Japanese Treatment

Hello everyone,
I posted maybe last year about my experience with MD in Japan and I've been meaning to give an update and possibly share some ideas.....and also ask questions.

I have been to multiple ENT doctors and am currently seeing one doctor at a university research hospital outside Tokyo. I have had a few MRI scans, lots of hearing tests, one test where water was injected into my ear to induce vertigo.....lots of stuff. Basically I was told Menieres and also pppd....this was all last year but I've had symptoms for years...anyways...
The biggest problem for me has been vertigo.
The treatment in Japan seems to be similar to western countries. I am not taking betahistine even though doctors will give it out in Japan. My current ENT doesn't think it works and for me I agree. I took it for a while and didn't notice a change...
I was offered steroid pills and diuretics (isosorbide)
I didn't take the diuretics because my diet is extremely clean and I run everyday....not sure a diuretic would help any more??? Maybe I should try??

No doctor has talked to me about salt or diet, I don't think they are a problem in Japan. I asked about antiviral medication and was refused. The doctor I have now is very nice and told me that he is aware of the virus theory with MD but says they don't treat it with antivirals in Japan and I also didn't have any viruses in my bloodwork so.....what more can I say ...

with that said, my vertigo last year was horrible ....12 hours or hell to put it lightly. This year I still have attacks, and maybe more of them but the intensity is nothing compared to last year. I can actually lay down and not vomit haha. I was prescribed a Kampo (Chinese medicine) called りょうけいじゅつかんとう
【漢方解説】苓桂朮甘湯（りょうけいじゅつかんとう）｜漢方セラピー｜クラシエ

you can use google translate to look at it. To be honest I'm not sure what's in it. I've been taking it everyday and maybe that is the reason my vertigo is not as severe....who knows

Also, deep breathing is very helpful....the same type of breathing you get while doing aerobic exercise. Look into Wim Hoff. I know someone has mentioned it before on this site.

I also started drinking aloe extract because I read a paper in Japan about Japanese doctors giving it to Menieres patients... my ent seemed indifferent about it. He is a really nice guy and listens well but honestly is only able to treat symptoms. He also won't give anything more vertigo attacks besides standard motion sickness meds...

the one thing that completely gets rid of my symptoms is a vertigo attack. the other week I had vertigo for 8 hours and the next day I was almost symptom free. Then about a few days later the pppd will come back...followed by ear pressure and the rest..
I do suffer vertigo at the same time of year so maybe it has something to do with pressure of the rainy season..... who knows.

Anyway. I wish everyone the best.

I will keep you updated about the aloe. I take Kidachi aloe. It's the worst tasting supplement Ive ever taken and I eat natto daily....I think it must be good it it tastes that bad haha. I have been using it for a few weeks but Ill know more after 3-4 months.

 

definitely agree that a good diet can greatly improve your situation. I was just implying that the average Japanese diet is a lot lower in salt compared to other western countries.
Not sure it’s an issue of concern here….IDK? I personally have found no relationship between eating a little salt and my vertigo/Ménière’s symptoms. I can eat miso soup all winter without any problems. Also soy sauce.
I also run a lot and don’t carry a lot of excess water weight. Coincidentally (or not) my symptoms have gotten bad during the past few rainy seasons here in Japan. I’ve never had an allergy or problems with weather changes before that I can remember.

I definitely have jaw issues and have been able to pop my jaw all long as I can remember. I’m going to get another option from a tmj specialist soon. I went to an oral surgeon who said my jaw isn’t the cause of my vertigo……surprisingly he said “we used to think your jaw can cause vertigo but now we don’t think so” in reference to jaw issues being related to vertigo symptoms….this is completely different from opinions ive seen from dentists in America…..anyway. I just need to deal with the Japanese system. I’ll keep updates.
Have been taking lysine for the past year without any noticeable changes. Just started Monolaurin and the aloe…..keep everyone updated

 

Little update…….

I’ve been drinking 60ml a day (divided into 2 doses) of the aloe extract. It’s different from aloe juice. This is called kidachi aloe for anyone interested.
I also started taking a low dose of Monolaurin (500mg a day). I’ve been talking that for maybe 2-3 weeks. I’ve been drinking the aloe for a bit over a month.
I am also eating a very low sugar diet but I do eat rice, potatoes, and fruit.
No dairy, bread, snacks or anything with added sugar.

I definitely feel much, much better. I know that this condition has symptoms come and go so we shall see how long it lasts.

My pppd has decreased and my hearing test at the doctor greatly improved…..tinnitus also down.

Unfortunately I don’t think you can get this aloe extract drink outside Japan but if you can find something similar I recommend for overall digestive support.

I’ve also been eating black garlic daily. It’s good but expensive.

I hope everyone gets s doing well

 

Thanks for the tip !!! I definitely will increase the Monolaurin depending on what the Jaw specialist tells me next month…..
I definitely have jaw issues and have seen people in both America and Japan about it.
The guy I’m going to next month is apparently the best guy in Japan…..if he thinks my symptoms are caused by my jaw alignment then I’ll probably not increase the Monolaurin……but if he says my jaw most likely isn’t related to my symptoms then I’ll take maybe 3000mg a day…..see what happens.

I think there is a relationship between gut health and Ménière’s from my experience so I think the aloe has been beneficial..
Anyway, I’ll keep everyone updated.