Quite interesting research, isn't it? Conclusions: There is good evidence to suggest that stress-related hormones such as epinephrine can alter inner ear fluid homeostasis and auditory function. This study confirmed this hypothesis and illuminated the processes of alteration by demonstrating specific changes in perilymph composition and auditory function. Effect of stress-related hormones on inner ear fluid homeostasis and function - PubMed
Yes, I knew stress was a factor for me. Interesting to see some science behind it. Stress and heavy arginine in my diet brought me out of remission (which I thought was a cure LOL ). 2020 has been a stressful year and still is.
I have always said stress from a high pressure job and living off a Diet Mt Dew and Diet Dr Pepper to get me through the day was the single biggest factor my mm. Not a good combination!!
Is there something we can take to be more relaxed? I know there are tranquilizer drugs, but I mean some supplement or something other than a narcotic that helps the body to be calmer or reduce the stress hormone, etc. To combat stress in the summer I started running for 20-30 minutes and it really works, at night I fell asleep much better. Now the rainy season has started and exercising at home doesn't feel as good for me, nor do I like aerobics. I have read that magnesium could help against anxiety and strengthen certain processes in the human body that tend to relax and reduce stress, but for now I do not notice anything in that regard. I have only noticed that I sleep somewhat better than before, with fewer dreams, etc.
So weight train indoors, or run in the rain. By running in the rain you'll discover, very quickly, that you are not made of salt. Yes, I will push you like this forever & always. You have potential, Ivan. I'm not letting it, or you, go to waste. Get used to it. Channel the Superman archetype.
Yes, doing sport is a very good way to combat the stress. I just finished reading the book whose author with MD became Ironman! To become Ironman you need to overcome a triathlon consisting of a 2.4-mile (3.86 km) swim, a 112-mile (180.25 km) bicycle ride and a marathon 26.22-mile (42.20 km) run, raced in that order. It is widely considered one of the most difficult one-day sporting events in the world. It is quite an achievement, isn't it?! Making new sport goals, helped a lot to this author to overcome MD. Another good way to combat stress is meditation and relaxation, cognitive and behavioral therapy and maybe even antidepressants. So according to this study, it seems that it is critical to seek treatment for not only the physical symptoms of Ménière’s but also for any psychological effects that so often accompany this disease.
Maybe supplementing with amino acid L-tyrosine can help in this regard. L-tyrosine is a precursor to dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine, three crucial neurotransmitters for focus and mood.
Here you can find out more about tranquilizers in this interesting Meniere's story: Mike's Meniere's Story
I decided to share this excerpt from the Mike's Meniere's story: “In Japan one notable difference was there seemed to be a much more accepting attitude to the symptoms being brought on by stress. Whether it be the root cause or not they accepted stress was a very real trigger and took it very seriously. Something that in my experience prior to this time was usually dismissed by western doctors. I think attitudes have changed slightly in the west over the years regarding the links between stress and Meniere’s but sadly still definitely ignored or dismissed by many.”
Exactly, there is a really important distinction there, well made. And emotional reaction causing physical reaction is a real thing.
I have been diagnosed that my symptoms are due to stress. Surely so, now well, what kind of treatment have they given me? None. They just told me that I should look for how to relax and as advice to play sports that is a good anti-stress. It does not seem to me that it is acting well to diagnose stress as the cause. It seems more like a wild card waiting for me to have stronger attacks again to propose an injection in the ear. If they think I'm under stress, they should suggest that I exercise, but also inform me which products I should avoid (caffeine for example) and which ones I should take. They should also prescribe some kind of anti-stress pills.
IvanA - that's why I don't waste my time with doctors. That sounds ridiculous to me. I do like this statement "OK, Menieres is notoriously psychoreactive, but this does NOT make it psychosomatic!" When I was "cured", I avoided this forum like the plague because I didn't even want to think about Meniere's for fear of waking it up. Even when I relapsed in July, I didn't come here right away, only came here grudgingly when I realized it was really back and I had to get back on track of ridding myself of it.
