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.
Being very new to this site, I am not as familiar with many of you so I don't now your situations but I would very much appreciate hearing from you on this.
My office has "strongly recommended" that I medically retire because of the Meniere's. I am only 43. I have just recently hired an attorney to handle this for me. Emotionally and mentally I don't think I could do it myself.
I understand that I am not a reliable employee because I am not able to give 40 full hours a week but that doesn't mean that I don't want to be the best employee. It's silly, but it hurts my feelings. I feel so useless. I do everything I can do be a productive, contributing part of the team but I just can't give 100%. The stress is getting to be almost as bad as the Meniere's.
Now that this is becoming a reality, my concern is what's next?
For those of you who have already gone through this how did you cope with the transition? What do you do to still feel useful? How do you maintain social contacts to keep yourself involved? My job is my only social contact.
Have any of you taken on part-time jobs? Is there anything that you have found that is challenging but fulfilling for you?
I sincerely appreciate your stories and advice. Sorry this is so long.
My office has "strongly recommended" that I medically retire because of the Meniere's. I am only 43. I have just recently hired an attorney to handle this for me. Emotionally and mentally I don't think I could do it myself.
I understand that I am not a reliable employee because I am not able to give 40 full hours a week but that doesn't mean that I don't want to be the best employee. It's silly, but it hurts my feelings. I feel so useless. I do everything I can do be a productive, contributing part of the team but I just can't give 100%. The stress is getting to be almost as bad as the Meniere's.
Now that this is becoming a reality, my concern is what's next?
For those of you who have already gone through this how did you cope with the transition? What do you do to still feel useful? How do you maintain social contacts to keep yourself involved? My job is my only social contact.
Have any of you taken on part-time jobs? Is there anything that you have found that is challenging but fulfilling for you?
I sincerely appreciate your stories and advice. Sorry this is so long.
As far as social contact, my story is somewhat grim. I had to quit driving a few months before I had to quit. I don't do well in most social settings due to hearing loss. I can't go to most resturants due to severe diet restrictions. I don't hear well on the phone so I don't call people very often. I honestly don't have very many friends left and after years of being somewhat secluded I've developed some social anxiety when I'm around others even in my home. My husband and mother in law are the only people I regularly speak to and confide in. I have a few people I still see on occasion (few times a year?) from my church but I can't even tolerate a full church service usually so I've lost the majority of friends from church that I used to have.
It's been hard and lonely. If you still are able to drive and talk on the phone though that would be much more promising. I wish you the best!
I have the same issues with hearing that you do. I am trying to teach myself sign language off of YouTube but the thing about that is, no one else I know knows how to sign either so who would I talk to?
Don't give up though, okay! I've had Meniere's for 22 years. It's not easy or fun and I wouldn't wish it on anyone, but we're doing it. We're surviving - one day at time and some days we get to do more than just survive. Enjoy every minute you can.
Hope you have a very good day soon!! :)
I'm 30 and was diagnosed with MD for more than a year. I've been trying low salt diet, Serc (I'm in Hong Kong and it follows UK practice so it's available), diuretics, cinnarizine, you name it. But they didn't work and I had to quit my last job which I had worked for 7 years. I did it voluntarily because I knew I could not fulfil the requirements under great stress. Then I changed to another full-time job which was easier (but with much less $ of course). Sometimes I made careless mistakes, I could not plan very well due to brain fog (Argh) and could hardly concentrate.
Yes sometimes I feel not being useful and probably I am in the lowest point of my life. The disease won't kill but the fear of attack every day and the unsteadiness leading to anxiety will. Ventilation to someone who's willing to listen is a way out probably. But it's not easy to find someone who also understands enough of what I'm going through. And yes I'm still looking for a way out.
The state of N.J. has dvr=disabled vocational reablilitation services They sent me to collage to learn another career that could be done with my profound hearing loss. I became a C.N.A. and it was perfect for me since I was one on one with my patients and could read their lips.
Then the meniers started happening at work. Vertigo attacks at work is the worst! lost many of days at work due to vertigo attacks. After having 2 vertigo attacks in one week at work my doctor put me out of work. This allowed me to get the tests for my vestibular nerve. they found that my vestiblular nerve is not working hence the loss of balance etc... I was told I am no longer allowed to drive anymore since a vertigo attack can happen anywhere. I was told to file for S.S.D.I. I was devastated. I loved my new career but came to the reality that this is out of my control.
I filed for S.S.D.I. last year and with in 100 days of filing my claim I was approved for meniers and profound hearing loss. I was so sad when I found out I couldn't drive or work any more. but I will say that the stress of will I have an attack at work today is over.
I now have been out of work a yr and have learned to take one day at a time.
tracey
Thank you so much for sharing your stories. It sucks that you all know exactly what I'm going through but it also makes it easier knowing that there are people who know EXACTLY what I'm going through.
Thanks again!
Michelle
tracey