A New Approach to Meniere’s Disease
–The John of Ohio Meniere’s Regimen
–
Revision September
2005
Course of the
Disease.
A diagnosis of Meniere’s disease is not promising.
Meniere’s won’t directly kill you, but it is likely to make your life
miserable in ways that few other diseases can. For some, conventional
medical treatments will adequately moderate the symptoms. But for
many, the disease progresses to continuing dizziness, episodes of
profound vertigo, brain fog, tinnitus, and lastly, loss of hearing.
Conventional medical
treatments are often disappointing or altogether ineffective. The
standard initial treatment of dietary salt restriction and diuretics
works for some, perhaps even many. But too often, Meniere’s victims
must eventually confront their progressing predicament. The additional
medical treatments of the disease aren’t hopeful. They include
chemical destruction of inner ear tissues, difficult surgeries, use of
sedatives, and a number of other extreme approaches, most of which are
merely palliative. If any of these had high rates of success,
Meniere’s wouldn’t have tens of thousands of chronic sufferers.
In summary,
conventional medicine has not been able to effectively treat or cure
Meniere’s disease in most cases. It is almost universally regarded as
idiopathic, meaning that its cause is unknown. Diseases of unknown
causes don’t lend themselves to easy treatment. Meniere’s is a medical
conundrum for doctors and patients alike. For those who have
experienced it, it’s a frustrating, disabling, disheartening condition
of complex symptoms and results. Initially, there may be only mild and
infrequent dizzies. But as the disease so often progresses, things
grow ever worse. It’s something you could wish only upon your worst
enemies.
My Experiences
Meniere’s first
struck me in 1995. It progressed to where I could barely function
professionally. Consequently, I researched every treatment I could
find, including approaches used in Europe and Russia. I discovered
that foreign medicine approached the disease very differently from
American physicians, and that some of these treatments gave more
relief. I refused to accept the American dogma that Meniere’s
treatments could be only palliative (merely suppressing some
symptoms), that I’d have to “learn to live with it.”
I’m pleased to
report that what I came up with completely extinguished all Meniere’s
symptoms for me, allowing me to return to a normal life. The disease
took the hearing of my left ear, but I am now otherwise “normal.” Was
this merely a common period of remission, or did my Meniere’s regimen
actually work for others? Several years ago I had the regimen posted
on Internet websites where others could intelligently try it.
Results of Others
The initial results
are in, and there is no chance that my loss of Meniere’s symptoms was
only a “remission.” I now have over a hundred individual reports of
the use of the regimen, and well over 80% (87%, in fact) describe
personal successes. I am therefore confident that my Meniere’s regimen
is something that should be carefully considered by all with the
disease.
Here are three
representative email excerpts from users of the regimen:
I
have been taking your protocol for Meniere's for about 10 days now and
I have magnificent things to report. Prior to the use of vertigoheel,
the lemon bioflavonoids, and vinpocetine I had continuous pressure,
about 90% hearing loss, and experienced vertigo attacks 3 times a
week. Nothing provided relief from the dizziness or vertigo. Now the
pressure is virtually eliminated, the vertigo attacks have stopped,
the dizziness which affected me in between attacks is gone, and my
hearing has improved to about 50%.
* * *
* *
I
am very happy to report that I am completely vertigo free at this
point and that the fullness in my affected ear is now about 90%
reduced.
* * *
* *
I
started on your regimen 4.5 weeks ago, and aside from a mild dizzy
spell at the beginning, I haven't had a full blown attack! My brain
fog has cleared, I am able to think clearly again, in short you have
through your regimen, given me back my life prior to MM.
For
most, the regimen works. But not every user gains desired relief. That
can’t be denied in any way. There can be no assurance that it will
work for any particular person. But because so many have reported
positive results, I offer the details of the regimen below.
Regimen Not From a Medical Professional
Please
understand that I am a biologist, not a medical professional of any
kind. The information I offer here is for general consideration, not a
specific recommendation for the treatment of any disease. Those who
might elect to undertake this Meniere’s regimen are advised to first
gain the approval of their personal medical professional. Most
importantly, do not substitute any portion of this regimen for
anything prescribed or recommended by a physician or other medical
professional. Do not stop taking any prescribed drugs or stop any
recommended diet without the professional advice of your physician.
