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Posted , 9 users are following.

june52650
june52650

Can I ask, do people find themselves being more careful about where they go and what they do when they have got Menieres? Mine has only just started up again after a break of 5 years and already I've cancelled taking my grandchildren swimming, a day out with friends and a meal with work colleagues because I'm worried that I will have an attack. The thought of being out and having an attack really scares me because I'm sure people would just assume I was drunk.

0 likes, 17 replies

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  • daniel_43572
    daniel_43572 june52650

    Posted

    I know how you feel I haven't been off the road I live on in about a year and even if I feel good my anxiety gets so bad thinking about it I just stay home I don't even go to my kids ball games anymore. Thank goodness for online shopping and delivery.

    • june52650
      june52650 daniel_43572

      Posted

      Hi Daniel it is hard isn't it? Tanney also replied to my question and gave me some good advice. I am going to try to just carry on as normal as much as possible and just hope that the attacks stop again.

    • daniel_43572
      daniel_43572 june52650

      Posted

      Yes June it's the worst thing I have ever had to deal with and I have always been a on the go person it has really impacted my life bad. The doctor gave me Valium 2mg to take but I try to figure it with out taking anything but it seems to be getting worse.

    • june52650
      june52650 daniel_43572

      Posted

      Yes that's true, although you know that having an attack can't harm you, it has such an impact on every aspect of your life.

    • tanney
      tanney daniel_43572

      Posted

      Hi Daniel.  Sounds like you have uncontrollable Anticipatory Anxiety.  Have you seen a professional therapist?  Behavior modification under professional supervision can be helpful at any stage of the AA illness.  We all need to treat this emotional illness (and that of course is what it is) as if it were a physical injury.  We would not avoid seeing a doctor if we had heart disease or cancer or diabetes, etc.  Even though AA is not a terminal illness like cancer can be, it is life changing and can be terminal to your emotional well being if unchecked.  Unfortunately, as you have found out, it is often impossible to overcome AA behavior by yourself.  And, by the way, AA makes MD symptoms worse so it creates a very vicious cycle of debilitation. Please seriously consider professional help....it is never too late.  You can feel better and you can do the activities you once did.  I know it is difficult for you right now to make the decision to seek professional help, but it is the right decision.  I made that tough decision years ago and am so glad I did...you will be, too!

      My apologies for my preaching....this is quite an emotional topic for me because I've struggled with it for so long and I hate to see others go through that same struggle when I know help is available....especially when AA is caught early.  Remember AA brought on by MD is PTSD (post tramatic stress disorder), no different than what solders go through.  It is an emotional and a brain illness that requires professional help to cure.

      God Bless you.  We care about you and all who suffer MD...we are all brothers and sisters in this fight.  Stay strong and don't give in! 

    • mowmow
      mowmow daniel_43572

      Posted

      Hello, My doctor gave me Valium also. I think it helps, but I start crying about 30 minutes after I take it for no reason! I had to stop taking it!
  • tanney
    tanney june52650

    Posted

    Hi June.....nice to chat with you again.

    Yes, what you are describing is often called Anticipatory Anxiety. It is anxiety brought on by fear of something happening in the future.  I've learned that it also is a phobia.  I have had AA for almost 40 years because of MD. I have gone to therapists, psychiatrists and psychologists trying to overcome fear of social events, traveling, flying and most other out-of-my-comfort-zone events. I still see a psychiatrist and take meds for it to this day.  I've been told that AA is very common in MD patients and is a form of PTSD.  My advice to you and other readers is you need to catch this behavior NOW before it becomes a habit.  Try your best not to cancel events, carry on your life as normal (my previous advice to you) and do not succumb to the anxiety.  Get professional treatment EARLY if you find you can not cope with it, use your rescue meds ahead of time if necessary but DO THE EVENT.  Even doing little things EVERYDAY will help break the cycle and help you overcome the anxiety.  Social isolation is a terrible side effect of MD that will only get worse and more intense if you accept it as inevitable. Habitual AA can stay with you long after your MD is under control and vertigo is eliminated.  It did with me.  Don't let MD & AA control and change your life.  Be proactive and fight it.

    • june52650
      june52650 tanney

      Posted

      Hi Tanney thanks for your good advice, I have decided that I'm going to take my grandchildren swimming this weekend (along with my daughter) so that's a start. I know that I want to do these things but at the same time there's a thought in my head saying what if I have an attack? I know that basically I have to be brave and just do it.

    • tanney
      tanney june52650

      Posted

      That's great, June. I'm proud of you!  If you get anxious before hand and have those negative thoughts, take your sedative, tell the negative thoughts to "GO AWAY, I'M GOING TO DO THIS.  I'M GOING TO BE FINE", and think about your friends on this forum that are supporting you.  Then plunge ahead. 

  • sharon17905
    sharon17905 june52650

    Posted

    I definitely agree with you, about 5 years ago I decided to learn how to swim. However on my second swimming lesson, I had a Menieres attack, luckily my son was in the next pool, so was able to support me. This really knocked my confidence, and so now, I dread going out, it's always in the back of my mind . . .

    I try to be positive, but it's so hard.

    • june52650
      june52650 sharon17905

      Posted

      I can believe it really knocked your confidence. I love swimming, but will think twice about going on my own which is what I usually do.
  • Bluesmann
    Bluesmann june52650

    Posted

    unfortunately i do less now becusse of just overall worrying that it wont sound right or i may not feel well..i try not to but sometimes it hits....thankfully im pretty active but coneerts or a night out listening to music for me is pretty much a thing of the past certain frequencies vbother me and id do anythign tobe rid of that
  • david4242
    david4242 june52650

    Posted

    Get yourself a medic alert bracelet or necklace.  I had the same concerns as you.  I've cut out lunchmeat, pickles, olives, fast food and anything else that has lots of salt.  It's been 5 months since my last esisode.  I have my sodium intake to about 1000 mg per day and that's not easy to do sometimes.  Giving up food I enjoy is better than laying in bed with my head spinning around like Linda Blair's in the Exorist.  Good Luck.

    • june52650
      june52650 david4242

      Posted

      I've just ordered a medic alert bracelet, thanks for the suggestion it hadn't occurred to me to get one up until now.

  • NeddyO
    NeddyO june52650

    Posted

    I only modify my behaviour if symptoms are present or threatening. Otherwise I carry on as normally as life will allow. I take the precaution of always having Buccastem and Stugeron tablets with me in case I get caught out - thankfully that has only happened once.
    • june52650
      june52650 NeddyO

      Posted

      I always have Buccastem tablets with me but what do Stugeron tablets do exactly?
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