• Update on Patient Randy Thurman at our blog:
  • Randy Thurman:  Artist, Musician, Menierian.
  • Updated the Patients Page.

• Added to our Blog:
  • You don't look disabled.
    • Adding to the many difficulties endured by those with Meniere’s Disease is the problem of people not believing us because we don’t “look” disabled.  Oftentimes they say just that:  “You don’t look disabled.”  Translated:  “Hell, you don’t look disabled to me, you lazy, faking, no-good, bloodsucking, thief-of-my-tax-money!”  Read about this phenomenon in this article written by Hank Atkins, who suffers from frequent random attacks of vertigo and who is struggling with diagnosis and disability issues.

• Added to the Research Page and to the Calendar Page:
  • The Fourth Instructional Workshop of the European Academy of Otology and Neuro-Otology (EAONO) will be held in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, on November 14-17, 2008.
  • The Third Instructional Workshop of the European Academy of Otology and Neuro-Otology (EAONO) was held in Cologne, Germany, September 21-24, 2006.  The list of courses and the numerous abstracts are impressive.

• Added to the Famous Patients Page:
  • According to this article in The New York Times, August 9, 2007:
    • U.S. President George W. Bush, 61, had episodes of mild vertigo in recent weeks.
    • He was evaluated for Meniere's Disease, which was ruled out.
    • Doctors attributed his "unsteadiness" to "mild vestibular neuronitis" in his left ear.
  • Added to the Famous Patients Page, because, although the president was not diagnosed with Meniere's Disease, he was evaluated for Meniere's Disease.

• Added to the Doctors Page:

  • California, Irvine:  University of California, Irvine.  Doctors.  Meniere's Disease page.

• Added to our Blog: 
  • You don't have to read this message (but Annie Coleman needed to write it!). 
    • Click here to read a a GREAT message from GREAT Meniere's Disease patient Annie Coleman at her website anniecoleman.com.
    • Here are just some of the many important things to be found in her message, things that make her a GREAT patient:
      • She became informed!
      • She changed doctors when it made sense.
      • She went to a neurotologist (specialty most specific to Meniere's Disease).
      • She approached treatment logically, starting with the least invasive.
      • She is aware that improvement following treatment may mean that the treatment is responsible, but considers the possibility of coincidental temporary remission.
      • She knows that when one treatment doesn't improve symptoms, the next treatment may, and that one never knows which treatment may be the charm until one tries it.
      • She has determination -- she continues to explore ways to improve her symptoms.  She reacts to disappointment not with despair but with progression in treatment options.
      • She continues with her life, yet adapting to the demands of her symptoms.  She did the things that she could and adapted to the things that she couldn't do.
      • She is a realist and she is an optimist, proving that these two views can coexist.
    • We are grateful to Annie for posting this GREAT message, and we wish her well.

• Added to the Famous Patients Page:
  • Meg MacDonald, television journalist.
    • MacDonald was an anchor on WSOC-TV in Charlotte, N.C., and later worked on the "American Journal" television newsmagazine. She was diagnosed with Meniere's Disease in 1993 and later lost all of her hearing. She now has a cochlear implant and is a Master Gardener for the University of Delaware. Article, Charlotte Observer, June 4, 2007.

• Added the following information to the Donations Page:
  • Famous patient Randy Thurman, artist and musician, has endorsed donations to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, Inc., via a SixDegrees.org charity badge at his website.
  • Note that if one wishes to restrict donations to research for the purposes of Meniere's Disease (as opposed to Meniere's Disease together with other ear, nose, and throat disorders), one should so indicate in the field that says "Designation (Optional).  To designate your donation for a specific fund or purpose, please enter a description of how you'd like your donation to be used."

• Established new page:  Famous Patients Endorse Donations to Meniere's Disease Research.
• Added the following information to the Donations Page:

[Note:  The MDIC (MenieresInfo.com) is privately funded and does not solicit or accept donations.]

Famous patients David Alstead (pianist and composer) (click on the link to "sixdegrees.org") and Daniel Pancy (photographer) have endorsed donations to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, Inc., via SixDegrees.org "charity badges" at their websites.  Note that if one wishes to restrict donations to research for the purposes of Meniere's Disease (as opposed to Meniere's Disease together with other ear, nose, and throat disorders), one should so indicate in the field that says "Designation (Optional).  To designate your donation for a specific fund or purpose, please enter a description of how you'd like your donation to be used."