The
Theoretical Background
The
cause of Meniere’s disease is not known. But my research, particularly
of European medical literature, reveals several important theoretical
considerations for treatment efficacy. European physicians have a very
different understanding of, and approach to, Meniere’s. Their findings
bear strongly on the principles of my regimen.
Ischemia.
The first principle is that much of the distress of
Meniere’s disease (hereafter referred to as MM, Morbus Meniere,
the Latin designation of the disease) is a result of restricted
circulation through the inner ear. Several somewhat successful
European MM treatments involve vasodilating compounds. Increased
circulation through the inner ear can greatly reduce or eliminate MM
symptoms. Increased inner ear blood flow was a goal of the regimen.
Viral Inflammation.
The
second principle involves the possible involvement of viruses as a
major cause of MM. European studies have shown an almost universal
presence of various herpes viruses in postmortem examinations of the
inner ears of MM victims. The fact that MM is so often confined
(initially at least) to one ear may be a result of locally infected
inner ear tissues. Several herpes viruses are known to show this
pattern of tissue and organ localization,
Consequently, I presume that the cause of most MM cases is a viral
infection of inner ear tissues that causes inflammation that then
reduces circulation. The blood vessels in the inner ear are extremely
small under normal conditions, and viral inflammation may reduce their
effectiveness. Inflammation and reduced circulation results in the
core hydrops (fluid accumulation) condition that leads to all sorts of
inner ear abnormalities associated with MM.
Allergens.
Another related cause of MM symptoms is allergies. A number of MM
sufferers have discovered that the elimination of gluten (a wheat
protein) from their diets reduced or eliminated MM. Other allergens
probably also cause some MM cases.
MM may
commonly result from the combined factors of both herpes viruses and
food or environmental allergens.
Regimen Not Recognized by Standard Medicine
Most
general practitioners or otolaryngologists are likely to dismiss this
regimen for several legitimate reasons. First, it was devised by a
non-medical (“lay”) person with no specific training in any related
field. Secondly, the results are purely “anecdotal,” merely the
accounts of other laymen who might have had a strong desire for
something, in desperation, to work. This would be a “placebo” effect,
well known in medicine, where a person “gets better” merely on the
belief that some treatment has caused good results — even though the
treatment was only sugar pills.
The
medical community is unlikely to endorse this regimen because it has
not originated in one of the few, recognized sources for “proper”
medical information. Physicians, for a number of reasons, including
American tort law, professional competition, and sometimes even
professional arrogance, accept medical information from only limited
sources, none of which yet endorse this MM regimen.
“Proper” medical information typically derives from only certain
sources. First, if it was taught by a professor in medical school, or
appeared in a medical text book (regardless of its age), it is
accepted as medical fact. Secondly, if information appears in a
recognized medical research journal, it’s “fact.” Thirdly, if a drug
company representative presents medical research data authenticating a
drug or treatment, it is accepted. Lastly, information presented by
medical professionals at conferences and post-graduation seminars are
accepted.
My
regimen falls in none of these. Many professionals will label it as
pure quackery. Others will say that it is simply unsupported by
clinical trials or results, or that MM simply doesn’t have any known
cures or effective treatments, so this regimen is not likely to be any
different than the many previously unsuccessful approaches. The
personally-expressed results of people who have tried the regimen are
not considered by conventional medicine.
MM
sufferers who are convinced that successful treatment can come only
from current medical science should not waste further time here.
Spend your energies continuing your search for some new practitioner
who has some treatment better than the than the last one. Eventually
you will discover, as ENTs already know, that there just isn’t much
that can done for MM other than to advise the patient to “learn to
live with it.” Low salt and diuretics, of course, offer some relief
that should not be neglected if prescribed. But if what conventional
medicine offered had any real success, there would be no need for
either this posting, nor the hundreds of others by MM sufferers. This
regimen is for those who wish to take some personal control of their
condition.
