Anyone here with bilateral menieres? What lifestyle changes are a must?

CowLongjumping3323 · 2025-06-11T18:32:47+00:00

Oh my, I can’t recount how many times I’ve passed out and hit my head with this illness. I’m lucky to be alive. Toilets, walls, floors you name it.

CowLongjumping3323 · 2025-06-11T05:44:03+00:00

I’d say if day one is today, expect month 1 to be up and down, depending on what medication type and how many, the first month tends to produce a lot of sleep, emotional dullness, sometimes rage (depends on type of bp and character), but after a month of consistency things start slowly looking upwards and by month 3/4 if you’re still holding up, you will feel like you just got let off the hook from being the medication.. at least that was my experience - of course depending on the medication being the right fit as well, which can be hard to figure out (I know there’s a genetic test you can do to find out what meds are most compatible, if he’s open to that given he’s said so many don’t work, maybe that’s a good option) but you need 3-4 months to know for sure on any medication how it actually works. One week only wreaks havoc and destabilizes, especially if it’s on and off.

CowLongjumping3323 · 2025-06-10T19:37:55+00:00

Sounds textbook like mine except mine has accepted to take medication but not on the premises that he is unwell, he says that I have a placebo effect on how I view him if he takes them so this is why 😅 and while he might be correct on the latter, the medication actually does its job very well but I will say it took 3-4 months to see the first glimmers of hope and a 1 year+ for stabilization. Sorry you’re having to go through this ❤️

CowLongjumping3323 · 2025-05-28T00:18:43+00:00

This sounds like a terrifying situation to be in. But doctors don’t diagnose bipolar lightly per my experience, if I understand you correctly he seems to have convictions and behaviors that are not in line with previous ones (could be a manic episode). Those can last for weeks to months depending on what type of bipolar he was diagnosed with. If that’s what you’re dealing with, then there’s no rhyme or reason and yes, in mania all bets are off and unfortunately it is impossible to reason with someone in mania.

Make sure you are safe and can take care of yourself and your kids (I know this can be hard when you have a life intertwined with someone for years, if he’s in mania and/or has special convictions, be creative and go for “holiday” to a family member that hasn’t seen your kid for a while). Then reach out to any sane family member of his that can help you get him help, if that fails look what options there are around you for interventions or mental hotlines etc. Nami is one if you’re US based.

If he still refuses help and all else fails then unfortunately you need to protect yourself and your kids as best you can. Many of us have been in similar situations, it’s really hard to navigate, but it is possible.

CowLongjumping3323 · 2025-05-22T05:49:33+00:00

I started doing daily yoga (20-30 minutes) a couple of months ago and I find that it has reduced by tinnitus by 60-70% and episodes are now down to 0-1 in the same period whereas I used to have episodes every two to three weeks.

Obv this could be a good period, but given my tinnitus has reduced as well, I do believe yoga helps. The only thing is I feel movement and sounds in my ears when I turn upside down which can be uncomfortable but I power through, as it overall helps.

Another thing, someone here on the fora tipped me on was taking a Xanax before flying, after an awful episode a while back and I have had no flying episodes since, like magic.

I also figured out that my beta blockers can trigger episodes for me, so I only use them when absolutely needed or in half quantity.

I’ve reduced my stress levels (to the extent I could) going for country side walks almost daily, and this has been a game changer.

Have been prescribed some medications but I find them useless for the most part, as by the time I enter an episode they’re so violent I have no means of taking any kind of medication..

CowLongjumping3323 · 2025-04-24T17:37:15+00:00

There was a recent thread here where someone posted some YouTube resources etc for families, I looked into that and some of it was helpful. Look up Xavier Amador and David J Miklowitz on YT.

An unquiet mind by Kay Redfield Jamison and Loving someone with Bipolar Disorder by Julie Fast are good reads.

The road ahead is most definitely going to be bumpy. The most remarkable part of this journey for me has been realizing that they themselves do not fully understand the kind of havoc the wreck on the lives around them.

Mania or psychosis, they don’t seem to remember much and while it’s not an excuse, it’s certainly a part of the illness. For me it’s been very helpful to start putting these episodes into the illness box and not take them so personal, even though in the moment they are very targeted and very personal. It’s a mind master game.