David Alstead's SixDegrees.Org charity badge:  click here.
Daniel Pancy's SixDregrees.Org charity badge:  click here.

According to its website, the American Academy of Otolarygology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) is an association of medical professionals and is recognized as a professional association under I.R.C. § 501(c)(6), working for the best ear, nose, and throat care.  The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNS/F) is recognized as a non-profit, educational organization under I.R.C. § 501(c)(3). 

The Foundation is the recipient of donations via the patients' "badges."  Financial information about the Foundation can be found on the website of Guidestar.org by clicking here.  The information is apparently based on information that is publicly available from annual IRS Forms 990 (or 990 EZ) filed by the Foundation.

---

On May 1, 2007, we asked some questions of Kris Schulz, M.Ph., who is the Senior Director for Research of the AAO-HNS, about research specifically directed toward Meniere's Disease.  She kindly provided the following comprehensive information.

Where we are now with Ménière’s research

Grant and research initiative funding

The AAO-HNS/F has ~13,000 otolaryngologists worldwide in its membership. Examples of funded research specific to Ménière's include:

1. A career development grant entitled "Pilot Study of the Effectiveness of Famvir in Ménière's Disease" to Jennifer Derebery at the House Ear Institute, Los Angeles

 2. A resident research grant entitled "Effects of intratympanic gentamycin on canal cristae" to Iee Ching Wu Anderson at Johns Hopkins (Single dose intratympanic gentamycin is used to alleviate vertigo in patients with Ménière's - this study is a basic science animal model to determine anatomically how well animal data correlates to human)

Through our Combined Otolaryngology Research Efforts (CORE) grants program, we – along with a group of sister societies – have been funding otolaryngology research for over 20 years. We expect to fund ~$600K in research [in 2007]. We received 127 applications and final decisions are being made now by the societies. We had many applications that referenced Ménière's, and one pending application that specifically focused on Ménière's Disease, described below.

Application Title:  Vasopressin on Vestibular Function in an Animal Model of Meniere’s Disease; Applied for Resident Research Grant applicant

Summary:  Ménière’s disease (MD) is a debilitating pathology of the inner ear which leads to hearing loss, tinnitus (“ringing” of the ear) and intense vertigo. These symptoms are thought to be due to over-accumulation of the fluids of the ear, or hydrops. The cause of inner ear hydrops is not known, but may include genetic factors interacting with environmental factors such as stress. In particular, levels of the hormone vasopressin have been shown to be elevated in patients with MD. Levels of vasopressin, which normally acts as an anti-diuretic, may increase during stress and cause dysregulation of inner ear fluid homeostasis. Vasopressin has been shown to induce hydrops in an animal model without clinical signs of MD. To date, no animal model of MD demonstrates the vestibular symptoms we see in patients with the disease. We hypothesize that a “two-hit” approach is needed to produce the clinical symptoms of MD in an animal model. We believe that we will be able to worsen auditory thresholds and produce the debilitating vestibular symptoms seen in MD by compounding endolymphatic sac ablation with vasopressin administration. We plan to perform endolymphatic sac surgery on one ear of 35 normal guinea pigs. After a period of 8 weeks, the animals will be implanted with pumps that release either vasopressin or saline. The animals will be monitored over two weeks for changes in auditory thresholds or nystagmus. If our hypothesis is correct, we expect treatment with agents that block vasopressin receptors in future studies will protect against this hearing loss and vertigo, and may prove a useful treatment for the vestibular symptoms of MD.

Contributing to peer reviewed literature

The AAO-HNS/F has a monthly scientific peer reviewed journal (Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery). In a search of the last 10 years of the journal online, there were 395 hits for Ménière's.  Ménière's is a very well published topic. Some recent titles are listed below:

Endolymphatic mastoid shunt versus endolymphatic sac decompression for Ménière’s disease
Brinson GM, Chen DA, Arriaga MA
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery- 2007 03 (Vol. 136, Issue 3)

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension mimicking Ménière’s disease
Miller RS, Tami TA, Pensak M
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery- 2006 10 (Vol. 135, Issue 4)

From our September 2006 Annual Meeting Program (published in the Journal):

R043: Redox Regulation and Auto Antibodies in Ménière's Disease
Hayashi K, Kobayashi R, Matsumoto T, Ogawa K
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery- 2006 08 (Vol. 135, Issue 2 (Supplement))

