Is meniere’s making you depressed?
If Meniere’s disease doesn’t get you down and depressed I don’t know what would. The spinning and the throwing up and the bad timing of the attacks sure gets me down. And from what I have read others feel the same way.
Years ago way before I had Meniere’s disease I had a rough period in my life. Like many people I went to a doctor for counseling. He combined counseling and prescription drugs for depression (something that I had since I was a teenager). At first I was reluctant because I worried about becoming addicted and the harmful side effects. The medicine and the counseling for me at least was a big success.
When I was first diagnosed with Meniere’s disease, my doctor and I never really discussed what this disorder was doing to me emotionally. We talked about the physical aspects but never how it harmed my overall mood and feelings of deep depression. I can’t help to think that the emotional problems of meniere’s are sometimes ignored, when they should be just as important as relieving the spinning and the nausea.
Over the past year that I have written this blog I have received quite a few comments from people just like me who feel that their world has been turned upside down and nothing will make it right again.
As a matter of fact from one of my most recent posts I received this comment...
"I am very lucky that I have overcome many of the worst symptoms of Meniere's. I was diagnosed 3 years ago and I am now 24 years old.
Unfortunately my only remaining symptoms affect my deep passions and hobbies the most - gradual hearing loss and tinnitus along with "tinnitus attacks" is what I like to call them. My hearing is slowly dimishing in my left ear. My passion and hobbies include audio engineering, recording, musicianship, acoustic design, etc. There is no other hobby or industry that depends on your hearing more than mine. I have to really get creative when trying to balance and fine tune audio when I only have 1 good ear. I'm starting to question all of the time and money I'm investing, and have invested, in this passion of mine - I probably won't be able to continue at the rate of my deafness. Not to sound to depressing but it's quite dream shattering.
I wish you and all the commenters the best."
Very sad indeed to hear how something that is a part of your life is taken away because of this or any disorder.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
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6 comments:
This post could not have been more relevant for me, reading it today! I'm scheduled to begin seeing a counselor tomorrow because I know I'm depressed. Aside from lots of life stress (deaths in family, job changes, selling my house in tough economic times, etc.) it has been hard for me to accept that I'm not the stalwart I have always been. When things have gone wrong in the past I could always say, “Well, at least I have my health.” I can’t say that anymore. I'm confronted with a disease that won't kill me but seems to really want to destroy my life. And I don't even look sick. I could go on and on but I’ll save it for my therapist. Besides, I view therapy as part of my strategy for conquering MM. I am convinced that one of my triggers is stress so I see this as vital as the Valium or any other drug or vestibular therapy. I hope the person who you quoted in your post continues to read and participate in your blog and others. Just know other stories, what worked, what didn’t, has helped me keep hope.
You have taken a big step with setting up an appointment with a counselor. This disorder can be very emotionally wounding.
Good luck and let me know how things are going.
Keep blogging, I find it very therapeutic.
Thanks for sharing your story and I like your blog too. I just want to say something that I had a hobby of listening to music,and I like to hear music a little louder. It makes me relax from my long day job helping me free from stress. But my problem is that sometimes when people called me up,I can't hear their voices loud and clear. Is this related to meniere's diseases.
Thomas,
I have the same problem with hearing things. I don't always hear everything that clear. thanks for commenting and keep in touch.
David
Apparently there are two kinds of setbacks. The two comments on this blog are mainly about hearing loss. Which is of course a tough problem especially when you are young and audio is you life.
Apart from the hearing loss, I think M nearly crushes all possible hobbies or passions, doesn't it? The only things you can do are things you can do at home, with no one else depending on you, without any kind of deadline or continuity. Say goodby to all your plans and expectations for the future...
But for me, and I think many others?, the main problem is that you cannot even do the things you should do, apart from doing something you would like to do. At the moment I can't do my job and can't even care for my own children. That for me is quite depressing. What kind if mom are you when you always need someone else to look after your kids?
I have a young son and it pains me that I can't do all the things that I want to do with him. In an earlier post i wrote about how my son loves to swim and jump off the diving board. it is really difficult for him to understand why I can't do things like go off the diving board also. I can't because I don't want to get water in my ears.
Unfortunately it all seems to common with people who have meniere's disease.
Please keep in touch and try to remain hopeful that you will find a treatment that helps you with this disorder.
David
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