Greg's Discussion Group Archives
Page 2
June 1, 1999 to April 11, 2000

Hi, and welcome to my discussion group archives. My server (BeSeen.com) only keeps the messages for 60 days, so I will publish them here.
I have kept the original email links so some of them may be outdated. If you would like your email address updated so people can contact you, please email me at GF899@hotmail.com. I will change it on my next upDate. :)

re: vertigoheel (CC) Elaine 6:29 pm Tuesday June 1, 1999
Hi to all of you,
I've been on vertigoheel for just about a week. I take 2 tablets 3x daily, and wait for them to melt, as the instructions say. How long do they usually take to work? Guess I'm overanxious. Have been battling this misery for soooo many years. I'd really like to feel better. Only problem is my ENT is not thrilled about giving me a prescription. Will have to try to get them otc.
Elaine

Vertigoheel (CC) Karen 11:59 pm Wednesday June 2, 1999
Hi- To All Of You -
Been awhile since I posted, basically because I didn't know what to say. I have been taking CC for over two weeks now. The first three days I noticed a big improvement, as I boisterously shouted to all of you, but now I'm thinking it had a placebo affect on me. From day four until the present, I notice no improvement at all with the CC. Actually, when I started feeling yuk again, I increased the dosage of CC and actually felt worse. I did have some side effects although they say there aren't any. So, because it consists entirely of plant life, and because I am prone to allergies, I think possibly I had a bit of an allegic reaction to the CC. I didn't want to give up on them, so I decreased my dosage to 3 a day and stayed on that for about a week or more and have now increased to 4 a day. I still notice no difference - I feel no better. But, I don't think they are bothering me in a negative way either.
THIS IS NOT TO SAY they won't help others or perhaps even me given time. I have had this Meniere's or BPPV for 17 years. Nothing is going to take it magically away in a week or two. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have found this new med after all these years of no hope. I pray every day and night that they will help.
I would like to ask any of you that read this and have taken the CC for a period of time how long it was before you noticed a big difference? I would appreciate reading your comments or having you email me.
I WILL NOT give up - as I said before-the first "hope" in 17 years and I'm going to keep taking it. I have not told my physician that I am taking this med, but have an appointment with him on the 23rd of June. I plan to take the literature with me at that time and tell him I have been taking them. Anxious to see what he has to say.
Please write - I check this message board at least two or three times a day and remain thinking about each of you that have touched my life in the last few weeks.
Karen :-)
I'm listening -

re: Vertigoheel (CC) Ann 1:13 pm Thursday June 3, 1999
Karen, the good news is that you found possibly a "placebo effect"..that can be a positive influence on your feelings of being not in control of this aggravating menieres.
May I suggest you hold the hope and exuberance you had when you first started taking CC?
I have had menieres well into 30 years. The tinnitus is the most bothersome and hardest to "turn down in my attention levels".
If you do meditations or "visual" programming.. hold that CC in a positive aspect and GIVE it the power to help you in your situation... that placebo effect works, and it has well been known a long, long time.. and to a large degree the "physician heal thyself" goes hand in hand with that. For the past few years I am in and out of remission. Meditatively and subconsiously my body lets me know how to cope and to avoid coming back into full blown menieres.

re: Vertigoheel (CC) Brenda 12:15 pm Tuesday June 8, 1999
Ann, I have read your posting over and over and thought about it a lot. I really dont understand where you are coming from. your phrases of "meditatively" and "subconsiously"and "attention levels" and meditatons of "visual programming" are way above my head---but the phrase "heal thyself" is one i wish i could understand as nothing would give me greater pleasure. It sounds as though you think we can be in control of this terrible disease and if you can make me understand i would be more than willing to listen. Wishing you the best and glad of your success in staying in control==Brenda

re: Vertigoheel (CC) Ann 8:07 pm Wednesday June 9, 1999
The placebo effect is well known due to the statement that the mind is capable of doing powerful things. Another statement is: if you believe it, it is true, if you do not believe it, it is not.
One of the most popular healing methods was in the laughter therapy for cancer patients. One of many demonstrating the power of the mind and emotional attitudes.
To a large degree, yes, I will not allow myself to be a victim of this aggravating disease. No, I cannot always maintain "the attitude" to keep stablized. Stress management techniques the the power of positive thinking are always where I end up when I have given into negative thoughts and allowed myself to "do" what I know upsets my mind, body, spirit... and get dizzy lol..
So for me there is a way to do more than exist, but I have to pay attention. Menieres affects the central nervous system. So does meditation and positive thinking and stress management techniques. Relaxation techniques if you prefer the term. But in conjunction with a healthy diet, a doctors care, and taking advantage of the power of your own mind when all else seems to fail and cause you more dizziness.. well... i will depend on me after so many years of being a guinea pig and finding the relief was available more than I had ever dreamed. And I found that a couple of bad days here and there is more acceptable than weeks and months at a time.
So, yes I believe.

re: Vertigoheel (CC) Greg 8:58 pm Wednesday June 9, 1999

"The placebo effect is well known due to the statement that the mind is capable of doing powerful things. Another statement is: if you believe it, it is true, if you do not believe it, it is not."

I commend you, Ann, for your strong mental attitude. We must explore all avenues, and I am sure your method will help people, in situations similar to yours. Keep up the good work. Thank you for your insights and opinions. They shall always be welcome here.
Unfortunately after years and years of struggle, many of us have grown tired. Denying something will not always make it true or untrue. Many times people lose a loved one and refuse to accept the fact that they are gone. They do not believe that individual is dead, and in reality we all know the opposite. Positive thinking has its limitations. I have watched people die. People that refused to accept the possibility of death, yet it over took them. Was it their fault?
The psychiatric and psychological community has frustrated and depressed so many people I come in contact with, for one reason(I believe). They try to convince people it is all in their heads. "It is your fault," only heaps more guilt upon the individual struggling with their balance and sanity. This intensifies stress, depression, and self esteem.
There is much to be said for the power of the mind. It is extremely powerful. Yet we understand it so little, it can a very dangerous thing if not used properly. If we classify all Meniere's patients as psychosomatic, then we must do that of all physical illness.
Greg

re: Vertigoheel (CC) Ann 3:50 am Thursday June 10, 1999
I agree totally with you Greg. The psychiatric community along with the medical community can do great psychological damage.
Denial is not part of positive thinking, it is using all we can of a positive attitude and positive living to combat known issues. It entails also understanding ones emotional and mental states, how we are either proactive or reactive to situations. And yes, we must accept the fact that we are humans and one thing I believe is that "beating oneself up" is non-productive.
Yes, I have meniere's. With a healthy diet, doctors CARE, and positive thinking I can and have made my life more tolerable. As I said I have a hard time turning down my attention levels to the tinnitus. I can't always hold the attitude and come out of remission. I don't beat myself up, because stress will do that too.. physically it's destructive and psychologically it's destructive... and beating oneself up is counterproductive.
Yet, Greg, I am a fighter and a realist. I know I have limitations, but I will NOT let myself be a "victim" . I cannot allow myself to give up and let it control my life, I will have days when I simply don't feel like coping,, and I also allow myself that. I will neither allow the medical community, the psychological community nor myself to turn me into a victim,, be it of menieres, tinnitus, or the bully at work, or the stress and frustration and fear of being a guinea pig and the ensuing feeling of depression and hopelessness. It happens and I will give myself time to feel it and recognize it. Then, I am the only one who can get my attention off of it.. be it through a piece of music that I have used through many relaxation/meditation exercises (Mike Rowland, The Fairy Ring)... or some Mayfield frozen pralines and cream yogurt lololol.. or just take a broom and beat the stuffings out of a rug (to clean it of course)..lolol..
And I know that meniere's is mitigated in a large part by stress. So, I decided that being the case, relaxation techniques would be part of the solution. Yes, it takes time and much thought. And the willingness to see that one has to be careful and not get suckered into some idiotic program.
Balance, Greg. In all things.
I said before that in some ways we are lucky, because we with menieres have our own built in alarm system....

re: Vertigoheel (CC) Greg 7:24 am Thursday June 10, 1999
Thanks Ann,
I understand better, now, what you are talking about. You are dealing with this nightmare as good as anyone can. We cannot feel sorry for ourselves, or we will become victims.
You have the right approach and attitude, too. I have to push myself all the time, but I know if I don't, I won't be able to function.
With me there is a fine line between doing and overdoing. But still, overdoing is better than under. If I don't walk regularly and do things to make myself feel normal, then I get much worse.
In any manner, it is always better to "wear out" than to "rust out." You are right about the built in alarm system too. Still there will be times (like you said) that we feel we can't deal with this thing. Hopefully we can lean on each other, until the feelings pass. I am so glad that I got online and started this website. It has given me the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with people like you. Your ideas and insights are very much appreciated here.