P113: High Resolution MRI in Patients with Ménière's Disease
Silver RD, Bachuwar A, Rimell FL, Levine SC
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery- 2006 08 (Vol. 135, Issue 2 (Supplement))

P136: The True Story of Ménière's Disease
Paco JCLS, Garcia CS, Carmo DO
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery- 2006 08 (Vol. 135, Issue 2 (Supplement))

Where we are hoping to go with Ménière’s research

Otolaryngology is a broad discipline and the AAO-HNS is an organization that represents all otolaryngologists. In terms of focusing research, however, we are open to focusing research efforts and dollars to specific conditions when it’s warranted. We contract with the Duke Clinical Research Institute to perform clinical trials on very specific topics. In a nutshell, we are happy to promote research in a specific target population as long as the guidelines are consistent with our organization’s mission and vision.

What will we do with the funding we get through six degrees badges

At present, our top goal is for badges to raise awareness of any otolaryngology condition for which we can find passionate patient advocates. Ménière’s is one of those conditions – in fact, Ménière’s had the biggest patient presence in online communities. This attempt to raise awareness and funding is in its infancy. But, in terms of what we will do with funding and how it will be earmarked, while all funding through badges will go to the AAO-HNS Foundation, we will be keeping track of what funding comes through which badges and internally keep track of the clinical topics and the dollar amount raised and in good faith develop mechanisms that give back to the clinical topic that promoted the interest and funding.  We are a small foundation, but one that is dedicated to improving and enhancing research in this important field, with a patient population that lives with such debilitating conditions.

• Added to the Calendar Page:
  • September 16-19, 2007:  Oto Expo, the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, in Washington, D.C.

• Added to the More Topics Page:

  • Sudden Hearing Loss 

    • Sudden hearing loss (SHL) (also called sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) or sudden deafness) is *always* a "medical emergency," even if you have experienced previous hearing loss and even if previous treatments did not restore hearing.  Immediate medical attention to sudden hearing loss can often restore some or all of the lost hearing. 

    • Just because you have Meniere's Disease doesn't mean you can't also develop some other disorder that is causing the sudden hearing loss, such as a mini-stroke that is blocking the flow of blood to the inner ear.  There is a very short golden window of opportunity (perhaps a day or two; maybe less and maybe more) in which to treat sudden hearing loss.  This is not a situation for a general practitioner.  This is a situation for a doctor who specializes in hearing, preferably an otologist or, ever better, a neurotologist.  (For resources to help you to find a doctor, visit our Doctors Page.)  If you try to get an appointment with a doctor, tell the appointments clerk that you have sudden hearing loss and need to be squeezed in *immediately.*  If you can't get an immediate appointment, go to an emergency room.  Or just go to an emergency room in the first place.  Don't waste any time.  Time lost may be hearing lost.  You cannot go wrong by *immediately* seeking a doctor when you have sudden hearing loss.  Many times, some or all of the lost hearing can be restored if treated quickly enough.  DO NOT DELAY!

    • Click here to search PubMed for "sudden hearing loss" or "sudden sensorineural hearing loss" or "sudden deafness."

    • Click here to search Google on this subject.

• How do doctors think?  Find out how to find out here at our blog.

• Added to the section on sensitivity to sound on the Symptoms Page:

  • Specialized ear plugs.  There are many kinds of earplugs besides those found in the drug store. With sensitivity to sound, one's objective would be to diminish sound, or certain sounds, rather than block them completely or muffle them. "Musician's" earplugs are designed to do that to a certain extent, and there may be many more types of earplugs that might be helpful to you, perhaps custom-designed.

    • Here are a few sites to get you started:
      http://www.ultimateears.com/resource-guide/musician-ear-plugs.html
      http://www.sensaphonics.com/concert_earplugs.html
      http://www.hyperacusis.org/wst_page8.htm

    • But note Dr. Tim Hain's conditional reservations with ear plugs here:
      http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/hearing/hyperacusis.htm

• Added to the advocacy groups section of the Start Page.

  • Canada

    • Canadian Hearing Society.  Meniere's support groups in certain locations.  Hearing impairment and tinnitus programs.

• We have yet again relocated our blog.
  • Now find it at http://www.menieresinfo.com/blog.

• Added to our Find a Doctor Page here: 

  • American Board of Otolaryngology (ABOto).  In the U.S., there are "boards" that certify physician specialists.  The umbrella organization for all 24 boards that certify physician specialities is the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).  One of those boards is the American Board of Otolaryngology (ABOto).  That board certifies otolaryngologists (also known as otorhinolaryngologists).  It also certifies the subspecialty of neurotology.  There is a FAQ (frequently asked questions) page at the OBOto website here.  A booklet at the ABOto website, in .pdf format, provides information on the qualifications for a board-certified neurotologist as well as the board's definition of a board-certified neurotologist.  Click here.

    • ABOto does not provide referrals.  However --

      • There is a page on which one can verify whether a particular physician is board-certified here.  If one enters the name of a city and leaves all other entries blank, one will get a list of all board-certified doctors in that city (up to a certain maximum).  If one checks "Let me choose a state," and selects a state, and leaves all other entries blank, one will get a list of all board-certified doctors in that state (up to a certain maximum).  Unfortunately, this feature does not disclose the nature of the certification.  Presumably, all of the listed doctors are board-certified in otolaryngology, but whether a doctor is also board-certified in the subspecialty of neurotology is not shown.  Perhaps if one calls the Board, one could find out whether a doctor is board-certified in the subspecialty of neurotology.

      • There is a page listing new board-certified neurotologists here.

• Updated our description of medical specialties on the Doctors Page:

  • Meniere's Disease is a disorder of the inner ear and the vestibulocochlear (8th cranial) nerve. 

    • An ENT (ears, nose, and throat doctor) (otolaryngologist or otorhinolaryngologist) specializes in disorders of the ear, nose, and throat.

    • An otologist specializes in disorders of the ear.

    • A neurologist specializes in disorders of the nerves.

    • A neurotologist (also known as otoneurologist) specializes in disorders of the ear and of the vestibulocochlear (8th cranial) nerve.

      • Neurotologist board certification.  In the U.S., there are "boards" that certify physician specialists.  The umbrella organization for all 24 boards that certify physician specialities is the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).  One of those boards is the American Board of Otolaryngology (ABOto).  That board certifies otolaryngologists (also known as otorhinolaryngologists).  It also certifies the subspecialty of neurotology.  There is a FAQ (frequently asked questions) page at the OBOto website here.  A booklet at the ABOto website, in .pdf format, provides information on the qualifications for a board-certified neurotologist as well as the board's definition of a board-certified neurotologist.  Click here. 

• New at the Silverstein Institute website:  an 18-page self-help book for ear problems.  That and more information added to the Doctors Page as follows:

  • Florida, Sarasota and Venice:  Silverstein Institute/Florida Ear and Sinus Center.  Herbert Silverstein, M.D., Jack J. Wazen, M.D., and Seth I. Rosenberg, M.D.  Authorship on Meniere's Disease:  Dr. Silverstein, Dr. Wazen, and Dr. Rosenberg. 

    • Dr. Silverstein developed the retrolabyrinthine/retrosigmoid vestibular neurectomy (RRVN) approach to vestibular nerve surgery and also developed the Silverstein Micro-Wick (watch the video).

    • Dr. Silverstein has posted an 18-page self-help book for ear problems, titled "Ears 'R' Us -- Answers to Old Myths," on the Silverstein Institute website.  Information on the book can be found on the home page here; a direct download link is here (.pdf file, 431KB; to read .pdf files, download free Adobe Reader software here (20MB)). 

• Added to our list of low sodium websites on our Treatment Page:
  • LivingLowSodium.com.  One of the proprietors has Meniere's Disease (as stated here).  Books, snacks, soups, sauces, salad dressings, and more.  Friendly, artistic site design.

• Updated the entry for Meniere's Disease patient and author Joni Woelfel on our Famous Patients page as follows:
  • Joni Woelfel, author.  Website:  A Place of Light.  Click here to search Google.
    • Article, National Catholic Reporter, June 17, 2005.
    • Joni's book, Tall in Spirit:  Meditations for the Chronically Ill, reflects her experiences with Meniere's Disease.
    • Joni has also written a book for survivors of suicide and other books.  Here is a link to her works.
    • Update March 12, 2007:
      • Joni has a new book in progress, "Illness Speaks:  Meditations for the Chronically Ill."  Read about it at her website here.
      • Joni has a free movie based upon her "Tall in Spirit" book available at her website here and here.  The movie was a gift to her from her friend Gary Frye.
      • Joni has a new book that will be published in 2008, "Block by Block, A 90 Day Spiritual Guide to Weight Loss."  Read about it at her website here.

