 Disclaimer
The Ménière’s Support Group of Victoria encourages contact between people who have Ménière’s. Knowing how others have experience and coped with Ménière’s can help you feel less alone. However please note that the advice, opinions and information given in, or implied by these personal stories remain those of the stories' authors and are not in any way endorsed by MSGV.
 Kim's
Diagnosis Reaction
‘I had never heard of Ménière’s disease and
really wasn't prepared’
I had never been to an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist and thought that
my 'ear infection' would soon be gone with the appropriate pills. I had
never heard of Ménière’s disease and really wasn't
prepared (is anyone?) for the diagnosis. The ECochG test wasn’t
particularly unpleasant but the results were startling. Well developed
endolymphatic hydrops in the left ear and the
beginning of the same in the right.
‘No cure’
I don't think it all sunk in at first. In fact I know it didn't because
when I got home with my scripts, brochures and test results I had no idea
that life as I had known it had changed forever. On reflection there had
been very subtle signs in the doctor’s rooms - the change in the
expression on the audiologist's face as he explained the results.
It's an expression I have now seen quite often; at my chemist, the ophthalmologist’s
and at my general practitioner’s. Sympathy - yes, but also a sense
of frustration because I now know what they do and that it's all in the
lap of the gods. No cure. I found my heart sinking and all I wanted to
do was surround myself with family and be very quiet. I don’t have
to remind anyone who is reading this of the sheer disbelief and amazement
that any illness can have so many aggressive facets. I now had reasons
for the falling over, getting lost in the dark, the vomiting, exhaustion,
screaming ears and so on and so on, but no reasons.
I have been thinking a great deal about my reactions to all this and
I think it’s quite primal to not want to feel vulnerable, exposed
and that’s exactly how I feel during an attack. Its scary and lonely
and isolating but most of all overwhelming and that’s where I think
my biggest battle has been fought.
'I’m determined to lead the happiest, most fulfilling life I have
been given'
Getting up and starting all over again. I can honestly say I am no longer
frightened by the enormity of my situation and I do not want any reader
to see this as a purely negative story. Initially, I had problems seeing
ahead but as Confucius said, "The longest journey begins with a single
step" and I’m determined to lead the happiest, most fulfilling
life I have been given and enjoy every minute.
Hope to write again and touch on some of the other issues that affect
all of us on this very bumpy ride and I highly recommend exercising your
sense of humour everyday.
Kim Foletti
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