It looks like you are going to Tampa Bay Hearing center let me know how you make out. I am going to go there sometime I have 4 ENTs in my area but I rather check them out since they deal with Ménière’s disease . Had to push my Dr for ant virals aren’t to willing to give which help since I have herpes virus and allergies . Then I switch to Lysine back and forth. You have to try different things and foods I also try low histamine foods also that help I eat fresh fruits and vegetables fish chicken I make a lot of my own food low salt . I have Endolymph hydros fullness in ear and tinnitus not much on vertigo thank God but I started going off balance and hearing on left was going got hearing aids and it does help for me fullness is like flying on the plane coming down try popping your ear open well it never pops stays full that bothers me the most. It’s a journey but you keep going on and find what will help you. John of Ohio has a lot of good recommendations also.
Sarah,as others here, I can understand just how much impact Meniere's can have. But you can get through this. For your work, I agree with post above, be transparent. My work was told what was going on and in the early years there were MANY times coworkers had to drive me home because the merry-go-round started. That time in my life is where I learned that asking for help doesn't make you weak; that I was the only one judging the folks around me were more than happy to assist. There were many days that the ear pressure was extreme, the ringing noise so loud I couldn't hear and it would make me concerned the vertigo attack is forthcoming (because for me if those two were not at high level, no attack; but I could have both and still no attack). Always that fear. If that was happening but I was supposed to go with friends, they picked me up. Worse thing would be to stop living your life. That would only make you more depressed. While everyone's is different, my attacks always came in clusters. I may have 1-2 per week for a month, then nothing for 3 months. I was probably over a year into attacks and suffering before I found a new doctor that prescribed Ativan for the attacks. Placed under my tongue when the world is spinning able to shorten my attacks to under 2 hrs (often under an hour). Compared to 6+ hours straight, that med was awesome. Knowing that you will come out the other side makes it less scary. Celebrate/be thankful for the "good" days. My mom was instrumental for me on that. One day she asked me how my day was. I was sharing that the ear pressure was insane, the ringing sound and trying to hear around it had me exhausted...she asked if there was any vertigo. I said no. Her response "so it was a good day". It landed home for me. From that point forward, if I didn't spin I appreciated that good day. If I did spin but it was a short attack...a good day. Simply looking at it from a different perspective made it less horrible for me. That along with knowing that compared to some with Meniere's...I did have it good. I knew there were some that had attacks/spinning multiple times per week; some attacks lasted for days; some were no longer able to leave their house. In comparison, I had it good. This thing sucks. But don't let it take away everything you enjoy!
I starded a very low salt diet, no caffeine, no artificial sweeteners, drink 80 oz of water daily and I’ve been doing better. However, I read that drinking 80 oz of water a day can cause the excessive water to dissolve the sodium in your body. That seams like another issue. Interested in some comments on this. Also has anyone started a list of accepted foods at widely know restaurants. Also I’m way below 1000 mg of sodium, closer to 2-300, is this acceptable? Tryin yo avoid drop attacks, so far so good. I’m in Florida, Tampa area, I have my first appointment with Dr Bsrtrls group st Tampa General, hoping for good information. I have a lot of self-control snd I’m an excellent cook (daughter of a chef) so the limitations don’t bother me, but not driving is driving me crazy. If there is anyone near by would love to chat. Thanks for the chat.
Hi Mary, I'm definitely not a doctor but I do think 200-300mg of sodium is more of a restriction than you need. I personally aim for about 1200mg a day. Also, there is new research that shows overall sodium levels may not be quite as important as avoiding sodium "spikes" (where we take a large amount of sodium all in one meal). As for restaurants, I usually just ask if they can prepare the dish without any added salt and then I typically eat less than half and save the rest for another day. I'm sure others have better methods, that has just worked for me! I probably drink more water per day (thank the Arizona heat) but I always use a brand that includes at least some sodium. All the best to you!
Thank you, what great information. Yes, i recently read (since i have never limited salt) that actually need salt. So, I am adding small amounts of salt. So-far-so-good. Anxious to see the doctor next week since what burdened me more than eating is not driving! Thanks again!