• Added to the Famous Patients Page:
  • Peggy Goldwater, wife of Senator Barry Goldwater.
    • According to this review of Barry Goldwater's autobiography, Goldwater describes his wife, Peggy, as she became deafened by Meniere's Disease.

• Added to the Doctors Page:
  • California, Highland:  John Arruda, M.D.  Authorship on Meniere's Disease.
• Updated on the Doctors Page: 
  • Florida, Sarasota and Venice:  Florida Ear and Sinus Center.  Herbert Silverstein, M.D., Jack J. Wazen, M.D., and Seth I. Rosenberg, M.D.  Dr. Silverstein developed the retrolabyrinthine/retrosigmoid vestibular neurectomy (RRVN) approach to vestibular nerve surgery and also developed the Silverstein Micro-Wick (watch the video).  Authorship on Meniere's Disease:  Dr. Silverstein, Dr. Wazen, and Dr. Rosenberg. 
  • Wisconsin, Milwaukee:  Medical College of Wisconsin, Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences Clinic.  Dr. P. Ashley Wackym, and many others.  Authorship on Meniere's Disease:  Dr. Wackym.

• Added to the Calendar Page:
  • Dr. Herbert Silverstein's Silverstein Institute and Ear Research Foundation will present a free public symposium for patients and interested others on Meniere's Disease, Vertigo, and Balance Disorders in Sarasota, Florida, on Friday, March 9, 2007, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 
  • Lectures will be presented by:
    • Herbert Silverstein, M.D.
    • Seth Rosenberg, M.D.
    • Jack Wazen, M.D.
    • Vicki Alexander, L.P.N.
    • Steve Warta, P.A.
  • There will be a question and answer session.
  • Advance reservations are required; call 941-366-9222, extension 271.
  • The location is the 2nd Floor Schuknecht Conference Room, Silverstein Institute, 1901 Floyd Street, Sarasota, Fla. 34239.  Mapquest here.
  • More information at the Silverstein Institute website here.  Directions are here.
  • This is a rare opportunity for patients to see and hear and ask questions of doctors who are well-known for the diagnosis and treatment of Meniere's Disease.
  • This is an event worth traveling to.
  • The program (provided to the MDIC directly by Dr. Silverstein with permission to publish):
    • Friday, March 9, 2007.
    • 9:00 a.m. Opening Remarks and Welcome, Jennifer Moss, Executive Director, Ear Research Foundation
    • 9:05 a.m. Diagnosis of and Testing for Dizziness, Seth Rosenberg, M.D., F.A.C.S.
    • 9:30 a.m. Treatment of Vertigo, Herbert Silverstein, M.D., F.A.C.S.
    • 9:45 a.m. Hearing Restoration in Meniere's Disease and Only Hearing Ear[*], Jack Wazen, M.D., F.A.C.S.  [*Using a BAHA (bone anchored hearing aid) to conduct sound from the side of a deafened ear to the "only" hearing ear on the other side.]
    • 10:10 a.m. Allergy Treatment and Dizziness, Steve Warta, P.A.
    • 10:20 a.m. Tinnitus and Treatment Options, Seth Rosenberg, M.D., F.A.C.S.
    • 10:35 a.m. Vestibular Rehabilitation, Herbert Silverstein, M.D., F.A.C.S., Vicki Alexander, L.P.N., V.T.
    • 10:50 a.m. Questions and Answers, All Presenters
    • 11:00 a.m.  End of Program

• Added the following links to the following pages:
  • Treatment Page:  Click Here to See Over 28 Blog Entries on Treatment
  • Diagnosis Page:  Click Here to See Over 19 Blog Entries on Diagnosis
  • Disability Page:  Click Here to See Over 6 Blog Entries on Disability
  • Doctors Page:  Click Here to See Over 11 Blog Entries on Doctors
  • Symptoms Page:  Click Here to See Over 16 Blog Entries on Symptoms

• Added to the Famous Patients Page:
  • Dan Carlson, journalist.
    • Editorial by Dan Carlson, Black Hills (S.D.) Pioneer, February 10, 2007.  Carlson describes his relapse -- with a vengeance -- after many years of temporary spontaneous remission.  Credit Carlson with candor -- he admits what so many of us feel:  he is scared.

• Added to the "What You Can Do" section of our Start Page:

  • Designate someone to be your Patient Advocate.  A patient advocate is a person who accompanies you to every doctor's visit and is present during every examination and treatment, who takes notes, who asks questions, and in general looks after your interests as well as you would look after the interests of your child or your elderly parent.  Your advocate can be your spouse, your best friend, your boss, your neighbor -- even your attorney if you can afford it (even better, your relative who is an attorney).  There are professional patient advocates available for hire.  Click here to search Google for more information.

• Added to the Calendar Page:
  • The Meniere's Support Group of Victoria (Australia) will host an event on April 1, 2007, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Deaf Children Australia, Auditorium, corner of St Kilda Road and High Street, Prahran.  Enter via the boom gate on High Street.  Registrations close on Friday, March 30, 2007.  To register, call (03) 9783 9233 or email info@menieres.org.au.  For information, click here.

• Added to the Disability Page:

  • State Rehabilitation Agencies

    • Each state has some sort of agency for the purpose of assisting disabled people whose employment is threatened by their disabilities to become rehabilitated, to become employed or to retain employment, and to save the government the expense of providing welfare benefits to those who, with assistance, can be productive, taxpaying employees.  Various states have their own benefits and criteria for qualifying (possibly including income or savings tests -- our speculation).  Patients can be expected to pay something toward the costs of services provided.

      • As little known and almost secretive as these agencies may be in some cases, we have heard of anecdotal successes in obtaining hearing aids and even cochlear implants.  We wonder whether vestibular rehabilitation is available, and what other benefits might be available to "those who know."

    • Although these agencies are created to carry out state programs, in addition, the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) provides funding to state rehabilitation agencies to provide services to persons who are receiving Social Security Disability (SSDI) and persons who are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) based upon disability or blindness under certain conditions.  The services must result in return to work for at least nine continuous months at a substantial earnings level, which is referred to as "substantial gainful activity."  See more here.

    • Of course navigating any government benefit is much easier said than done.  If you can find web resources or rehabilitation counselors outside of the agencies to consult and obtain information before you first make contact with the agency itself, that might be the better approach.  If you can find a disability lawyer with whom to consult, so much the better.  If you do these things, you will know more than *some* state employees, and you will have to *tactfully* help them out.  (Sad, but often true when dealing with any government agency.  No offense intended to dedicated government employees who practice excellence in their work; they do the work of three for the salary of one.)

    • Link:  State Rehabilitation Providers.

      • The Social Security Administration maintains this link, but the services provided are primarily state agency programs.  As mentioned above, SSA may provided additional funding for SSDI and SSI rehabilitation programs. 

• Added to the Famous Patients Page:
  • Randy Thurman, multitalented artist.  Added January 30, 2007.
    • According to this article in the Knoxville News Sentinel (Knoxville, Tenn.), dated January 28, 2007, Thurman's art won him a "prized spot in an international show at [the] Monkdogz Urban Art [G]allery in New York's Chelsea district."   The show ran January 4-27, 2007.  According to the article, Thurman hasn't been able to work a steady job since a relapse of his Meniere's Disease last year, but hasn't let it interfere with his work, painting on his knees when he has to.
    • Visit Thurman's website to see examples of his art.

• Slightly revised our section on "What is Meniere's Disease?" on the Start Page.
• Slightly revised our symptoms section on the Symptoms Page.
• Added a definition section to the Symptoms Page.

• Established a new, separate, page for Meniere's Disease DVD Videos That Show How Meniere's Disease Affects Patients.
  • Information previously here has been moved to here.

