Hey y'all. I'm new to posting here. I have looked at the site before, but finally decided to become a member. I have had Menieres for about 3 years since I was diagnosed, probably actually had it for two years before that. I have slight hearing loss in my left ear and mainly get vertigo and tinnitus. Only had nausea with it a couple times more recently. Got a couple questions. First, how do y'all handle the anxiety/ fear that an attack is going to happen? Any kind of relaxation/ meditation tips? Secondly, how did you explain what is wrong with you to your employer? I started a new job at the beginning of the year, and haven't actually told anyone there, except for a couple close coworkers that I work alongside almost daily, and they were actually the first to notice that something wasn't right with me when I was having an attack. I'm nervous to say anything to anyone else in fear that they will always be watching me for something to happen. I don't like a lot of people knowing because I always feel that something is going to happen especially if they are always watching me. I think one of the managers already senses something isn't right with me. The one day I had an attack while working and he happened to walk by as I was trying to calm the vertigo and he said that I didn't look like I felt good, and I just tried to make it not seem as bad as it was and said no that I didn't feel good. Then he proceed to ask if I would be able to make it the rest of the day and I said yes. The next day I had to pass him going to my job spot for the day and he asked if I felt any better, which by then I felt better, but not 100% though, and I said I did a little. After that any time I am having an attack or recovering from one, and I happen to walk by him or his office when he is in there, I feel like it is going to be the day that he finally asks if there is something wrong and I will have to explain it to him, but I don't how to explain it to him. I am very bad at hiding my emotions to others, so it is easy for people to notice when I am not feeling well. I guess that's all of the questions I have now. Thanks in advance for any and all advice.
Look at it like this- do you worry about getting into an accident every time you get into your car? Worrying about an attack causes more stress and more stress leads to an attack. You have to learn not to anticipate an attack but have a plan for just in case. Having that plan in place can be very reassuring. As to work- I have no clue as I don't work and haven't had to deal with that. I'm sorry you're suffering but I'm glad you found this place.
I agree with Bea on the anxiety part. I struggled with the same thing several months ago before it got under control. I got so scared I quit driving and eventually had to quit working for a couple of months. I don't know what to say about your work situation though. I am a dog groomer and work as an independent contractor so basically I work for myself. The owner of the shop I am at was very understanding and she also had seen me have an attack and have to have my husband come pick me up. As hard as it is sometimes, try to stay positive and keep as much stress at bay as possible. It can trigger an attack.
I agree with BumbleBea that having a plan really helps. It helps me stay calm. Chamomile tea helps with anxiety. It is a gentle thing that takes the edge off for me. It sounds like it might be more stressful to keep it a secret at work than to tell people, especially when they are noticing something anyway. It sounds like you are already worrying about people watching you, so I think it might be less stressful if you got to tell them what to think rather than wondering what they think. But I do get it's a complex situation. Good wishes with it.
Hi Cakebaker I'm newly diagnosed, too. I have found an app called Insight Timer that is helping a little with the anxiety. There are a ton of free guided meditations on it, playlists, and music. I find the "sleep" meditations are a great way to ease me off to sleep and cancel out some of the ringing in my ears. I hope it can help you, too!
Hi I started a form of transcendental meditation about two years ago (online course). Made me calmer, better sleep and a bit more creative. Am positive about it. Took quite a while before It took effect. On the other hand, paradoxically my meniere symptoms increased in that period... Had before that also tried several online guided meditations, but this one has more profound effect in my view. Just annoying my symptoms have increased in that period also Kr