I'm still on my usual schedule of on spell a week, as I had one on Monday - luckily it wasn't too bad though, and I was able to go to work on Tuesday (fairly unusual for the day after a spell!!). I am going to up my dose of serc, and am hoping that helps, as I am out of options now until I get to see my specialist on August! I live 4 hours away from the nearest large city where someone might be able to help whit with Menieres (not on in town knows much about it!), which can be very frustrating. I will be on the others side of the country when I see my specialist in August, which is not very handy for follow-up!! I am hoping that he can refer me to someone out here. I wouldn't trade where I live for anything, but it's not terribly helpful being so far away when I need medical help/advice!
I have been having a good week since Monday, and got to my lunch time yoga session today - I missed a few between being sick, and having meetings at work, so it felt good to get back into it!! It has been raining a lot here in the Rocky Mountains, and some sunshine would be a nice treat... hopefully soon we'll actually get real summer weather soon!!
That's all for today... Happiness and health to all!
Thursday, 23 June 2011
Saturday, 4 June 2011
Drop Spell
Well, I am sad to report that mere hours after I wrote my last post, I had another spell. I was just preparing to enjoy a great sushi dinner, when I became dizzy very suddenly. Within 10 minutes I was spinning with vertigo and ready-ing for ‘combat’ on my bathroom floor. This is often referred to as a ‘drop spell’, since it happens so suddenly. Some people with Menaires get these quite often – I am lucky enough to only have had a few so far. They are one of the more dangerous things that can happen to those of us with MM, and can be fairly upsetting (especially when one gets in the way of sushi dinner!!). I had to call in sick for work two days in a row, as I was still dizzy the next morning when I woke up, and wasn’t right until a full 48 hours later. That meant almost 4 days straight of feeling sick… not fun!!
I have just started a lunch-hour yoga course, which I will be taking twice weekly for the next six weeks. I am really excited about this, am very much looking forward to getting back into my yoga practice (I’ve been slacking a bit lately), and to see if it has any effect on my MM – I have been sick frequently lately, and maybe the yoga will help. It is certainly beneficial for my body and mind, but it is a little advantageous to think it will truly have an effect on my MM – as it hasn’t in the past, but one can always hope!! Stay tuned, as I often say.
PS I changed the blog title and look a little, hope y’all like it! Still getting the feel for it…
Monday, 30 May 2011
UHG Day
Yesterday was a write-off for me - I slept in, but woke up feeling 'off', and though I just rested (and watched Heroes!) all day, I just felt worse and worse until I was fully sick and making trips to the bathroom by 6 pm. Very frustrating, as I was hoping to enjoy a day off with my BF, but alas I was on the couch all day, feeling terrible (I did get to spend the day with Cole watching Heroes though; he is wonderful to me, when I am well or sick!). It was a funny day, because I wasn't dizzy per say, but my head just felt very heavy, and my stomach was bloated and off as usual. Do any of you out there with MD get days like that, too? I took my serc and trizide when I woke up in the morning, but they didn't seem to help, obviously. Funny how last week I had a SUPER dizzy spell that didn't last too long, and then this week had one where I wasn't very dizzy, but it lasted for 12+ hour. I'm not sure which is worse!!
I'm looking forward to enjoying the rest of my week - have a few things planned, including a date night with Cole - so fingers crossed for a healthy rest of the week!
I'm looking forward to enjoying the rest of my week - have a few things planned, including a date night with Cole - so fingers crossed for a healthy rest of the week!
Thursday, 26 May 2011
Nagging Thoughts
Well, I got away with almost 2 weeks spell free… but alas not. I woke up in the middle of the night on Sunday, and didn’t even realize anything was wrong at first… I stood up to go to the washroom, and almost fell flat on my face! I haven’t been that spinny in quite a while, so it was a little unnerving. My discomfort increased, and the steadiness of my stomach decreased… I was awake for about 2 hours or so, very, VERY uncomfortable and back and forth to the washroom the whole time – actually considered just bringing my pillow to the washroom, seemed like less work to just stay there (wouldn’t have been the first timeJ ) ! Luckily I have Mondays off, so I slept and slept until about 2 pm on Monday, and felt okay upon awakening. Yay! It was the most ‘violent’ spell I’ve had in quite a while, but at least it didn’t last long.
