My Meniere's Story: Jenny McGarry

Jenny is 54 years old and had her first vertigo attack at the age of 20.
At that time there was no internet nor available information so she had no idea what to do. However, Jenny never tired of finding out why this was happening to her. She had connected with a journalist who wrote her story and as a result people with same symptoms started contacting her. It was then that she realised she was not alone.
You will learn a lot from Jenny who I am happy to say no longer has vertigo episodes.
Dizzy Anne

[@timrowe234]

Thanks for sharing your story Jenny. Of course I’m here because I just spent the past weekend in the hospital from severe vertigo attack all day Saturday. My son was playing a conference championship game for college which I attended but I wasn’t able to watch it at all because I was spinning and vomiting the whole time. Went to emergency room after game got a cat scan, MRI and spent 2 days in hospital with dizziness and couldn’t walk straight. Couldn’t leave until ENT came in to see me. Did eye test and had bad nystagmus and unbalance. He prescribed oral steroid and nausea medicine. This is Wednesday and I’m seeing ENT at his clinic today for audiogram test (as far as I can tell I don’t think I lost any hearing yet) hopefully they can figure it out. I’m 51 yrs and have a physical job 10-15k steps a day. Now I can’t walk in my house without the walls and chairs to guide me through. Hopefully they can figure out a treatment plan for my condition. Seems like people have different symptoms from this. I’ve been having constant dizziness but the fast spinning vertigo isn’t there since Saturday but I don’t have tinnitus luckily, don’t have headaches or bad nausea since I have an anti nausea patch. Thanks again for sharing. Tim

[@jennymcgarry3968]

Hi Tim, I am sorry you are having a hard time with MD at the moment. One of the tricky things about it is that we all experience it so differently, and not all meds work for everyone. I hope you start to feel better soon, Jenny

[@mswish9611]

My husband has Menieres. He is actively going thru treatment that has corrected his vertigo as of now. Hearing not back fully back but not as blocked but we are only 5 weeks into treatment. It is a night and day difference with how he feels, less tension, in neck, more mobility because he isnt on the verge of spinning or vertigo. Menieres is also tagged as MisDiagnosis for a good reason. Children do not get Menieres. Every ENT says your screwed and we didn't take that as the final answer. First question- what dental work have you had done? When I say it's connected, it literally is connected. If you have had a root canal that bone they are drilling on you use for hearing. If you have inflammation in your head, this could be from tension from grinding teeth, food allergies, seasonal allergies, enough inflammation is going to pinch off or narrow down your eustachian tube. This doesn't allow proper drainage, which leads to the ear drum damage. No ENT will agree that your bite is your problem. By not properly having a bite your body autocorrects and in this autocorrection inflammation is occurring. This is not only for Menieres but Migraines as well. The procedure is as easy as reshaping the teeth thru computer analysis to give a more even bite, elevating un-needed pressure. I want to spread this information everywhere because this is the most debilitating disease with no help from Dr's. To hear a Dentist tell us we can help you, I want to help you and he HAS helped us has been life changing. Food allergies are real. Chicken is his worst enemy. Test if you can and eliminate. Mouth piece, mouth piece, mouth piece! When I say no kids are diagnosed with MD is because they haven't the the dental work or years of inflammation. Prayers for recovery for anyone suffering MD.

[@faygray2076]

What kind of treatment he is doing

[@kattolentino8555]

Hi, is there really a correlation to the inflammation from root canal to loss of hearing ? Because i did have a root canal recently and it affected my bite. Could this be what is causing inflammation in my ear because i was just diagnosed with meneires and its taking awhile for my hearing to recover. Longer than normal. i am only 29 female and an active athlete. They've given my steroids to help with the inflammation but its still not working.

[@jennymcgarry3968]

Hi, thanks for the info. I have had dental work done, but I also suffer from migraine. It can be really difficult to know what causes MD, which in reality is a collective name for a group of very similar symptoms, but which may have very different causes. I came across a man who found his allergy to bananas caused his MD symptoms. I have family members with MD, so there could be a genetic component in my family. I hope your husband finds relief from his symptoms, Jenny

[@andrewboag8828]

Thank you for sharing, I had my first massive attack in 2020 although the symptoms were there before what I have learned is that everyone is so different for me a strict diet stem cell nutrition and minerals has reduced symptoms to a degree whereby I can enjoy motorcycle track days again. It will always be there lurking waiting to knock me over the second I drop my guard. My wife bought me a sugary treat 3 days in a row .... day 4 boom 💥 all the symptoms back dizzy nausea vertigo yuck. The ear buzzing on my left ear which is virtually deaf is none stop and varies in intensity depending on stress working hard and lack of sleep 😴. Speaking of which when I get good sleep the next day things are way better. Its a constant battle but you gotta keep fighting ❤ bless you all ❤

[@dianaobe2669]

Thank you. I am at about the stage you are in in your description. Misery indeed. Frustration but keep on keeping on.