re: Vertigoheel (CC) Karen 3:47 pm Thursday June 10, 1999
Hi, Ann and Greg :-)
I've sat here reading and re-reading your postings, Ann. The first one being about a week ago in reply to my original posting about CC. I need to articulate now - so this could be a longggggg posting--- because articulate to me-- means that words begin to spew from my mouth like a pot boiling over on the stove LOL. (I talk a lot.)
I TOTALLY-100% agree with you about not allowing outselves to be victims. I let the Meniere's control, "run" my life so-to-speak, for almost 5 years. Then one day I got mad-really mad-and decided that I wasn't going to let it any longer. I asked myself over and over again - "What are you saving yourself for??". I would get out of bed and walk to the couch, stay there as long as I could praying for bedtime to hurry so I could go back to bed again. I concentrated on all the things I couldn't do until I didn't "want" to do any of them. The mind is so complex. I was always a bit of a controlling person, as I have noticed that many of other viuctim's are, you included :-). Perhaps, having a disorder that leaves us without control at times, is a way to teach us "strong" people, "HUMILITY", as my very good friend and mentor pointed out to me.
I have complaind about the way my family and physician have treated me over these 17 years and you caused me to actually take a look at them with open eyes. I was never babied, pampered or given "negative" attention. Who wants "negative" attention anyway? Let me tell you - lots of Meniere's Patients. They beg for attention and all they are getting from family and friends and physicians is "negative" attention. And that's how they will be thought of. "Positive" attention comes when you try and try and don't give in to the disease. Only then, can people begin to admire that fact that you are a survivor, not a whiner.
There are days that I, too, find myself in the depths of depression. It's not always controllable. Perhaps the mind and body get tired at the same time, causing a total eclipse of the spirit :-) (Love that song!!) BUT, I, as well as you, have learned that it's okay to lay down for an hour or two-rest and relax the body - sometimes for a day - BUT NO LONGER. I have spent many hours listening to music (that helps immednsely) digging dandelions, digging holes in the yard (seriously) - baking bread and rolls just kneading and kneading - just to overcome the depression and it works !!!! Hallelujah-there is something that works, a cure, folks---- and it's deep inside each of us. We simply have to look inside ourselves to find it.
My family, eventually, would go places without me when I said I just couldn't go because I was too sick. That alone brought me to the realization that if I didn't want to spend all my time alone, I would have to TRY to participate. Nine times out of ten I would be able to survive the outing LOL. Recently I went to a Concert in Chicago with just my daughters and a couple of their friends. I really didn't think I could do it, but kept the feelings inside and decided I HAD to give it a shot. It was very difficult for me - first an hour and a half ride in a car when riding is sooooo hard for me. Then going into a HUGE auditorium, surrounded by literally thousands of screaming girls (me included eventually), disco lights flashing, total darkness at times and being in the 4th row with music vibrating from the top of my head to the tip of my toes. I enjoyed myself sooooo much. When we left after the concert I was dizzy for four days in a row-BUT I did it - I went and I will always remember it, as will the girls. Mind over matter is what it takes. A will to live. A will to accept. A will to be a survivor!! "Strength" in a word.
With regard to my physician-I would tell him all about the dizziness and how I was afraid to give into it because I feared the depression would return. He simply smiled at me, giving me no false hope EVER - and say, "Karen, it's okay to lay down when you are dizzy. It's okay. Just lay down for an hour though-not for days on end." I think he is an excellent doctor. NO negative attention, no false hopes, just an instructor on how to "live" with Meniere's.
On meditation and relaxation - I envy the fact that you must have quiet times in which to practice this healing method. I, on the other hand, have absolutely no free time or alone time in which to meditate or even relax most days. My healing comes in staying mentally busy-the complete opposite of meditation. But it works for me just as well.
"A Physician that heals himself has a fool for a patient." That's the quote that immediately popped into my head when you quoted to me-"Physician heal thyself". Now I realize, that WE, the patients, are the ONLY ones that can heal ourselves. There is no magic cure for us - no pill to take - no tweeking a nose and having it disappear. We do have to heal outselves. The healing is not healing our bodies, but our minds. May I reiterate - healing our minds and begin to teach ourselves to live with Meniere's. Only then can we "ever" be happy again.
So-I could go on and on - but I thank you for your postings. At first I was offended and thought you meant I was a "pshyco". But after reading it several times and thinking about it, I totally agree with you. I enjoy sharing with you and look forward to more interactive articulation.
I also thank you, Greg. I think I have finally found the reason I have been "blessed" with this balance disorder. "When the student is ready, the Teacher Will Appear". I really like that saying. I hang onto that - it is a comfort somehow.
One other point, I get so many emails from other Meniere's patients asking me about my symptoms and story. Most of the time I get no response to my email. I guess they don't like hearing that I haven't a magic cure for them. Just recently I got a response from a woman that simply said - "Oh, you have it much worse than me!" - that was it - nothing else. Haven't heard from her since. I guess she was happy that I was sicker than her - Go figure !!!
So---please---what is that????????? LOL
Karen :-)
I'm listening -

re: Vertigoheel (CC) Ann aka Offy 4:37 pm Thursday June 10, 1999
. " I think I have finally found the reason I have been "blessed" with this balance disorder. "
Congratulations!!!!! and many hugs.
One of the first things to realize is that menieres is a part of our body. to fight it and treat it as an enemy is to both fight our own bodies and treat it as an enemy. There is a cliche, you should know what your enemy is doing and keep them closer than your friends. lolol.. So, "befriending" your body along with the menieres that is part of it, is the key.
One of the things a "teacher" taught me many, many years ago..
When one does not have the tools to cope with the situtations of life, one does the best one can. As we mature we take responsibility for what happened to us or happens to us, that gives us the power to go forward. There is noone to blame and no wallowing in selfpity bemoaning our fate. We then are responsible for chosing how we will respond to life and live it. As long as we seek to know ourselves and not seek to blame or avoid, we can find ourselves and know the depth of love and compassion, both for ourselves and others. And we find our way through life with many miracles because we empower ourselves with self respect, self confidence, dignity and the caveate (sp?), with harm to none.
So there is great personal empowerment in knowing we choose. Maybe even learn to accept. I still think it is a blessing to feel a spell of dizziness and know time out!!! rather than to be one of the Monday morning heart attacks.
Thank you for re-reading and seeking to understand. I meant harm to no one. Yes, I know the pain and the depression and hopelessness, and I do not discount it.. but I can not for the life of me allow it to take control. And yes, in true depression one cannot take control and ones needs assistance. I have been there too. And now, I know that if that is how I want to live, I can give in to the depression,, and look in the mirror and know that was the choice I made...no one made me,, not the Menieres, not anything but me. So, maybe even I would not fight making all diseases "psychosomatic" Greg, lolol.. as long as I knew that life was still there to enjoy. lol..
Please, too, as an after note, one day my foot suddenly drooped. No more movement in it not even my toes. Paralized and hanging from mid calf the muscle did not respond. Yes I was scared as hell. Neurologist, chiropractor, knee surgeon... what is going on? no answers,, lots of maybes lots of pain pills, adjustments and shots in the knee and MRI's and x-rays. I got depressed and I was starting to severely have pain. I then wore a brace to walk, so that I would not trip myself with my limp foot. lolo.. geeezzzz.. menieres was a cake walk lolol.. (jest ok) but .. menieres gave me the clues.. and I addressed that foot the same way I did menieres..it took almost a year but:
My brace is laying around here somewhere gathering dust lololol.. thank me, thank my Soul, thank God/Goddess/All That Is.

re: Vertigoheel (CC) Karen 5:44 pm Thursday June 10, 1999
Interactive to say the least, huh?
Similar situation, Ann. About two years ago, I got up one morning and my leg and foot were totally turned in - I absolutely could not walk. The pain was "unbearable". Tests, MRI, x-rays etc. and was found to have 3 bulging disks in my back. It was the most horrific pain I have ever had-worse then childbirth. I lived for muscle relaxers and the one hour of some type of relief from the painkillers I could take every 4 hours. I ended up going to the Out-Patient Surgery Department of our hospital and having epidural shots into my spine in hopes the pain would abate and the swelling would go down. The shots were very painful and took almost an hour to get just one and then an hour in Recovery. When I got each injection for the rest of that day I would have no control over my bodily functions. Degrading to say the least. So, I have to agree-Meniere's at that time was a piece of cake. BUT the strangest part of the story is that - this back problem lasted for 10 weeks and during that time I didn't even notice the Meniere's. Of course, I wasn't walking much, but I didn't notice the dizziness at all. So again, something to take the mind off the Menieer's is the key. However, I wouldn't suggest anyone try a bad back or foot, would you??? LOL
Karen :-)
I'm listening -

re: Vertigoheel (CC) Ann 6:09 pm Thursday June 10, 1999
ROFL.. yup.. wouldn't recommend to anyone!!!!
Curious, tho... they said I should also have MS due to the brainstem scans and mri's. One doctor looked at them and said do you meditate? and I was shocked. He told me that athletes, performers and folks who do meditation (among others) alter the pattern of brain...and when he discovered from my ENT that they had put tubes in my ears with me under self hypnosis,, he told them don't worry that isn't MS.
LOLOL..
I still think the weakness in the central nervous system is a puzzle to me. It is such a chain reaction isn't it. Tension of course, is awful on the spinal structure... Joy, lolol.. whole body??? lololol..
So, thank you. It is nice to see a smile 8-).
I look forward to "talking" to you all later!!!

Interesting posts Carole 0:48 am Friday June 11, 1999
Hi Haven't visited this post for a while. I was very impressed with some of your views. I do truly believe that having meniere's greatly inhances your coping skills for all the other little and big problems we encounter in our everday lives. Having had Meniere's for about 12 years, 7 of them bilateral, I have been through all the struggles and frustrarions and anxiety attacks and depressions that all of us suffer with this most life altering disease. Yes, it is truly awful, but it does make you pay very close attention to the rest of your body. I notice that when I have my worst times with the disease, I take the best care of the rest of my body. This disease has made me aware of how important your health is and how your need to be both mentally and physically strong to just get through each day.
I have tuly learned that I alone am responsible for handling this disease. While I have availed myself to every possible course of action to try and cure this disease, except for radical measures such as surgery, in the end it is me and me alone that knows what I have to do. I will never give up trying to find the cause of this intruder into my other wise wonderful life. Because without a cause there is no cure and without hope I would not be able to get through the day.
This disease is truly terrible, but it has made me a stronger person and made me look at things in a different light and pay close attention to every other aspect of my well being. I take pride in trying to look my very best, watch what I eat, exercise, pay attention to my negative thoughts and keep myself busy and productive when I am able and know that when I am not, it is okay to lay down and take time for healing.
As bad as this is, I often think that it has helped me in some other positive way and that makes it easier to cope. I wish all of you the strength to endure and the hope that we may find a cure for this most frustrating life altering disease. Thanks to Greg for giving me the opportunity to read your posting and the time and place to express my feelings Carole

