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.
Spoiler alert...if you're not in the mood for whining, don't read any further! I'm just so disappointed that after making it on my CA trip without any real trouble, and after having such a great May, that yesterday vertigo hit full force all day. I kept it under control (no vomiting) with valium and phenagren. Of course that meant a slept the whole day. Another day of my life down the drain. I did manage to get to my acupuncturist today, and to the grocery, but by the time I got home I was dizzy again and had to take all my meds. I hate the valium, even while it represents relief. 5 mg is okay, but 10mg which is what I have to take if I'm truly dizzy, knocks me out. I'm still "off" and I know I'm vulnerable to an attack at any time. How long will this last? I have no idea. Can I make any commitments? I have no idea. I'm trying to rebuild my social network after the divorce so I've signed up for a couple of Meetup events. Don't know if I'll make them or not. Trying to regain my health after three years of laying on the sofa and then the stress of the divorce so I try to do yoga. Should I try it, or will it set me off? I did do 10 minutes (10 minutes!) of step aerobics at home on Sat & Sun. And Mon was when the vertigo hit. Seems to happen everytime I try to do any cardio. So how do I keep my heart healthy? I also need to find work. My plan is to go back to school and get my Masters in Social Work so I will have some current skills, but will I even be able to manage that? So maybe I'll just go get a job, any job, anyone who will hire me. Can I even manage that? Like I said...whine, whine, whine. Thanks for listening guys. As I know you all understand, it's just so disappointing when you think things might be getting better, and then it starts all over again. How the hell is anyone supposed to plan a life?
I hear you and understand the degree of sadness and loss you are feeling right now. I often think of life as chapters in a book. If you read some of my own earlier chapters you would be in total denial that I am the same person back then that I am now. I could never imagine being anything but a great provider and a family man, now all that has changed. I have lived in some of the greatest places in this country but never again. I never had to worry about money, but now I do. "A penny saved is a penny earned". Lost my home, people died the chapters go on and on. The one thing I try to keep above it all, that matters most, is to find happiness in this life. As age steals our time it is even more important to really look within and find and maybe even pray for the peace to enter your life. It is out there, cant tell you what yours will look like, but it is out there! Have faith in that during your struggle. Remember that no mater what you are loved by many! Your boy loves his mom and you need his love, family and friends can fill the gaps as will those you meet down the road of life.
I hope and pray for you, that as this chapter unfolds you can find the comfort and the peace and can see how all these things together make life meaningful and fulfilling, no matter what that looks like.
God bless always!
Rich