Meniere's Disease Support Group
Meniere's disease is a balance disorder of the inner ear. The symptoms of Meniere's are variable; not all sufferers experience the same symptoms. However, "classic Meniere's" is considered to comprise the following four symptoms: Periodic episodes of rotary vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a sensation of fullness or pressure in one or both ears.
Hi guys. I'm 24, and I will be 25 in a week. I was diagnosed with MD over 10 years ago. It was only 1 year ago that I moved and saw a MD specialist who diagnosed me as bilateral. I am really struggling emotionally lately with this disease and how much it limits my life. I had my first child almost a year ago (on my birthday!) and I feel so guilty about not being a normal mom. I very rarely drive because I'm afraid of having an attack while driving. This limits where I can go with my daughter. She is happy now to be at home with me playing, but I look to the future and I'm afraid that I won't be able to go and take her places she would want to go to. I haven't had as many severe attacks lately but I live in a constant state of imbalance. Several times a day I get dizzy just standing still in a room or bending to pick up my daughter. I have to sit down a lot and I'm not able to get the exercise I wish I could do. Even going for a walk makes me dizzy and I'm too unsteady to go out like that alone. I feel like a burden to my husband who is supportive. It's hard at times to see other normal healthy young adults and mothers taking their baby's to the zoo or the park every day. Or even just shopping for groceries without having to have their spiuse come to help. Im afraid because the heat exacerbates my dizziness and it is just about time that it is getting too hot for me to go outside (temperatures over 75 degrees make me pass out/fall over/collapse). I want so badly to be able to take my daughter outside and play during the day but I'm afraid of passing out with no one around and then her getting injured or abducted. I currently can not take any medications for MD as I am breastfeeding my daughter. We have totally altered our diet about 9 months ago and I am doing a daily sinus rinse which both help but I'm just struggling emotionally with the fear of what the future holds for me as a mom. Im glad that you guys can sympathize, thanks for listening. Blessings to you all.
Remember, that when you are finished breastfeeding, you will be able to take medications to help the vertigo attacks. One important thing is to try to not worry about far in advance. Just concentrate on having fun and love your sweet daughter now. Things will change in the future.
I can brace myself, I have at timeswhen I had to use the cane and the wall but I figure it is all good exercise to help me be strong. I always carry water with me and I also carry a small japanese type fan and I'm not afraid to use it. I'll put a frozen gel pac in a sock and put it on my neck, anything to help me feel a little cooler. I hate the heat - makes everything worse.
I am so sorry that you are feeling bad. :/
I also am at my worst in the summer. Anything over 80 I get dizzy and light headed. I miss a lot of work in the summer and there are times I get hit while I"m driving and I can't even finish running my errands or there are places I can't go.
I hate taking medicine and I see that you are breastfeeding. I take meclizine and a diuretic which may help once you are no longer breastfeeding ...but I find that when I drink lots and lots of water ( i drink at least 1 liter a day) with some lemon which is a natural diuretic, my symptoms do not persist and I can get away without taking any medicine. Also yoga has helped me a lot as well. I unfortunately do not have any children so I cant imagine how stressful this must be for you....but remember that stress is also a trigger. I sometimes try a light meditation at the end of each night for about 10 minutes helps with my stress. I hope that you can find some relief from your symptoms...