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My story....

Discussion in 'Your Living Room' started by Johnnie, Nov 20, 2019.

  1. Johnnie

    Johnnie New Member

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    Nov 15, 2019
    Hello
    This is my first post and appreciate all the previously information posted. My story was I began having fullness in my left ear early this summer. This condition came as I began taking care of my ill mother. With my my-step father passing weeks before, then my mother passing, I did not take what was happening to my body seriously. Finally, I went to a neurologist about pressure in my neck. After the scan, I found there were three cysts that caused numbness in my shoulders. The prescribed relief was to quit lifting weights. I could manage the pain in the neck, the doctor stated. I also indicated to the doctor there was fullness in my ear and he said it did not have any connection with the ear. The fullness came and went along with the use of nasal sprays and sinus pills.
    Other pressures came with the death of my parents and then my 6 year dog passed away (what a sad story). Within a week of my dog passing, the tinnitus began with a fury-stress? I was diagnosed with MD by a ENT specialist. I have three parts, sans the vertigo. I have lost the base level of hearing in my left ear, the ringing and the fullness.
    My wife found this site and it was a godsend.
    I began with the doctor's treatment of a blood pressure/diuretic. I am 65 and work out five days a week, so the low salt diet was not too difficult.
    I also began the regiment of the B5/B6 pills (thank you JOH).
    During this time, stress was a major part of this situation.
    After 8 days of this protocol, the ringing has lowered to a 2. The fullness comes and goes with the use of steroid nasal spray. It is also about a 2.
    At first, I used Ambien to sleep, which sleep rarely lasted 3-4 hours. I would only take a half a pill at a time. Now, I take cannabis dummies one hour before bedtime. This is my stress relief as I have had two major break downs dealing this new situation-stress being the starter. 30 minutes before bedtime, I take 5 mg of melatonin. Over the last two days, I do not need the "white noise" to fall asleep. The ringing is about a 1 and the fullness the same at bedtime. I have slept the entire night except for the bathroom visits. The ringing has increased when I attend sporting events, loud noise. I have now purchased ear plugs.
    Lastly, I have eliminated nicotine, alcohol and one cup of coffee in the morning.
    Being retired, my heaven time was having a cigar and a cup of coffee in the afternoon. So, how has nicotine affected people when having this condition? and limited amount of alcohol?
     
  2. KaSchu

    KaSchu New Member

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    Oct 25, 2019
    I'm sorry you've joined our ranks. If I'm understanding you correctly, you don't experience vertigo/dizziness, just the aural fullness & tinnitus? Just checking to make sure I'm understanding correctly.

    Stress is thought to be an aggravator of Meniere's, so that would line up with what you're saying. Personally, I don't think that's ever been the case for me, but one thing you'll find is that there's really no two cases of Meniere's that are exactly the same.

    I've never smoked, but I don't recall reading anything about nicotine affecting us, but it wouldn't surprise me. I've had conflicting information about alcohol. My doctor says he doesn't think alcohol is a trigger, but I still avoid it when I'm having a flare-up just in case. I gave up caffeine years ago - just in case. I live in Seattle where it's a law that you have to drink coffee, so I switched to decaf and don't notice the difference anymore.

    Has your doctor prescribed diazepam? It's a common prescription for Meniere's patients (at least in the US) as it's a vestibular suppressant and helps calm everything down. I usually only take it to control the dizzies, but my doctor says he thinks it might help with tinnitus, too.
     
  3. Irishstu

    Irishstu Member

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    Apr 28, 2019
    I find that alcohol affects me greatly. I try now and limit my intake to one or twice and week and only one of two drinks. When i have more i feel the effect for about a week with increased tinnitus and fullness.
     
  4. Bonlyn

    Bonlyn Active Member

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    Dec 29, 2017
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    Hi Johnnie,

    Welcome to the forum. Hope you can find something that helps. If you have been reviewing forum, then you know that symptoms may be caused by many things. If you try too many remedies at once you won't know what is helping, what is a waste, so keep that in mind...though I understand the need for immediate healing.

    So just a note, my menieres did not seem to be treated by anti virals, which have helped many, so take that in mind in what I share below.

    Sometimes, I stress sometimes, when you respond well to the nasal spray, it may indicate you have an allergy you developed to something. It.could be food or environmental. If you can figure out what it is....which can be tricky because not all allergies are onset( occur right after contact/ ingestion)

    Gluten is a big trigger for some. If you take clartin for ten days and get some relief the allergist told me this MAY be an indicator of an allergy....but if you do not find what the allergen is it will not go away.

    Also Betahistine helped with my ear pressure, but not the tinnitus. Even if you live in the USA you can get it compounded.

    Do not want to overwhelm you, but a couple of tidbits I learned. Wishing you the best! Bonnie
     
  5. Rich

    Rich Member

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    Ok.... I think it was a typo... but cannabis dummie? Was suppose to be gummie. Right?
     
  6. Johnnie

    Johnnie New Member

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    Nov 15, 2019
    Yes, gummies...auto correct!
     
  7. Johnnie

    Johnnie New Member

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    Nov 15, 2019
    Ta
     
  8. Rich

    Rich Member

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    Work well?
     
  9. Johnnie

    Johnnie New Member

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    Nov 15, 2019
    Thank you about the information regarding the allergies. My wife is now looking for Allergies doctor.
     
  10. Onedayatatime

    Onedayatatime Active Member

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    I found the caffeine to be a bigger deal than the alcohol. I still have an occasional cigar myself.
     
  11. Johnnie

    Johnnie New Member

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    Nov 15, 2019
    I had a couple of bad meltdowns due to the condition. To keep relaxed and not dwell, I began taking three gummies which settles me down or keeps me calm before bedtime. I personally want to take “natural” solutions if possible. I have not taken the 1:1 brownies yet, although my friend who has had this condition for while swears by it. The brownies lengthen his sleep to all night.
     
  12. Blakeh

    Blakeh Active Member

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    Aug 20, 2016
    Hi Johnnie, when my Menieres is under control I smoke cigars freely. When it’s not under control I do not smoke cigars :) Mainly because I do not feel good.
     

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