• Updated our coverage of Vertigoheel on the Treatment Page.
  • Vertigoheel.
    • Vertigoheel is a homeopathic product manufactured by Heel.
    • Study Published in AMA Professional Journal Implies Efficacy of Vertigoheel and Betahistine Hydrochloride (Serc).  The bottom line: "Results: Both homeopathic [Vertigoheel] and conventional [betahistine hydrochloride (often referred to by the brand name "Serc")] treatments showed a clinically relevant reduction in the mean frequency, duration, and intensity of the vertigo attacks. The therapeutic equivalence of the homeopathic remedy [Vertigoheel] and betahistine [hydrochloride ("Serc")] was established statistically."
      • Comment: This study equates the efficacy of Vertigoheel with the efficacy of Serc (betahistine hydrochloride), but the efficacy of Serc is itself controversial.  See our page on Serc.
    • Click here to search PubMed for Meniere's Disease and Vertigoheel.
    • Update January 17, 2007: 
      • We previously believed and reported that Vertigoheel had been approved by the FDA for the treatment of vertigo on the basis of the above study, that Vertigoheel was thus available in the U.S. by prescription only, and that Vertigoheel was listed as a prescription drug in the Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR) (possibly in the 1998 edition and possibly on page 1187 of that edition).
        • According to this page via the Wayback Machine of Archive.org, a press release at the Heel website heelbhi.com (which today is redirected to heelusa.com) dated August 13, 1998, stated that Vertigoheel is a "prescription homeopathic medication," and that "full prescribing information" about Vertigoheel can be found on "page 1187 of the 1998 Physicians’ Desk Reference."
        • According to this page via the Wayback Machine of Archive.org, the Heel website heelusa.com on December 22, 2002, stated that Vertigoheel was "prescription only."  (Notice the date in the url.)
        • Search Google for "vertigoheel AND prescription."
        • Search Google for "vertigoheel AND 1998 AND 1187.
      • However, today we are unable to confirm through authoritative sources that Vertigoheel is currently approved by the U.S. FDA in any respect, that it ever was approved by the FDA in any respect, or that a prescription is or ever has been required for the purchase of Vertigoheel.  Today, there was virtually no information about Vertigoheel at the FDA website.  Click here to search the FDA website for yourself.  Vertigoheel is not listed in the 2007 PDR (Physicians' Desk Reference).
      • We found that Vertigoheel made by Heel is available without a prescription from this source. We found that a similar product, cocculus compositum, made by Heel, is available without a prescription from the same source.  Note:  This is news, not advertising, and we receive no compensation for posting this information.
    • We received this email on October 15, 2002:  "I receive so many phone calls from people with Meniere's who have been looking for Vertigoheel to help treat their symptoms and who have had a lot of  trouble finding the product -- anywhere -- that I thought I would write and let you know that I sell Cocculus Compositum (exact formula as Vertigoheel but you don't need a prescription) for $18.06 (20% off) and usually ship the next day by priority mail. [Note that the manufacturer of this product is Heel, the company that also manufactures Vertigoheel. -- Editor.]  My website is Vitamin-Resource at http://www.vitamin-resource.com, and there is a direct link to the Cocculus Compositum tablets [here].  Hope this will be helpful to some of your members.  Best wishes, Joanne Lindon, Vitamin-Resource."  Note:  This is news, not advertising, and we receive no compensation for posting this information.

• Updated our coverage of Vertigoheel on the Treatment Page.
  • Further updated January 17, 2007.

• Added to our Doctors Page:

  • North Carolina

    • Gastonia:  Carolina Ear Nose & Throat Associates.  Staff.  Meniere's Disease Page.

Jan-09-2007

• Expanded our coverage of antiviral drugs on the Treatment Page as follows.

