I'm new to the boards but I'm hoping that some of you can help me feel better, emotionally (I'll go back to the neurotologist for the physical part!)

I've been dealing with the dizzies again since a sinus infection at the end of May. It's been mostly a low, liveable level of dizziness since then, with a few notable exceptions where I had to stop what I was doing and lie down.

Last week I started VRT and it seemed to helping, until yesterday evening I felt like someone was trying to push me over. It was all I could do to keep from falling. I'm not much better today though I have been able to move around a bit.

My mood seems to follow my level of dizziness. When it's mild, I walk a couple of miles a day, go to work, and feel like I might be able to be 'normal' again someday. When I get hit with an episode like yesterday and today, I feel like someone has taken what was a pretty good life and turned it upside down. I get tired of fighting this, of the uncertainty. Before all this started, I wanted to have children; now I'm wondering if it's fair to bring a child into this world when I'm not at 100%, and also what pregnancy could do to my feeling dizzy.

Thanks for your thoughts.
Willholl

I noticed you live in Chicago. You should make an appoitment with Dr Hain and get a second opinion.

I'm new to the boards but I'm hoping that some of you can help me feel better, emotionally (I'll go back to the neurotologist for the physical part!)

I've been dealing with the dizzies again since a sinus infection at the end of May. It's been mostly a low, liveable level of dizziness since then, with a few notable exceptions where I had to stop what I was doing and lie down.

Last week I started VRT and it seemed to helping, until yesterday evening I felt like someone was trying to push me over. It was all I could do to keep from falling. I'm not much better today though I have been able to move around a bit.

My mood seems to follow my level of dizziness. When it's mild, I walk a couple of miles a day, go to work, and feel like I might be able to be 'normal' again someday. When I get hit with an episode like yesterday and today, I feel like someone has taken what was a pretty good life and turned it upside down. I get tired of fighting this, of the uncertainty. Before all this started, I wanted to have children; now I'm wondering if it's fair to bring a child into this world when I'm not at 100%, and also what pregnancy could do to my feeling dizzy.

Thanks for your thoughts.
Willholl

Let me assure you that a lot of the people on this forum would probably tell you they struggle with the depression and anxiety associated with these vestibular disorders. It is hell. That's all I can say to describe it. It messes with everything, and affects your life to the extreme. I do not handle it very well myself, and it's a wonder my husband puts up with me! I have a small child and am alone the majority of the time as my husband is out of town most of every week. My best advice is to get to a good doctor, get a diagnosis and start the road to recovery, trying to be as positive as possible along the way. You are not alone--you have all of us! Some days I swear my only lifeline outside the house is this forum. One thing I am beginning to remind myself of often, is that depression affects how we feel physically. The two go hand in hand and it's a vicious cycle. If you're feeling bad physically it affects your mental state, which makes you feel worse physically. Somehow we have to figure out how to drag ourselves out of the hole so that our physical well being becomes better. It's a tough Catch-22 and I find myself struggling with it hourly sometimes. Hang in there, you will get through this and be well again.

L4A

L4A,

Thank you for your thoughtful response. I have a lot of respect for you, dealing with dizziness and raising a small child with your husband out of town most of the time. I don't feel like I deal with things very well either, but my family is mostly helpful and supportive. I can talk about how I feel, even though it's often hard to put it into words, but it's hard for them knowing there's not much they can do to make me feel better. So it's nice to talk with someone who really understands what this is like! I like my doctor, and I have no problem going back to him when I don't feel well. I think the original diagnosis of VN was correct (I have no real reason to believe it wasn't except for those irrational fears that creep up along with the dizzies!), but I thought I would feel better by now. What do you do and/or tell yourself to stay positive and focused on getting better?

Take care,
Willholl

L4A,

Thank you for your thoughtful response. I have a lot of respect for you, dealing with dizziness and raising a small child with your husband out of town most of the time. I don't feel like I deal with things very well either, but my family is mostly helpful and supportive. I can talk about how I feel, even though it's often hard to put it into words, but it's hard for them knowing there's not much they can do to make me feel better. So it's nice to talk with someone who really understands what this is like! I like my doctor, and I have no problem going back to him when I don't feel well. I think the original diagnosis of VN was correct (I have no real reason to believe it wasn't except for those irrational fears that creep up along with the dizzies!), but I thought I would feel better by now. What do you do and/or tell yourself to stay positive and focused on getting better?

