I was diagnosed in January but have had symptoms since last summer. I work as an independent contractor at a local dog grooming salon. I've always, up until the past several months, rarely called in to work, went when I was sick anyway. As I'm sure you guys know, there is no way to show up at work with a Meniere's attack, that is if I could even get myself there. I've missed more work in the past few months than I think I've ever been out my whole life. I work part time three days a week and in March I worked a grand total of 2 days. :'( I was supposed to work Friday and Saturday but had an attack start at the car dealership when I went to drop it off for some work. Luckily my husband was already on his way to pick me up. He was supposed to take me to work but I had to call in. It wasn't the worst attack I've had but bad enough that I couldn't hold a pair of clippers or scissors, much less see what I was doing. Saturday, same thing, again. Today has been a good day. Only got dizzy a couple of times. Nothing major. I have a sinking feeling that I'm going to be let go soon if this doesn't get under control. We need my income and have struggled the past few months because I've been out so much. On top of that we've racked up a nice stack of medical bills thanks to me. How have you guys handled your employers in this situation? I have had an attack at work and had to have my husband come get me so she has seen it happen. I almost feel like the stress of worrying about it is making the meniere's worse. Is that possible?
MoodyMom - so sorry you are going through this. I think that as an independent contractor you have less protection due to medical issues with your employer. I have no doubt that worrying can be making things worse. Stress is a MAJOR trigger for me.
Nicmger I agree, as many of us will, that stress is a big trigger. I'm sorry as well that you're having this experience. Have you looked into disability benefits? Maybe a private chat with your employer. I didn't think you could be fired for a medical condition but I don't know anything about that. Good Luck figuring it all out. Everyone's here for support.
moodymom, anything that weakens the immune system makes Meniere's symptoms worse, and stress is definitely on of them that weaken our immune system. Since I have Meniere's most of my life I chose occupations I can do from my home. I tutored for 21 years and for the past 13 years have online stores. You might want to look into something you can do at home and Meniere's is an illness that can qualify for disability. You might want to look into applying for it. I am sorry things are so rough for you now. I don't recall but have you tried antivirals yet? If not you might want to try and get your pcp or ent to prescribe it for you.
Thanks for the support! No I haven't tried the antivirals yet. I'm going to try again with my ent at my appointment next week. I did broach the subject at my last appointment but was quickly shot down. What I have tried so far is water pill, low sodium diet, a round of oral steroids, and am at the beginning stage of starting the JOH regimen. He said next up is the steroid injection in the ear.*cringing* That's probably what he'll want next because I showed my first hearing loss at my test last week. The low frequency loss was pretty severe and it happened so quickly. My test in January was normal. It is correct that I don't have much protection from losing my job over medical reasons because I'm an independent contractor. My contract says that either party may sever the contract at any time with adequate notice. I've looked into what it would take to apply for SSI. It's a rough process but if that's what I have to do...we'll see. I just finished applying and was successful in getting it for my son. He is 19 and has Asperger's on the more extreme end. My 15 year old daughter has Tourettes and bipolar. I have my hands full most of the time. There's never a dull moment here. I have talked to my employer about this, shown her the ER visit papers they give me every time I go. I think they have reserved a room just for me. I can groom at home but will need to build up clientele. Most of my regular customers will stay with the shop if I leave and it would be frowned upon for me to try to bring them with me. I live in the middle of no where. I do have an etsy shop but haven't put much time into it lately. All the listings have expired and I need to renew them but haven't really had the motivation to do it yet. It's on my to do list though. Thanks again!! I'll be hanging out here a good bit as I've learned so much in just the short time I've been here. This is a great group of people!
