 Disclaimer
Meniere's Australia encourages contact between people who have Meniere's. Knowing how others have experience and coped with Meniere's can help you feel less alone. However please note that the advice, opinions and information given in, or implied by these personal stories remain those of the stories' authors and are not in any way endorsed by MA.
 Low Salt Diet and Life Journeys
I'd like to share with you my recent adventure. During the last two years I have been earnestly following a low salt diet. Having tried, with little success, many medications and methods of controlling Meniere's I realised, after attending several sessions and lectures made available through MSGV and the local group in SA that I should be more stringent in counting the salt milligrams in everything that passed my lips.
‘...be prepared to put in the time, effort and research to make (a low salt diet) work’
The book “Salt Matters” opened my eyes to the idea that if the low salt diet is to work, it is imperative that each individual must be prepared to put in the time, effort and research to make it work. Like most things in life - you get out what you put in. In years past I would half-heartedly reduce my salt intake but wasn't prepared to back it up with all the other ‘no-no's’ - caffeine, alcohol, stress etc.
Three years ago when I was diagnosed with bi-lateral Meniere's I was devastated. Severe loss of hearing, unbearably loud tinnitus and months of coping with debilitating dizziness on a daily basis brought me to a place I didn't want to be. Several healing methods (I mentioned in the September edition of MSGV's newsletter 2005 “Whirligig”) have helped me overcome the initial new attacks. This message is to impress on others the value of maintenance of the condition through monitoring salt levels.
To be informed is to be armed with tools to make the right decisions. I read every newsletter since joining MSGV. I read Salt Matters again. I discovered the tap water in Adelaide contains the highest level of salt on the mainland. I subjected myself to the task of having the salt level in my urine measured. This was tiresome but carried some humour also. (Don't underestimate how much water passes through your system in 24 hours - I thought a 3 litre bottle would be big enough - wrong!) Also - buy a funnel - the size a bloke might use for changing the oil in the car - believe me, you'll need it. The result of the test showed I was a borderline case and had some work to do to get it down to 'acceptable', which it now is.
Every label was read. If it didn't conform to the 120 mg per 100 gm I didn't eat it or drink it. 'Fresh is best' became my personal method of buying, cooking and eating food. (Although there is the odd exception, like celery, which has a high natural salt content) I missed the hidden salt in processed foods but as I was beginning to feel so much better it was a small price to pay.
‘…I decided to 'test the waters' by flying to Queensland... ’
Twelve months ago I decided to 'test the waters' by flying to Queensland to escape the cold of a southern winter. My ENT guy had said a year previously I shouldn't consider flying. As I monitored my positive progress in every other way including driving up mountains and noticing my ears were equalising well, I took the risk and took off for paradise. Self-catering with the occasional meal out kept me well and I was uplifted by not only the winter warmth but by my new-found vitality and health. I walked and swam, was in the spa and sauna every day. A positive frame of mind with daily affirmations gave me new hope of a normal life again.
‘… eight flights during...ten weeks...Yes, there is life with Meniere's’
My latest adventure took me to England, Ireland and Northern Ireland. “How brave you are!” said my friends. “Are you sure you're up to doing this, and on your own too?” said my husband. “Yes! Absolutely.” My New Years Resolution - “Take a brave step into a new healthy future.”
So early in April I gathered my savings and my courage and made the long haul to be with ten groups of family and friends. I had sent each of them the leaflet supplied by MSGV and an accompanying letter explaining my simple diet consisting of porridge, fruit, nuts, meat, fish, vegetables & salad. Each family group embraced the importance of keeping me well whilst in their care and made some sumptuous low salt meals. Some were challenged somewhat but recognised they too were consuming far too much salt. Cousin Terry was so in awe of my 'new life through diet' he has vowed to send me a new low salt recipe every week and has aspirations of writing a recipe book specifically for me. Everyone is being made aware of the health issues associated with excess salt. London Reds advertised “Are you eating too much salt?” More precise food labelling has just been made law in the UK.
I kept well throughout the entire trip and had eight flights during my ten weeks away from the safe haven of home. I kept positive and alert at all times and shared my experiences with family and friends, two of which have been recently diagnosed with Meniere's. I walked, climbed endless flights of stairs, tackled the dubious joys of driving in the UK (57 round-a-bouts between one family member and the next) and celebrated my 62nd birthday feeling more like 42.
For overseas travellers it is important to ensure your diet is appropriate while in flight. I can't speak for all airlines but a phone call would confirm or deny their provision of a low-salt diet. I flew Malaysia Airlines and at the time of booking my tickets I was able to order 'Low Sodium - No Added Salt' meals. I took a few safe snacks for the first flight in case they were not available but was pleasantly surprised when every single meal was what I ordered. There was a variety and each meal came with a naked salad and fresh fruit salad. There was always enough to eat and I never felt discriminated against.
Yes, there is life with Meniere's. It comes from slow and steady progress in a positive direction. This is just one of my many journeys through life. I am happy to share my experiences with members and welcome enquiries about all the methods I have successfully used to combat the condition.
I can be contacted at:
Regards June
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