My Meniere's Journey
My first attack of the ‘dizzies’ and vomiting was in 1999, I had no idea of what was happening. After two or three more attacks I visited the doctor and voiced my concerns. She said she’d give me something for the vomiting and prescribed Stemetil suppositories because nothing taken orally would stay with me, but NO DIAGNOSIS.
By early 2000’s the Tinnitus in my right ear had changed from the summer cricket sound to music and singing. I told no one because my first thought was I was losing my mind. This resulted in my blood pressure rising while my self esteem plummeted. I just wasn’t myself for a long time.
A hearing test appointment became due and the Audiologist explained that the hearing in my right ear had deteriorated and asked if I had anything to discuss. Of course I quickly said NO! She persisted with her questions until I finally told her about the music and singing to which she responded, “That’s Tinnitus” “Are you kidding,” I replied. She convinced me that she certainly wasn’t. I was over the moon - a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders.
In 2004 I was contacted by a friend with whom I had played Squash. She had been talking to another player who wanted to know why I wasn’t playing. My friend described the attacks I was having and she said her sister suffered with similar attacks and she has been diagnosed with Meniere’s. I was so grateful to have a label put on it and went to our son’s place and got him to look it up on the Internet.
It was like reading my own story. On a subsequent visit to my doctor she told me my blood pressure was down. I told her I knew why as I found out what was wrong with me - I have Meniere’s. She said yes but she hadn’t diagnosed it because she couldn’t do anything for me.
I told her that by researching and following the advice from the Meniere’s Website on the Internet I could manage it. Salt and caffeine were really bad. By following the advice on www.menieres.org.au I have been free of attacks for three years.
Now that Meniere’s Australia has established MAWA I am pleased to be part of the peer support group in WA and have been appointed as a contact person for others in WA who are new to Meniere’s.
Knowing that you are not on your own can make
such a difference!
Laurel (Meniere's Australia member)