Vertigoheel-CC-Smarties :-) Karen 2:03 pm Friday June 11, 1999
Hi, Everyone--
I got to thinking last night and this morning about our postings from yesterday - specifically referring to Ann, Greg and me. I have a very good friend who has only had the symptoms for a little over a year, and I felt that perhaps she, as well as some others out there, might mis-understand our positiveness to be no more than - "Boy they think they are cool !!!" LOL-- Anyway, I wrote this note to her and decided I would post it hoping in some way to expain how we got to the level we're on now.
Good Afternoon, Little Friend :-)
I need to explain something to you so you understand the postings.
Greg has had Meniere's symptoms for almost 19 years--
I have had the symptoms for almost 18 years -
Ann has had the symptoms for over 30 years -
ALL of us spent the first few years, yes YEARS-plural - scared, depressed and all the things you are feeling. YOU HAVE To - everybody HAS to - we wouldn't be normal if we didn't.
WE, Greg, Ann, and I have been there and done that and came to the realization that we HAD to learn to live again and overcome the constant depression-panic and anxiety. My God, if we hadn't-can you imagine spending 20 or more years on the couch shaking in fear. Not livable - not do-able - inconceivible !!!
YOU have all of us - I had no one for all these 17+ years to listen to - to teach me - to advise me - to console me. I was forced to make the decision, good or bad, to live or just exist, on my own. Serenity for me comes in numbers now. All of you are my peace-my calmness-my family-my loved ones-the ones I can run to when I feel like crap BECAUSE you all care and UNDERSTAND. That's not to say our families don't care-no way-they do, but they don't UNDERSTAND.
So, no one is finding fault with those that are still having trouble smiling and being happy that they are dizzy LMAOOOOOO - we are just in a way saying that there is a Hallelujah out there that doesn't come in a bottle from a drug store. It is a self-written prescription to a sort of "wellness".
Write when you can - I'm going to post most of this note on Greg's Board for others that might think we think "we're pretty cool" - ROFLMAOOOOOOOOOO
WE are here for you and love you in the truest sense of the word -

re: Vertigoheel-CC-Smarties :-) Ann 5:33 pm Friday June 11, 1999
Wow.. talk about same worries. lol.. I have fiddled with a post all day.
Concerned that folks who were newly diagnosed wouldn't think that we were permanently demented with this or some drug.
Matter of truth would be that we can read these posts and relive the fear and anxiety of not knowing what was going to happen next.
For me, I remember when I was 16 and was offered a way out of the left ear tinnitus and hearing problems.... by killing the nerves and leaving me totally deaf. The tests to see what made me dizzy... the torture chamber. One whole day in a hospital undergoing water being put in my ears, turned this way and that blindfolded unblindfolded,, lights and no lights, standing and laying down, electrodes all over my head, hearing the tech wondering what kind of tumor they were looking for...
To nearing 50 taking prozac and smiling.
Having lived thru the hell of sweating bullets and vomiting and not knowing if I could survive the attack, scared to go shopping, not daring to look down on the glass elevator, avoiding my rear view mirror when I turned. Knowing the disbelief on co-workers and employers faces that you could be dizzy and sick for more than a couple of days. Not knowing a single person who knew what Menieres was.. the ENT calling it the garbage can of his profession, because that's what they labeled "unknown" causes with. Hiding and feeling shame because I had this "thing" that nobody knew what to do with. Taken to the hospital by ambulance and kept there and being prepped to have my appendix out,, ROFLMAO..(now anyway).. then, it wasn't funny I would rather have died.. and did pray it was my appendix.. nope.. back to the label of the garbage can disease of Menieres...
So, yes, you are forced to find your own way in the situation I was in. and many others. Joy? better than looking at the valium that was supposed to help and almost killed me. I am allergic to valium, it makes my brain swell and I become severely depressed to the point of suicide. Fortunately, an endocrineologist discovered that and stopped the valium treatments immediately. Or the feeling of alone and scared and can't verbalize or reach for anything to explain it to me. That is living in hell.
Today? Now, I have the history of knowing Menieres thoroughly and I know the joy of taking only prozac and using meditations and self hypnosis and laughter (sometimes a bit of warped humor). And knowing that now others now can be tested and Menieres is no longer the "garbage can" label but still a puzzle and being researched.
Today? There are folks like Greg and Karen and Carole who have been here forming support for folks with this magical cyberspace tool.. giving another Smile and Hello...
Yes, We know, welcome and hugs.

re: Vertigoheel-CC-Smarties :-) Karen 9:32 pm Friday June 11, 1999
Oh boy, Ann-
So you were concerned too?? Guess that proves that we've been there and done that, doesn't it?
I also was allergic to Valium and thought constantly about suicide. My doctor was smart enough to notice what was happening to me and "convinced" me that I needed something for depression to cope with this "ugliness". To this day he will not allow me to go off Elavil probably because he knows that depression kinda tags along with Meniere's.
The part of this illness that was the worse for me was not knowing what was wrong with me. Not being diagnosed and walking around searching through medical books, actually having to "sneak" looking at them because my family would get so angry at me. Well, just about every horrific disease in the Mercke Manual has dizziness as a symptom. Like you said, now it's easily diagnosed or possibly it's simply easy for physicians to throw us into that "named" disease. IF in the beginning, someone had said - "Karen, you definitely have Meniere's Disease", perhaps it wouldn't have been so horribly frightening.
I, too, find elevators almost unbearable-drive very seldom and NEVER look in the rear-view mirror LOL-escalators are forbidden- riding in a car is done only by sucking it in and knowing I have to get somewhere somehow. But I go and I do and I work because I want to live-not survive-but live as best as I can.
One more thing I wanted to mention-----my Physician-------old "Doc" makes me visit him every three months to get my meds refilled and to check me out, I guess. Anyway, EVERY TIME I have gone to him, and that's been for the entire 17 1/2 years-every three months, I have asked him if there isn't something new-anything new. He has always said "No, Karen, nothing yet". HOWEVER, the last time I visited him, three months ago, I asked the question and he looked me straight in the eyes and told me that there was something being worked on right now that he has been reading about. He also said, that "when" it becomes available, HE will call ME. So, I wanted to pass this information on to all of you. This comes from a doctor that has always been open and honest with me, almost to a fault, and has never given me any false hope.
So, I go to him on June 23rd and can't wait to ask the question again. :-)
Smiles and Hugs------
Karen :-)
I'm listening -

re: Vertigoheel-CC-Smarties :-) Carole 10:53 pm Friday June 11, 1999
Hi Karen and Ann. I find your posts most refreshing. I have been visiting the Meniere's org for the past year and it has gotten to the point where there are too many posts and not enough wisdom. It's almost like there is a constant battle for control and they have lost sight of the real value of the forum. That is to share experiences and help each other. May I ask how old you ladies are? I am 56 and went through everything that you describe. Nobody knew what was wrong with me for over 5 years until I went bilateral in l992. I even thought that I was crazy. Having never been depressed, had panic disorder, or an almost complete break down of my emotional and physical body, I was totally lost. No one could help me. My family had always known me as the rock. I don't think I ever spent a sick day in bed through all the years my children were growing up. This was a terrible burden on my family and they were as lost as I was.
I managed to find a good shrink one day when I had an almost complete breakdown He put me on a medication called Klonopin, which is in the Valium family. It helped me. I have been on that drug on and off for 10 years. I try not to increase the dosage and I try to get off it when times are good. Times have not been good for the past year and I have had to stay on it unfortunately. I also was given Prozak in l992 by a very good and caring doctor, who told me I had chemical depression brought on by my disease and that no thearpy in the world would help me unless I was on medicatin. He was right, Prozak saved my life. I started with 20 mgs and about four year ago dropped it down to 10Mg and I plan on never going off this drug. That's a hard thing for me to admit, because I hate putting these chemical into my body. But I want all the meniere's sufferer out there to know that it is a very necessary drug when you have this disease. Don't be afraid to take it. Being depressed is far worse.Thank God there is medications such as this out there. Most would not be able to survive this disease without them. Keep posting Ann and Karen, I enjoy your candidness and humor and endurance CAROLE. pS I WILL BE GONE FOR A FEW DAYS, BUT WILL CHECK OUT THIS SITE WHEN I RETURN ON WEDNESDAY

re: Vertigoheel-CC-Smarties :-) Karen 1:44 pm Saturday June 12, 1999
Hi, Carole -
Thank you for acknowledging our sense of humor. It does help, doesn't it? There are many days I find nothing to smile about, but, like you and Ann, the Antidepressants "kick" in and the smile comes back. Elavil and a good Psychologist saved my life as well. I wasn't functioning at all, wasn't eating, nothing. Just wallowed in self-pity until I realized it wasn't getting me anywhere. Nor was I feeling any better. I could never go back to that depressed state. It was the hardest thing I ever did in my life-crawling out of that dark, dreary hole.
I have to say that all of us on Greg's Boards, it seems, are keeping busy in some way or another. I am nearing 50 and I believe Ann is too-right, Ann? Greg is a saint in the truest sense of the word - and how he must "enjoy" reading the postings from us menapausal (spelling) ladies. ROFLMAOOOOOOO
But we shall continue ------ and we shall overcome !!!!
Karen :-)
I'm listening -

