Matt Thiselton
The MeniereMen's Page
Fundraising for Meniere's Society
Story
A leading consultant referred to Menieres Disease as ‘one of the worst diseases you can have that won’t kill you’ and a ‘disease of random punishment’. It is like living in a warzone – you know you will be attacked but you don’t know when. It might not directly kill you, but a large percentage of suffers experience anxiety, depression and some even become suicidal and endure PTSD and ultimately end their lives because it becomes unbearable to live with. Symptoms include:
• Tinnitus
• Ultimately becoming deaf in affected ear or both if bilateral
• Severe, incapacitating vertigo
• Endolymphic hydrops
• Vestibular migraine
• Autoimmune etiologies
• Drop attacks
• Aural fullness
• Vestibular neuronitis
• Constant imbalance
Yet there is absolutely governmental funding in the UK. No one knows about it and no money at all is invested in research, medication or treatment plans. Living with his girlfriend who suffers with Menieres disease, Matt has learnt first hand the effect this can have on someones life, and how the fear of an attack can completely overwhelm someone.
Although there is no government funding, The Menieres Society is a charity that does a fantastic job of raising awareness and research and any money raised will go directly to them. The Menieres Society supports research in a variety of areas including:
* Developing a better understanding of the symptoms of Ménière’s disease and the possibility of alleviating the symptoms, stopping its further development or preventing it developing in the first place
* Understanding the causes of Ménière’s disease
* Developing a cure for Ménière’s disease
* Encouraging mutual support through the formation of local groups and provide information line for those who would like to talk to someone, whether they are newly diagnosed or just want more information about their condition
* Establishing better ways to share current research and patient experience
* Gaining a better understanding of the progress of vestibular disorders
* Finding ways of modifying the environment to reduce the likelihood of vertigo
* Developing methods that can warn sufferers of an impending attack in sufficient time to take action to avoid it or reduce its impact on their lives
* Developing methods and treatments that reduce the impact of the symptoms of Ménière’s disease and other vestibular disorders on peoples’ lives
* Gaining a better understanding of how the drugs used to treat vertigo work