Challenges with bilateral Meniere’s disease

The other day I wrote about how Meniere’s disease changes your life in many ways, your job, your relationships and how your emotional state. In my own case, I write from a perspective of someone with Meniere's disease in one ear. It is difficult to even think how some folks with bilateral Meniere’s manage, but they do.


I received an email from someone who has Meniere’s in both ears and is in the navy which must be truly hellacious.

Here is part of the email from Crimson56…



I'm active duty in the Navy as military police. I've been "sick" since March 2008. Diagnosed with MD February this year in BOTH ears. The psychological effects have been ongoing for two years now. At first it was because of others tell me I was faking it (I didn't "look" sick), doctors not knowing what it was making me ill, being over-medicated and cross medicated, etc. I found little relief when I was diagnosed.


I can no longer carry or fire weapons, deploy over seas to other countries (income suffered), be aboard a ship, take flights, be around flight lines (jet noise) or stand in formation. My daily life has suffered as much as yours. Coffee makes me very ill, along with elevator/escalators, driving more than 30 minutes (night, traffic and rain making it worse), being in a florescent lit room for long periods, go more than a few hours without eating (mostly starchy or sugary foods to combat nausea). I have gained a significant amount of weight and have retreated to a more sedentary lifestyle. Cold temperatures put me in a great deal of pain so I now wear winter head bands.


I do not worry as much about when the next episode or attack will occur, but I do stress over the constant nausea I experience. I also have a constant rocking sensation that I fight against. I tend to trip over my own feet and drift to the right when walking. I take Zofran daily for the nausea and rely on Valium for attacks. Being in the military makes it more difficult to get the medication or rest I need. Doctors are not very educated about the disease and when they ask what works for my attacks they look at me like I'm an addict. I was recently told that despite my ordeal I am handling my diagnosis pretty well emotionally, but my body is not. For that I was put on Zoloft, in hopes to regain healthy hormone levels. Crossing my fingers, wish me luck!

Thanks Crimson56!

It is good to remember that if you feel that your doctor isn’t helpful go to another one, second opinions about treatments can be very beneficial.



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