Regimen is Multi-faceted
The
regimen is based on the precept that any single substance, by itself,
is not likely to bring much relief. Only a massive, multi-targeted
approach works, the concept of synergy, where many small elements work
together for a greater total result. MM has seldom responded well to
single-approach treatments. Therefore, my regimen advises the daily
ingestion of a number of different substances, each of which has by
itself small effectiveness. But when added together, the results can
be very good. Each individual component causes only a minor
improvement, which by itself brings no discernable relief. But taken
together, very good results can be had by many.
The
Regimen’s Components
Let’s
start. The first and probably most important part of the regimen is
the daily taking of lemon bioflavonoid tablets. The lemon
exocarp (the rind) has a high concentration of a bioflavonoid known to
chemists as eriocitrin (formerly called eriodictyol).
Eriocitrin is found in low concentrations in a number of plant foods,
but effective amounts only in lemon rinds. Eriocitrin has been shown
to dilate (widen) both capillaries and small arteries, allowing
increased blood flow. It also increases capillary permeability,
allowing chemicals to diffuse through the capillary wall. This
property may account for eriocitrin’s reduction of MM hydrops or fluid
accumulation.
Note
that only an authentic lemon bioflavonoid works for MM. There are
hundreds of bioflavonoid chemicals, and a number of “citrus”
bioflavonoid tablets are sold. None of these are likely to have the
same good effect as real lemon bioflavonoid. Use only an authentic
lemon bioflavonoid, not a generic “citrus” bioflavonoid or other
bioflavonoid.
The
second most important substance in my regimen is a plant-derived
chemical from Europe known as vinpocetine (vinn-PO-seh-tine).
It is extracted from the Vinca minor plant and in many parts of
Europe it is a drug of choice for MM. It is sold over the counter
here. It is used by Russian astronauts to combat vertigo. It is known
to increase circulation through small blood vessels. After extended
usage (several weeks or months) it often reduces or even eliminates
tinnitus.
The
amino acid l-lysine is used in the regimen on the presumption
that herpes viruses may be a significant cause of MM. L-lysine is
known to effectively interfere with the replication of herpes viruses,
and may therefore reduce Meniere’s symptoms and reduce or eliminate
the chance of the disease moving to the second ear (going bilateral).
A
second component that fights herpes (and other) viruses is beta 1,3
glucan, an extract of the common bread yeast cell wall. The
compound was developed in Norway as a food additive for ocean-reared
salmon that were being devastated by a number of microbial diseases.
Beta glucan products were shown to attach to white blood cells
(macrophages) and dramatically increase the salmons’ immune system
ability to fight off bacteria and suppress fungi and viruses. Beta
glucans have been shown to safely boost the immunity of organisms from
shrimp on up to humans. Beta glucans are also strong anti-oxidants.
MM has
destroyed the hearing in my left ear, and I want to do every thing I
can to keep the disease from migrating to my still-good right ear. If
MM is caused by a herpes virus, and there is good evidence that it
often is, I want to preserve my remaining ear’s health. That’s the
purpose of the beta glucan product (along with the l-lysine), to
reduce the chance of the virus migrating to the good ear. If beta
glucan cannot do this (I do not know if it can), I’m out just a few
cents a day. A Google scan for information (beta 1,3 glucan, or beta
1,3 glucans) will be very informative.
Also
used in Europe for MM is ginkgo extract, an herbal compound
from the Ginkgo biloba tree. It also is known to increase
circulation through capillaries and small blood vessels. It also
probably increases vascular permeability.
The
next substance is a particular form of vitamin C, the “C-2000
Complex” product of The Vitamin Shoppe firm. It is sustained release,
which is important as vitamin C can be quickly excreted. It also
contains calcium, zinc, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, and chromium
ascorbates. These forms of vitamin C (“ascorbates”) are very good. Any
vitamin C product may work. I use this form and recommend it.
Next,
I recommend the daily ingestion of a good form of vitamin E, in
this case the Vitamin Shoppe E-400 product. It is the d-alpha form of
alpha tocopherol, not the cheaper and much less effective dl-alpha
tocopherol. Consume only the d- form, not the dl- one. Vitamin E also
has been shown to improve vascular health—along with a bunch of other
good nutritional benefits. Vitamin E is much more effective when used
along with vitamin C. The two vitamins work synergistically.