No problem, for that you need to apply to the psychotherapist for cognitive therapy and to the psychiatrist for the drug therapy. Both these therapies are working the best together. Here I did some research about psychological conditions and the use of the antidepressants and cognitive therapy in Meniere's disease: Neurosis and depression, respectively, were diagnosed in 62.7% and 82.4% of bilateral Menière's, 32.7% and 48.9% of unilateral Menière's Negative prognostic factors for psychological conditions in patients with audiovestibular diseases - PubMed The use of serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs antidepressants) is likely to be beneficial in the treatment of patients with Ménière’s disease. Successful treatment of relapsed Ménière’s disease using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: A report of three cases Overton M. Meniere's disease: some patients benefit significantly from SSRIs. Aust Fam Physician. 2003 Jan-Feb;32(1-2):8. PMID: 12647651. SSRIs antidepressants may have a central balancing effect on vertigo attacks of MD. Escitalopram can control vertigo attacks in MD. Effects of Selective Seratonine Re-Uptake Inhibitors on Meniere's Disease - PubMed AT (Autogenic training is a technique of self-hypnosis developed by Dr H.H. Sultz, a German neurologist) together with cognitive behavior therapy can be a viable and palatable treatment option for Meniere's disease patients who are not responsive to other therapies. Case report: a case of intractable Meniere's disease treated with autogenic training
When my MD symptoms began, it took me about a week to diagnose Meniere's syndrome for myself. I ruled out other similar conditions except the tumor. For that I waited for an MRI. My MD symptoms began when the strict quarantine had started, so everything was closed and I remember when I was talking with an ENT doctor on the phone I was asking him to prescribe me Betaserc, Cinnarizine and other drugs tor my MD symptoms, despite him saying it can't be MD. I quickly found this website, but after reading horrible information about Meniere's disease on this site I didn't go into the forum because I started having a denial reaction. I thought why me, it can't be an MD? This disease is so horrible and rare! So I deleted this site from the bookmarks and did not search the info about MD for several months, until quarantine had ended and I had an appointment with the ENT professor who confirmed me probable MD and the tumor was ruled out with the MRI. So I know this feeling about avoidance of this forum. I also want to ask you - when you were "cured" - were you 100% free of MD symptoms in that period, I mean pressure in the ears, hearing fluctuations, tinnitus, or you were almost free of MD symptoms?
That's why I ordered my bottle of DHEA and started taking it in the last few days. Another adrenal hormone, it very much declines naturally with age (by age 70 it is only 20% of what it was in your 20s) but even way more in people with chronic stress. It appears to have many "fountain of youth" properties but notably immune boosting and anti-inflammatory ones and can help balance the effects of high cortisol and presumably ephinephrine. I have faced a lifetime of chronic high stress, morphing from one form to another. I honestly don't know anyone personally who has had a more stressful adulthood. My first Meniere's attack came on two months after the death of my mother - it appears that is the type of event that brings on MD in many people. I did have to smile at Bulldogs tale as similarly I was a heavy Diet Pepsi addict for 35+ years just to get me through the days... It was my little can of fizzy, sweet comfort amidst the madness .... Anyway, I am absolutely convinced that stress and hormones have played a factor in this.... And to comment on something Mindosa said in his last post.... I really do wonder about how "rare" this disease actually is. Just from friendly chatting with the neighbours, I found out that the guy two doors down from me has also been having vertigo attacks. Two doors down from him is a woman who has also been having vertigo attacks. Both have tinnitus ongoing and from what they describe to me sure sounds like MD. His diagnosis was "vertigo" (which to me is a symptom not a diagnosis but I didn't want to sound like Ms. Smartypants) and is thinking of seeing an ENT as it's not going away. She is plain in denial preferring to pray and read the Bible instead of taking any supplements or changing her diet. (After reading the information on MD I shared with them, her husband told me privately he is pretty sure she has MD). Yet one more guy I know a few blocks away has all the symptoms of MD but he bought a cervical pillow which seems to have given him relief and believes it is cervicogenic but I know that if it is MD, you can get periods of relief (and think you are cured) then wham!... it comes right back. This has all been within the last 1.5 years for all these people and so we might all be early stage. My point is that people may not be counted in our MD boat because a) they are not putting two and two together with the symptoms and reporting everything, ie. they don't think the tinnitus or hearing issue is related to the vertigo so they don't report it and b) it is not severe enough to ruin their lives so they don't press on to get a proper diagnosis and c) the medical professionals they are seeing are not well enough versed in MD to ask the right questions or know the right answers Anyway, we fight on....
There are no definitive data because diagnosing Meniere is not done accurately and therefore there are many cases classified as "possible Meniere", but they are not counted as Meniere patients yet. There are also people diagnosed as vertigo because they have not yet presented more symptoms, etc. They are the consequences of a disease that cannot be objectively proven by any clinical test, but rather the pure discarding and interpretation of various symptoms. What there is is a statistic that 80% of the population will suffer from some form of vertigo in their lifetime for at least once. To date, normal vertigo has no cure or treatment, vestibular sedatives are given and rest is ordered until the body heals and recovers on its own. Most people achieve it in weeks or a couple of months, but there are people with normal vertigo that attacks them every year and leaves them unstable for many months (my mother was 5-6 months for example).