Life with Menieres Brenda 5:05 pm Sunday June 13, 1999
Greetings!!
Havent posted in a while-been taking the cc for 2 weeks now-some days it seems to help-others not. Im glad to see the postings here of people who have had this much longer than i and to be encouraged that there is life with menieres. I'll be very glad when i can have the positive attitude that all of you carry and know that there is hope of the ability to cope with this as time goes on. Look forward to the day when I will be able to turn the tables on the menieres and take more control. I guess once I get past the stage of waiting for things to get better and decide to make things get better-I will be on my way. I'm still trying to accept the fact that I have it and it is here to stay-not just going to get up one morning and "poof" its gone like it came. I guess i really havent faced reality yet-still waiting for one of those pills to turn magic. I want to thank Greg and Karen for sticking by me-there are days they are my lifeline and they dont just say i understand and then desert me-they are there through the good times and the bad, and I thank God for them. True-understanding and compassionate friends are hard to come by. May God Bless
Brenda

re: Life with Menieres Ann 6:22 am Monday June 14, 1999 Hi Brenda.
I hope it does encourage you that life can be good having Meniere's.
And I pray you never give up on the hope that one day a pill will be magic and I pray you know there is hope to having a good life with menieres.
I work most every day. I drive 40 miles round trip each day to work. I have a supportive environment in which to work (FINALLY). Yet, I have no insurance or benefits. I would not trade the insurance benefits for the heart and minds of the folks I work with.
That does put some stress on me, but I adjusted finances to the point of bare necessities...lol.. feeding my 2 cats and my 2 dogs. The lifeline for me. They have sat by me over the years as I was laying sobbing on the cool tile of the bathroom floor with the world spinning. The month in florida where i had to quit my job and just lay on the floor or crawled to bed so dizzy that i dare not move much. That was 1991. I won't undo what I have had to redo so many times. I knew better than take a job that was high stress. I am in remission again. It took about 1 1/2 years for me to get my attitude back of one of not giving in to the depression and hopelessness that this disease can tempt you to smother your happiness with.
I guess, Brenda, don't ever "accept" Meniere's in the sense that there is no hope. There is always hope...it comes in strange places and strange ways sometimes, and rarely when we want it.
This week I was on vacation, I have washed the walls & ceilings in my bedroom with clorox, cleaned like no tomorrow, bought plants which i love and have done without,spent hours at Walmart and HomeDepot, put up new shears and new rugs around, cleaned carpet and trimmed shrubs, and reclaimed the fence from a honeysuckle vine.... I guess challenging myself once again to expand the boundaries and take steps to make myself have more smiles. This time I am not able to dig the holes for the plants and know that weeding can be impossible some days, so window boxes and planters it will be.
I have a friend Stinky, that has helped me tremendously over the past year,, not knowing about menieres, but just the kind of man he is.. a wonderful heart and soul and lots of love. He reminded me this week of the joy of birdfeeders..so i got another one for the finches.
oh, and my cat Sammi sleeps at the top of the bed beside of me. When she was a tiny kitty she slept over my ear. drove me nuts,, then one day i realized her purrs were blending the siren in my ear and the ocean and the "scrunch scrunch" sounds. So now, she purrs and I smile, she seems to know when they are the loudest and she will crawl up and lay down on my side and purr her best.
Have hope Brenda, please and look for the little miracles that allow smiles and joy to brighten a dizzy day.

Eye strain (pain) and jaw pain Steve 10:11 pm Monday June 14, 1999
Hello,
Anyone else out there with Eye pain/ tiredness as well as jaw pain associated with the dizziness symptomatology?
Thanks

re: Eye strain (pain) and jaw pain Karen 4:29 pm Tuesday June 15, 1999
Hi, Steve-
Never really heard of anyone with eye pain associated with Meniere's; however, my Mom had eye pain and dizziness and it turned out to be Glaucoma. Perhaps you need to have that checked out. I don't know how old you are, but I would think a visit to an Eye Specialist would be in order.
Jaw pain, on the other hand, is something I have had along with dizziness. Not sure if they went together or if each was singular and just kinda "meshed" together. Mine turned out to be TMJ. That can cause a lot of symptoms. It's also something that can be checked out with a Dentist. It basically comes from grinding your teeth together when you sleep, or I think an uneven bite can cause it. It can lead to very bad headaches-migraine-type-and can cause pain in the jaw, neck, head and ears and sometimes dizziness can be a side-symptom of it.
Hope this helps some. Would love to hear another posting from you with more specifics.
Karen :-)
I'm listening -

re: Life with Menieres Ann 7:51 am Saturday June 19, 1999
Well, my challenge went well.
My achilles heel still is trying to balance a 17 page bank statement we get at work in the mail and we have it on the puter lololol.. that is dizzying. lol. Well, maybe it was my bifocals ROFL.
The other part was the crick in my neck, lolol. from sleeping so hard the last nite of my vacation ROFL.
So, this weekend will be one of rest and enjoying the view of what I accomplished with minimal lightheadedness. (knock wood) lol. and recovering from the 4day catchup at work from being out on vacation. (lol.. that is worse than vacation.)
take care and may the smiles be with you!!

wondering.. Ann 12:29 pm Saturday June 19, 1999
I have wondered the past few months about the affects/effects of chemical depression and it's impact on our bodies. Stress, anxiety, etc.
And I look at what makes us smile and laugh and it's impact on our bodies,, in the same chemical manner...
The "second wind" that gives the boost to finish for a runner or go further than the last time.
The endorphins, the hormones, the ventricals of the brain and the tiny dew drops that so quietly drop into the fluids of the spinal cord...
The lactic acid that is like poison that numbs the body and insulin as our body prepares itself not to bleed in a fight or flight situation.. anxiety, and stress, worrying about the next attack of vertigo...the thymus gland....
and some of us are using/has used some form of assistance to help combat the depression, hopelessness of this aggravating disease of meniere's......body chemistry problems...
...just wondering.. and off to surf the net..

re: vertigoheel Bobbi 11:04 pm Tuesday June 22, 1999
Brenda,.......I am so happy to hear CC is helping you so much! It was a Godsend to me and to hear how it's helped others makes me so pleased. I'm going on my 10 month now and would not be without it, even though I still have "those days", they are nothing compared to how every day used to be. I know what you mean by being "tempted" to eat certain things.......but it's not worth it, is it? A friend brought dinner over to us Friday night and I wasn't aware she had put a strawberry gel in the fruit salad ......it was nutrasweet.......A BIG NO-NO for us dizzies. By the time they were leaving here I coud hardly stand up and it lasted about 2 days. Beware of hidden things that we cannnot tolerate. Be blessed and be balanced!! Bobbi from Kentucky

WEEKEND MAGAZINE Bobbi 2:01 pm Sunday June 27, 1999
Did anyone see Weekend Magazine with Stone Phillips Sunday morning June 27? They had a very interesting segment on Vertigo that I would love to get a copy of. They showed individuals with Meniere's, BPPV and how they/we see things when we're having an attack. I tried to get it on MSNBC but it must take a week before the programs are listed. If you know of any other way to get it, please let me know.
Be blessed and be balanced!!
Bobbi

niacin dawn 11:04 am Friday July 2, 1999
Hello! When I went to the pharmacist last week to pick up one of my many prescriptions the pharmacist asked me if I was taking niacin to help with Meniere's. He said it is suppose to help with tinnitus and help the blood vessels in the inner ear. I take Vitamin B supplements which has a little niacin in it but he said I should ask the dr. about increasing my intake of it. Has anyone been advised of this also? If so, has it helped? If not, consider asking your dr. about it next time. I know I will. Maybe it will help a little! God Bless and Be Balanced!!! Dawn

Like Thanksgiving, Christmas, .. Indepen Ann 10:44 am Monday July 5, 1999
I was mulling over my week and life with menieres. I call myself in remission, my ENT says it's acute, LOL. My boss said he thinks that I survive because I have a "hard ass attitude towards it"..I constantly strive for my independence and positive attitude.
Recently he and I have been having conversations about Menieres and with his partner too. He happened to come in my office when I was in the midst of a "panic attack" lasts about 20 minutes and always improves my hearing and backs off the "classic menieres attack". I considered it my "miracle", because they are about as rare as a "classic attack" and puts me into a more "balanced" mode.
So, for the first time he was aware of the body's responses and we chatted about when I had to wear a brace on my leg to walk.
I had posted earlier that I wouldn't trade the hearts and minds of the folks I work for even tho I don't have insurance benefits...
Friday afternoon I got something kin to christmas, a miracle, a blessing and seeing the proof of what I have to be thankfull for....... One of the owners lives in canada, he spoke with his doctor and he will see me and prescibe the SERC, the other owner told me to pick out a weekend that I can go, see the doctor on monday and fly back.. and not to worry bout the airfare.
So, today I am housecleaning, polishing the panelling and washing the windows, watered my flowers and filled the bird feeders..
With a silent prayer of thank yous, I sat and listened to the cardinal sitting by my window singing it's little heart out before it went over to enjoy the song bird food and get the squirrel out of the way that was hanging upside down from the roof having a feast.. lolol.. and the little chipmunk scrabbing on the ground to stuff his cheeks....
Ann

valium and anti-depressant Elaine 3:39 pm Wednesday July 7, 1999
I have had meniere's for many years (about 30). I have been on a daily dose of 5mg valium 2x daily for about 20 years. I've also suffered from chronic daily tension-type headaches, but nothing I take seems to be of any real help. Someone suggested that anti-depressants help with these types of headaches. Has anyone had any experience taking both of these meds?

re: valium and anti-depressant Carole to Elaine 0:12 am Friday July 9, 1999
Hi Elaine saw your post and thought I would reply. We have spoken many times before. I have been on Prozak for over 7 years and Klonopin for even longer. Klonopin is in the valium family and is a tranqualizer. Both these drugs work well for me and I have no problem taking them together. You will find that most peole suffering from cronic meeniere's symptoms are on an antidepressant and a tranqualizer of some kind. This disease makes it necessary to take these drugs, at least in my case it does. I don't like any of these drugs, but in order to get through the day with these very miserable symptoms I am forced to take them. You should check with your doctor about getting a prescription for Prozak, or Zoloft. Those are the most widly used antidepressants and have little to no side effects for most people. I take a very small dose of Prozak, 10mgs, and that is enough for me to get by on. Originally I took 20mgs for the first 3 years that I went bilateral with this disease. Hope this helps Carole

re: valium and anti-depressant Elaine to Carole 7:30 pm Friday July 9, 1999
Yes Carole, I know we've spoken several times. I sent you an email and really thank you for responding. I am going to my primary on Tuesday and will discuss this with him. So far, all he has given me is a prescription for fiorinal, but I only take 1 or 2 at night since they make me groggy. He's really not very happy about me being on valium long-term, but he doesn't have to worry about walking around dizzy either. Will keep you posted.