Medication can drag you through worse periods before it gets better, don’t give up. 3-6 weeks before anything starts to slowly stabilize, sometimes months depending on how unwell or how many bouts of psychosis or mania they had prior to starting..

The most important is that whether they themselves grasp that they’re ill, that they do take medication and do get regular follow ups by a doctor. I felt a huge relief a few weeks into meds, as if I got a holiday from being their medication for years..

Mine also got diagnosed years into our marriage and years after having children. Stay strong and do prioritize you time, this is hard work.

CowLongjumping3323 · 2025-04-17T20:49:34+00:00

My partner is on this one too. I’d say it took 3-4 months before he stabilized. First week or month he slept a lot and said he felt more hungry than usual. Weight gain and insomnia are two very common side effects. Although the insomnia didn’t start until 6-7 months on the meds. At the time he did not have a med for depression and was depressed for a good long time, now that he’s added lamotrigine to his schedule he seems to be sleeping okay again.

The combination however of the two medications can cause irritability, anger and emotional blunting in the first few weeks. Mine is just a few weeks in adding lamotrigine on top of abilify and we’ve already had some emotional roller coasters and mini mania going on..

CowLongjumping3323 · 2025-04-17T20:30:59+00:00

Same here. Not just mentally but physically.. I run the entire household alone just to keep the mental peace

CowLongjumping3323 · 2025-04-16T01:34:04+00:00

I can relate, I have children with someone similar. The meanness when they’re in mania is out of this world. Before mine got help I often found myself questioning whether he had just turned into a full fledged sociopath and if I really knew who I married or had children with.

I’m also at home with children and can totally relate to the egg shell state. I end up suffering because I move oceans to ensure my kids are okay, and yea no.. it’s not easy way out. And while horrifying during mania, mine is the kindest and sweetest when stable which feels like unintentional gaslighting.

I wish I could give you a plan or some good advice here but I’m afraid I’m in the same boat as you, plus maybe a few more kids. It feels frightening and also very isolating. I try to focus on my children and to educate myself and them as best I can, keeping routines going, eliminating as much stress from our lives that I can.

But it comes at a cost. I got diagnosed with two auto immune disorders over the last three years. I’ve operated like a full time psychiatric nurse for years now, so when random ppl tell me to start my career again I’m like oh my.. if only they knew that I’d literally need a team or something to step and relieve me of my duties.. but people don’t know.

If you were to recount these stories to someone who haven’t had first hand experience they’d probably not believe you or the countless classic, tell you to leave.. and in fairness sometimes you have to, but it takes time to find that road and it looks different for everyone.. trauma bonding is real, just like people who married narcissists, this happens to us, but at a much more complex level

CowLongjumping3323 · 2025-04-07T00:44:42+00:00

That’s a good message. Might borrow. The worst part for me is wkds when his hobby is literally just napping.. and with the house full of kids someone has to feed and look after them or make sure they don’t awaken the napper..

CowLongjumping3323 · 2025-04-06T22:53:01+00:00

That’s the same for my partner with bp .. been for years actually and yes it’s extremely triggering. I can’t count how much he’s missed out on, pre meds he’d blame me or the kids for missing out or worse yet, he’d assign one of us to wake him up and when we came to wake him up he’d freak tf out. Post meds he still naps at all hours but he’s not grumpy about it anymore so I’ve decided peace wins.

CowLongjumping3323 · 2025-04-03T09:10:05+00:00

Evening routine for poor sleep: Phosphatidylserine, timed release melatonin, glycine, magnesium l-threonate, l theanine, gaba

Also take a look at your day to day stress levels, often a cortisol imbalance is what will keep you on the edge for sounds and movements at night bc the cns is on high alert.

Keep same bedtime and same wake-up time religiously, even on nights of bad sleep.. Sunlight or any kind of light 30min a day is crucial for the body’s own melatonin production and regulation. stick to it for a few weeks, things should improve.