The
regimen also uses methylsufonylmethane, “MSM.” MSM has been
shown to increase healing of injured tissues and also to reduce
allergic responses. Some MM symptoms involve allergic reactions and
MSM can moderate or eliminate them. MSM may also increase vascular
health.
From
Europe has come an interesting homeopathic preparation known as
Vertigoheel. Homeopathy is a curious, even inexplicable approach
to disease where miniscule amounts of various compounds are present in
sugar (usually lactose) pills. Homeopathic preparations are made by
serial dilutions to the point of virtual absence of any detectable
active ingredients. There is no understanding of how homeopathic
preparations can work.
But
Vertigoheel has been shown in legitimate clinical studies to reduce or
eliminate MM symptoms. It worked for me, and has worked for many MM
sufferers. There is no scientific basis of its treatment mechanisms,
but it does work. Brain scan studies show that it somehow causes the
brain to disregard disruptive signals originating in the Meniere’s
ear.
Vertigoheel must be consumed by absorption through oral tissues, not
by simply swallowing the pills. Stomach acids apparently disrupt the
ingredients, so they must be absorbed by tucking the pills under the
tongue or between the teeth and cheek.
Vertigoheel stopped or reduced MM symptoms very effectively for me.
After a few hours, however, I had to take additional courses of the
tablets. During times of severe attacks, it was particularly helpful.
Vertigoheel proper is actually a prescription drug in the US. But
exactly the same product is sold over the counter and is known as
Cocculus Compositum, by the same manufacturer. A druggist can order
it.
In
review, my MM treatment regimen involves these components: 1) lemon
bioflavonoids, 2) vinpocetine, 3) l-lysine, 4) beta1,3 glucan, 5)
ginkgo biloba extract, 6) sustained-release vitamin C, 7) d-alpha
tocopherol (“natural” vitamin E), 8) methylsufonylmethane (MSM), and
9) prescription Vertigoheel or over the counter Cocculus Compositum.
Regimen Component Details
1.
Lemon Bioflavonoid tablets, “Lindbergh Bioflavonoid Complex”
from
Nutrition Express, 1-800-338-7979,
www.nutritionexpress.com
Another product, “Nature’s Life Lemon Bioflavonoid,“ is available from
The Vitamin Shoppe. 1-800-223-1216, www.vitaminshoppe.com,
Product No. OY-7045. I have not used this, but it appears to offer
essentially the same lemon bioflavonoid. It may not contain quercetin,
described below.
Note that Nutrition Express does not ship to the UK or EU. Therefore,
buyers there should purchase the Nature’s Life product from Vitamin
Shoppe, which ships overseas. Domestic users should best try the
Nutrition Express product, as it has been effective for most users.
Purpose:
To dilate inner blood vessels and increase blood flow. To increase
membrane and capillary permeability to reduce fluid accumulation.
Active Ingredients:
This product has significant amounts of eriocitrin (lemon
bioflavonoid), which is known to dilate capillaries increase capillary
permeability. It also contains quercetin, a bioflavonoid that reduces
allergic reactions or inflammation.
Known Side Effects:
None
are known.
Dosage:
Two tablets each day, one in the morning, one in the evening. May be
taken with meals.
Approximate Cost:
12 cents per day. 250 tablets for $13.49 plus shipping.
2.
Vinopocetine
from
The Vitamin Shoppe. 1-800-223-1216, www.vitaminshoppe.com,
Product No. VS-1955.
Purpose:
Vinpocetine also increases blood flow. Vinpocetine also is known to
reduce or eliminate tinnitus, although this usually occurs only after
prolonged periods (weeks or months).
Active Ingredients:
An
extract from the Vinca minor plant.
Known Side Effects:
For
most, none. But some encounter mild tachycardia (increased heart beat)
or other similar effects. Consequently, it would be advisable to start
with only single, 10 mg doses for a week or so, and to simply stop
taking the compound if any undesirable side effects are noted. It is
generally well tolerated.