[@jennymcgarry3968]

Hi Andrew, MD certainly knows how to keep us on our toes! I also find sticking to the things that work for me make a difference. And sleep is a really important part of feeling well. Good luck with your MD ride, Jenny

[@sarah_elizabeth]

Thank you for sharing your story. I have had Meniere's Disease for 30 years and recently went bilateral. I'm planning on starting a youtube channel about living with adversities and for me, in particular, Bilateral Meniere's Disease, Vestibular Migraines and more. One thing I have learned over the years is that connection is key while living a more challenging life. Connection with other humans is so important for so many reasons! I did not have social media to find other Meniere's Warriors when I was first diagnosed 30 years ago and I felt so alone/depressed/hopeless. Today, having social media at my finger tips has truly helped me get through the past year since going bilateral. Especially since I'm mostly housebound because of my new symptoms, namely hyperacusis and difficulty hearing despite having good hearing aides and because I am just so exhausted all the time as my vestibular and auditory system is so overstimulated. Anyone with Meniere's- there is hope! There are ways you can connect with others and find good doctors to help you live with this. Thank you again, Jenny, for sharing your story. ~Sarah

[@jennymcgarry3968]

Hi Sarah, you have recently experienced one of my greatest fears, going bilateral. I am ever hopeful about the research that is being done now, and that we may have new treatments available in the next decade. I certainly agree about connecting with others, it makes a difference. Good luck on your journey, Jenny

[@sarah_elizabeth]

@@jennymcgarry3968 Thank you so much, Jenny. I appreciate your kind words.

[@jayloncrea5551]

Thank you for your story. I’ve been diagnosed for just over a year. Had my first two severe attacks this week. Your story inspires me and thank you.

[@jennymcgarry3968]

Thanks for taking the time to watch it, and I hope you find relief from your symptoms quite soon, Jenny

[@gordonrichards9170]

Thank you Jenny for outlining your journey dealing with Meniere’s. I know you possibly posted it 2 + years ago but I am delighted to have come across it. I am 67, living in Ireland and have just I suffered my first ever experience of what you have fully described. Most of the posts don’t seem to mention fully the dire range of sensations such as not only the dizziness, but the collapsing, full and immediate leg loss and total inability to walk due to these. I was fortunate that between my doctor and wife they managed to get me to our local A&E where I began a lengthy process of examination and surveillance. I was released from hospital last Friday evening and I am slowly regaining my balance but I have not regained hearing in my right ear - yet. Hearing tests were completed earlier this week and I will shortly conclude my series of meds. I take great comfort from your post that the future might be somewhat a somewhat straightforward road for me having the benefit of the learnings you have shared. Very much appreciate you having taken the trouble to explained your experiences so well. Hope all is going as well as possible for you now. Best regards. Gordon

[@jennymcgarry3968]

Hi Gordon, I hope you are getting on okay now and have had some results back and possibly further treatment if necessary. Good luck with your journey, Jenny

[@laniesjaptv0903]

thank you for sharing, it really help..

[@julieryder8472]

Hi I've just been diagnosed today, 😞I've also got chairi malformation and I've been battling this for two years with chronic headaches and vision disturbances also.. I really feel defeated to have this news on top...

[@jennymcgarry3968]

Hi, Sorry to hear about this, you have a lot on your plate and the last thing you need is MD. Thankfully they are doing quite a bit of research now, here is Australia, and also in other parts of the world, so I am hopeful that there will be better treatments in the next decade. Take care, Jenny

[@connieturk8306]

So much of what she described, rang a bell with me. It’s a miserable thing to put up with. Hard to explain what one experiences, when trying to explain things. Others having to drive you. Take care😢 God Bless you❤

[@jennymcgarry3968]

I am glad you can relate to it, sometimes I feel like an outsider, but then remember we are all different and respond differently. I hope you are going okay, take care, Jenny

[@qormi1000]

Thank you for sharing your journey. Hope things have improved for you.

[@jennymcgarry3968]

Thanks for watching and I am doing okay, just grateful for the little things in life, Jenny

[@joycerougeou3641]

Finding a Dr. to understand MD is a challenge for me.

[@jennymcgarry3968]

Hi, yes this is always difficult. If you have a Menieres support group near where you live or in your city (I am in Australia), then someone may be able to advise you of an ENT who specialises in MD/vestibular issues. As for GP's, I have often had to explain to them exactly what the treatments etc are as they have limited training and knowledge. Hopefully you can find someone suitable soon, Jenny

[@willp9226]

Good talk about how difficult it is for people to understand the extremes of suffering of a person with Meniere's.