I am greatly anticipating a trip that I am taking home to Ontario
I know that there are much worse things that many people face that make it challenging to do things and follow dreams that they may have… I am lucky to only have to deal with this, as frustrating as it is. When it come to specifics, like the Ontario trip, I just have to keep reminding myself that no matter what it’s going to be a great little trip, and if I get sick, well I’ll get sick and deal with it when it comes. Ultimately I hope that I’ll be feeling at least a little steadier by then, but who knows. Stay tuned!
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
What a Day
Well, today work has been crazy, I finally (?) signed up for Twitter, and the sun is shining.
It also marks a week and a day since my last spell... BUT, I am trying not to think about it!
I appreciate the reaction to my blog so much - it is awesome to put something out there, and get a lot of interesting, compassionate and helpful feedback. Thanks to everyone who has commented and/or e-mailed me.
Ironically, I actually was more social than usual this weekend, going on a rafting 'booze cruise' on Friday, a wonderful sushi dinner and then drinks on Saturday, and then a great girls night on Sunday. I figured I would be out with a spell since I messed with my sleeping patterns, but seem to be having a good health week, regardless!! Who knows, maybe it's just my new med regime finally kicking in, or maybe my body DOES like to mix it up once in a while!
My poor boss has been away sick for two weeks with dizziness - I feel terrible for her, as she is having a difficult time of getting back on track. At least she will have increased empathy when I am sick! Speaking of the work place and being sick, I read an article yesterday about a woman who has MS, but has not disclosed this to her colleagues. I found this very interesting. Her reasoning make sense to me, however any work place that would discriminate against me because of my disability is not a place I imagine I would want to work. It can certainly be difficult to put out there the things that affect us, and may cause us to be 'different' than your 'average' employee, but I think that it is important for the betterment of our society that all types of disabilities be recognized - only in this way can we work towards a society that is inclusive of all. Society often tells us that showing any kind of weakness is bad, and that we should hide our flaws, sometimes at any cost; I think that many times it is our flaws that truly make us who we are, because it is often the weaknesses in things like our health that truly make us stronger individuals in the ways that actually count.
You can ind the article on the Globe and Mail's web site: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/facts-and-arguments/the-essay/why-ive-chosen-to-hide-my-ms-from-co-workers/article2023933/
It also marks a week and a day since my last spell... BUT, I am trying not to think about it!
I appreciate the reaction to my blog so much - it is awesome to put something out there, and get a lot of interesting, compassionate and helpful feedback. Thanks to everyone who has commented and/or e-mailed me.
Ironically, I actually was more social than usual this weekend, going on a rafting 'booze cruise' on Friday, a wonderful sushi dinner and then drinks on Saturday, and then a great girls night on Sunday. I figured I would be out with a spell since I messed with my sleeping patterns, but seem to be having a good health week, regardless!! Who knows, maybe it's just my new med regime finally kicking in, or maybe my body DOES like to mix it up once in a while!
My poor boss has been away sick for two weeks with dizziness - I feel terrible for her, as she is having a difficult time of getting back on track. At least she will have increased empathy when I am sick! Speaking of the work place and being sick, I read an article yesterday about a woman who has MS, but has not disclosed this to her colleagues. I found this very interesting. Her reasoning make sense to me, however any work place that would discriminate against me because of my disability is not a place I imagine I would want to work. It can certainly be difficult to put out there the things that affect us, and may cause us to be 'different' than your 'average' employee, but I think that it is important for the betterment of our society that all types of disabilities be recognized - only in this way can we work towards a society that is inclusive of all. Society often tells us that showing any kind of weakness is bad, and that we should hide our flaws, sometimes at any cost; I think that many times it is our flaws that truly make us who we are, because it is often the weaknesses in things like our health that truly make us stronger individuals in the ways that actually count.
You can ind the article on the Globe and Mail's web site: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/facts-and-arguments/the-essay/why-ive-chosen-to-hide-my-ms-from-co-workers/article2023933/
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
Once a Week....
I really should start writing about my good days, too! Had a spell again yesterday, which keep me on the schedule I have been living of one a week. I had to miss work this time, as well, which adds to the frustration, especially since I am covering a maternity leave and don’t have sick time benefits right now!