Dosage:
At
first, for a week or so, a single 10 mg tablet each morning. Then
after a week or so (if no side effects are encountered), a second
tablet mid-day or evening. Dosages up to 30 mg (3 tablets/day) are
commonly suggested by various vendors of vinpocetine. Most people have
no side effects whatsoever.
Approximate Cost:
30 cents per day. 90 tablets for $10.99 plus shipping.
3.
L-Lsysine
from
The Vitamin Shoppe, 1-800-223-1216, www.vitaminshoppe.com,
Product No. VS-1201
Purpose:
Reduce or stop the replication of herpes viruses that may be a cause
of many Meniere’s cases, prevent the disease from affecting a second
ear.
Active Ingredients:
The amino acid l-lysine.
Known Side Effects:
In
small amounts, as here, none.
Dosage:
Maintenance dosage is one 500 mg tablet per day. If MM is severe, two
tablets (one morning, one evening) may be useful. Results—if any—may
take weeks.
Approximate Cost:
5 or
10 cents per day. 300 capsules for $12.57 plus shipping.
4.
Beta 1,3 Glucans
from The Vitamin Shoppe, 1-800-223-1216, www.vitaminshoppe.com,
Product No. VS-1709
Purpose:
Increase immune suppression of viruses that may cause MM. May reduce
existing MM conditions, and may prevent or reduce chance of affecting
a second ear.
Active Ingredients:
Several sugar-like chemical portions of the cell wall of common yeast.
Known Side Effects:
None.
Dosage:
One to
three tablets each day. Maintenance dose is one.
Approximate Cost:
9 to
27 cents per day. 60 capsules for $5.37 plus shipping.
5.
Ginkgo Biloba Extract
from
The Vitamin Shoppe, 1-800-223-1216, www.vitaminshoppe.com,
Product No. VS-1659
Purpose:
Increase circulation through inner ear.
Active Ingredients:
An extract of the leaf of the Ginkgo biloba tree.
Known Side Effects:
None.
Ginkgo extract is known to reduce blood clotting, so it should not be
taken with any prescribed anticoagulant such as Coumadin (warfarin).
One should also stop taking ginkgo 10 days before elective surgery.
Dosage:
One capsule in the morning, another in the evening.
Approximate
Cost:
30 cents per day. 300 capsules for $43.17 plus shipping.
6.
C-2000 Complex Vitamin C
from
The Vitamin Shoppe, Product No. VS-1256
Purpose:
Increases blood vessel permeability, motility of red
blood cells.
Active Ingredients:
The
vitamin C of this product is sustained release and is combined with
several minerals to lessen any stomach upset.
Known Side Effects:
Unlike
straight vitamin C (ascorbic acid), C-2000 Complex causes no stomach
upset.
Dosage:
One
tablet in the morning, another later in evening.
Approximate Cost:
10
cents per day. 300 tablets for $24.99 plus shipping.
7.
E-400 Vitamin E
from
The Vitamin Shoppe, 1-800-223-1216, www.vitaminshoppe.com,
Product No. VS-1026
Purpose:
Increases blood vessel health, permeability, works with vitamin C.
Active Ingredients:
This
vitamin E contains the much more beneficial d-alpha form (as opposed
to the dl- form). Perhaps even more importantly, it also contains
d-beta, d-gamma, and d-delta forms of vitamin E. New research
indicates that these are very helpful.
Known Side Effects:
None.
But there is some evidence that vitamin E can moderately reduce
blood clotting, so stop taking it 10 days before any elective surgery.
Dosage:
One
softgel per day.
Approximate Cost:
7
cents per day. 300 softgels for $17.18 plus shipping.
8.
Methylsufonylmethane (MSM) from The Vitamin Shoppe,
1-800-223-1216, www.vitaminshoppe.com, Product No. VS-1501
Purpose:
Restore tissue health (permeability) in the inner ear, reduce allergic
reactions.
Active Ingredients:
Methylsufonylmethane, “MSM.”
Known Side Effects:
None.
Dosage:
Three
per day. Can be taken at once, or spread out over two or more meals.
Take with food.
Approximate Cost:
21 cents per day. 300 capsules for $17.97 plus shipping.
9.