Take care,
Willholl

Hi Willholl,

Mainly I tell myself that I was better before, so I'll be better again...

I constantly have a fear of being diagnosed with Meniere's so that is always lurking. I also deal with very high levels of general anxiety every waking moment so I am working on trying to control that. I know that my anxiety makes things worse so if I can keep it from getting super bad then my dizziness improves a little too. It's such a Catch 22. I am a slow work in progress... I am pretty housebound thanks to the anxiety so I try to force myself to get out at least for a walk everyday, and on the days my husband is home I force myself to get out and do errands with him. One of the ladies on this forum recommended a book called Hope and Help for Your Nerves. It was like this author was writing specifically about me and all the anxiety I've dealt with in my life. It was amazing, and I'm asking my husband to read it so that he can get a clearer picture of what this has done to me for three decades. Anyway, that book has greatly improved my mental status as well. I hope this helps you somewhat. Do you live in the city? We should collect all the Chicago people on this forum and form a local support group!! ;)

L4A

L4A,

I too am afraid of Meniere's but from what I've read on the boards and elsewhere it seems that Meniere's is more episodic, with violent spinning vertigo episodes lasting less than 24 hours and noticeable hearing problems. Since both you and I have symptoms that are relatively constant (though varying in intensity) and you don't mention any hearing issues it doesn't seem to be likely for either of us. Of course I know that doesn't stop the fears from flying on a bad day.

I never was an anxious person, until this hit. I requested the book you recommended from the library. Thank you. I can't control how I feel physically but a different emotional attitude could certainly help. I've just started trying not to compare myself to other people who don't have to deal with something like this, as it doesn't help and only makes me feel worse.

I don't live in the city now (I did for many years) but in a south suburb. I do work downtown however (usually--some days I work from home). I think a Chicago area support group is a great idea...

willholl

Hi, Willholl--

Just wanted to add that yes, the dizzies can be horribly depressing. I think there is a definite neurochemical relationship between our emotions and this inner ear/migraine stuff. I've been dealing with VN since Dec 07 and suffered extreme depression for the first few months. I'm still dizzy, but I'm doing better--really much better, although not healed yet.

Just remind yourself that you will get better and try to do something you enjoy everyday, including reaching out to friends/family. I understand about the baby...I have young children & it's a huge challenge to be sick and be a parent...actually, it's impossible to do much of anything if you are debilitated from the condition. But remember--you will get better and can tackle parenthood then. :)

Also, I think nutritional support is very important. Basic supplements definitely helped me get my mood back up...things like a daily multivitamin, B-complex vitamins (super important), fish oil, magnesium, co q10, and 5htp. Many if not all of these have been clinically proven to raise mood. SSRIs are also often used for folks with vestibular disorders, as they raise mood and may have some effect on recovery--different opinions about this, but some feel that the disease drains you of neurochemicals, so replenishing them helps you feel better faster.

Good luck & hang in there!

Violet

L4A,

I too am afraid of Meniere's but from what I've read on the boards and elsewhere it seems that Meniere's is more episodic, with violent spinning vertigo episodes lasting less than 24 hours and noticeable hearing problems. Since both you and I have symptoms that are relatively constant (though varying in intensity) and you don't mention any hearing issues it doesn't seem to be likely for either of us. Of course I know that doesn't stop the fears from flying on a bad day.

I never was an anxious person, until this hit. I requested the book you recommended from the library. Thank you. I can't control how I feel physically but a different emotional attitude could certainly help. I've just started trying not to compare myself to other people who don't have to deal with something like this, as it doesn't help and only makes me feel worse.

I don't live in the city now (I did for many years) but in a south suburb. I do work downtown however (usually--some days I work from home). I think a Chicago area support group is a great idea...

willholl

willholl,

I hope you like the book. I plan to re-read it as soon as my husband finishes it. I always had anxiety (pretty bad) my whole life so the book really appealed to me.

Re: the Meniere's, I am such a freak--I walk around putting one hand over one ear and then over the other ear, comparing my hearing, convincing myself that my left ear is going... I haven't had any spinning vertigo episodes but in my mind that just means it hasn't happened YET... This is the anxiety, and I'm trying hard to stop it.

L4A