After a second attack two months later, some of John's otolaryngology colleagues told him what he experienced could be Ménière's Disease, and suggested he watch his salt intake. This seemed to help, and all of his symptoms, except for the tinnitus, disappeared completely shortly thereafter.

But John's symptoms returned 10 years later in August 2000. After a period of intense stress and fatigue, working 65- and 80-hour weeks, and consuming a lot of foods with a high salt content, John lay down one afternoon to take a brief nap before a meeting and "the room went 90 degrees. I sat up and fell over. I had to cancel the meeting I was supposed to attend, and I was unable to get to the phone before vomiting."

At this point, John was diagnosed with Ménière's Disease by his colleague and otolaryngologist, Dr. George Gates, Professor and Director of the Virginia Merrill Bloedel Research Center at the University of Washington Medical Center. The initial treatment he undertook was to go on diuretics, salt restrictions, and to take a low dose of diazepam at the first sign

of an attack. This was moderately helpful in managing his Ménière's Disease, but over the next year the disease became progressively worse, and John grew more and more concerned about the future of his ability to care for his patients. As he says, "Patient safety comes first. If you have a vertigo attack and vomit, you're incapacitated. And like so many patients with Ménière's Disease, I was constantly in fear of an attack I wouldn't be able to control."

As an anesthesiologist, John is responsible for supervising anesthesia residents in the hospital at night by himself. Yet with the progression of his Ménière's Disease, he "felt unsafe to be in the hospital alone supervising residents in multiple locations. I never call in sick—I'm just not programmed that way. But it got so bad, I had to cancel two night calls."

In January 2001, John cut back his clinical time to 60% of what it had been before his Ménière's Disease began, yet his symptoms continued to worsen. After he had two severe vertigo attacks while driving in May that same year, he felt compelled to notify the chair of his department that if his disease didn't improve, he would have to retire.

Shortly thereafter, Dr. Gates told him about the Meniett^® Low-Pressure Pulse Generator and suggested he try it. As John recalls, "I'd have tried anything and was about ready to have my vestibular nerve cut, but the theory of the Meniett device made sense to me." So in June 2001, John had the required ventilation tube placed in his ear, and following this procedure, he began using the Meniett device. "Eight days later, I woke up in the morning and felt better," he states. "It's as if you don't know how dark it is until you turn the light on. I started to realize

With his attacks gone, John is back to pursuing work and life with all the effort and energy he had before his Ménière's Disease. The Meniett device has enabled John to return not only to his medical career, but to the other activities he enjoys as well—long-distance biking, woodworking, building kayaks, and painting the new house into which he and his wife recently moved.

"The Meniett is very easy to use, very reliable and doesn't take a lot of time. I've taken it to work, and it's even been to Africa with me. I think the Meniett is a marvelous device, and I'm very grateful that this option was there for me and other patients who have been incapacitated with Ménière's Disease." Meniett and local pressure treatment is only to be used after doctor's prescription. If you wish to order a Meniett and have a doctor's prescription, click here.

The Patient Testimonial you have just read is from a real patient with Menieres' disease. They have related their actual experiences with the disease and the Meniett device. This patients' story may or may not be representative of the total population using the Meniett device as results vary from patient to patient. Most Menieres' patients receive varying degrees of relief from their symptoms; however, there are some patients who have reported receiving no relief. Please see your health care provider to determine if the Meniett device is right for you. Back to top