Vertigoheel
or
Cocculus Compositum from a pharmacist, by prescription for
Vertigoheel, or non-prescription for Cocculus Compositum.
Vertigoheel is listed in the Physicians Desk Reference (PDR). Cocculus
Compositum is from the same company.
Purpose:
Reduces or eliminates the brain’s confusion from aberrant balance
signals from the MM ear. Can dramatically reduce or eliminate episodes
of MM.
Active Ingredients:
Several homeopathic compounds in extremely dilute concentrations.
Known Side Effects:
None.
Dosage:
Take as per the label. Not to be swallowed. Must be absorbed under the
tongue. At first, when MM symptoms are frequent or persisting, the
product will be taken continuously. Later, when symptoms become only
periodic or infrequent, take only at the first sign of dizziness.
Usually not frequently needed when the other parts of the regimen
begin to dramatically reduce symptoms.
Approximate cost:
This
can vary from pharmacy to pharmacy.
Daily
Cost of the Regimen
The
complete regimen costs between about $1.20 up to $2.00 or so each day
at the highest dosages. But if anyone is really pressed for funds,
start only with the first three components. These are probably the
most important ones. I continue to take everything each day except the
Vertigoheel. I think that the entire regimen offers the highest chance
of success, but I’ve ranked the components in the list above in order
of apparent importance (except for Vertigoheel, which, if possible,
should be taken immediately, as it really stops vertigo and dizziness
episodes for most who take it).
Starting the Regimen
I
recommend that anyone undertaking this regimen (after the approval of
their health care professional) begin slowly. Don’t start taking
everything at once. For the first week, take only the lemon
bioflavonoid. If one’s particular system simply doesn’t “like” lemon
bioflavonoid (unlikely), this can be easily determined and ingestion
stopped.
Then,
in the second week, continue by adding the vinpocetine, watching for
any disagreeable results. Continue by adding a new component each week
or so. In this manner you can eliminate any particular component for
which your system disagrees. Undesirable effects are unlikely, but
they can happen. With one component added at a time, you can know for
sure which should be deleted.
Continue to add a new component each week. Continue to take all that
cause no problems. Discard anything that causes upset stomach or other
discomfort. Again, this is unlikely, but should be watched for. To
take all nine components at once at the beginning may be too much. I
note, however, that some have done this with no problems whatsoever
and have gone on to great relief from their MM symptoms. Let caution
be your guide. Again, all of these products are over-the-counter
(except Vertigoheel) and therefore pose no major risk.
Period
Before Relief
Virtually no one who has undertaken this regimen has found relief from
Meniere’s quickly. A few have noticed a reduction in symptoms in just
a few days, with complete or substantial relief after a few weeks.
Don’t expect an instant or overnight result.
For
many, after a few weeks or a month or so, relief becomes complete,
with no further MM symptoms. Dizziness disappears, tinnitus becomes
greatly reduced or absent altogether. In cases where the disease has
not been prolonged, hearing often returns to nearly normal levels (if
hair cells have not been permanently damaged by prolonged exposure to
the disease---that occurred in my left ear, sadly.)
For
others, relief may not be so complete, although any reduction in the
frequency and severity of MM is welcome. But for some, this regimen
will have no positive result whatsoever, particularly in cases caused
by nerve anomalies. If no relief is experienced after two months or
so, I doubt this regimen will be useful. (But one person got little or
no relief after a lengthy trial, and was just about to give up on the
whole thing. But the person decided to just continue to take things
until they ran out. After a lengthy period of no results, relief
finally came. So be patient.)
Even
if the regimen were to be effective for only half of those who try it,
it is worth a trial. It is less expensive than surgeries (which
sometime bring no lasting relief), and appears to be as effective as
other modern treatments. If MM is caused by a herpes virus, the
l-lysine and beta 1,3 glucan products may suppress reoccurrences of
the disease and prevent future problems.
Length
of Treatment
Lastly, it will be important to continue on the regimen forever.
The regimen is by no means a cure. Whatever causes MM, it is
likely to remain, and to go off the regimen after any relief is to
invite the disease right back, perhaps in a more severe form that this
regimen can’t address.
