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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

A Troubling Admission

One of the reasons I started this blog was to let my friends and family stay a little updated on my life. It then turned into my online journal of sorts, which turned into therapy which turned into my outlet for life. As many of you know and remember from previous posts, I have been having a lot of problems with my inner ear and vertigo episodes/ attacks. I don't know why I haven't shared this earlier, just hasn't really hit me I guess.
I was recently diagnosed with Meniere's Disease. Now, this isn't life threatening or something I can die from, but it does make life a little more troublesome.

And no... That's not a vagina, it's an ear/ inner ear :)

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What is it you ask?

Meniere's disease is a chronic disorder of the inner ear that causes spontaneous episodes of vertigo — a sensation of a spinning motion — along with fluctuating hearing loss, ringing in the ear (tinnitus), and severe debilitating nausea.

Symptoms:
  • Recurring episodes of vertigo. Vertigo is similar to the sensation you experience if you spin around quickly several times and suddenly stop. You feel as if the room is still spinning, and you lose your balance. Episodes of vertigo occur without warning and usually last 30 minutes to 8 hours or more, up to 24 hours. Severe vertigo can cause nausea and vomiting. (it always does)
  • Hearing loss. Hearing loss in Meniere's disease may fluctuate, particularly early in the course of the disease. Eventually, most people experience some degree of permanent hearing loss.
  • Tinnitus. Tinnitus is the perception of a ringing, buzzing, roaring, whistling or hissing sound in your ear. With Meniere's disease, tinnitus is often low-pitched.
  • Aural fullness. Aural fullness is the feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear.
... I get vertigo so bad that all I can do is turn off all lights and sounds, get on all fours and put my head in a pillow. The spinning never ends. It gives me the worst case of nausea to the point where I am dry heaving and cant stop. The ringing and roaring in my ear is constant and affects everything.

I have already lost partial hearing in my right ear and there is a chance that more hearing loss can occur.

The disease appears to be the result of the abnormal volume or composition of fluid in the inner ear. There is still little known about Meniere's Diseases, its causes, and treatments. The inner ear is such an intricate part of the body.

What am I doing for it now?

I have had to completely change my diet. NO SODIUM... which ='s everything I love. Sodium severely alters the fluid in your body. I also have to go on a daily diuretic which regulates said fluid but also drains my body of Potassium.. which is all energy. So I am like severely worn out all the time like I just ran 10 miles.

I'll stop here but all in all, it is what it is and is something I have to learn to live with. Luckily I have medicine on me at all times to "help" vertigo attacks but this is something that might affect the rest of my life. I just wanted to vent about how much I hate this. how I am so afraid of losing my hearing and how much I have taken it for granted. I just want this to go away and not be paranoid 24/7. Not have it affect my life like it already has in so many ways. Trying to be cool about this and be in high spirits.

For now though, Happy Wednesday.

10 comments:

Shannon @ Bungalow960 said...

Oh girl. I am so sorry. I get where you're coming from. I'm legally blind in my left eye due to a calcium deposit on my optic nerve that broke off when I was six and severed part of the nerve. I have the calcium deposits on my good eye too, and there is always a chance they could break off and I would be blind. It's so scary! I've learned to live with it, and I make sure I go to the doctor when I'm supposed to, but the thought of losing such an important thing is terrifying.

Michelle said...

I'm sorry! That sounds bad.

Anonymous said...

wow sorry this is happening to you, thanks for bringing awareness to this issue everyone should get their annual exam to get checked out. i wish you all the best of luck!

Kelle said...

Wow, I am so sorry. However, your blog has given me a glimpse of your strength. You are an amazing person. Those suffering with the same issue can look to you for strength. Keep that chin up and your smile shinning. And thanks for being so open. It is refreshing.

Claire said...

My mother gets vertigo bad too. Thats awful! We will be praying for you! Keep your head up...or in the pillow - whichever is less spinny :)

Lena said...

"And no... That's not a vagina, it's an ear/inner ear" ... made me laugh out loud. I'm so sorry to hear this bad news, but in all of the bad/self-misery/awfulness you made me laugh. Thanks for that:) and I really do hate all the crappy news for you.

Bree said...

I just now saw this post :{ I'm so sorry to hear this! It makes me sad. My cousin has vertigo as well and I certainly know that it's miserable for her sometimes. I can't imagine what you are going through, I hope that they figure out a treatment that will stop all the symptoms from happening. I know things that you can't control are scary, Keep your head up :)

Susan said...

Hey dear! I JUST found your blog! I was scrolling though some of your posts and this one jumped out at me! I was diagnosed with the same thing several years ago after being struck by lightning (yes. for real.) I have been dealing with it for about 9 years now. It was sooo much tougher in the beginning, but eventually your body starts to adapt. I can now feel the vertigo waves coming on and prepare myself. But the ringing is still constant. If you have any questions or wanna chat, I know I am a brand new reader, but feel free to contact me! www.2catsandchloe.com Take care!

Brooke T said...

I am so sorry you have that but I read this and it sounded so familiar. Have you ever seen Switched at Birth? Katie Leclerc who plays one of the girls on there has it (in real life). I look up to her not only because she has a hearing loss like me but because she's making everyone aware about the disease as well!

kylie said...

i get vertigo sometimes too. just started happening. not as bad - but dang. hope it doesnt get too much worse :(

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