• Antiviral drugs.
  • We are hearing anecdotal reports from patients who are (perhaps by their own demand) being treated with antiviral drugs such as acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), and valacyclovir (Valtrex) -- with mixed results.  This apparently responds to a few studies finding a tenuous (in our view) connection between the herpes simplex virus (HSV) and Meniere's Disease.  No study in PubMed states for a fact that HSV is a cause of Meniere's Disease.  There are almost no studies to be found at PubMed on the subject of treating Meniere's Disease with acyclovir or other antiviral drugs and none that finds that an antiviral drug is effective in treating vertigo caused by Meniere's Disease (for example, this study by Dr. Derebery, et al., of the House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles).
  • "Effectiveness of Acyclovir on Meniere's Syndrome III Observation of Clinical Symptoms in 301 cases," Mitsuo Shichinohe, M.D., Ph.D., The Sapporo Medical Journal, Vol. 68, No. 4-6, December, 1999. 
    • This study is not listed in PubMed.  The Sapporo Medical Journal is published by Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo Japan.  The "III" in the title means that this is the third paper in a series of three authored by Dr. Shichinohe, none of which appears in PubMed.  The other two papers are cited in footnotes 1 and 2 of this study.  As of January 8, 2007, Dr. Shichinohe is listed as author or co-author of five articles in PubMed (click here).
    • MenieresInfo.com summary of this study, January 9, 2007.
      • After ten years, Dr. Shichinohe, who is the director of The Shichinohe Clinic in Sapporo, Japan, came to suspect that Meniere's Disease of many patients *might* be caused by a common virus.  Dr. Shichinohe suspected that the common virus might be a herpes virus or the varicella zoster virus or some other virus (or viruses).  In this study, Dr. Shichinohe did not attempt to determine a specific viral cause of Meniere's Disease.  Dr. Shichinohe's point was that he suspected a viral cause and, if his suspicion was correct, then whatever virus might be the cause might respond to treatment with the anti-viral drug acyclovir.
      • Dr. Shichinohe studied the cases of 301 patients who visited his clinic between October 1990 and October 1997.  The patients had the symptoms of vertigo, tinnitus, and impaired hearing.  135 cases were diagnosed as Meniere's Disease, 99 as Meniere's Syndrome (symptoms of Meniere's Disease but other basic diseases could not be completely excluded), 52 as vestibular dysfunction, and 15 as miscellaneous other disorders.
      • These 301 patients were each treated with 2,000 mg/day of acyclovir for an average period of two weeks.
      • Of the original 301 patients, 51 were not available for followup and were excluded, leaving 250 patients who were ultimately evaluated.
      • The duration of the followup period is not clear to us.
      • The results were:
        • 89 cases:  vertigo and tinnitus completely disappeared.
        • 116 cases:  vertigo disappeared, tinnitus and hearing were improved.
        • 24 cases:  vertigo was improved, but tinnitus and hearing were not improved.
        • 21 cases:  vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing were not improved.
        • In 82.5% of cases diagnosed as Meniere's Disease, 85% of cases diagnosed as Meniere's Syndrome, and 89.1% of cases diagnosed as vestibular dysfunction, vertigo disappeared, and tinnitus and hearing were improved.
        • Most of the patients revealed improvement within three to seven days after administration of acyclovir.
        • There were recurrences in 39 out of the original 301 cases, but recurrences "usually could be cured" with acyclovir treatment in less than half the doses over less than half the time of the original acyclovir treatment.
        • No side effects were observed.
        • Dr. Shichinohe believes that the results strongly suggest that Meniere's Disease is caused by a viral infection of the vestibulocochlear nerve, and that herpes simplex and varicella zoster viruses "are suggested to be causative agents."
      • Limitations: This study was not randomized, not double-blind, not blind, and not controlled.  As stated in the study, patients "knew" of the effectiveness of acyclovir and "wished" the treatment. We have not found any subsequent citations to this study in PubMed.  We have found no replication of this study. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of the antiviral drug famciclovir (Famvir) for reduction of Meniere's disease symptoms by Dr. Derebery, et al., of the House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles, reported in 2004, found no "dramatic" effects on "vertigo or dizziness" and that famciclovir simply "may" suppress the fluctuation of hearing.
      • MenieresInfo.com comment:  Despite the limitations of Dr. Shichinohe's study, the results are impressive.  While a viral etiology (cause) of Meniere's Disease has not been positively established, there are researchers who suspect, even in the absence of persuasive evidence, that a virus, and particularly the herpes simplex virus (HSV), *may* be a factor in *some* cases diagnosed as Meniere's Disease.  We believe that it can be worthwhile for patients to download and print out this study and discuss it with their doctors, together with any other relevant studies.  Click here to search PubMed for Meniere's Disease and (herpes or (acyclovir and other antiviral drugs)).
    • The full text of this paper is available in English at Dr. Shichinohe's website here in eight separate downloads (one download for each of eight pages) in .pdf format.
  Click here to search PubMed for Meniere's Disease and acyclovir and other antiviral drugs.
  • Click here to search PubMed for Meniere's Disease and herpes.

• Updated the section on Vertigoheel on the Treatment Page.
  • Further updated January 16, 2007, and January 17, 2007.
• Updated the section on Ventigoheel on the Treatment Page.
  • According to the manufacturer's brochure about Ventigoheel at http://www.heel.ca, "[t]he name of [Ventigoheel] in Germany and the United States is Vertigoheel; however, the formulation is the same."  Here are links to the brochure:  [.pdf] [.html via Google.com].

• Added to the Doctors Page:

  • Massachusetts

    • Burlington:  Lahey Clinic.  Dr. Peter J. Catalano.  Meniere's Disease Page.

Jan-01-2007

• We wish you a happy, healthy new year.