Who
Benefits
The
vendors of the products I have recommended have no arrangements
whatsoever with me and I receive no fees, commissions, or any other
awards. I merely share with other MM sufferers what has worked for me,
and now, for many others. I receive nothing in return.
Informing Your Doctor
I
recommend that before beginning the regimen, let your physician review
it, even though these are over the counter substances. Do not,
however, merely dump a copy of this posting in his lap at an
appointment and expect his favorable consideration. His time is too
valuable. Arrange to have a copy delivered to his office at least
several days before your appointment, with a note asking him to review
the material before your appointment.
And
again, don’t be discouraged if he castigates either the regimen
itself, or you or me for even suggesting it. Some very fine physicians
are unwilling to see Meniere’s Disease in any new light. Others are
willing to try new approaches. If your physician is negative about the
regimen, ask him which components he thinks might be harmful and
should be avoided, and for which reasons. His ignorance of
the metabolic or physiologic effects of bioflavonoids or yeast cell
wall extracts doesn’t, by itself, mean that the components are
inherently dangerous.
Other
MM Approaches
Do not
presume that my approach to MM is the only one that can work. I make
no such claim. MM sufferers need to be open to all progressive MM
developments. It’s not just low salt and diuretics anymore. Strongly
consider the John of Ohio regimen described here. But other approaches
have shown promise, too.
Acyclovir.
The use of acyclovir, a prescription drug that fights
herpes infections, has been very successful for many. Dosage must be
appropriately strong for acyclovir to work, and like my regimen and
everything else with this disease, acyclovir doesn’t work for
everyone.
SERC.
In
Canada and Europe, administration of betahistine hydrochloride, known
as the product SERC, is a common MM treatment of choice. Betahistine
is a vasodilator (like lemon bioflavonoid). Dosages must be carefully
adjusted to be effective. The drug is not recognized for sale by the
FDA in the US, but compounding pharmacists can make and sell it with a
prescription.
Grape Seed Extract.
A number of people with MM have posted positive results
from the use of grape seed extract. If I were starting all over, with
the classic MM symptoms that disabled me, I think I would add this
ingredient to the regimen. So, if you want to try another component,
try grape seed extract (at Vitamin Shoppe, VS-1767).
Gluten Avoidance.
A number of people have apparently gained levels of
relief from avoiding gluten in their diets, as mentioned above.
Valium.
The use of the sedative Valium is now commonly a part
of many conventional MM regimens. Valium does reduce the severity of
the brain’s confused reactions to aberrant signals received by the
brain from a diseased ear. But it is only palliative (suppresses
symptoms, not root causes).
Chemical Labyrinthectomies, Surgeries.
For
advanced, recalcitrant MM cases, physicians may recommend chemical
destruction of portions of the inner ear with certain antibiotics.
Also, a number of surgical procedures are commonly used in advanced MM
cases.
Meniett Device.
The
Meniett Device has rendered degrees of relief for many who have used
it. But it does not address any underlying cause of the disease. And
the device is not inexpensive.
[Note:
Do not confuse the lemon bioflavonoid of this regimen with a
commercial proprietary product known as LIPOFLAVONOID®, an advertised
product of NUMARK Laboratories, Inc. The product apparently contains
lemon bioflavonoid, along with several other ingredients. My ENT had
me try a course of it at the beginning of my disease, but it offered
no relief in my case. I make no other statement of efficacy concerning
it. Just be aware that the term “Lipoflavonoid” refers to this
commercial product. “Bioflavonoids” are a large class of chemicals
found in many plants. Don’t confuse the two terms.]
Final
Thoughts
In
short, any conventional approach beyond the usual low salt diet and
diuretics will entail significant costs. Therefore, it would be
reasonable to at least consider a course on this regimen before
embarking on surgeries or chemical labyrinthectomies. Everything about
this disease is a considered gamble or risk. A trial of this regimen
may be something you might want to consider before taking up any of
the much more expensive other approaches.
This
is a matter to be decided by you and your physician, of course. I have
reported here what has worked so well for me, and now also for well
over a hundred others. I hope this information is useful and offers
hope.
John of Ohio
meniere95@aol.com
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