Hello, I joined this site because my father is going through serious vertigo due to his Menier's Disease. It is extremely hard to watch him going through this not only physically but emotionally. He is so distraught. He's worried about his job, family, finances, you name it. Was wondering if anyone had advise as far as how I should be there for him. What is the best way for me and family member's to support my dad.
Look at all of the research on this site. There is a ton. I would start with heavy dose of antivirals for months. If they don’t work try anti fungals for months. If they don’t work try John of Ohio regimen. If none of these work... then see what the doctors say. Good luck.
Mac, Thank you for your response. Going to the doctor on Thursday with him for the second steroid injection. Yesterday I ordered everything from the John of Ohio regimen. This all got really bad for him post a very stressful season at work and a really bad bulging disk in his back that required surgery. I am thinking someone they have to be related but not sure. Maybe with all that pain and stress a virus developed.
I would start aggresively with anti virals. Look through all of the threads on here. There is tons of research. If they don’t work. Keep trying to find the cause.
You should have him evaluated for tmjd that condition can mimic menieres. Many have found relief with an upper cervical chiropractor as well. There’s a Facebook group where this angle is discussed “menieres, vertigo, tinnitus, tmj: menieres no more chat and support”
Thanks Mac. Him and his general doctor are unsure of the virus theory bc the doctor have said the a virus doesn’t last this long. His severe symptoms are going on a month now. Im unsure though.
SMB, Next time you visit both of your doctors...ask them one question. Can you definitively tell me what is causing my Fathers symptoms? Their answer will of course be no. I would spend hours looking through the old threads on this site. Try to connect the dots. There are many causes for MM. So there are many things that help. Good luck...Hope your father gets better asap.
First, I want to say it touched my heart that a son or daughter showed empathy for his/ her father. I believe love and support are invaluable. I'm very grateful to have found people here that I relied on for support, information and honesty. Have you asked your father what you can do to help? And, lastly just to let you know that I've been on antiviral medication for about 13 months and have had only mild symptoms for the last 7 or 8 mos. When I had vertigo, vomiting, poor balance and the like I learned to take Meclazine and sit or lie right away.
Thank you for your post. I love my Dad so it’s easy to be there for him. I’ve noticed also that sometimes it’s just better to be there and not ask him a bunch of questions or try to figure things out. I just keep telling him that there’s hope, that I’m doing a lot of research, and a lot of people lead functional lives after they figure out what works for them. Ordered the John of Ohio stuff which has been shipped, continue with the steroid injections for two weeks. But I am definitely bringing up the anti virals to the ENT at his appointment tomorrow. I don’t text him checking in anymore because I think it gives him anxiety knowing I’m out there worried about him. So I just visit often with a smile and a hug or encouragement. Seems to bring him some peace.
Your a good son SMB to care so deeply. One of the virus types is Herpes which never goes away. Personally, anti virals did not help me. However, it has helped others and it is non-invasive and a safe trial. I did it for 3 months as it was worth a shot when I looked at the other surgical options. Try the easy stuff 1st.
There's always surgery to defeat the beast if nothing else works. I definitely would try antivirals first many people find relief from them.
I second the above and add if you are going to be reading, also read about Migraine Associated Vertigo aka MAV. It seems MAV is often mistaken as Menieres or occurs with it. It is important to rule it out before electing surgery because surgery does not help in the case of MAV. This kind of migraine can occur without a headache. People here sometimes recommend the book Heal Your Headache.
Went to the doctor today. My dad got the 2nd steroid shot. Doctor said it could take three shots. I brought up John of Ohio and antiviruls but he seemed dismissive of those approaches. Dad isn’t dealing with vertigo really right now but a constant state of brain fog, wobbly, full ear, and loud volume in ear. On the emotional side still just so beaten down. Hopefully the second steroid shot helps. Combined with the JOH items that come in the mail at some point soon.
A lot of the ent’s won’t prescribe the anti virals. So then you go to the family doctor and ask. My ear doctor didn’t want to hear anything about it. But my family doctor said it’s worth a try since side effects are almost none. Good luck
Same with my ENT. All he had was steroids, and diuretics to offer. None of it worked for me. The day he told me to get used to it, I was done wasting my time with the quack.
your ENT is not a quack....the truth of the matter is that ENT's are not equipped to deal with menieres. they do not have the skill set or the education to perform many of the options that are available to menieres sufferers so they may get back to a normal life. You should see an OTONEUROLOGIST. Preferably at one of the top teaching hospitals in the country.
SMB the truth of the matter is i would recommend your father get a labyrinthectomy and get on with a normal life rather than chasing his tail around and hoping something works. Hope is not a good treatment protocol. As soon as this shit starts effecting family, finances, relationships ect.....its time to take back your life. sorry to read your father is going through this.
If Dad wants to try antivirals and the ent is not keen, talk to the family doctor. First, antivirals, if a virus is involved will work much faster than lysine etc. Take the dosage with you to the family dr. Tell him they are used at House Ear and other reputable places not just bandied about by us nuts on the internet. You can see where a dr would be wary of stuff that is just float around here. What my family dr said to me was ‘I will prescribe it if you want to try it’. We both knew it was a long shot but none of the other stuff worked for me and the next step would have been destructive surgeries etc. She felt there was little risk with antivirals compared to the stuff usually prescribed for menieres and knowing my history she thought there was a decent chance it might help. And it helped a whole lot. It takes a while, you need to give it at least a month. Sometimes symptoms will change a little before they actually i prove. Read what you can find here. The symptoms it helped me with the most was distortion and tinnitus. But do read about MAV because if that is what it is, surgery will not help.
Does your father have hearing loss? Permanent or fluctuating? What kind of dr diagnosed the menieres? Has he had an mri and other testing to rule out other things? What part of the country does he live in?