forum. Many thanks for the encouragement and just for listening. Drew~
Good luck! Nice to have a doctor who cares. Your pharmacist should know about potential contraindications of the herbal product.