Here is an informative video explaining what Meniere’s Disease is.

Remember, many doctors still don’t know for sure how we get Meniere’s so it makes it hard to cure.  Allergies, infections, genetics, medication or other factors could cause it. I believe for me it was combination of falling into nasty Marina water when I was cleaning a sailboat. I never got hurt & the story is actually really funny.   I was working with my mom who had a boat detailing service. I was pushing a cart with supplies when the wheel got stuck. Well I fell, the cart start to tip over & I tried to stop it but then I went in with it. I’m great swimmer & I remember my mom yelling “save the wax” because the can was like $24. I did get it but still lost a bunch of other stuff.  When I pulled myself out of the water I could feel my ear get clogged up but then it never opened back up. Now I had just finished a Z-pak medication because I had a sinus infection. My ear felt all clear & the hearing was normal before I fell in. The other issue that I have learned about over the years is I have a lot of sinus problems caused by airborne allergies. I had the allergy test done & found out I’m allergic to 2 types of dust, 2 types of grass, cat hair (which I have 3 of them), American Cockroach.  Now the nurse did tell me that patients tend to get immune to their own cats over time, which I think I have. One male Maine-Coon is 29lbs & because he is so big he can’t clean himself. So we have the vet shave him down for his benefit & also because the cat dander on is back are like huge flakes. When he gets that way I only pet him from the neck up or wash my hands right after.

Now some people think I am nuts for keep them around but these cats are my angels, not only because they are so loving but they help me when I’m really sick. In 2013 the mother cat Sydney died of Cancer. I helped her back in 2005 deliver 5 kittens, two we kept. Ever since then I think she adopted me as her baby.  When I had severe Meniere’s attacks I would end up crawling to the bathroom because I thought I would be sick. Sydney would use her paw to open the door all the way so she could see me & meow. Most of the time I was sitting on the cool tile floor trying to calm the attack. Sydney would first touch my leg with her paw then slowly stand on it so she could touch her face to mine. She would purr & meow probably to tell me it will be OK.  If I was crying, which was most of the time out of frustration, she would lick my face. Then she would get down & lay beside me so her face laid on my leg. She would stay there till I got up which was most of the time 6-8hrs.  People say animals can’t relate but I will say they do & some are so much better than humans. Animals don’t judge, they just love you no matter what & comfort you.  It was a sad day when I had to put her to sleep. Even though the vet recommended not to, I held Sydney’s head in my hands before the shot was given till the vet said she was officially gone. I know she crossed the Rainbow Bridge in heaven & one day she will be sitting there to greet me with a big meow.

Sydney is the is on the right & her daughter Hattie is on the left.

Hope this will give you a better understanding on what Meniere’s is. Sometimes hearing it from a doctor can be over whelming or they just don’t go into the details. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I will answers questions from what has worked for me.