I went to a new ENT today. I have been getting my Valacyclovir from my regular physician since diagnosis because the last ENT I visited said "Low salt diet, we'll wait for your hearing to deteriorate then do surgery." The new ENT said all day dizziness is usually a sign of magnesium deficiency. I told him that I've become really anxious to the point of panic attacks and he said that's also a sign of magnesium deficiency. I'm to take magnesium and go back next month for a hearing test (I had my first hearing test two years ago when first diagnosed with Meniere's and my bad ear had very minimal hearing loss, the good ear has no loss). He said he almost guarantees I'll be better but if not he'll then have me do vestibular physical therapy and look at migraine associated vertigo in addition to the Ménière's disease. I'm honestly impressed that he recommended supplements as opposed to prescribing a drug or recommending surgery. The kicker - Doctor: "How have you been managing your vertigo and Meniere's since your onset 2 years ago?" Me: "Taking Valacyclovir" Doctor with a deer in the headlights look and open mouth: "The herpes drug? Who prescribed that to you? How much do you take?" Me: "Yes, recent research points to the herpes virus as a contributor to MM. My family doctor prescribed it." Doctor: "Are you a nurse? You seem to know a lot about this disease." Me: "Nope, just a sufferer of this horrible disease and trying to learn as much about it so I can get back to a "normal" life." Doctor: "Well enough, continue with the Valacyclovir and add the Magnesium. I'll see you in a month." Crossing my fingers the magnesium helps...
What form of magnesium are you taking, in what dose? Magnesium oxide is commonly recommended. It's cheap and readily available. But it is not always so bioavailable or efficiently absorbed into the body from gut tissues. In larger doses, as with many magnesium supplements, it can cause diarrhea. Magnesium citrate is more easily absorbed, and more bioavailable; but it, too, can cause diarrhea. I get most of my supplementary (non-dietary) magnesium transdermally, through the skin, with never any diarrhea. I squirt 15 to 20 squirts of magnesium chloride, known as "magnesium oil" on my the skin of my legs when I wake up each morning. I rub it into the skin and the water of the aqueous solution rapidly dries, leaving the magnesium chloride ions in the skin where they are absorbed into the blood stream without complication. The contention that the dizziness of Meniere's is a result of magnesium deficiency is new. I've never seen that. But it is true. The vast majority of people fail to get enough dietary magnesium. Modern foods have low concentrations. It is known that the efficacy of vitamin D is vastly improved by sufficient magnesium. The magnesium ion is the central metallic ion for over 300 essential human enzymes. Without those ions, the enzymes (which control proper chemical reactions) cannot be formed or function in any way. Magnesium facilitates proper calcium metabolism and deposition in the body. Osteoporosis and weak bones can result from inadequate magnesium. There are cardiac benefits, among others. An online search of magnesium deficiency will reveal the importance of adequate levels. Keep us posted on your progress, of course. --John of Ohio
The doctor said magnesium oxide but I researched that online and saw about the diarrhea and decided to go with the magnesium glycinate. 400mg twice a day. Can you link me to the oil you use...just in case the pills don't work. Thanks!
http://www.swansonvitamins.com/swanson-ultra-dr-barbara-hendels-magnesium-oil-3-8oz-bottles-liquid?otherSize=SWU481
Hi Sara Have you tried the Magnesium Spray? Has it made you feel better or worse? A lot of things with this MM makes one feel worse before feeling better. I'm curious to your reaction!
My otolnologist told me to take lots of magnesium. I was taking it all readybut went back to twice a day. I wouldn't say I have diarrhea but ... make sure to eat a lot of green leafy food which is good for you regardless. As long as I eat a salad or similar every couple of days I don't have any problems. If not ....
I actually have a magnesium deficiency, so I have to take a supplement three times a day. I started out with magnesium oxide and due to the diarrhea problem, I switched to magnesium glycinate. No problems.