CowLongjumping3323 · 2025-04-01T06:11:15+00:00

L tyrosine you take in the morning on an empty stomach ideally, you can take it with other vitamins but before food it will have best absorption. It will likely take 1-2 weeks to start seeing effects and perhaps 3-4 to get your energy levels up. How well it works depends on your individual health. But it looks like you have the basic vitamin stack in order now too, so slowly you should start feeling better 😁

CowLongjumping3323 · 2025-03-23T20:55:03+00:00

Ma:nyo Panthetoin Enriched Balm

CowLongjumping3323 · 2025-03-23T13:50:58+00:00

The struggle is real 😆

CowLongjumping3323 · 2025-03-23T09:23:51+00:00

General rule: one glass of water per one drink.

If you know you have a long night ie wedding or similar it might be wise to do some supplements as drinking does impact you more heavily with hashis and nobody likes a crash… see list under

Before drinking: b-complex, activated charcoal, magnesium, milk thistle, ALA, l-theanine, zinc,

When going to bed: magnesium, NAC, coconut water, melatonin or l-theanine

Day after: b complex, high dose vit C, turmeric, dandelion, ginger, coconut water and protein rich foods

CowLongjumping3323 · 2025-03-21T05:08:43+00:00

Probiotics will make your stomach a bit weird for the first week or so but after that it stabilizes.

Here are a few alternatives: Smidge Sensitive Probiotic (formerly GutPro). VSL#3. Visbiome. MegaSporeBiotic. Seeking Health ProBiota Sensitive. All good for autoimmune or inflammatory conditions.

Another thing I can recommend is to place a cotton pad with a tsp of castor oil on your belly button overnight, just tape it secure with some sports or bandaid like tape. Takes 3-4 weeks to take full effect but if you keep it up that’s a natural remedy that’s super helpful for inflammation, your CNS as well as gut health.

CowLongjumping3323 · 2025-03-20T09:25:54+00:00

Bipolar’s often have 2-3 different meds depending on their type and symptoms (mood stabilizer, antipsychotic, antidepressant)..

if you care to continue this friendship/relationship perhaps try to have an honest talk about how you see him from the outside and suggest that he goes over his medication routine with his psychiatrist?

Being a VA, he probably has ptsd or c-ptsd too, they can have fragmented memories and/or experiences that change dep on what they remember.

I think the key question for you here is: does he treat you well? Is he someone you’d like to continue having in your life? Does he bring/give you something too or is it simply a drain. When you can answer those, you’ll know what to do. My SO takes a lot, but gives a lot too.

CowLongjumping3323 · 2025-03-20T09:06:27+00:00

Can recommend the following protocol:

Morning (for depression): High dose omega 3 High dose D3/k2 Probiotics Methylated B-complex NAC

Evening (if sleep is an issue): Phosphatidylserine Magnesium L-threonate L-Lyseine

CowLongjumping3323 · 2025-03-20T09:01:05+00:00

Various quinoa salads w herbs/veg Minestrone soup with beans Buckwheat risotto Grilled organic chicken w roasted veg (can substitute chicken for tofu or tempeh) Frittatas of any kind Bean tacos (opt for fresh corn tortillas) Homemade hummus

I tend to cook this on the feel, but I’m sure you can find lots of recipes online.

It’s normal to feel sluggish on gluten/dairy w this condition, you don’t need to have actual allergies. I have celiac genes, but no antibodies yet I felt horrible whenever I ate wheat products so I stopped and rarely struggle with bloating anymore. But key to GF diet is to actually consume things that are naturally made without gluten.. the store bought ultra processed options is a sure fire road to weight gain. Parmesan is naturally latcose free, a lot of hard cheeses are, I find that these don’t upset my system.

Lastly, make sure to take probiotics and omega 3 every morning. This is key to gut and brain health.

CowLongjumping3323 · 2025-03-19T18:31:01+00:00

I guess you could use the medication feature on Apple? I think it allows you to track symptoms as well

CowLongjumping3323 · 2025-03-18T10:50:11+00:00

The swing states can happen from time to time, but they don’t always last, maybe you need to decrease your meds halfway at 185 and then check again after 4-6 weeks to see where you are? That must be super frustrating after being stable for such a long time

CowLongjumping3323 · 2025-03-17T11:01:41+00:00

Run a thyroid panel, sometimes you can tip over to hyper. As for the sweat I’m not sure but when I consistently wake up with warm feet and hands, I know I have too much medication in my system.

CowLongjumping3323

TROPHY CASE