In this season of colds and various strains of flu, I had been lucky so far. My wife who works as a parapro in an elementary school hasn’t been that lucky. For the past two weeks she has had a bad cold. I thought that I wouldn’t catch it but I did and it has been playing havoc with my meniere’s disease.
It started over the weekend when I became congested. I didn’t take anything over the counter because of the effect it might have on my meniere’s. Monday morning I felt terrible. I was dizzy and my head felt very heavy. I took a Phenergan and stayed home from work. I was scared to drive because my balance was unsteady. I stayed in bed most of day and I felt a little better on Tuesday. I still was congested but the dizziness wasn’t there.
This morning I felt better than I had in the previous 2 days. Unfortunately when I got out of the shower without any warning my head spinned quickly and almost knocked me off my feet. I stumbled to the bed and laid there till the spinning stopped. I hadn’t had an attack like that in a long while.
Like most attacks that I have had this year this one was over quickly without any throwing up. I am definitely glad about that. I can only believe that my cold is responsible for this attack (at least I think it is).
I am definitely going to get the flu shot this year and if I can find it, the h1n1 shot because it is bad enough dealing with colds and flus AND then add Meniere’s disease.
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Wednesday, October 28, 2009
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10 comments:
I didn't have dizziness with my last cold, but, I did get extreme pressure and headaches for two weeks during my back-to-back colds.
I'm uncertain the the flu shots. However, I am taking Vit. D3 (5000/daily), elderberry concentrate daily, probiotics, try to get good sleep and exercise. I also take Emergen-C, as needed. I still may get the flu vaccines. Would like to know what specialists are saying about them in relation to helping MD flare-ups during illness.
I would recommend a nasal irrigation kit (the reusable kinds or, possibly, a neti pot) and use it daily in helping prevent and/or reduce the severity of your colds and reduce dizzines. Also, they work really well when you are sick. I am certain I would have gotten a bad sinus infection without using mine during this past cold. Your specialist may give you one, free or drug stores carry them.
-Natalie-
Natalie,
I also have sleep apnea(which I blog about too)
and it seems that many sleep apnea patients also use sinus irrigation. I haven't ever tried it but I may in the future.
My work is giving regular flu shots this week so I probably will be getting that. as far as the hini I don't know if I'll even get a chance to get that vaccination.
Hopefully the flu will bypass me and my family this year!
David
Hi - I was diagnosed with MD apprx. 10 years ago. Not having any bad flare ups in a very long time, I was doing great - feeling great. Then I got a (regular) flu shot. Wham. 6 hours later I was down for the count. It's been 6 weeks and still am dizzy off and on daily and the roaring and ringing is still there. Just went to my ENT yesterday who doubled my meds and wanted me to go on steroids - but am waiting for a week to see if the double meds help to calm it down.
So - the point is - I will NEVER get a flu shot again. My ENT said there is a DEFINITE correlation between the two.
So just fyi.
THANKS!
Hi Jami,
I hate to hear about your bad experience with the flu shot. It is definitely food for thought after hearing your reaction.
David
David,
The worst sinus infection of my life occurred after irrigating for the first time. I ended up in the ER with excruciating pain. If I may suggest, I use peppermint oil to stave off the S.infections now. After being a lifetime sufferer, I find P.Oil to be very useful in keeping the sinuses open. I've probably had 50 in my lifetime, and it is the only thing that will help. Meniere's just came into my life last month, so we will see if I can bear the P.Oil when I'm sick to my stomach from spinning. Best wishes!
Danielle
Danielle,
thanks for the warning on the sinus irrigation! I hope that you find some relief from the Meniere's.
Let me know how you are doing.
David
I'm a Meniere's sufferer who thought he was over the vertigo attacks after being prescribed Serc which has worked well for me for about the last four years.
I've had flu shots before without problems but within 24 hours of having a shot last week, combined H1N1 and annual strains, I'm back in vertigo land.
I was lucky this year the flu shot didn't bother me much. I probably will get the flu shot again next year, hopefully I won't have any reaction.
thanks for the comment and stay in touch
David
Hi Everyone!
I was just diagnosed with Meniere's within the last year, and I recently had my first cold since being diagnosed. The vertigo was so bad I wanted to die - I wouldn't wish this upon my worst enemy!
I get dizzy often, so I take low-dose Valium regularly. This cold has triggered a MD attack, and my doctor prescribed a six-day dose of steroids. It seems to keep the vertigo under control, but I definitely feel off. I'm loading up with steroids and Valium, which I don't necessarily like to do, but I also need to function.
Any advice would be appreciated!
Suzanne K.
Denver, Colorado
Hi Suzanne,
Colds do seem to be a problem with a lot of meniere's sufferers. You are doing the right thing by taking the meds that your doctor prescribed.
hope you feel better and stat in touch.
David
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