I added our picture here at the beginning, as without this man's love and understanding
I could never have made it this far. How blessed I am.

This picture was taken in 1997 and as you can see I am leaning a little to my left as I am a "dizzie". (That's what we call ourselves in our support group). My left ear is the bad one, so I have laid only on my left side for over 20 years now. If I lay on my right side, the whole room spins. There is a procedure to help this, called The Epley Maneuver, and I've added a link (look for the *) towards the bottom of this page so you can check it out for yourself.

This picture was taken during a 3 year period of being in bed 80% of my day. I had experienced a bad Meniere's attack in Florida and had to ride home (laying in bed, in the motor home) for 10 straight hours and that's what really set me back. The long ride set off Mal de debarquement. I have been slowly doing better and better, taking "baby steps", It's been about 9 years since I was bedridden but I still spend much time laying or sitting. I lay propped up on 4 pillows. In 1997, I knew I had to do something to "move more", so I started to walk slowly.

I have had vertigo/dizziness for over 40 years, but it goes into remission off and on. That is typical of Meniere's. You do get breaks occasionally, but you never know when, or for how long. I must say that BPPV Benign Positional Vertigo, bothers me more so than Meniere's does. Or has Meneire's just burned out, because I have not had a MM attack in over 9 years now!! During my really bad days, I will say that VERTIGOHEEL, (a homeopathic medicine) helped me far more than anything I've ever tried and believe me, I've tried them all. Again, I've added a link for Vertigoheel at the bottom of this page. You may want to print it out to take to your doctor. Sad to say, but most doctors are not even aware of VH and it's even listed in their PDR book, as far back as 1997 on page 1187, and you will need a prescription. However, you can always buy Cocculus Compositum from a reputable health food store, which is the very same as Vertigoheel. You put 2 under your tongue, 3 times a day. Do not eat 20 minutes before taking them, or 20 minutes after taking them, for best results

Along with the Meniere's & Tinnitus (ringing in the ears), the Benign Positional Vertigo that I mentioned above, is what effects me the most and I forces me to avoid many positions. This is most annoying as it's with me 24/7 and I'm reminded everytime I try to look up or look down, roll over, turn too fast, or get up too fast. BPPV gives you no breaks. It just hangs around and torments the heck out of you. You feel off balance most all the time and you find yourself sliding your hand down the walls as you walk,(point of contact) or hang onto the arm of someone with you. Some of us have had to stop driving and even stop working. It does limit your activities and it takes some major work learning to cope for you and for your spouse and children.

Oh yes, I do take Ginkgo Biloba for the Tinnitus and I must say it helps keep the noise (electrical humming sound in my case) at a lesser volume. I can definitely tell the difference when I stop taking it for awhile. But remember, what helps me may not help you because we all react differently. I am no doctor, I am only stating how I live my life as a dizzie.

You may ask how my dizziness started. It all began when I was in a gas explosion that damaged my inner ear. Not long after the explosion, the vertigo attacks started up, and soon became more & more frequent. Many times I ended up in bed for hours or days, so sick I could not raise my head. I wish there was a way to describe how one feels during these attacks. (During this time I had 3 babies to care for.) I will also add, that panic and anxiety had really gotten a grip on me at this time and after a several years of suffering, I was finally given Xanax after being taken to the hospital. That sure helped the panic attacks, but it didn't help the vertigo at all. That was in 1958 and not much was known about Vestiibular Disorders then. I felt so alone, so SCARED, and wondered if I was crazy or had a brain tumor (like my mother had just died with). All sorts of things went through my mind and of course not one person understood me, not even the doctors so, I was sent to a psychiatrist.

Through many tests, medicines, tears and depression I tried to go on with life. I was ashamed to keep saying, "I'm dizzy" because I knew no one believed me, and even I didn't know exactly what was wrong with me. (After all, don't we all look normal?) After 3 more babies and a divorce, I fought like I had never fought before. Having no family at all, I had to make it on my own and take care of my 6 children. Not at all easy to do when you are a dizzy. I was continuing to see the psychiatrist and yes, it did help me in many ways. Had it not been for my children, suicide would have been my choice. That's horrible to say, but the truth is the truth. I think I may have really sunk without some help in this area. I had lost so much at such a young age.

At the age of 32, I remarried and Hank was my knight in shining armor. How wonderful to at last have a good marriage and someone who understood me and was always there beside me at all times. when I would have bad attacks, he would help me to bed, close the door and took complete charge of all 6 children. He protected me from noises, light, stress and motion as best he could, and what a blessing that was. No words can express how this helps someone going through a horrible dizzy spell. What seems to be so little, makes a huge difference in helping "a dizzy" get through their attack. That's why I say that Hank is the best thing that ever happened to me, He's never left my side through all my ups and downs, and for years he's done the work of both husband and wife and has never one time complained. Not only does he work full time, but he does the grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry, ironing, vacuuming, yardwork, maintains the cars, motor home, etc. and for 3 years took total care of me. Tell me that's not a blessing! Now that I have been able to do a little more, he does not have "quite" as heavy a load to carry. To me, housework is a joy and I don't ever take anything for granted anymore. I take one day at a time, and sometimes, one hour at a time. I have a long ways to go, but I have also come a long way. Boy, am I ever thankful and do I ever stop and smell the roses now. You bet I do.

Be blessed and be balanced!!

Don't ever give up hope, don't ever think you'll never be better, just look at me!

*******Dizziness/Vertigo Links*******

Information about Dizziness and Hearing Disorders/NWU
MENIERES.ORG - Meniere's Disease Home Page
The Vestibular Disorders Association (VEDA) *
Hydrops and Meniere's Diet Suggestions
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
MEI Dizziness Discussion Board
Vitamin Dispenser - Meniere's
VESTIBULAR TESTING
Tumarkin's Otolithic Crisis
Canalith Repositioning *
Mal de Debarquement
The Vertigoheel Page
What is Hyperacusis?
Vertigo & Dizziness
The Serc Page
TINNITUS

*********MY SPECIAL FRIENDS *******

My Meniere's Story (Greg)
Sharon Smith
Bob's Meniere's site
Randy's Place on the Web

Dizziness Support Group Information

If you are not already in a support group, I would highly recommend you find one.
Not only will you become more educated on Vestibular Disorders but you'll realize you are not alone and you'll learn how others cope, by exchanging ideas. We are one big family that shares our ups and downs. No matter what you say, or feel, someone will relate to you, and what a good feeling that is! Look here for a support group in your area.
Local Support Groups

Recommended Reading

No one believes you're dizzy? People say you look fine?
Then this book is a must for you. Written by Sharon Smith.

:::INVISIBLE ILLNESSES AND DISABILITIES:::

The background is from: Gina / Indee Fixé Web Graphics
My banner was created by Rand
Original homepage construction by: Randy

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July 9, 2006