navy8005

Thank you for the information. I tried to post a thank you earlier and the system wouldn't let me so I will try again. I already sent my request for increase out but I guess if I get denied I will seek advise on how to handle it. I only wish that I had found this site before I sent off my paperwork.

Josephine, thank you. You had a lot of questions and I will try to answer most of them. I was perscribed Meclizine initially, but it did nothing for me. Valium is the only thing that works to contol the spinning for me. I take phenegren (sp) for nausea. Perfect gait.. Ha, I am constantly running into furniture, walls, etc and falling down. I have even fallen down my stairs. I use my vision more for balance now and at night in the dark I have a real hard time. I started walking with a cain to give me support. As far as the valium. I do not take it as my doctor recommended. He wanted me to take it every day as a preventive medicine,but I am afraid 1) of addiction and 2) that my body will be come use to the medicine and it will no longer be effective in controlling the vertigo. However, I am still taking valium at least 2 to 4 days a week. I was diagnosed while in the Navy. Had all the test, blood, ENG, MRI, multiple audiograms while in the Navy as well as seeing a specialist every 6 months. With all of that it would be difficult for them to deny that I have Meniere's. I am seeing a VA ENT specialist. He did not write any of what you asked. The only thing that he put in his progress note was that my symptoms and severity have increased this is exactly whathe said in the report " recently she has been having these episodes about twice a week. She can blunt the severity of the vertigo by taking a 5 mg valium pill." he stated that this is a chronic balance problem. When I had my appointment I told him that I was having these very frequently no less them twice a week, but somehow that was changed in his write up to "about" twice a week. I didn't care for the wording because I know that the VA will use that against my case. But it is the best that I have for now. As I stated he really did not state all of this as this was not a C&P exam but my regular visit. But in letters from my husband, daughter and son-in-law that I sent they definately state that I can't drive anymore and that I have not worked for over two years. Am I depressed... I haven't been able to work for two years... I have a hard time even doing my household chores to the extent that my husband said that he was going to hire a cleaning service. My husband now does most of the shopping and cooking. I have a 13 year old son who is very active in sports and it is getting where I cannot go to most of his events and when he played basketball last winter I could not go at all because of the noise in a confined space. I can't enjoy my grandchildren as a grandmother should. I feel zapped of all energy all the time and sleep at least 12 hours a day. I would say that I am somewhat depressed but I have not been treated for that. My family has written this down in their letters of support for me which I did send to the VA. He did not state there is no cure or that this is permanent, but he did say that the condition is chronic..??? Would they not consider that about the same? I just don't know how it will go. But as my husband said the worst that can happen is that I stay at 60%. I have not filed for Social Security yet. I was just waiting for this and then will start the process for SSDI.

I am new here and I am hopeing to find a kindred soul. I am currently rated 60% for Meniere's disease and have just reqested an increase. I am sick (Vertigo) almost daily with this disease. I currently take a diruretic, valium and phenegen (sp) for the attacks of vertigo. I am to the point where my VA ENT specalist says to take the valium everyday. I am curious has anyone requested an increase and what is the likelyhood of getting it? I have not worked for over two years as a result of this disease and I don't drive anymore. I rarely leave my house and then only if I have valium with me. I included my most recent VA ENT specialist review along with the hearing test which was done about 4 months ago. In the letter my doctor states that I am having more frequent attacks no less then twice a week and he stated that my condition was chronic. I also sent statements from my husband, daughter, son-in-law and myself showing the impact that it has had on my life. Just want to see if anyone with Meniere's has been through this and what I can expect. Will I have to have another C&P? If so will they set it up with my VA ENT Specialist who knows my case or will it go to some general practioner? Or will they base it on the most recent report that I sent them from my VA ENT specialist? I have lots of questions. Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom.