“Meniere’s disease is a disorder of the inner ear that can lead to dizzy spells (vertigo) and hearing loss. In most cases, Meniere’s disease affects only one ear ” – https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menieres-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20374910
For several years, I’d get sick once a year around spring. I’d get a little dizzy and feel nauseated. On May 26th 2017, We were up in SLC for a little stay-cation and swimming in the pool and I got sick again. I was dizzy and could hardly walk. I sat got out of the pool and waited for about an hour, before I could walk back to the hotel room. After a good night of sleep, I was better.
The following Monday, we were celebrating my son’s birthday at Chili’s and I started getting sick again, which included the chills, dizziness, and an upset stomach. Sleep was the only thing I could do. There were several more times that I would end up getting sick, before visiting the doctor. The Dr looked at me and said. “You may have Meniere’s Disease”. Let me send you to the best doctor for Meniere’s.
I did some research and noticed that I had all the symptoms. I have had tinnitus for several years in my right ear and losing hearing in it. After several tests at the new Dr Office, they diagnosed me with Meniere’s Disease. I was devastated since there is no real cure, but there is a diet you can do to control the symptoms. The hardest one is limiting your sodium intake! WHAT!?!?! Everything good has sodium in it! All the quick and easy meals are loaded with sodium! I have to limit my intake to 1500 mg a day.
Let me back up a bit. An “Episode” of Meniere’s can be different for different people. In my cases, I would get extremely dizzy and the room would feel like it is spinning! I get sick to my stomach. There are things you can take to hep, such as motion sickness pills or some narcotics prescribed by the doctor. These episodes can come on without warning. Mine would usually hit at work. It usually takes about 4 hours to recover from an episode. You are usually left with a foggy head for a day. It’s super hard to explain. I’m so glad I work for a company that is willing to let me sleep off an episode in my office!
When I was diagnosed, I watched my sodium like a hawk. My sodium levels were way out of whack, due to my paranoia. I ended up getting sick, because I wasn’t eating enough sodium! The Doctor told me “You are severely dehydrated, and I can either send you do the hospital or you can go buy two bottles of Gatorade and drink them!”. I was able to get myself re-hydrated and back on the mend. I was always a fast-food type of person. It was easy to grab something to eat when you are in a hurry. Unfortunately, there is way too much sodium in fast food. Fast food has become a thing of the past, unless they can hold the “salt” on the fries and burger!
I have had Meniere’s for 2.5 years now and I’m still trying to figure out what I can eat. There are somethings I miss that are high in sodium and I will try a little here and there when I can. You have to weigh the consequences of eating that high sodium meal. Is it worth getting sick!? There are times you get away with a 2000 mg day and others where a 1200 mg day will get you sick. It’s super crazy! My weight has dropped by 40 lbs after making the dietary changes. I miss stuffing my face with fast food!
I have found a couple Facebook groups that have helped me deal with this disease.
- Living with Meniere’s Disease – This is a great group for questions about Meniere’s. While reading the group, you need to remember one thing: Everyone is effected differently by this. The people on this group are not all the same and you will see some that can’t function at all and some that have episodes 1 to 2 times a year. I was completely freaked out when I joined this group, because I thought, I was doomed!
- Shaking the Salt: A Low Sodium Lifestyle – I love this group for finding low sodium alternatives. I’ve found some awesome products on here that I’ve been able to incorporate into my diet, such as low sodium chips, salsas, etc.
Meniere’s is tough, but I think you can do it if you are disciplined and willing to make changes. I suggest you find a great support group, because you are going to be overwhelmed! Episodes are going to happen, so have a plan! Carry your rescue medications with you! (Dramamine is my first line of defense)