I have had menieres for about a year but diagnosed for about 3 or 4 months. I have been very lucky and ony had 1 severve vertigo attack, but multiple small ones. 2 weekks ago my husband was diagnosed with colon/rectum cancer, luckily it is a slow growing one. We will be going through radiation and chemotherapy. It is my u derstanding that stress is a big trigger for menieres. Any suggestions as to what I might be able to talk to reduss strss levels and be able to help my husband through this? I do have to drive him over an hojr on monday to a doctors appt., and it kinda scares me, what if I have an attack. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks
Take a deep breath and don't worry already about having to drive on Monday. Stressing now could trigger an attack. For me it helps if I simply come up with a back up plan. What do do if I don't feel good that day, who can do it for me? If I get there and have issues, what is the backup plan (hotel?) until the attack passes. Make sure, as best as possible, to get enough sleep. Perhaps meditation, yoga or acupuncture which will help calm your mind for periods of time. It isn't easy. Definitely easier said than done. I was the primary to help my mom for years and the combination of both was sometimes very hard. But - we never realize how strong we are until put to the test. And I learned thru this darn disease, that more people are willing to help than I ever thought possible. Don't be afraid to ask for help from friends, family, coworkers, etc.
You must get enough rest. Easier said than done I know. Yoga. If you've never done it that's OK it is never too late to start. I am just starting myself and still can't do a thing or even touch my toes but I am not giving up. Go walking. You have to remember to take care of yoruself FIRST or you won't be any good to him. Like they say on airplanes " Put your oxygen mask on first".
I am a long term sufferer & one thing I have learned over the years is that when "I have to do something" (particularly for someone else) that "mind over matter" kicks in for me & so far (touch wood) I have never had an attack in any of these situations, so these days I just don't bother to dwell on the what ifs (stress is our enemy) & just get on & do whatever it is that "needs to be done"
Yes, good luck to you both. I had a colon cancer scare last summer and go back for a check up next week. Give my best wishes to your husband. As far as the worry about the driving, I was watching a TV show the other night ( Rizzoli & Isles) and the one character is a medical examiner and genius. Anyway the other character was getting worried about something that might happen in the future and the medical genius said something to the effect "Don't dwell on the bad thing that might happen as your body reacts as if it really was happening". She said it better than that but I took it to mean getting worked up about something in the future ( "what if I have an attack" ) puts the stresses on your body like it really did happen. So, I would suggest you just carry on as if there could not possibly be a problem with you driving your husband to the hospital. Although I do like the suggestion of a back up plan too! LOL
Stress is my major trigger. Have not posted here for a while. Too much happening. We moved from Southern California to Northern California in the last couple of months. Had to travel while the escrow stuff did its thing. Moved, meaning unpacked/packed, 15 times in two months. My wife drove us over 3000 miles. BUT. Got to visit my siblings and their families for the first time ever, and then one of our daughters and her guy for the first time ever. Unfortunately, discovered my wife and I could not handle altitude (they live high in the Colorado Rockies). But we adapted. Managed all of that with no really serious attacks. Partly from adrenalin, I am sure. As some here noted, when you HAVE to do something, you find a way, or your body does, to quell the Menieres for a time. There is payback though. At least for me. Feeling it now. We are in our new home, but doing some basic improvements, maintenance, and emptying storage units. We are living in what is a cluttered warehouse, to be frank. The adrenalin is gone, the stress returned, and I have had repeated attacks. Using Valium and my other medications to address them, with some success, though not total. The message: I think our will can deter Menieres for a time, when emergencies demand that of us. But when they end, we have to pay the piper. And that is just who we are. Again, we are unique in our symptoms, so whether we have to pay, and how much, depends on their severity. I am at the worst end of the spectrum, so for me the price is high. Just alerting everyone to that. Does not mean we do not do what we must. Just means we need to know what that will entail for us.
Sorry to hear of your, & your husband's recent diagnoses, Donnisue. If you're interested in meditation to decrease stress, Calm is a good introduction to guided meditation you can keep bookmarked or on your android or iPhone.
Thank you everyone for all your thoughts, prayers and wonderful information! my hubby is now in his second week of chemo pills and radiation. His sister passed away july 4th which included a 12 hr drive each way and 6 days in las vegas to deal with stuff. While there I only had 1 vertigo attack that lasted one and a half hours so that was great. Hard to regulate sodium when your not cooking. Since being home, vertigo has been very minimal (thank goodness). This weekend is hubbys fundraiser and its outside and its supposed to be 105. Wish us luck both of us, as heat and sun affect him now. Thanks again everyone!
Thanks, Nathan and Yanks Girl. I just now accessed 'calm.' Very interesting! Had not heard of it before.
I haven't been here in a while as things have been pretty stable for me. But stress is definitely a trigger for me (perhaps my biggest trigger). I wanted to say that I feel like just having identified that has helped me considerably. I am extra careful to take care of myself, rest if I need to, drink water, meditate for a few minutes. I can tell these things help when I start to feel overwhelmed. So hopefully knowing that stress can set off your symptoms can be a source of comfort, not more stress! Best of luck to you and your husband.