[@quicksoncamping2039]

Thank you for this, I am new to my condition, my dr will not go with Meniers as he feels my hearing loss is not right I have high frequency loss above 4k hertz. I have all the fullness, tinnitus, migraines, nausea, vomiting, and my vertigo feels more like light headedness with spinning only occasionally

[@dianaobe2669]

Your Dr obviously doesn't know this disease. So sorry. This is miserly. Keep looking.

[@jennymcgarry3968]

Is your Dr and ENT specialist? If not, then you need to be diagnosed by an ENT who has experience with and specialises in MD/vestibular issues. Unfortunately GP's don't get much training or information on MD. Good luck and take care, Jenny

[@peterc.anderson1840]

Thank you for this video. I try real hard to read lips but I'm not very good at it. I turned on closed caption and the strain on my eyes brings on the dizziness. I have been diagnosed for 9 years. I started with vertigo spells the first time in late 1989. My Dr. told me my case is rarely advanced due to late diagnosis and treatment. 7 steroid injections in each ear, (did not help) endolymphatic sac enhancement surgery on each ear, then revision surgery on each ear after that. Last surgery was 11/4/2019. After my aer settled down (several months) I was ok for around 14 months. Now, symptoms have returned, hearing is all but gone and the dizziness comes and goes like the wind. Instant onset, shut down for hours afterwards. Sleep is my only reprieve. I take 25mg/meclazine every 6 hrs (motion sickness med) but that seems not to help anymore. I don't like to hear of others with similar woes, but its comforting to know I'm not alone. I have become a recluse. Impossible to interact with folks. Its very difficult to go to the store for groceries, stumbling about. I wish I could just communicate with someone. It will be at least 2 more months before I can see an ENT. My old ENT specialists office closed up permanently some time back due to pandemic. The Dr's moved on. All my medical records were sent to some place in Colorado. I am in the process of retrieving the but that alone will take another 30 days. I have an appointment (through referal) from my primary care provider but thats not until 7/29/21. From him, I will get a referral to his office for at least another 30 day wait. Feel really defeated! Its hard to get even the most ordinary things done like the dishes, like cooking, cleaning ect. I have GREAT pity for anyone who suffers from miniers.

[@jennymcgarry3968]

Hi Peter, I am sorry that you are having so much trouble with your Menieres. It sounds like you have had lots of treatment but still suffer with vertigo and imbalance.If you would like someone to communicate with, you can always try online resources - like groups on Facebook, and also just online websites. I hope your next appointment brings you some relief, Menieres is an absolutely awful illness, Jenny

[@peterc.anderson1840]

Thank you ma'am for reaching out! I do have some inspiring events in my real near future. The medical records I was told will take 30 days to retrieve came on a disc in my mailbox after 4 days(2 of which were Saturday and Sunday) my otolaryngologist moved my appointment from 7/29 up to 7/2 @ 12:45 p m. I'm a "squeeze in" so I may have to wait all afternoon but what can I say??? I am extremely humbled by these turn of events. Through the course of the day I suffered almost continuous dizziness. I slept for 6 hours and feel a ton better right now and I just wanted to respond back to you. Thanks for the information about support channels! I do not use face book but a lady I had an appointment with earlier this morning gave me a ton of information on different channels available to me, including a visor card "I am deaf" to show a policeman if I need to. Also a blog to connect with for people with miniers for support. She also printed out my medical records (358 pages) so I can keep a copy for myself. I do practice the "Brandt-Darroff" exercise but that has not given me any relief like it used to. Now it just seems to "wake the monster" again, I wish to thank you for you're kindness! And your video!!😇👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🤜🤛✌ Peter

[@dianaobe2669]

I wish my doctors had some answers. They process me like the are lookingb for anything but. Live in City...surely thete is Dr. out there with more Knowledge. So far they are just ocassionarlly shooting something in arm that I don't see any results other than the ever hauinting excema which will temperarely slow down for a month b4 it takes off agsin.

[@Americangirlsp75]

I was diagnosed just days ago and I’ve been researching it and came across your channel…I’ve been dealing with this for YEARS but never knew..but within this past year my drop attacks are super bad (I now know why I just fall for no reason) I have hearing loss in both ears and all the typical symptoms of this disease…though I’m beginning my journey of knowing what I have, it’s nice to know I’m not crazy and not alone ❤ thank you for sharing 🫶🏻🥰

[@mswish9611]

Have you had dental work? It's possible your bite is off creating tension and inflammation that can block your ear. Food allergies create swelling as well. Good luck in your journey

[@Hapkat800]

I started taking one ibuprofen a day. It’s so good for inflammation. Thought maybe that would help. Something has been helping it’s getting better each day. I only spin now when turning to the one side when I am in bed. Short spins & never during the day. This maybe a coincidence I just do not know yet.

[@Americangirlsp75]

@@Hapkat800 I take gabapentin for inflammation but it doesn't really work 😞😕