Has anyone just given up?

What made it so bad

I know how you feel cheryl been like it for a year feel as if my life is over and theres no help out there x

Hi Cheryl - sorry to hear youre struggling.  I think it is a visual thing.  If I go shopping and Im trying to look at different things, my eyes go mad and I cant do it.  I have to take it very carefully and move round slowly.  Disney is very colourful and so much to look at.  It would be hard.  Sometimes I think Im just going to be sick, and I think its all the different colours and lights Im bombarded with.  I wear sunglasses practically all the time even indoors with fluorescent lights.  It does seem to help, probably look like a right numpty though.  However I dont care.  I think because this is nowhere near life threatening, no one can be bothered to study it and find us all  a cure.  I know stress makes it a million times worse and then its chicken and egg.  I had a really bad week, but I ended up resigning from a boss I was getting bullied by.  Needless to say he doesnt know Ive got this.  So prob need to look for a new job.  Life is so hard with this thing.  Not to mention no hobbies or social life.  I think im on gabapentin next, lets see if that does any good. 

Hi Cheryl,  Ben here,

I sure am sorry you are having such a bad time.  My words of wisdom to relay are are along with what I think Paula59 said about this being non-life threatening.  I absolutely hate what it has done to my life, but I am just so glad that it is not life threatening.  I keep telling myself that it should get better.  To what degree is my biggest worry.  I feel this way especially during a down day.  

We must try to stay positive. Even though I personally do not believe the exercises actually help, and I think they are just something to do to keep us busy while time is actually what is healing us, I do believe that we need to do something, to believe that we are actually helpling with our recovery. I think it helps us stay positive.  That is why I keep doing them despite my disbelief, but I backed way down from my original stance.  

I just exercise a little but I try to stay busy by doing things that I like to do because I read in Maria Montessouri's biography where she believed that real rest and relaxation comes from doing things that you like to do, not sleeping and lying around.  So I try to do things I like to do as my stay busy things.  I have been a subscriber of her philosophy ever since I read about it, and I believe it is true. 

I think that just doing things and staying positive is all we really need do.  If we get too wrapped up in doing the exercises, taking the medications,  listening to the health professionals, we become more and more aggressive with the whole thing.  I think I for one, start thinking that if some is good more is better and it will lead to a quicker recovery. Then I think I over do it, have a down day and feel despair. 

So if a trip to Disney is too much, back the level of physical stimulas down a little and see if you can tolerate something a little less stressful, but please don't dispair and give up.  Your people love you and they want to help if they can, so instead of looking at yourself as such a burden, let them have a hand in your recovery by letting them look out for you a little.  Just be sure to tell them how much it means to you.  Show your appreciation for their help, they will be rewarded by their actions.

I hope you can find some solice in what I have tried to say, I think it works for me.  Take care and keep positive.

Ben

Hi Cheryl, I am sorry to hear you are struggling. I suffer from labrynthitis and I can go for months without an attack, but I am always on edge waiting! I have to avoid looking up, and I know anxiety makes it worse. I had my first attack ten years ago, and I was terrified. I was literally housebound, everywhere just felt so open. My mum walked with me to the shops and I gradually gained confidence again.  Just before Christmas I had an attack at work, I couldn't stand and was eventually sick all over my desk, the reason I tell you this was people were very sympathetic and helpful, I had to be wheeled out in an evac chair as I had no balance.  I think it made people realise how debilitating this condition can be.  I guess what I am trying to say is I hope you find your confidence again, I wish I could offer more practical advice. I keep a plastic container at my desk in case I am sick, and my husbands number pinned on my desk.  I really hope you begin to feel a bit better.

Hi Cheryl life does seem the worst some days but life will get better it does Tse a while but keep on going keep trying don't give up believe me some days I was so down I didn't want to get out of bed but I did I will never be the same person I was before this but I am only feeling off balance a little bit not normal but way better I wii take thathang in there u can do it all the best to you deb

Cheryl, I did think going to Disney was very ambitious for someone who is dizzy. I'm not surprised you came back worse. Is there any medical step you haven't taken that you could?  What we have is a vestibular--ear--problem. I think an otalaryngologist  (head and neck) doctor is the specialist to see. I went and he prescribed vestibular therapy, which is already helping after 3 visits.

Also, if you ARE depressed--which it sounds like you might be--what about taking anti-depressents?

Hi Cherl,I have uncompensated labythrinits I ve had it for six years,I understand exactly how you feel,I m a wife and mother and it's so hard to function just doing daily chores,I ve had the experience sitting in a restaurant and wanting to run out screaming,it feels like you re going to die if you don't get out !! I have panic attacks daily, I can't even walk the dog at the momment,I agree with Ben,just try to be happy doing the small things for now,the old me has disappeared and I m trying to get used to a new me,the person who never feels right.i gone from one anti depressant to another each one a big failure,my doctor has told me I'm intolerant to seratonin!! I feel totally battered and exsaughsted,the doctor has put me on a beta blocker I m on an extremely low dose,I ve only been on them three days,but they are making me feel a little calmer, I am feeling quite sick,but I m hoping that will go away in a few days.there is no magic answer to our dizzy problems I m starting to think the trick is to accept that this is the situation we are in at the momment ,explain to your husband how you feel,show him the comments everyone has made on here,I can't go to pubs or parties,so we invite friends here,I do my food shop online,don't beat yourself up on the things you can't do at the. Moment it just makes you feel worse.i m sorry I havnt got the magic answer for you but I hope it makes you feel a little happier to know you re to alone x