I am feeling frustrated because despite doing everything ‘right’ (meds, sleep, diet), I am still getting sick with almost alarming frequency. With still three months to go before I see my specialist, it’s hard to know what to do. I know that the doctors in my small town won’t be able to offer any suggestions I haven’t already heard, but I am tempted to try anyway. It would be nice just to have a break for a couple of weeks, especially now that the weather is getting nicer! It seems to be that the way the weather affects me, I often end up ‘sick’ on sunny days – that’s just mean!!
I find that my mind races sometimes when I am sick, and I often think of seemingly profound thoughts and ideas while I am laying in bed in discomfort – these ideas seem to either fade away, or are not nearly exciting the next day when I am feeling better. I swear if I could manage to work a key board while I am sick, I’d have a book written by now!! I need some voice to text software I suppose!!
I really would like a break form this – endless nights of spinning and nausea followed by days of exhaustion are not fun. At least time to recover from one spell before I have another would be nice!!
Thursday, 7 April 2011
The H Word
Well, last week I had my first spell in a while, and it was a big, bad, scary one. It was also a frustrating one because it came on very, VERY suddenly, and meant that I had to cancel plans I had that night with a girlfriend. I wasn't spinning as much as I have, but very ‘off’. This one was based more around my stomach than anything - I was in the bathroom every 5-10 minutes for about 7-8 hours straight, only finding relief when I managed to fall asleep briefly.
This is one of those spells that has me contemplating a trip to the emergency room while my head is buried in the toilet. I know that there isn't much that they could do to help me, an IV for fluids, and something to help me sleep would be welcomed. However, the sheer idea of going to a hospital is quite daunting. First, I would have to get out of the house, and get myself to the hospital, which would be reasonably easy since I have a great boyfriend to help take care of me when I am down and out. The 10 minute drive to the hospital would be okay, as riding in a car often soothes my symptoms, at least until it stops. But then things get scary... the thought of walking into a brightly lit emergency room, having to explain my situation to likely several different people, and having to wait to be seen, all while throwing up at the rate that some people breathe, is essentially terrifying to me when I am in the middle of a spell. I am happier to stay in my dark room, propped up on pillows and forcing myself to take a couple of sips of water or Ginger Ale after every time I throw-up. There have been times that I have been very close to going to the hospital, such as the one time I have thrown up blood - and one time when I did go to the hospital, which was the day after a particularly bad spell when I was too weak to do anything and fainted (alone in my apt!!). There are times when I likely should have gone, but as noted, the entire prospect is just far too daunting. I would be interested to know what other folks who have gone to the hospital during a spell have faced….
I am having a better week so far this week, and even got to engage in a conversation with my pharmacist yesterday, who had never actually talked to someone with Menieres, and had many thoughtful questions for me. Always happy to educate!
This is one of those spells that has me contemplating a trip to the emergency room while my head is buried in the toilet. I know that there isn't much that they could do to help me, an IV for fluids, and something to help me sleep would be welcomed. However, the sheer idea of going to a hospital is quite daunting. First, I would have to get out of the house, and get myself to the hospital, which would be reasonably easy since I have a great boyfriend to help take care of me when I am down and out. The 10 minute drive to the hospital would be okay, as riding in a car often soothes my symptoms, at least until it stops. But then things get scary... the thought of walking into a brightly lit emergency room, having to explain my situation to likely several different people, and having to wait to be seen, all while throwing up at the rate that some people breathe, is essentially terrifying to me when I am in the middle of a spell. I am happier to stay in my dark room, propped up on pillows and forcing myself to take a couple of sips of water or Ginger Ale after every time I throw-up. There have been times that I have been very close to going to the hospital, such as the one time I have thrown up blood - and one time when I did go to the hospital, which was the day after a particularly bad spell when I was too weak to do anything and fainted (alone in my apt!!). There are times when I likely should have gone, but as noted, the entire prospect is just far too daunting. I would be interested to know what other folks who have gone to the hospital during a spell have faced….
I am having a better week so far this week, and even got to engage in a conversation with my pharmacist yesterday, who had never actually talked to someone with Menieres, and had many thoughtful questions for me. Always happy to educate!
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