Managing Meniere’s Disease

In 2010 I experienced a severe bout of Vertigo after an unusual workplace incident. I was leaning forward over an office bin, then abruptly turned my head left and upwards to speak to someone.

In that moment, my inner-ear rolled out of position, and as I collapsed it felt like the world was constantly spinning inside my head, making me cling to everything to find my balance. I felt like I was involuntarily part of a dizzying merry-go-round.

During my hospital stay, I spent almost a week in bed while doctors tried to figure out why I felt so sick as my symptoms, oddly, didn’t match anything in their database.

After undergoing numerous tests, I received confirmation of the diagnosis: Meniere’s Disease. It felt like I had entered a story with unpredictable plot twists, where my inner ear held several of the central roles!

Since then, I’ve been dealing with unrelenting inner ear-pressure. I have tried various home remedies over the years, including:

• Swallowing or yawning during flights or elevation changes.
• Chewing gum to stimulate swallowing and alleviate ear discomfort.
• Performing the Valsalva Maneuver, gently blowing your nose while pinching it closed.
• Staying hydrated by sipping water to maintain ear pressure equilibrium.
• Taking hot steamy showers when congested.

My personal favorite is the Valsalva Maneuver. It’s a strange sensation but surprisingly effective, albeit temporarily.

When my family moved to Kangaroo Island in 2016, I took on a new job as a window washer. Despite the persistent ear pressure problem, I refused to let Meniere’s define my life. By adopting a low-sodium, reduced-sugar diet to manage vertigo attacks, I gained more control over this unpredictable disease.

Important to Know:

There is no cure for Ménière’s disease. “MD cannot be treated and made to “go away” as if you never had it. It is a progressive disease which worsens, more slowly in some and more quickly in others. Initially the symptoms and hearing loss resolve completely between attacks, but later there is progressive hearing loss and persistent tinnitus.“

“Many people suffering from MD lead productive, near-normal lives; others face greater challenges in coping. Each individual’s experience will depend on the severity of their symptoms and how they respond to treatments.”

“After around 5-15 years, many people find that the acute episodes of vertigo will stop. However, they continue to experience a constant sense of mild imbalance, tinnitus, and moderate hearing loss in the affected ear. This knowledge can be comforting for people who find the vertigo attacks to be their most distressing symptom.“

Why did I feel the need to write this article?

To convey that personal suffering can lead to self-determination, which in turn fosters self-awareness and self-validation.
It’s not just about finding solutions to physical challenges but also about discovering the strength within ourselves.
This newfound resilience can extend beyond health issues and help us conquer depression, elevate happiness, and find meaning in our lives. By embracing my capacity for self-determination, I’ve both realised and lead myself to a more fulfilling and contented existence.

Related Sites of Interest

• PDF about Meniere’s Disease Coping Strategies
• Meniere’s Disease – Conditions and Treatments
• Food, Drink and Tinnitus