Does anyone else find that being profoundly tired is a symptom of this disease? I get so tired I can't function. I have learned to rest every day after lunch and after doing anything particularly active. I also have learned that if I have an event coming up later in the day I need to be sure to rest a lot to make sure I don't get exhausted. It is very limiting. Tonight, I forgot to do that. I think I've been managing it well, and my symptoms have been a bit worse lately, and so I just forgot. And then it was time for an event that was important to me, and I was exhausted, and I got there and the room was full of people and bright lights, and even though I'd looked forward to it for so long, all I wanted to do was lie down. And so I left. I am so sad. It really hit me how limiting this dang disease in, even though I have it relatively well managed. I think the exhaustion comes from the constant noise of the tinnitus, the straining to hear, and my brain working extra to keep me balanced.
ALL THE TIME. The exhaustion is a killer. Straining to hear and keep balance is exhausting work! I keep trying to give up caffeine but I'm so tired all the time, its not realistic for me at all.
YES! Somebody said, " your brain has to work 100 times more than people without Menieres. It works harder because of the bad signals the ears send the brain and the brain has to compensate for it, thus fatigue. Also, the attacks will take a toll on your body. If your body is telling you to rest or sleep give in to it.
Eating properly and exercising regularly is much more important for us. I bike daily for an hour and eat a very good diet. It helps tremendously with energy. Also, check all your vitamin levels, etc, to make sure you're not low. Good carbs are important for the toll on your brain.
Well, I typed a reply and it got lost due to another post being posted at the same time. I understand very well how bythebay feels. Agree with Bumblebea--your body will let you know when 'enough is enough'! But it is really discouraging! I keep going--just celebrated a birthday--in my upper 70's now and the last few years dealing with this have been a real challenge. I'm healthy (thankfully) other than this but it has been a 'change of life' for me in a big way! Now the musical tinnitus and nearly daily head pressure and motion sickness (no results from that--thankfully) but feeling like I'm going to is very unpleasant! So many things we go to and I'd love to really enjoy them and actually, some I do--once I get there, but others I do as bumblebea does, just endure them! Can't wait to get home and sit back. Then the nausea and head pressure usually ease. We've had several funerals to attend of late, and a couple of parties going on and I am having Christmas Eve and looking forward to it--but pressure is there too. Knowing I'll be glad to see folks but 'pushing to not show' how I feel. Sometimes I actually do enjoy things at least in part--but for the most part I 'endure them'! Just called the Ent to see if he wants to see me sooner than 6 mos. He put me on 2 Valium daily for two weeks and all it has done is make me more tired and having weird, disturbing dreams--almost nightmares! and the musical tinnitus is not pleasant either. I keep on keeping on--just like we all do--but do understand what bythebay is talking about. Praying for some break through for all of us soon.
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Oh yes.. I have tried everything to combat the fatigue.. My brain feels exhausted. I try to tell my self YOUR BODY IS FINE IT IS JUST YOUR BRAIN. Kind of like if I have a sore knee. It is just my knee so as long as I do not focus on it the rest of me will be fine you know? But it does not work well considering the brain is such a huge part of it lol. I used to not drink caffeine due to the issues with dizziness. Then after my most recent bout and brain fog I could not help it anymore and had to go back to coffee just to keep me awake enough to make it through a day of work. Unfortunately there was a thin line between just enough caffeine to allow me to focus and stay awake.. and too much caffeine which would make my eyes start to jump back to fourth ever so slightly and really freak me out. I had hoped my testosterone replacement therapy would help with energy.. But it has created some other issues on it's own. Sometimes I just break down and cry because I truly cannot remember what it was like to NOT feel tired to NOT feel woozy. I do agree with the exercise part.. Walk.. Jog... Ride a bike.. DO ANYTHING if you can. Get that blood flowing
Thanks so much for all the answers, I'm both relieved to know that I am not alone and there is an explanation for this, and so sad that the rest of you are going through these things, too. Thank you for the encouragement to exercise. I walk every day (with my little dog, who is such a joy in my life), but I could do more. I shy away from it because I'm afraid of getting tired, but this is a good reminder that if I stick at it there may be a benefit. I am unfortunately avoiding caffeine because it is a migraine trigger for me. What a tangle!
I understand the fear =) I love my dogs to death and I get angry at times because I feel I let my fear of this disease and when it might strike hold me back from me enjoying time with them. At my worse I will not go father from my house than work. Somedays I won't go farther than my sofa. I try to reassure myself that I have taken precautions. I attach my dogs leash to a wrist strap so if I get dizzy he can't get away. I make sure my phone is charged. I take a bottle of water with me and stash a vertigo heel pill in my pocket just in case. I really OVER PREPARE for short walks even lol. But I do what I have to to feel safe to venture out.
This is interesting conversation as I figured my exhaustion was unrelated. I have a Dr. appointment for a full blood workup. I also hope to get tested for heavy metals and testosterone. With JOH and my other vitamins, I'm up to 15 pills per day. I never used to take anything.