Are Portugese more likely to have Menier Geri 11:08 pm Friday July 9, 1999
I recall reading somewhere that people of Portugese heritage are more likely than other nationalities to suffer from verigo and Meniere's disease. I am 1/2 Portugese and have experienced brief verigo episodes and ringing (buzzing) in my right ear. Are any of you Portugese? Is there any research regarding this?

re: Are Portugese more likely to have Meniere's Elaine 3:36 pm Saturday July 10, 1999
I can't comment on whether this is true or not. I for one am not of Portugese heritage.

re: niacin Elaine to Dawn 12:20 pm Sunday July 11, 1999
Hi Dawn,
I am seeing my primary this Tuesday and definitely plan on asking him about niacin. I remember many years ago when I lived in Brooklyn, NY., an ENT told me to take niacin. He did say there was one reaction to it and I found it to be true. He said that due to the increase in blood circulation around the ear, it would produce "hot flushes" in the face which I found to be true. I don't remember how much I was taking at that time, but I'll certainly ask my primary about it and let you know.

re: valium and anti-depressant Bobbi 1:21 am Tuesday July 13, 1999
Elaine, I don't remember if I told you or not, but I take Zoloft everynight.......and I usually take a Valium at night also. I take it mostly for sleep and I still only sleep 3 hours! I can't complain though as I feel sooooooooo much better.
Be blessed and be balanced!
Bobbi

disappointed Elaine 4:13 pm Tuesday July 13, 1999
Hi,
I went to see my primary today. As he knows, I've had to deal with chronic tension-type headaches for many years. All I've gotten is fiorinal, and more fiorinal. I've been reading that these types of headaches are not unusual in patients who have advanced cases of meniere's, like me. I've also read lots about anti-depressants being of help in the prevention of these headaches (even if one is not depressed). When I questioned my primary today, he just told me to continue with the fiorinal. I asked my ENT about it a couple of months ago. He said there is lots of stuff I can try, but he suggested that I go to my primary, since he is the dr. I see most often, which makes sense. I can't believe I can't get any help, short of changing my primary. Is that the only answer?

re: disappointed Bobbi 5:35 pm Tuesday July 13, 1999
. Sometimes (oftentimes) we have to be adamant with them and let them know it's US who suffer when they could prescribe something if they're really listening to us. If it were him, you better believe he'd want something besides Florinal and he'd make it known too. Get mad Elaine and let him know what you have learned about this disorder! He may not like that, but at least he'll know you aren't going to sit back and let him ignore you. If he is still so unconcerned, you may have to find another pc doctor.. Good luck. Bobbi

re: disappointed Karen 6:00 pm Wednesday July 14, 1999
Hi, Elaine-
I also suffer every day from headaches and have for the past 17 years. I was given Elavil and Tranxene for 17 years and have recently been changed to Zoloft and Tranxene. None of those drugs have helped the headaches I have. Actually at times they make the headache worse. That's speaking only of myself. The thing I find that sometimes helps is Exedrin Sinus or Tylenol Sinus, but mostly 1 cup of regular coffee and an aspirin, two if I can take them. I have to eat with the aspirin because it bothers my stomach, but it works so much better than Tylenol or Advil. A physicial at Carle Clinic (a subsidiary of Mayo Clinic) told me about the coffee and aspirin. However, most of the time nothing helps my headaches. I do think that Meniere's patients do have a lot of headaches, mostly tension headaches, which is understandable. I know that in my case, headaches are also a symptom of depression. Perhaps you are depressed and don't realize it. I had panic and anxiety and couldn't believe that they are also symptoms of depression. How ironic !!
Also, since tension headaches come from the neck and eyes, I have a special pillow that I sleep on that is good for neck problems. It helps some also.
Hope some of this helps.
Karen :-)
I'm listening -

re: niacin Sandra 3:05 pm Sunday July 18, 1999
Hi I was given niacin and bonmaine to make Anti-vert as they don't make them anymore, I was told to try niacin alone but it didn't do a think, all 3 pills don't help bonamine, niacin, or both together (antivert), and SERC nothing helped but what I do find helping me a tad is ATivan which is a mild tranquillizer and ginkgo biloba.
-Sandra

re: niacin Darrell 8:54 pm Tuesday July 20, 1999
Sandra,
I also have had success with Ginkgo Biloba. It seems to releive the ringing in my ear. Even if it psycological, what ever works........right !
Stay positive
Darrell

re: valium and anti-depressant dawn 2:07 pm Tuesday August 3, 1999
Hello! I have had Meniere's for about 5 years. (I am only 23.) In December of 1998 I started taking valium 1mg twice a day. Then in January I started taking prozac 20mg but not for tension headaches just for building stressors. I have had no problems with the two drugs in terms of them interacting with on another but I have noticed improvements in my overall well being. If you decide to try an antidepressant I hope it works for you!

Serc or Vertigoheel Brenda 1:55 am Tuesday September 21, 1999
Greg,
I'd like to know if you've tried either of these two drugs for your condition. If so, how did it (they) work. If not, why?
My mother-in-law has Meniere's and we'd like to help her find relief.
Thanks, Brenda.

re: valium and anti-depressant Sandra 11:35 am Monday September 27, 1999
Wow, those 2 pills took away the dizziness ??? I am taking Ativan and Ginkgo, some improvement but NOT CURED. :(
-Sandra

Econo Lodge at your own risk! Greg 1:33 pm Monday September 27, 1999
Hi Everyone,
I finally got a reply from Choice Hotels (www.choicehotels.com) after almost 2 months from my original complaint. The individual did not have the guts or backbone to even sign it. In my opinion, these people, have done nothing, nor care about their customers, after they get their money. But, they have the audacity to ask for my future business???????
Every year we travel from Florida to KC, to see my neuro- otologist. This July we had a most terrible experience at an Econo Lodge in East Ridge Tenn, close to Chattanooga.
In 1996 we had a terrible experience at an Econo Lodge in Manchester Tenn. We had decided to give Econo Lodge, one more chance.....what a mistake!
Here is what I received in the mail today;
"Dear Mr. Folsom:

Thank you for your most recent inquiry regarding the ECONO LODGE East Ridge.
Our goal is to make every reasonable attempt to adequately address, in a timely and forthright manner, all matters of concern raised by our guests.
We have reviewed our records; they indicate that this hotel had acknowledged your concerns. It was disappointing to learn that you found their efforts unsatisfactory, however, Choice Hotels International considers the hotels choice to be final.
Once again may we apologize for any frustration this may have caused and would like to thank you for raising your concerns with us. We look forward to serving your future lodging needs.
Customer Relations Department
Choice Hotels International
cc: TN159 68839"
Please pass this on to anyone you feel may be interested.

re: Serc or Vertigoheel 11:25 pm Sunday October 3, 1999
EXCERPT FROM POSTING ON BOB HUMBLE'S MENIERE'S PAGE:
I was also told about an ENT in New Orleans who treats people from around the world who specializes in Meniere's. This doctors approach I was told was non invasive. I wanted to find out more. I live in Panama City, FL. and was able to find 3 people who were currently his patients living here. One of these individuals has been a patient for 10yrs. and the others both about 3yrs. All of these patients had positive comments and are doing well under his care. Sonny the older and longest patient convinced me that this was the approach and he was the doctor for me. Sonny has been Vertigo free for 10yrs. He told me he had not had an attack in 10yrs. since his first appointment. I had an appointment within 2wks. of that coversation with Sonny. The Name of the Physician is Wallace Rubin, MD in Metairie, LA. My first appointment on March 22-23, 1999 was extremely thorough. Two days of extensive testing. I was impressed by the caring and relaxed attitude of Dr. Rubin and his staff. I was in the office complex for the entire day except for lunch breaks, both days. I left his office at 7:45pm on the second day after my final conference with Dr. Rubin and his Dietician. In this final consultation he outlined my diet, the exercises and the medication I was to take. He told me that I had significant hearing loss in my right ear and significant problems with the mechanism of balance in that ear also. But He told me that I didn't have to live with that......that if I followed his regimen, I would improve.....I was to have another appointment in 5wks for a follow-up. At this point almost 4mo. later I've only had one Vertigo attack, which was 2wks after my first visit to Dr. Rubin, and I blame that on my cavalier attitude about not taking my medication properly. You ask what did he prescribe and what is his approach? This is what I learned. Dr. Rubin was instrumental in getting VERTIGOHEEL entered in the Physicians PDR. Sonny has been on VERTIGOHEEL for ten years......He hasn't had a Vertigo attack in ten years. Dr. Rubin feels that there is an allergy (environmental/food) trigger or connection to meniere's. He will test you......mine are Dust/dustmites, 7 different kinds of Mold/spores,Ragweed, Elm, Cats, certain grasses. Dr. Rubin will drastically alter your diet......No more frozen diners, nothing from a can, no highly processed foods, no white bread or white rice. Limit simple Carbs. only complex. Eat only lean protein and only fresh cooked or raw vegies. Eat fruit every day and drink plenty of good water.,Limit the caffeinated products and alcohol of any kind........you get what I mean on the diet. Don't forget exercise.......... Dr. Rubin will put you on Allergy-free vitamins, antioxidants and probiotics and may put you on other homeopathics related to your specific needs. Dr. Rubin's VertigoHeel prescription will have you taking one tablet sublingually every 8 hrs. and the drops are used when needed if dizzy or in the advent of symptoms of oncoming Vertigo. You will take 10 drops in 1/2 tsp water swished around and held under the tongue. Repeat every 15 min. up to 4 times in one hr. Most cases are resolved by the 3rd application I am told. You can recycle after waiting 1 hr. when stabilized take 10 drops as described each hour until bedtime(if not already). Follow up the following day once every hr. until you feel better and the day after if needed every 2 hrs. returning to the tablets every 8 hrs. My experience has shown me it is important to begin taking the liquid as soon as the symptoms show up in an impending Vertigo attack. Otherwise get ready to drive the "Porcelain Bus" Don't get cavalier about the success of the medication, you really have to give it time at the onset. It will control it in my experience if used properly. Remember it isn't a cure, it will just get you through the violent portion of the Vertigo attack without getting sick. You're still going to feel the tiredness or washed out feeling of one of these serious attacks. The exact mechanism of action of VertigoHeel is not fully understood, studies suggest that the effectiveness is due in part to central nervous system stimulation through activation of the vestibular regulatory systems located in the brainstem area. VertigoHeel has been on the market for more than 4 decades in Europe so obviously practioners have found it to be an effective drug for the treatment of vertigo of various origins. VertigoHeel can be purchased through any healthfood store under the Homeopathic name of Cocculus Compositum by the Heel Biotheraputics Co. the tablets cost $23.72 and the liquid about &42.00. As a patient of Dr. Rubin the cost is much less as he sells them through his practice, the tablets are $12.00 and the liquid is $15.00 Dr. Rubin can be reached at :
Wallace Rubin, MD
VertigoHeel.....http://www.heelbhi.com
3434 Houma Boulevard
Metairie, LA 70006-4226
(504) 888-8800

