It can really be frustrating to run into things when you are walking. It can also be frustrating to have to hold on tables, chairs, and the wall, anything when you are standing up. Having poor balance can get you into a lot of trouble especially if you are out in public and start swerving around like you are going to fall. I am experiencing it quite a bit right now because of my ongoing gent injections. Meniere’s disease can really play havoc on your balance.
I received an email from Susanna the other day. She was responding to my last post about big decisions and Meniere’s disease.
Here is an excerpt from the comment…
As I wrote in another comment it’s not common with the Labyrinthectomy or any other surgery here in Sweden. I talked to my doctor about the gent injections but he says it’s not for me because I have bilateral M, and there is a risk of more severe hearing loss. A good thing is I’m feeling quite ok at the time. I wonder if my bad balance is a good sign. My doctor told me many years ago that M can "burn itself away". I have enough balance to bicycle, but walking in darkness or on a not smooth surface give problems and I look like I’ve had too much to drink! I try to think that at least my loved ones know I’m not drunk :)
Susanna has some of the same balance problems that I do and she didn’t even have the gent injections. Walking in dark isn’t too good for me either. Strangely enough when I am in the shower and my eyes are closed I have to reach for the wall to keep my balance. walking on an uneven trail is really bad for me too which is a shame because my family likes to walk on trails in a nearby forest.
I don’t think I ever realized how important balance is. I am hoping that after this series of gent injections that my balance will once again be restored, maybe not to the level of what I had but at least to be functional.
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Wednesday, July 14, 2010
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9 comments:
David,
I have only had meniere's for a year now and I have balance problems, I can't be standing and then turn fast, when my tennitis is really bad my balance is worse, when I have pressure in my left ear, my balance is worse and I have problems in the dark. I have been on steroids, diuretic, low salt, Valium, Xanax, the tennitis and pressure never go away any more, so now I am on diuretic and low salt, and the only thing I have found to keep me from having the vertigo attack is Mucinex. So I will stick with this for as long as it works, then try something else.
Sherry
David:
as a meniers patient for 20 years and seeing doctors all over the country. Vertigo stops when your balance nerve/cells are destroyed. The gent is supposed to destroy these balance receptors and speed up the process. If you have a healthy other ear it will eventualy take over. I have no vestibuar function in my left ear as a result of 23 years of meniers and no gent/vns or laby. It is a long process but eventually your balance vestibular function will go in the diseased ear. Wish I tried the shunt. Have a friend in a support group who had it and has not had a dizzy spell for 30 years, truly amazing. I will ask him where he had it done If you want?
Good luck
Steven
Talk to you soon
I think that people who don't have inner ear problems often think that balancing is something we only do when we're standing on one leg. As we know, we're actually balancing nearly all the time when we're not lying down! It seems to me that balancing is actually about maintaining equilibrium when not otherwise supported, and controlling movement. That means if you have a balance deficiency like ours it affects you all the time. It's difficult for others to understand.
It feels good to hear about others with similar problems. The balance problem is not really the same every day but it`s allways there. This spring I´ve had help from a physical therapist. When the balance in the inner ear is failing you have to rely on the balance from your feet and from your muscles but the most important thing is you have to excercise and challenge your balance all your life. I think I now have more confidence and dare to do things eventhough it´s kind of wobbley sometimes.
Talking about weather and Menière. This night we had rain and thunder after a long period of sunny weather. And I woke up in the middle of the night spinning in the roundabout. Typical!?
@Sherry,
It seems that a lot of folks have to go through quite a few meds before they find the one that works. Hang in there things will get better. Let us know if the mucinex continues to work for you.
Good luck and stay in touch
David
@Steve
Thanks Steve, let me know where he had it done
David
@Jeff, You make an excellent point, balance isn’t just about walking and standing up, balance affects us always.
Thanks
David
@Anonymous
I had some vestibular therapy after the first round of gent injections and I think that it helped a little. You are right about exercise and challenging your balance, it takes work to make it right.
The weather, especially the rain, does play havoc on my meniere’s also.
Thanks
David
David, I'm beginning the process of getting a diagnosis for Meniere's, and I found your blog. Thank you so much for all of the information!
I also live in metro Atlanta, and am looking for the best physicians. Can you give me any recommendations?
Thanks! Janice
@Janice
Try the Emory clinic
Take care
David
David, many thanks! Janice
You are welcome
David
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