Hi my name is Don:
I am a male of 66 years now and had my first attack about 13 years ago. I was working on my computer at home when suddenly I had the sensation of vertigo, nausea, spinning sensation, and vomiting up everything inside me and then the dry heaves. I could only lay next to the toilet and could not close my eyes as everything kept spinning. I could only lie down trying to focus my eyes only on one thing so as not to make matters worse as it would if I did focus on something else. It was hard to keep my eyes focused as they kept wondering away from what I was trying to focus on. I was very tired and had no idea what was hppening to me. After about 6 hours of lying down next to the toilet and finally falling asleep, I woke up and went to the ER at the hospital. They figured that I had an inner ear infection and that the attack was over.

I didn't have another attack until about 6 months later which was just as bad. I was a Sales Engineer and worked out of my home which was a blessing for me as I had almost all my attacks at home and could schedule any appointments around my episodes.
I went to see an ENT doctor and tests reveled that I had Meniere's Desease. I was put on a low salt diet, and a diuretic (which reduce fluid overload in the ear). The diuretic made me nauseated and after trying other diuretics I was put on a diuretic that didn't give a nauseated feeling. The doctor told me that there was no cure for the Meniere's desease and that I would have to change my life style and live with it. Change my diet such as low salt diets 2000 mg max a day, no caffine, alcohole, or tobacco.
I didn't smoke which helped but I enjoyed drinking a bit and loved my coffee. Also had to entertain my customers at times so this presented a problem.

I would like to let you know at this time I was a very active individual in almost everything.
As time went on I didn't have attacks for a year at a time and once a year and a half ignoring any medication. Then all hell broke lose. I started having attacks again and more frequently which by the way was starting to effect my job. I was backing off from normal activities that required me being away from my home as that was my safe haven if I would have any attacks, as you now know I would be totally disabled while having these attacks.I was afraid to go to sales meetings or if I had to go into a large plant like a steel mill I would be hydrophobic. At church I would sit next to the nearest exit door in case I felt an attack coming on so I could exit immediately.

I went to the Cleveland Clinic Fondation in Cleveland, Oh. at The Otolaryngology & Communicative Disorder Dept. for a second opinion. After many tests it was determined that I indeed had Meniere's desease in the right ear. I stayed on my diet and medication more strickley than ever before as this was geting worse. One thing that they had me taking was Diazepam (valium) which helps when you feel an attack coming on. I takes about two hours for the pill to kick in which could be to late but the attack was not as severe. Another pill that was prescribed was LORAZEPAM 1 mg. Only to be taken in case of an attack. You put the pill under your tongue and it immediatly enters your system and pulls you right out of the attack (God Bless it).

As time went on so did the advancing of the Meniere's. It got so as I could not drink more than a full glass of water without a small attack which I was controlling with the medication.

The Cleveland Clinic doctor advised me of an operation as an alternative cure. It is called a Endolymphatic sac decompression. Doesn"t effect any hearing loss. It is of being a non destructive operation. A shunt valve is installed in the inner ear to reduce fluid pressure causing the symptom of Meniere's. I had this done in Oct. 1999. 2 out of 3 pople are said to be succesful in this type of operation. I was one of the three that it did not help. I will say though that it has helped some and is probably worth a try. Operation takes approx. a couple hours and you can go home the same day. some hearing recuperation is necessary.
In April of 2000 I had a vestibular neurectomy surgery done at the clinic. The nerve from the balance portion of the ear is cut so the brain doesn't receive signals that trigger a vertigo attack. The brain readujusts in a short time to only one ear regulating balance. I am in the process now of rehabilatating after the operation and cannot give any opinion as of yet. There is a 90 to 95% chance of success of this operation. I have had no attacks though since then and can drink more fluid, but am somewhat dizzy from the operation until the other ear balance nerve takes over.
The doctor said this is normal and am on track.

I made my experiences as short a possible to you so as to give some guidance that you might want to explore, but left out many terrible tales that effects you and your mind and your social life.
God bless all of you and wish all lots of luck in this unfortunate desease. If I can be of any assistance please don't hesitate to write.

Jstmedlb@aol.com

Thanks, Don

P.S. Alan Shepard the Astronaut had Meniere's and after an operation he landed on the moon and was the first to swing at a golf ball.