Brenda Bobbi 7:31 pm Tuesday October 5, 1999
Brenda, ......I'm not Greg, but I have been taking Vertigoheel for a little over a year now and I have not had one Meniere's attack since starting it. I may add that I've had Meniere's and BPPV for over 30 years. I was bedridden for 3 years and unable to do any household chores for over 4 years. I could no longer drive or work after a bad spell in Florida. I got worse on the 12 hour ride home (motor home) so I could lay down but I was miserable and sooooooo sick! I feel I also have a bit of Mal de darquement. Maybe this will help you make a decision and if you want anymore info, please email me. I have lots of info on Vertigoheel if you'd like it. Be blessed and be balanced! Bobbi from Kentucky

Just a Quote Karen 10:25 am Saturday October 16, 1999
"QUOTE"

"We Reap What We Sow"

re: Ginkgo Ann 4:29 pm Thursday October 21, 1999
Hey! good news, i guess ROFL.
Seems that i am pretty much deaf in my left ear. happened these last few months. Apparently it's correctible for the most part by surgery.. like catarac (sp) surgery lolol. ENT figures that buildup over the nerve of "boney" material is aggravating the inner ear too and mitigated me coming out of remission..coupled with the stress on trying to adjust to an "unknown" event in the body. Compensating and not comprehending lol.. withdrawal from needing to be in environments with sound.. pretty much subconscious response sometimes per the doc and his pa.. So, SERC isn't the answer for me. it's surgery, and in all probability stabilizing the stress from going deaf will help me get back in gear. my ENT thinks that my attitude got me this far and will be what puts the menieres behind me again after surgery. he was shocked at the hearing loss (heck i lip read ROFL) in the interim, i do have to get a hearing aid while i save up for the surgery, lolol.. and pray the company DOES get insurance by the end of the year/first of next like they are talking about. lol...
take care folks!!
and grin ;)

To: Ann Greg 10am Friday October 22, 1999
Hi Ann,
Good to hear from you again. Your messages are always inspirational! :-)

....Greetings from Central Florida...........

Havin a blonde day? Ann 5:28 am Tuesday October 26, 1999
One morning this blonde calls her friend and says "Please come over and help me. I have this killer jigsaw puzzle, and I can't figure out how to start it."
Her friend asks "What is it a puzzle of?" The blonde says "From the picture on the box, it's a tiger."
The blonde's friend figures that he's pretty good at puzzles, so he heads over to her place. She lets him in the door and shows him to where she has the puzzle spread all over the table. He studies the pieces for a moment, then studies the box.
He then turns to her and says:
"First, no matter what I do, I'm not going to be able to show you how to assemble these to look like the picture of that tiger."
"Second, I'd advise you to relax, have a cup of coffee, and put all these Frosted Flakes back in the box."
hey!! lolol.. keep grinnin ;)

Nerve Section Bob 11:12 am Sunday October 31, 1999
Greg, Do you know of anyone that has had a VNS? I am 2 years post op and still have central compensation problems on an ENG. You are knowledgeable on Menieres, can it take up to 4 years to compensate? Thanks, Bob.

It's a BOE !!!!! Ann 5:23 pm Saturday November 20, 1999
it's a BOE !!! ROFL..
got my Battery Operated Ear lolol.. made in Denmark.
it's the kind that goes outside the ear with a mold inside... lolol.. complete with switch for volume control, telephone and background noise ROFL..
hey, the battery is zinc, they don't have to be refrigerated anymore..
i gotta admit i have turned it off more than once ROFL. we won't discuss how much easier it is to concentrate at work without hearing the sounds around me ROFL... oh well, they learn.. ROFL..
had it almost 2 wks and i must say, i really wasn't aware that my hearing was gone like that.
one quick lesson while shopping in home depot... don't walk under the music speakers with ya BOE turned ON.. lol.. sounds like a concert front row seat ROFL..
take care.. and keep grinnin ;-)

b>Merriest of Holidays! Ann 7:02 pm monday december 13, 1999
wishing you all happiness and hope.... and the joy of friends and loved ones during this holiday season.

re: It's a BOE !!!!! bobo58 8:55 pm tuesday january 18, 2000
I'm rather new to these sights' I was diagnosed with Meniere's 10 years ago, and am almost deaf in my left ear. I am not getting a lot of help or advice from my doctor!! Does anyone have advice on hearing aids? I am at the point where I would like to hear more than I do now.(And some days not)

re: It's a BOE !!!!! ann 7:22 pm wednesday january 19, 2000
well, i've had by BOE since november. and i have enjoyed the ability to turn it off ROFL. and to hear more than i have for several months.
hearing aids vary tremendously... check with a good audiologist and see who they work with.
another source would be the Lion's Club. They have The Lighthouse and will also assist people in obtaining hearing aids based upon a sliding scale of financial ability.
i am really serious, i have no problem with wearing one other than adjusting to it being in my ear... cosmetically i don't give a poop ..it's the hearing that's the point for me, as i am employed fulltime and NEED to hear what my bosses tell me lolol.. sigh.

About Time joe 10:34 pm sunday january 23, 2000
It all started 20 years ago after a real bad ear infection which I fought up until two years ago. I experianced an unsteadyness,light-headed dazed feeling. It was hard to concentrate and always had sinus troubles. Then two years ago I had some problems with my ear draining went in to have it looked at, where they discoverd a cyst in my left ear. Two weeks later it was removed successfuly, since then I have had know problems with any colds ect..but I still have the foggyness and dazed feeling my family doctor thinks I'm nuts and wants me to see a shrink, but I feel different. I'm not crazy I just want some answers on why I'm still feeling disconnected.
Thanks
Joe

I need help too Sheila 4:29 pm friday january 28, 2000
I have been suffering with meniere's for 3 yrs. now. At first it was just once in a while. Dec. of 98 was the first time I had a problem of it lasting more than one day. It lasted almost 3 weeks then. It has been coming and going since then, with the spells getting closer together. I have the fullness in my ear and the nausea and room spinning along with hot flashes. I have tried to talk to my doctor about the symptoms, but he says there is something else causing them. I have seen several doctors, because of my HMO. Two of them dropped off my HMO and I had to be referred to another doctor. The last one is not very understanding, even though he says he has a mild form of it. I have had a shunt put in to drain the fluid, but it doesn't seem to be helping. The last doctor wants to put in a tube and inject something to deaden the nerve to stop the dizzy spells. If anyone has any suggestions or words of encouragement please let me know. Thanks.

vestibular nerve section pammy 3:55 pm saturday january 29, 2000
I have a doctors appt next week to discuss this procedure. I was wondering if anyone has had it done and if you could tell me what to expect after surgery? Maybe if I new more about it then I would know some questions to ask. My ENT was not at all knowledgable about this, which I understand is actually a sub/sub specialty.

re: vestibular nerve section Luci 3:56 am monday january 31, 2000
I have not had a nerve section done but did discuss it with my doc. it is only done if you can afford to lose hearing in the ear you have surgery on and usually done in extreme cases. Your doc should be an ear-nuerosurgeon and very knowledgeable about inner ear and balance disorders from the research I have done on this my advice would be for you to research it thoroughly before you make a decision. Just to make sure it is right for you and your situation. I have had 2 mastoidectomy w/ tympanoplasty surgeries which took care of my infection in the mastoid problem but did nothing for my dizziness and tinnitus. I am currently looking at vertigoheel and complete life change in diet, managing stress. I have had some relief from chiropractic care it seems to lessen the severity of the dizzies, but I also have had whiplash injuries that I'm sure don't help much. any way read Greg's archives there is good info. for lots of ways to deal with this. find a good wholistic type practitioner to help you. Good luck

LOL bobo58 8:56 pm monday february 7, 2000
Please pardon my ignorance, but I have been reading the archives and don't have a clue what LOL or LOLOL might mean. Can you please enlighten me? I discovered this sight about three weeks ago and ehjoy it immensely. No one understands tinnitus until you have it, and right now I have two teenagers who mumble all the time. Even my wife can't understand a thing they say. Oh well, if this is the worst thing that I have to deal with, then I won't complaintoo much

To Candy in Minnesota Greg 2:10 pm saturday february 12, 2000
Hi Candy,
I got your message when you signed my guestbook. I tried to email you but it bounced(user unknown). You can contact me at gf202@email.com anytime.

my mothers meneirse Jenn 2:58 pm monday february 21, 2000
My mother has had meneirse since the early 1980's. Since then she has had the vestibular nerve section surgery. She has improved so much and can do almost all the things she used to. One thing i wondered about was this. She only has reoccurances if her body temp rises or if she is under large amounts of stress Are these common triggers for attacks?

re: my mothers meneirse Greg2 5:04 pm monday february 21, 2000
I used to have horrible attacks from being in rooms that were hot and airless, such as school gyms and churches. Now I just get up and leave if I feel uncomfortable. Politeness doesn't mean that I have to become sick.
I am becoming much better at avoiding situations that cause me stress, but I could not get through everyday stress without taking Vitamin B complex at least twice a day. It did take me a while to find out how I can avoid the dizzy spells, and I am sure that this will not work for me forever, and may not work for others.
I am also taking Tai Chi in order to relax a bit more and manage my stress better. Yoga may help as well. good Luck

Tubes Greg M 3:04 pm sunday february 27, 2000
Has anyone had the tubes in the ear and it has helped if so contact me

re: my mothers meneirse kara 0:28 am thursday march 2, 2000
I know for a fact that stress is a huge factor in bringing on Meneire's attacks...I've also noticed seasonal changes and changes in the weather's barometric pressure can also bring on an attack. Lack of sleep is yet another one. It's an annoying and quite terrible disease. I'm 26 and have had it since i was about 14 or 15. My grandfather has it also, it seems to be hereditary in our family. All through-out high school, when i'd have an attack, I'd go to the nurse and she'd act like I was crazy or just faking sickness to get out of school. It was very frusterating. I finally insisted on seeing an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor and was thouroughly tested. Low and behold I was right and I wasn't crazy or just a hypocondriac. Until that point, even my own family hadn't beleived me. Good luck to your Mom and your family...she needs all of the understanding and support you all can offer. Let her know there are many others out there who understand, also.

