Coping With A Chronic Illness

I thought it might be a good idea to share some of the things we've found helpful (especially for any members here who may be newly diagnosed) in our daily struggle with not just Meniere's Disease but also any of the other issues we may find ourselves facing such as anxiety, panic, depression etc.

I've found that being prepared in advance helped take some of the anxiety out of a possible vertigo attack. A few of the things I've found helpful:

1) I make sure to have my cell phone on me at all times. Knowing that help is only a phone call away really helps ease my mind.
2) I make sure to always have Valium, Meclizine, candied ginger and a pony tail holder, travel sickness bag and wet wipes in my purse in case of an attack while I'm away from home.
3) I have a blanket and pillow in the back seat of my car in case I'm out and start feeling bad and need to lie down for a little while. I also have a pillow and a blanket within arm's reach of my bathroom to keep myself as comfortable as possible during an attack and all of my trash cans have liners in them in the event I can't make it to the bathroom.
4) I carry a medical card with me that states I suffer from Meniere's Disease and also has my emergency contact information on the back.

One other thing that's helped me a great deal is meditation. I meditate at least once a day for 20 minutes and it's made a tremendous difference in the number and severity of panic/anxiety attacks I have that at one time kept me housebound. I still have an occasional panic attack but nowhere near the degree I used to have them. Meditation and some form of exercise every day (even if it's just walking in place at home or dancing around the living room) has also been very helpful to me in coping with depression as well.

 

I wanted to add this link to Meniere's Resources Inc too for anyone who would like a wallet card to carry with you like the one I have. Go to the link and then go to the bottom right side of the page where it says "Meniere's Symptom Card" and click "Wallet Card" and you'll be able to print the card.

http://www.menieresresources.org/