MoodyMom - with everything on your plate I have no doubt that stress is making things worse for you! Can you try your general practioner dr or any other dr rather than your ENT? I think that trying to get a/v is key to at least try. There is limited risk so perhaps really pushing that angle with your dr might be an option? On a "positive" note - with your documented ER visits if your contractor does fire you the combination might make the process for you a little easier if you have to go for disability. (Trying to focus on any positive is what typically gets me through the day!)
moodymom, if your ENT says no ask your PCP but don't mention your ENT said no. PCP's are more apt to prescribe an antivirals for MM sometimes. Also only do the shots if you want to, don't be intimidated to say no if you really don't want them. It's your decision either way, not his. I'm sorry to hear your children have disabilities as well. Life sure isn't easy and harder for some. Hang in there and don't give up hope!
I've had the Dexamethasone shots. (Don't be afraid if you choose to do it, it doesn't hurt, it's worse than it sounds. I responded so well that I had tubes in my ears so that I could administer the drops myself 3X a day. I had good relief but it didn't last more than a year. My OTO always takes the less invasive approach. Antivirals weren't be used for Menieres back then. If I had to choose what to do first I would go with the antiviral. Keep in mind if you can get them that it takes awhile to really work. Many get discouraged. I hope you get the right Dr to help you.
I'll make an appointment with my GP after my next ENT appt next week if I can't talk him into antivirals. I'm not opposed to the Dexamethasone shots, it just doesn't sound very pleasant. But, not much about this whole disease is pleasant and I'll take any relief I can get at this point. It seems like the attacks are coming more frequently. The last two, which was this past weekend, were not as severe but I had 10 mg of Valium on Friday and another 5 mg on Saturday and that seemed to tame it a bit. No trip to the ER so that's good. Yesterday and today have been good. I worked today and for now the owner seems ok. She didn't schedule me much but I understand that and will take what ever work I can do when I can do it. Keeping my fingers crossed that I can work Friday and Saturday this week. The rest of the week is filled with doctor appointments for the kids. Thanks so much for giving me a sounding board here.
I'm think, not positive, that my job is ok for now. Not sure how long that will last. Otherwise, not to be tht Negative Nelly, but I'm not doing so well. Missed work yesterday. Thankfully I was able to go this morning. She's only scheduling one or two dogs for me though. Something is better than nothing.
It's terrible that you and moody mom are concerned about your jobs because of this disease. What line of work are you in? Maybe it's something you can do from home. That might reduce stress, too if you are not worrying getting to work. Maggie
That's hopeful, moodymom. If you can't get antivarals, have you considered trying monolaurin? No prescription required. I t sure seems to have helped Lulu. Good luck!
THe monolaurin is in my Amazon shopping cart. When payday rolls around I'll get it along with the last items on the JOH regimen. Maggie, in response to your question, I am a dog groomer. If I had enough clientele then I'd work from home. Eventually that is the plan
Oh good, moodymom, than t you will be able to try the momolaurin. Sorry I wasn't too clear about my working at home suggestion. I have been following your psts and knew you groomed dogs. My suggestion was meant for RingNEars. Sorry for the lack of clarity. Wishing you well. Maggie
Yes, I agree with Vicki rethinking your career path is a great option. I would never be able to do my old job as an environmental scientist and am currently trying to come up with home business options as well
I'm sad to say that my employer said to temporarily take a leave of absence until I get this under better control. She said she can't keep scheduling dogs for me and then I am not able to go in. I can't help it since I never know when an attack will happen. I completely understand her reason and she said temporarily leave. But I have no idea how long it will take to get it under control. In the meantime, what in the world can I do when I have now had to quit driving and I need quick relief to get back my life. I'd love to have my own business down the road but I'm needing something like right now. I don't think that is going to happen. I want to try alternative treatments but I will do anything to get some relief for now.
First I would say check to see if you qualify for any temporary short term disability. That could help a bit from a financial standpoint Second, while not working is absolutely NOT optimum, for right now you may find that without the stress and anxiety of wondering if you can make it in to work that day, the next day etc...without that pressure you may experience a reprieve from your aggressive back to back attacks. Stress is a major factor for me. Keeping my fingers crossed for you.