Spanish spoken? Manuel Harguindey 3:58 pm friday march 3, 2000
Hello, I am the son of a Spanish woman that suffers from Meniere. She does not speak english and I think it would be nice if I find some to share information and experiences with her.
Is there anyone here in this group who speaks spanish and would like to get in contact with my mother?
Thank you very much
sincerelly yours,
Manuel Harguindey.

Reentering the discussion! Pat Pierce 12:30 pm saturday march 4, 2000
Hello All,
After a frustrating couple years ... Menieres, hearing loss, job loss, running into treatment dead ends, over-conservative doctors, indifference, skepticism(mine, co-workers, bosses and doctors), etc., etc., I'm re-entering the discussion of this enigma called "Menieres Desease"
After checking a couple sites it seems like there is still no agreement on causes, treatments or even what is and is not 'Menieres'. In the absense of any near-term hope of help from the medical profession I'm taking a more proactive strategy. From the web sites I've visited, there are two possibilities for 'self' treatment that fit my condition: 1)SERC and 2) fluvastatin sodium.
Of the two possibilities, fluvastatin sodium is the first treatment I will seek. Fluvastatin sodium commonly prescribed for high cholesterol and since my cholesterol levels usually exceed the norm, I think that it should not be too dificult to convince my family doctor to prescribe it. (A couple BigMacs will surely tip the scales in my favor!)
The www.menieres.com website mentioned a daily dose of 20mg. Does anyone out there have any experience with this (or any other) treatment?
Regards Pat

re: Reentering the discussion! Greg2 4:06 pm saturday march 4, 2000
Hi, Pat:
I have been on Serc for about 3 years, after my last MD attack. For about 5 days I had full hearing back in my left ear to the point that I could use a Phone again on that side. Then the hearing went away again.(Does this happen to anyone else?) Since then I have not had an attack, although my left side hearing is now much worse. As usual, all you can do is try. Everyone seems to be different.
Greg2

re: Reentering the discussion! Pat Pierce 1:57 pm monday march 6, 2000
Hi Greg2,
Thanks for the info. I intend to try SERC after I try Fluv. Sodium.
My left ear is useless. My right ear fluctuates just about on a daily basis. I've tried for several years to pin down a reason for the fluctuations with no sucess. I'm trying beat the clock finding a solution to my hearing loss. I figure I've got about two years until I'm a candidate for an implant. I would very much like to avoid an implant.
Regards,
Pat

vestibular nerve section susan 9:33 pm saturday march 4, 2000
I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING NON-STOP DIZZYNESS,IMBALANCE FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS NOW. HAVE VISITED SEVERAL DOCTORS WITH NO RELEIF AT ALL. I JUST FINISHED 6 MONTHS OF VESTIBULAR THEOPHY.
I JUST MET WITH A NEW DOCTOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO AND HE SAYS HE CAN HELP BY DOING A VESTIBULAR NERVE SECTION, HE IS EXPERIENCED AT REMOVING JUST THE VESTIBULAR PART OF THE 8TH NERVE AND LEAVING THE HEARING PART IN TACT.
IF ANYONE OUT THERE HAS HAD A VESTIBULAR NERVE SECTION PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN EXPECT.
I'M FRIGHTENED
AND I'M SICK OF BEING SICK.

re: vestibular nerve section shannon 10:06 am tuesday march 7, 2000
even though i am half-deaf, i definitely hear you...i am recovering from shunt placement myself and will have the same surgery as you describe if this fails...i will watch to see what others tell you about their experience. i, too, am sick of being sick. thank god for these pages...they are my only link to knowing i am not some alien with a probe in my head...LOL. hope all goes well for you.
shannon

Vestibular Nerve Section Dej652 1:36 am thursday march 16, 2000
Hi,Shannon/Susan/Luci/Pammy.....
I just found this site and hope it's helpful to all....Yes...I had a v.n.s. in 1985...Long before they had alot of the treatments they have now...I was origianlly diagnosed in 1973...A Long time ago !!! But anyway, I did have the surgery. I had it done through the House Ear Institute in Los Angeles.. At that time, and so I still hear, they are the leading clinic in Menier's disease.. But I know everyone has there own opinion...At the time of my surgery, I didn't have any of the bad side effects, or things I hear of now days...I guess I was very lucky...If any of you would like to e-mail me personally, I would be happy to talk to any of you....Dej....

re: Vestibular Nerve Section susan 8:37 am saturday march 18, 2000
hi
thanks for the information. i'm having a vestibular nerve section on 4/20. i do not have meniere's, i had shingles almost 2 years ago, that settled on my 7th and 8th crainal nerves.
my hearing is fine, it's my balance wheel that is causing me all the grief. i guess that the 8th nerve branches off- one part is for hearing and the other is for balance.
they will just remove the balance part of the nerve and leave the hearing in tact, they tell me thats its a 6 to 8 hour operation and a 3 to 5 day hospital stay.
they are able to cut behind my ear to get to the part of the brain were these nerves are located. and remove my balance wheel.
thay claim that i'll compensate fairly quick, because that part of the nerve has no response already, according to 5 eng's that i've had in the last 2 years. the main receptor is what we hope is causing the problem, they seem to think that the tip of the nerve is dead, but there still is some life elsewhere in that nerve which is why i have not compensated. and thats why my brain signals don't flow thu properly.
any information that you may have would truely be appreciated.
what can i expect after surgery? is there alot a pain? did your dizzyness stop?
please share as much information as possible
god bless
susan

re: Tubes ann 6:40 pm sunday march 19, 2000
Greg, I've had tubes in both ears since 1985. at the moment i have a tube only in my left ear. the right tube was removed when i had a severe infection. the hole did not close so they felt a tube not necessary. my hearing is mostly conductive, so the tube cbeing removed did lessen my hearing in my right ear. my left tube was just removed and reinserted this past wednesday *ouchie*, mainly cos my ENT knows that that little plastic DOES help my conductive hearing, otherwise, that hole won't close and ergo the tube is really redundant except for conductive hearing.
i typically could never tell when i had a severe ear infection, but with the tubes i sure could tell when they were clogged (*houston, we have a problem** lol)
i do a bit of self hypnosis, so my ent hushes,, and the procedure is done in his office.. beware tho,, it's an ouchie.
best of luck, ann

re: Reentering the discussion! Bobbi 8:01 am monday march 20, 2000
Pat, have you ever tried Vertigoheel? It's a homeopathic but Like Greg said, what helps one won't necessarily help the other but VH has helped me more than anything ever has. BTW Pat, I have had MM and BPPV for 40 years, so not new to it. It's worth considering.
Be blessed and be balanced,
Bobbi...............I've also heard of many who have been helped by SERC, but I'm not famiiar with the other thing you mentioned.

inner ear problems Jeanne 9:40 pm tuesday march 28, 2000
I am looking for support group, information chat, ANYTHING to help me deal with an inner ear problem. I have had it on and off for a year now....This current round has been over 1 month, I can't drive, I'm dizzy, frustrated and sick of it. The doctor is not much help, but I keep going.... IS there anybody out there who can help, lead me to other people who understand, etc, etc, etc, I would really appreciate some support and resources....
thanks
Jeanne

re: vestibular nerve section Jeanne 9:45 pm tuesday march 28, 2000
Susan,
You words sound so much like me. I'm so sick of being sick, I don't know how much more i can take. It actually helped me to see there are others out there who are suffering this kinda stuff, because nobody in my circle of family, etc can really understand.
Im interested in what this treatment is that you said you have been through....
Let me know how you are ..
Jeanne

re: vestibular nerve section beth 10:43 am thursday march 30, 2000 Dear I'm Sick of Being Sick,
I had a vesibular nerve section operation 5 weeks ago today. I am free of all vertigo and throwing up for the first time in five years.. I suffer from meniere's disease. I had previously had shunts done in BOTH ears, have had Gemimicen (sp) treatments in BOTH ears, and have had a two weeek session of Strepomycin (sp) treatments.
The first week after surgery is rough. Lots of trowing up and getting use to things moving when you move. Walking takes time. I walked with a walker for the first week or so. The pain is not bad. It was controlled through medication and after 1 1/2 weeks I no longer needed the medicine.
I have returned to work this week. Started swimming again last week. (1 mile a day) I feel like a whole new person. I can finally live again! write back if you have any more questions. E - Mail denver826 through yahoo mail.

