Hi Everyone :wave: ,

First just want to say I'm still keeping to my break from the boards, but wanted to pop in and say I've been doing better and better. Still some vision problems (thumbs up as my neuro-opthamologist appointment went well and all test were negative for any problems with my eyes) and the tinnitus, but my headpain and pressure have been much milder and almost non-existent at times. I'm still getting anxiety from time to time about all this, but who wouldn't after going through all this. However, I can say the level of anxiety is down since taking a break from research and over-reading too much into negative stuff on the boards. We all want to hear good stuff and it is hard to take in the bad. (Must be why Subs kicked this better than most because of how he handled his emotions and stress from the illness.) I did have a nasty dizzilike attack in the grocery store last week and it depressed me for a few days, but I'm over it.

I got a new puppy. 2 1/2 months old and I can say she has helped to keep me busy. She has me tired out, but it is a good tired (the kind of tiredness I use to remember). She is so cute. A little pure-breed beagle with long floppy ears and sad little doggy eyes. I named her Lacy as she loves chewing my husband's shoe laces on his tennis shoes.

I decided to step up my exercise now that the head pain and pressure are more controllable and have started doing some gentle yoga at home. I still don't feel comfortable going back to the gym and I believe it will take time to get over the mental scaring of what happened over the last 16 months so I don't feel like explaining to the other people at the club what I've gone through.

I'm hosting my son's Easter Party on Monday. Yes, imagine that. Me who has become a germaphopic afraid of catching a cold and knocking me on my be-hind going into a 4-year old preschool class and planning and hosting their party. A far-reach from a year ago.

Well, I wanted to pop in and say hello. I hope you all understand if I don't read through all the post and answer as I don't want to start a cycle again, but rather just wanted to post something positive for a change.

I'll check in again in a couple months, with hope of a full recovery for myself and all of you.

Hugs,
Gloria

Gloria,
It is so good to hear from you. I'm glad you are taking a break from this board. I wanted to talk to you because I over the last two weeks have developed a ringing in my ears. It has totally made me nuts. it's not super loud, but it's there. Over the last couple of days it has started to come and go and I had a good day today with almost no ringing. Although it's here now (a little bit). I have no idea if it is related to my ear problems or just a bad luck situation. The doctors think it is a good sign that it has started to come and go, but can't tell me for sure it will go away. I read that it can go away, but there are just no guarantees. i can't believe i am dealing with this, it's so weird how life works. I know how hard this has been for you, and I pray that your situation is getting better. I don't want to start a cycle of checking the boards if it's not something you want to do, but if you see this email and feel like saying hi, I'd love to hear from you. Deep down I believe that this ringing will go away, but it's still hard not to be upset and be scared.

I hope you have great time at the party you are throwing for your son. Congrats on the new puppy, that will definatly lift your spirits. He sounds very cute!

Hugs, :wave:
Joy

Hi Joy,

I probably won't check back again for a while, but wanted to tell you that I know of several stories where the ringing lasted 5 - 6 months and stopped. They all had similar symptoms to ours. I've researched this continuously for 16 months and found that in most cases despite what some who have it permenantly say, it does resolve itself. My hololistic GP had it years ago and it went away in a few years and my neuro otogist said in his experience, most of his patients recover from it.

One thing I found in my research is that people who have it intermittently seems to get rid of it 100%. I feel very confident that what you are saying (I looked back on your older post) your's will go away. What I've learned in the 16 months that I've had it (my case is very bad as it was so loud at times I couldn't think straight and cried many times over it rather than the head pain and pressure and the dizziness) is to try (despite how hard it is) to relax about it as it makes it worse.

I'm so sorry you got this. My heart breaks for you as I know how awful it is, but I really feel your case is mild (no matter how terrible it seems for you now) and that the fact it is intermittent, it will more than likely go.

Relax and take it easy. Hope you are taking a break for the summer from your studies. You need it. Enjoy it and recover.

Keep in mind too that if it would last longer than that 6 month time frame, that doesn't mean it won't go. Lizzy33 posted and said her's took about 14 - 15 months. (She has been an inspiration to me and I always think of her recovery as the backbone in my healing.) Also, Willsmom said she had it for a very long time too and it went away. This doesn't mean you'll have it that long and your showing signs of improvement which is even better.

Sorry, if I don't check back for a while as I don't want to stir up my anxiety again. I'll be thinking of you and believe, IT WILL GO AWAY.

Hugs - Gloria

Hi Gloria,
You are so sweet. Thank you so much for all your support and information. I appreciate it more than you could ever know. I know you aren't going to check this for a while, but if and when you do, I just wanted to write you back.

You really are such a strong woman dealing with all of this. I think of you a lot and I know with a spirit as strong as yours you will be fine. You really have gone through so much, and I'm so glad things are better. I'm so sorry your ringing is loud. Sometimes I think how weird it is that medical science has come so far, but something that seems as simple as a ringing ear, can't be fixed. I guess it's more complicated than it comes across as. All these ear problems and meeting people like you, really makes me more determined to finish school and go into vestibular rehabiliation to help others overcome these problems.

Thank you again for all your words of encouragement. I really appreciate it. I can't wait for the day when I can see your post about how things are all better, and how you can now put all this behind you. I know that day will come.

Big hugs,
Joy

Hi Gloria,
I haven't really been on the boards much lately either - not really a conscious effort to stop - but just haven't been. I just wanted to say that I've felt that you have been one of my "heroines" in all of this stuff - you were always so encouraging to me and others when going through such a tough time yourself. I'm so glad that you seem to be on the upswing and handling things that come up with that same determination you've always shown. It's a huge step you're taking getting involved in more activities again and I'm sure an adorable puppy would be a positive thing for you - lucky puppy! Continue to take care... I'm sure our paths will occasionally cross again...

With kindest regards and big hugs,
~Sheri

way to go Gloria. you and I are on the same page I think. keep up with the improvement. drop me a message when you have a chance and dont be do much of a stranger.

Jesse

Hello,

Just thought I'd pop in with some good news again and some recommendations.

I've had really bad neck pain with this stuff and it will go away for a couple months and then pop up again which is has done over the last few.

Well I went to the spa for a day of pampering and had a Swedish Massage. It was so wonderful and I felt so relaxed and the best I've felt in a long time. I've never gone for a massage before. (The only thing that bothered me there was my tinnitus. I could hear it the whole time :rolleyes: ) Anyway, my neck feels so much better and I think I am going to make this a monthly routine. Seems to be more helpful than the money I've spent on doctors the last 17 months. I really recommend it. The massage on my head felt wonderful and she even did something to my ears that felt so good.

I know I'm getting better because a year ago or even a few months ago, I would never have gone, now I can't wait to go back again next month.

If you have neck pain it is well worth the money and time to go. It did wonders for me. It also really helped to relax me.

She did say I have a knot between my neck and left shoulder blade. Not 100% sure what that actually is but I think it is caused by stress/tension. Maybe that is half my problem.

Hope you all are doing better. I'm still hoping for that 100% recovery post soon for myself and from all of you too.

Hugs,
Gloria :wave: