First off I’m not a doctor.. this is my story and my experience! I’m putting it out there to you as I have exhausted all avenues of drugs and surgery to my knowledge under one of the best consultants in the Manchester area. This is my experiences with the drugs I have had with certain medications! Dosage and outcomes.
That being said if it can give you some help, suggestions to take to your constant, here is what I have found helpful and useful!
Diuretic meds, purpose to reduce fluid in the inner ear. This is the first rung on the ladder, I bypassed this as my condition was too severe and my constant didn’t really rate it as a treatment. Although it may work for unilateral. Along with low salt… - SALT… I absolutely agree that a high influx of salt (take away, too many stock cubes in with gravy etc) can guarantee an M.D. attack! Watch out for cold remedies too, I found what they contained triggered me!
- Anti emetics (anti sickness) prochorperazine 3mg (buccastem/stemstol) all the same. They dessolve under the lip. They also make your mouth sore. I also found them completely useless. Until used alongside all the other anti sickness meds I have. You can also take 5 mg but these are swallowed.
Cinnarizine 15mg ( I was on 30mg 3x a day) this medication I had to discontinue use as I have Parkinson’s in my family and started getting tremors and stuttering in my steps. This was pre surgery. It is a side effect. So if this happens you must inform your gp/ consultant. This was not enough to cover my sickness on a daily basis so as well as this I was prescribed a super drug... not licensed for MD…. I have not seen it posted on any site… and my constant may not be too happy about this but it can be a life saver! The chemotherapy drug to stop extreme sickness… Ondansetron 4mg it comes in tablets melts… this is key! You don’t need water… it disperses on the tongue and works instantly!!! During attack this is the kind of superpower you need. It also helps in the car… xx your welcome;-)
Im now on Cyclizine 50mg 3x a day instead of the cinnarazine. To cover the daily sickness aspect. I use the ondanzetron when required and always carry it with me! Wherever I go!
I also wear anti sickness travel bands all the time. These can be bought on line and in chemists and Boots. They also help suppress sickness.
That’s anti sickness covered.
- BETAHISTINE 16 mg my constant decided to max this to over the recommended amount as my condition warranted it. I was happy to do so… I take 3 16mg tablets 3x a day!
- Stomach protectors… as I struggle to eat and the anti sickness and medication attack the stomach I take lansopranol 30mg every day.
- Finally Intratyampanic dextamethazone ear/YouTube video of Ear injection procedure I had this procedure on both ears although I had to wait for the steroid to settle in between. It is ouchy… does it work well it’s definitely worth a try! I had it repeatedly every three months for a long time until my surgery. I have not been back since. I got a few weeks relief so it could definitely work for you! It’s worth a shot! No pain no gain!! If you can make it through an attack… you can walk this! 🙂 xx
- Anti depressants I now understand there is no shame in needing these. It took me a long time to realise it… but with this condition sometimes the clouds in the sky cover the blue that is right over head where you just can’t see it. These help you to start to see the sky when you can’t right the chemicals in your brain your self.
- Setraline specifically good with anxiety and depression
- Esetalepram didn’t work fir me but does not mean it won’t for you.
CBT … cognitive behavioural therapy
Counciling… I have done it all!
Bits helped bits Didn’t but it’s worth a shot!!
Calming remedies! Meditation, mindfulness, relaxation whatever works for you!
- Prescribed relaxants, bucastem as well as the other meds above does have a calming effect on anxiety, used with the cyclazine and ondanzatron melts is a great anti sickness concoction. Valium/diazepam 5mg up to the amount required…used as required. I need this quite often. I do not feel any effects of this drug it takes the edge off the fight and flight and anxiety while in public or traveling. Helping me to function at my normal. I shake like a leaf just being in a car or in a public space (to much visual information and movement to process) at times so 5 mg of diazepam for me does very little but like with any medication if it’s to treat a purpose you should not feel any effects. So it’s what works for you.
- Sleep aid: zopiclone. There are various strengths to this. Up to 7.5 mg But this can be very helpful during an attack along with a weighted blanket… failing that a pet or person laying on-top of you!
Downloaded the HEADSPACE app! Its amazing! No they are not sponsoring me… it helps! Use podcast.. search sleep casts, mindfulness, it helps with the raging tinnitus to help you sleep!
There are tinnitus apps that you can make yourself to personalise to your hearing deficit. So you can pick the tones that drown out your tinnitus.
- The last one… if a tad controversial although public opinion is changing rapidly is the power of CBD and canaboids as Ménières medication! It’s a yes from me! It definitely works! On all fronts!
I am also take meds for an under active thyroid condition and epilepsy medication for migraine. I also have injections in my head for migraines every three months. If you want to contact me about migraines feel free as I have suffered with those since being a child. I have the most amazing constant and they are the least of my worries now.
So there you have it my medication, I hope this helps someone! That’s what I’m doing this for! Not for fame, I was a teacher, helping children and families every day and I miss it. If you knew me you would understand I’m not like that. I want to help. I want people to understand Ménières and I want you to know your not alone. Believe me I have felt that way, it’s not a nice place to be and I don’t want other to ever feel like I have! ,
Ménières Suicide or Survivor 