Meniere's Melodie 1:11 pm thursday march 30, 2000
Hi!
I'm new to this site. As a matter of fact I just found it today. It's refreshing to know that there are others out there who suffer from such a strange and dibilitating desiease as Menieres.
Here's my story. I'm a veteran. I served in two branches of the military and was Honorably Discharged in 1993 because I was suddenly stricken with an unknown illness at that time. I had numerous tests done at Walter Reed Army Medical Hositalp in D.C. After nearly a year of testing there as well as numberous hospitals in Boston and Rhohde Island, I was fianlly diagnosed with Meniere's. Soon after that, the military showed me the door. Since then I have been on disability, collecting benefits from the Veterans Administration.
I receive all of my medical care at a local VA Hospital. My problem is this. My ENT doctors, (who change every time I go in for an appointment) are very eagar to put me under the knife. Knowing the government as well as I do, and how mis- guided,confussed and disoriented my ENT's are, who in their right mind would allow them to do such an evasive operation as going into the brain!
For a while they prescribed Valuim and it really helped, but two years ago the VA Hospital stopped prescribing it to it's outpaitents reguardless of a long documented history like mine,of its successful results. Instead they prescribed anivert along with the usual dieretic. Since I have daily problems with veritgo, total hearing loss in my left ear and a racket going endlessly on in it, what can anyone say to help me cope with my problems and the lack of good or beneifical health carenow or in the future.
I can't afford to seek medical attention outside the VA. My disability benefits won't cover it. And I am deathly affraid of what could happen under the knive of a VA physician.
It's a lot to ask, but I really would like some emotional support and understanding from those who understand.
Melodie

re: Meniere's Bobbi 11:23 pm friday march 31, 2000
I've sent you a long letter but I did want to post a short note to encourage you to keep coming back here to check out what others have to say. You are certainly not alone in this Melodie, and you've found a whole group of people who know just what you mean. It's pretty normal to hear that no one understands "us", as we look normal and so they think we should act normal. Well, they're not in our heads and therefore they have no clue how we tilt, spin, grope for words, get confused, see fuzzy, or tunneled, as we try to act normal. You've got a start by finding this discussion group and you'll learn more each day. We're here for you anytime. . . . so do keep in touch. Be blessed, Bobbi

mineries re; melody Beth 3:23 pm monday april 3, 2000
Melody,
Keep your chin up!! I know how you feel. I've been there done that! Please read my entry on March 31,2000. I know of two doctors who are the top in the country in dealing with Mineres disease. They are both willing to financially work with people. One of the doctors I have been with for 6 years. He has done 2 surgeries on me. I have had one other surgery with the other doctor just last month. Both are extremely good. I suffered for ever I know in the last month feel the best I have felt in 10 years.

Sometimes coping .. ann 4:00 pm tuesday april 4, 2000
gets really hard.. and sometimes it means that denial and that hellbent determination to not give in causes more problems than acceptance....
I came out of remission with bells, whistles and the din of a swirling world lol and the new addition of "slam dunks" by some unseen Jolly Green Giant (drop attacks) ..I still have my humor but deep inside I know that I have to accept the words of my ENT .. "you're in a trap it seems and I think it would be better if you consider disability"...
The trap? My boss told me the reason I survived the turmoil of this disease was because of my kick ass attitude towards it. And I have done that for many, many years. Now I am having again to define and accept my lifestyle.. and to not feel like I have failed.. damn I got this far from age 16 with this...that's pretty dog gone great... The task for me is to now understand that the drive of 20miles in Atlanta just to get to work is taxing me far beyond what this old lady can continue to do safely with others in mind.. I've been lucky.. but the fact is that it's time to slow down and make this life of mine one that can carry me forward with balance... one of spending the 3 hours of driving time a day in activities more condusive to enjoying my life.. Stress as we all know is one of our real enemies.. it presses the buttons at our weakest point (menieres).. and I had to sit myself down today and look at hope and the future.. and it seems that I felt that disability was like a "bad" choice for me.. but I gotta say that at this hour, I have said Ok, and made an appointment with SS to go forward.. forward to spending time cleaning my house, working in my yard, enjoying my critters and more time with friends.. I know that my stubborn independence has to give way to this "image" of the future..
it's not one that will be very pretty if I don't acknowledge that menieres is something that I can't make go away and that my life style of working at that distance and my age and my decreasing hearing and lack of insurance (company got insurance but damned if they didn't put a "pre-existing" exclusion on me - new insurance) and the addition of drop attacks is truly jeopardizing me and my hope for the future...
My ENT thinks that ELS surgery will possibly help me and he doesn't think that vestibular or the insertion of the "drug bullet" into the inner ear is worth the risks for me at this point in time...
The upside is that after these last 2 consectutive attacks my hearing has improved.. well dang, I CAN hear the washing machine RROFL.. so help me it took me a while to figure out what that noise was... lol
As we all know that can be short lived and it can mean the dimishment to a lower level of hearing than before.. or ......
The uncertainties, I think, are the hardest part of Menieres..so.. like we all must learn.. faith and hope and support are our sustenance
thanks for being around...
**keep grinnin** 8-)

Meniere's and dizzy spells Tracy 2:59 pm sunday april 9, 2000
Has anyone here ever heard of "Particle Repositioning" or the "EPLEY CHAIR"I was diagosed w/meniere's 3 years ago after 8 months of dizziness. I had numerous tests done and numerous different medications to take. Finally I came to the conculsion that I can never work again. I used to work for the Federal Government for the state of Oregon's Military Department. Which meant that I had to be a member of the Oregon Army National Guard in order to hold my civilian civil service job. I repaired guns and cannons for the Oregon Army national Guard on a full time basis. In 1997 I was rear-ended in a really bad auto accident. After that I started getting really bad vertigo attacks. Well I thought they were just inner ear infections. So I went to see my dr. and she sent me to an ENT where he did hearing tests and and ENG. He diagnosed me w/Meniere's Well since then I have lost my postition in the Army national guard due to medical reasons (Meniere's) and since I lost my affiliation w/the guards I also lost my job. The good news is at least they are paying me some what of a disability. Social secruity will not give me any help because they say it is not dibilitating.
Recently I found a Dr. here in Portland at the Providence hospital that does nothing but inner ear disorders. His Name is John M. Epley. M.D. (503-233-5925) He does particle repositioning in the inner ear. He is world renown with his famous chair. Most people w/meniere's were diagnosed wrong and go through life stumbling over things and sitting on the floor w/their heads in their hands waiting for all of spinning to stop. or aiting for the world to stop so they can step off this amusment park ride. I am here to say THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF YOUR TUNNEL!!! This man had his Odioligist do another ENG and an AA during the ENG they put pressure in your ears along with the cold and warm water he found my problem to be in the left ear that control my left side balance. He helped me by telling me that my problem was when i layed on my left side or if i bent over or turned real fast to the left. He said I was a candidate for the chair.
This chair looks like something out of NASA. It has 3 metal bars that circle the chair and has degree marks written on the bars. What it does is this: In your inner ear you have crystal particles that float around in the inner ear itself that is what keeps you in balance along with the 3 vestibular tubes. With either a head injury or even bending over you could break some of these crystals or particles loose in your ear. when you bend over or have a head trauma move those loose paricles into your vestibular tubes. And from there out every time you move you get attacks. Sometimes it could take years for you to get those particles moving but once they move you are debilitated. What the dr. does is simple. He straps you into this chair turns you upside down and vibrates the back of your head just enough to get the particles moving. Than he brings you up slowly at the degree marks on the circled bar and keeps vibrating until the particles are back in place.
Believe me I thought he was a quack too BUT IT WORKS! I didn't know that my sister had the same trouble 8 years ago we thought thatshe might have a Ceribrial Hemerage or something. She went to see Dr. Epley and would not leave his office until he made the dizziness go away. He put her in the chair and SHE HAS NOT HAD A VERTIGO ATTACK IN 8 YEARS. SHE CALLS HIM HER SAVIOR! Once a month she calls him just to hear them say "Dr. Epley's Office" She is affaid he will be out of country or out of practice if she ever has another attack. I am now seeing him and all I have had done is the AA and an ENG. My next visit I hope he will strap me in the chair so I can get on with life. I know this is not a sure fire thing but I am willing to anything to stop the spinning. I am on 40 mg of PAXIL for my depression. If this chair doesn't work for me then I will make reservations with the man at the perly gates because i can not go through life like this anymore.

Susan and others Beth 1:19 pm monday april 10, 2000
This is the 10th day of April, 2000. I had a vestibular nerve section on Feb. 24,2000. I feel better than I have felt in 5 or more years. I also feel diferent than I have felt in 5 or more years. I have no more vertigo attacks. The compensation is different. When I walk words and people go up and down. I teach school and find when classes are changing and I'm in the halls I don't care for it to much. To much movement!! I am now swimming 1 1/2 miles a day. Susan and others hang in there. each day is better and please write back.

re: Susan and others Susan 4:09 am tuesday april 11, 2000
BETH
I,VE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY E-MAIL PROGRAM. I,VE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO E-MAIL YOU DIRECTLY. I'M VERY NEW ON THIS COMPUTER STUFF AND I MUST OF DONE SOMETHING THAT I SHOULD'NT HAVE.IT WON'T ALLOW ME TO SEND MAIL. AND I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN RECEIVE IT EITHER.
HOW ARE YOU FEELING? I'LL HAVE MY HUSBAND CHECK OUT THIS COMPUTER AND SEE WHATS WRONG.
I MY SELF AM GETTING CLOSE TO MY SURGERY AND I'D SURE LIKE TO TALK TO YOU.
SUSAN

About email Greg 5:18 am tuesday april 11, 2000
Hi all,
If you are currently having email problems with your ISP (Internet Service Provider) try going to someplace like Hotmail. click here to go to Hotmail or Yahoo click here to go to Yahoo Click on sign up, and you can sign up for a free email account. You will have to make up a name and a password, and follow the sign up instructions. It is not too hard, and you can use the email account from any computer, or even WebTV. For example if you go to hotmail and make up a name of say Greg2117, your email address will be Greg2117@hotmail.com

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