Hi all! I have just been diagnosed with this crazy disease. I have had the drop attacks, balance issues, non stop tinnitus, and slight nausea. I am the bread winner for the family. I have worked in factories my entire adult career, and now because of the disease I can not do it any longer. Where do I turn for help, my family needs me?
Right now I am limiting salt, caffeine, and alcohol. I have been on a very high dose diuretic for many years, can't increase it. I may be able to do a desk job eventually if I can get better control this thing. Thanks for the input, that is why I posted, to get some feedback. That way I don't feel so all alone in this battle.
Hi Jamie, Sorry you have this disease. There are many treatments discussed on here and many have gotten symptom relief from them. Check the database in the forums and the old database. I tried antivirals and it has kept me vertigo free for over 1 year now, it doesn't help everyone but helps many. There are other things to try as well. Good luck and keep us posted
If you are able to figure out some of your triggers, it could help to gain some control. For me, fatigue and stress are MAJOR triggers. Sinus issues are up there so if I can keep those in check it definitely has helped me. Really loud noises/situations can be triggers for me as well. Hopefully your doctor has given you something to take when the attack hits to reduce the severity/length of time. Good luck!
Jamie, the disease will appear daunting in the beginning and you may feel dejected. But you WILL find a treatment that will work for you. Don't pay attention to any of the horror stories here. It will surely depress you as it did to me. If you spend time looking for helpful posts, you will find a treasure trove of helpful information and ideas. Be sure to check the database page and be methodical in your approach. You can beat the disease.
Hi Jamie - It's so easy to feel alone and isolated with this disease. In many ways it's hard for family & loved ones to understand. But remember, even if they don't completely understand - they do love you. Let them in if you can - let them help - even if it's just in little ways. They'll probably suprise you. (I'm extremely independent - and it was super-hard to let go of some things.) The database here does have a lot of information - too much to process all at once. The old pages have even more info, as you have time. Re: specific info... From a job standpoint - it's important to document your disease. It does fall under the FMLA, so if you need occasional time off work it should be protected (if you're here in the US and meet the requirements of the FMLA.) And it's possible that your employer may have ideas/other positions that might suit you in the interim. I've been on several high dose diuretics - and they're not all the same. Twice now, I've been on diuretics that had worked well for years (decades) and eventually my body just adapted to them. I had to switch medications. And I'm sure you understand how much of that is trial/error - and getting the dosing right on the new meds takes time. Gotta be patient (something i was never good at.) Just take things as they come...one step at a time.