On Monday my partner of 37 years had a breakdown and starts yelling at me because I won't go with him to get groceries to find low salt items, saying I leave it all up to him. He complains that my whole personality has changed and is ruining his life. I cant' deny any of this. I have turned into a person who was the life of the party into a recluse who doesn't want to do anything or go anywhere or socialize with anyone. We cancelled our trip to Vegas in April, and I know he was disappointed as I am. I sleep to noon or later every day, and eat virtually nothing. It kills me and stomps my soul. After this, my ears start ringing a new level of roaring I have never heard and it continues tonight, as it is 1:30 pm and I can't sleep. I just took a Xanax and it has helped somewhat. Over the past four days, I have had dozens of dizzy spells, stumble all over the place, lost hearing, and feel like I have the flu. He apologized, and I know this is hard on him, and I am giving him some space. He drives me everywhere because of the constant dizziness and has to sit for hours at each doctor appointment. There is no question that this illness has an emotional trigger. I just thank God, that I am retired and able to get a pension from investments. The shrink who was suppose to see me today, does not take my insurance, and I cannot pay for his expensive services. Looking for another one. The drug manager I am seeing wants me to go the MAO clinic in Jacksonville, FLA. Does this downward spiral ever stop? Is there a bottom?
Jimmy- I'm sorry to hear you're having such a rough go of it. I've been on this crazy train for about eight years. I'm lucky to have found this site as well. The information you can get is boundless. It can be a lot to digest. I've been where you are now. I've read your posts and it sounds like we have similar symptoms. Aural pressure, dizzy, seasick. It definitely sucks. Keep your head up. This feeling won't last forever. I've had a really crappy New Year so far, as well. I just can't seem to shake the pressure, although the seasick feeling is subsiding. I've recently changed doctors and I'm trying the betahistine Serc. I live in the US and you can get it through a Canadian pharmacy. I've only been on it two weeks, so I'm not really sure if it's working yet. You'll get a ton of advice. You just need to find what works for you. Having a chronic illness sucks. Especially an invisible one. "You look fine." "Oh, Meniere's. Dizzy? I get dizzy sometimes too." Those are two of my favorites. Your family and friends can be life savers. I know my wife has been. She's taken on a lot of burden, and I know it's hard for her sometimes, as I'm sure it can be for your partner. I try and leave little "Thank You" notes for her, when I can. I try and be as "normal" as possible, but it's hard to be in large groups and parties sometimes. I describe it as being like Jim Carey in "Bruce Almighty" when he gains the power to hear everyone's thoughts at once. Pure cacophony. Maddening. My neighbours and family know what I've got going on and they don't bat an eye when I excuse myself for a little while during events. I'll go to another room and chill out for a while, then join the party. At least that way I get to show my pretty face to everyone. It sucks that you have to cancel vacations and trips. You may consider a short weekend getaway in it's place. We've shortened our planned trips because of this. We tend to just get away for a weekend. Then if I feel bad, we can just head home. Better than not going anywhere at all. Sorry. I tend to ramble. Good luck to you. Keep checking in and getting the support this group gives. They are a wonderful group.
I've been fortunate that Meclezine (for dizziness) enables me to drive, so I can go to the grocery for example but have to be back before I get groggy from the medicine. I've been trying to comply with the 800mg sodium diet that the Dr. ordered so I find myself eating a lot of salads with all kinds of stuff in them. Last night - spinach, apples, walnuts and raisons. In the morning I have either oatmeal or a smoothie. So much stuff has sodium especially all the prepared foods which I ate a lot of cuz I didn't enjoy cooking. I've sautéed onion, carrot, squash, fennel and broccoli; wilted spinach in different combinations and eaten the veggies with cous cous or quinoa. I've found Mrs. Dash works for me instead of salt so slowly slowly I'm eating less sodium. My husband was so kind as to drive me to the Dr. an hour away so Coach I'll have to make sure I thank him for all he does. He doesn't talk so I have no idea if this is hard for him or if he takes it in stride. Coach my Dr. gave me prn Hyosciamine which helps when I have the icky sick feeling (may be like your sea sickness) My best to both of you and I'm right there with ya on the these symptoms suck.
OMG I so get what you are going through!! But listen to me my friend...set yourself free get the laby end the torture!!! Life is too short. You have a diseased ear get rid of it. God bless. Drugs supplements blah blah blah life is speeding by....
Thanks to Coach Betz and Marie for being so nice in your responses. The pulsating roaring in my ear has lessened somewhat today, but still pretty dizzy and lethargic. After walking four miles yesterday, I got a pretty bad dizzy spell for about 15 minutes...and just sat for a while. My natural ears haven't heard much in the last two weeks so must use my hearing aids everywhere. The only thing that seems to slow my roaring ears down for a while is Xanex. I only take a .5 mil each time up to three a day. Trips are hard for me because of the noises generated in automobiles--they are difficult for me. I might try hearing plugs since I am not currently driving. I hope I get over this soon. And Marie, I have found salt free bread, chopped tomatoes, rice and other items at Trader Joe's and even Publix. I eat a lot of oat meal as well, and I must have a banana in mine with walnuts and chopped prunes... I have been trying to go organic and use the organic steel cut oatmeal that does take about 30 minutes, but it is better. I miss salt and my regular coffee!!!
I'm afraid of surgery so I'm going to continue with Acyclovir and prns, low sodium diet and exercise. I made an apt to see a life couch as I'm spinning my wheels trying to adjust.
Yes Marie, sometimes I think I am "spinning my wheels" as well. It is hard to go in one direction when this illness throws new things at you every week. Sometimes I think to myself, "how can anyone who is almost always dizzy and hearing roaring have any kind of life." I have got to get out of this thinking somehow. Just think==five months ago I was worried about furniture, parties, and social activities. Now I worry about just getting out of the bed in the morning and keeping myself sane.
"I miss salt and my regular coffee!!!" Once I was able to get my symptoms under some degree of control, I find I can drink coffee and occasionally go out to eat and not worry about a flare. Everything in extreme moderation.
Jimmy--I understand very well what you are going through. Many here on this board have 'been there' and have found it you have a bad day or days--that 'in time' (some soon--some a bit later), that you will begin to have a mixture of both and then you begin to have more good days than bad. It just 'happens' with good care and determination. Just don't let yourself get so down you feel like this is 'forever'! There will be many bad days for many/most of us--for sure. But, the good ones then seem like 'answered prayer' and many are just that. Don't give up--go to whomever you need to for help--keep getting out, keep going, rest when your body says 'rest'--tell your friends and family --to allow you to do this. In time, and it may take some time--you 'will' get better or 'accept the bad days' and look forward to the better ones--and hopefully, they will come closer together. Hang in there! Stay with us--and keep us posted. God Bless!
It's very hard on everyone. You and your partner are finding your way. I believe you will find solutions and routines that will make it better. My tinnitus definitely gets louder when I am under stress, as do most of the symptoms. Lots of good wishes to you.