Meniere's medication and IVF/adoption

Hi

My menieres attacks started last year and whilst I had Labyrinthitis on a few occasions it was nothing like the menieres.  The most helpful programme I found is vestibular rehab  but it is not easy to start with.  I have made it part of my life over the last year and rely on it totally if I recognise any possible symptoms of a menieres attack.  It is good to read up about it but it can all be too much.  However it is worth knowing that you can keep it under control with a few changes in your routine.  Good luck

I sympathise with your worries. I was diagnosed right-sided meniere's over 3 years ago. I take a water tablet each morning and 3 x 16mg Betahistine a day. It's so difficult to reassure another meniere's sufferer as we are all so different. I have permanently lost about 80% hearing in my affected ear, have balance problems and suffer with tinnitus. I don't drive but I do work a minimum 35 hour week but do have time off when the spells are bad. I've been spell-free for 5 months (my longest gap yet). I felt the same despair as you in the early days but it does just become something you live with and I cope much more than I used to. I can't help on the pregnancy front unfortunately but fingers crossed you will be a mild sufferer and it won't affect your life too much. Good luck

Have you been properly assessed by a Consultant Aural Physician* or ENT Surgeon to confirm the diagnosis? If they are up to date with the latest research they will probably raise your betahistine dosage a lot more. In my case 16 mg tds did not bring full control although like you my ear fullness did reduce and I got some hearing recovery. My Aural Physician tripled the betahistine dose to 48mg tds since when I have had no more attacks. After 6 months I was able to gradually come off the drug and so far have remained well - the caveat is that if symptons start to return I am advised to resume the maximum dose I was on and if necessary increase it further. There are patients taking 2 to 3 times what I was taking! I cannot help you with the IVF issue except to say that Betahistine is outstandingly free of side effects. 70% of sufferers get better so that is a reason to be cheerful.

Driving - I asked my Consultant whose advice was that if I knew an attack was beginning I should immediately pull over, stop and seek assistance. As I do know I have informed DVLA who have cleared me to continue driving on that basis, a great relief. BUT if you have no or insufficient warning to park safely you should not drive.

In summary seek the most up to date professional advice and be positive - chances are you will recover.

*I have no idea where in the world you are but the Aural Physician who helped me is Dr Peter West, at St Richards Hospital, Chichester, W Sussex. UK.

High dose betahistine treatment is based on the research of  Prof Michael Strupp in Munich, Germany who has put some of his research subjects on more than ten times the max recommended dose without any significant side effects apart from the well known risk of gastric irritation..

Sorry to hear you have had another attack on waking. That has happened to me 2 or 3 times. Prochlorperazine is a powerful sedative anti-emetic (as well as an anti-psychotic drug) which is one reason why you feel so tired afterwards. Buccastem is the same drug that you tuck under your top lip where in theory it is more quickly adsorbed and hence may work more quickly. Be warned though, the last time I used it it failed totally and I was incapacitated for over 18 hours. Its worth trying a standard anti travel sickness remedy as an alternative (less potentially damaging) drug esecially if you are in an IVF programme.

Hi,

Don't stress over anything, thats the first thing. It makes it worse.  You will get your hearing back, sometimes intermittently, and when the Betahistane takes hold (about 2 weeks or so) you will have long periods of normality. The main thing to remember is watch your salt intake, caffeine intake and stress levels!

If you feel an attack coming on, you can take 4 Prochloraperazine tablets (from your GP) and these can stop an attack progressing, but still take your Betahistine.  

Everyone is different but I take 8 tablets every two days and 6 otherwise. Works for me but discuss with your doctor.

Hi

I have had MD for about 4 years now, Ive had an operation on my right ear, I have also lost my hearing in that ear and some hearing in my left ear. I drive and I also foster. Hopefully you should be ok