Since I was diagnosed with Meniere’s disease I have tried quite a few medicines, but in the end I usually stick to just a few that I feel comfortable with. Some I take on a daily basis and some I take when needed. I have found over the past 6 years with Meniere’s that it is best to do what works for you.
One that I take religiously every morning before taking my son to school is antivert (meclizine) which is an antihistamine that controls the amount of histamine in your body and it also makes you sleepy. It is similar to the over the counter drug Dramamine which is taken for car sickness. Unfortunately this morning I couldn’t find my antivert and I started to panic (not good for meniere’s patients!) I took a valium instead, calmed down and drove my son to school without a problem.
I looked everywhere for the medicine while my son was at school but I couldn’t find it. I ended up taking another valium before I picked him up. Once again there wasn’t a problem but I was still worrying because antivert has become my safety net. The valium seemed to work but I just don’t have the confidence in it like I do with the antivert. Although I have read that antivert doesn’t prevent attacks where as valium might.
Well my wife found the medicine this evening and I was relieved. It seems silly now that I got so worked up over not finding my medication. But that is the life of a Meniere’s patient!
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Wednesday, November 17, 2010
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4 comments:
Hi David,
I too swear by meclizine but you can't get it in Canada anymore! My husband is driving to Buffalo tomorrow just to pick me up some Bonine. I find it really helps me prevent an attack and doesn't make me drowsy at all. I have been using a Meniett now for almost 2 months and I have not had a vertigo attack since starting it. The Bonine helps me with what I call dizzy slosh head. The Meniett has got me back to work but if I eat something high in sodium, don't get enough sleep or stress about something I still start to feel quite dizzy. I won't complain though since it is so much better than those dreaded vertigo attacks!
Deb
Hi Deb,
that's surprising about not being able to get meclizine in Canada. I'm glad to hear that the meniett device has been so helpful. I have heard from some folks who it has helped and others that it didn't.
salt doesn't usually have any effect on my meniere's but it probably is a good idea to watch your intake.
take care and stay in touch
David
Hi David,
I don't take any meds (have never taken anything regular) and would look at this a different way. Do you really still need the antivert at the same level?
You missed two successive doses and yet nothing bad happened. You say also that you have some knowledge that antivert doesn't actually prevent attacks anyway. I wonder if your taking it is mostly a habit/ritual for you rather than something that is making a difference chemically?
Now most of us don't like taking more medication than we need, and certainly in my own case I like to know how I 'really' am (i.e., not how I feel after drugs). Broadly speaking I feel good about the fact that I am where I am without drugs; it's good to know you're getting on by yourself.
So I wonder if there's an opportunity for you to try some more antivert-skipping, or reduce the frequency of your dose, in a situation where it won't affect anyone else (like your son going to school). You might be surprised at yourself; from what you've said in other posts, I believe your disease stage is moving on and it may be that you are now able to cope better without so many meds.
(I hope I don't sound too pushy; I'm assuming that meds are something most of us accept as a short-term solution but not something we want to use permanently.)
Best wishes,
Jeff
Hi Jeff,
It could be a habit or a ritual but to tell the truth I really don’t know. As far as taking a break from antivert I probably will during christmas vacation.
Thanks
David
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