Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Meniere's, PTSD, and Weariness





Here’s a photograph of me on my Grandmother O’Mara’s tractor.
My family was visiting her farm in Anderson, Missouri.

Hello All on this chilly day in Missouri. Today’s posting won’t be an on-line memoir story from the past. The energy to write one of those stories eludes me right now. Instead I’ll bring you up to date on the present.
         The past weeks have been problematic for three reasons. The first is that the acute form of Meniere’s Disease re-entered my life after being on vacation for about two years. The barometer has plummeted a number of times and then zoomed up erratically. Both these occurrences always bring Meniere’s headaches, which are like migraines in intensity but without the sensitivity to light.
         In the past month, those precipitous barometric changes brought, per usual, the headaches, but also brought the long-absent acute rotational vertigo episodes, which I described in a posting in 2011. Living through them, however short or long each may be, leaves me drained, and so I spend time in bed, where I sleep for long hours, or I simply, as some say, crash. Upon awakening, I’m lethargic for days.
         The second occurrence during the past month has been the visit of my friend of nearly sixty years who also came to spend some time with me after Christmas. She has been working on an important report for the college where she teaches. For five days, she and I polished that report. We spent hours and hours and more hours working to make all the data clear and accessible.
         During that time, we were somewhat hampered because I began to experience technical difficulties with the Internet. We needed to go on line to check other college documents and were unable to do so when the Internet service became sporadic.
         Willy-nilly, this led to a PTSD meltdown for me. I think I've shared with you the fact that I have PTSD. The symptoms seldom occur but when they do I figuratively fall apart. This, too, leaves me exhausted.
         In the coming weeks, I hope to post the story of that meltdown, but not today. I also want to review a book of poetry by a fellow blogger—McGuffy Ann Morris. Entitled Weeds, it already has six stellar reviews on Amazon. Reviewing it will be a pleasure as I’ve enjoyed reading her poems, but today my mind simply can’t think straight enough to write something elegant enough to do justice to her work. So I’ll close for today.
         I didn’t post on my Sunday blog and I haven’t visited any of your blogs for a week because, as the Christian scriptures say, “The spirit’s willing but the flesh is weak!” I not only have weak flesh, it’s flabby too!!!
         That’s another thing I had to let go off—attending the weekly Weight Watcher’s meeting. But I hope to get back on track in the next few days. Today, I’ll mostly rest and slowly pick up the reins of my life again. Peace.

Postscript:
If you have any interest in learning about Meniere’s please see the Label “Meniere’s Disease” on the left side of this blog. The earliest postings describe the disease, its symptoms, and how it has affected my life.
         

39 comments:

  1. Oh, Dee, I'm so sorry that you're being re-visited by the acute form of Meniere's. I so remember your vivid descriptions of what it's like and it sounded so terrible. I hope this will pass soon. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

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  2. Dear Dee, I'm so sorry to hear about this. I noticed that you hadn't visited my posts, so I wondered if you were OK. I have been missing in action too, because of my test and the preparation before it. It turns out that they found nothing wrong with my colon, which is a huge relief. We had a nice snow storm here, but it melted the next day. I understand you guys are not as lucky. Please take care, my friend.

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  3. Dear Darling Dee! PEACE!!! May you find it wherever and wherever you look ... may you find it even when you are not looking ...

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  4. I'm so sorry. I thought that something might be wrong. I should have paid attention to that nagging feeling and emailed you, but then you would just have more email hanging over your head. God bless your sweet heart.

    Love,
    Janie

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  5. I'm so very sorry, my friend, you are having to deal with all this at once. I am praying for you, and hoping, as well, that healing and abundance visit you in rich measure.

    Please don't worry about any of this here. Focus on yourself and getting well.

    Hugs to you~

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  6. May the problems receed and the reins be taken up in due time. Take care.

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  7. Dee, do what you need to do for you. Feel better soon. Peace.

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  8. Sending love and light your way, friend. I hope that you are soon back to being able to do the things you want to do, but I also suspect that this "down time" will offer you gifts as well.

    Love.

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  9. I am so sorry that your illnesses have returned to make your days so unpleasant. Not fair, and I do hope you get relief soon. Do take good care and don't push it. My prayers are with you.

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  10. Hoping you feel better soon.
    Thanks for sharing the wonderful photo.

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  11. Hope you feel better soon and regain your wonderful energy for story-telling.

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  12. Dee,
    As you always say, be good to yourself! I swear by my eyes that I wish I lived closer. I'd go shopping and bring you all sorts of goodies to make you feel better.
    Love ya & Praying for you,
    E

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  13. You need to stop worrying about US and take care of yourself. You are loved, cherished, and your continued health is more important than just about anything else right now. I am sending you healing vibes and gentle vibrations. And sending you back a bit of the peace that you constantly send to me. :-)

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  14. I have not had a chance to check in on Blogsville this week as I have had quite a bit of company and plans. However, I logged in tonight and saw that you had posted. I am so sorry that you are ill and hope you get through this episode quickly.

    From one O'Mara to another, please take care of yourself and do what you can to get better. Don't give in to the demons that haunt you, give to the strength that you have learned. We are because of and in spite of and if we take the power into our own hand, we can cope and overcome.

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  15. I'm so sorry to her that you've been left just exhausted. The word that I use is "spent." Sometimes I've just got to admit there's nothing left to give. You are so dear to at least let us know how you're doing, and then we can care for you--long distance, but care, nonetheless. Continue to rest and don't apply any added pressure on yourself regarding blogging or keeping up with reading. Sometimes it just isn't a pleasure, and when it's not, don't! Love, hugs, and prayers to you, my friend. I do hope you'll feel much stronger very soon. oxo Debra

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  16. Oh Dee, do whatever you need to look after yourself. If this is lying in bed, perhaps stroking a cat or two - do it. You are hugely important to so many of us. Visit blogs and read and post when you are up to it, and not before. Sending healing and caring wishes your way.

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  17. That is a terrible visitor to have but as long as it's only visiting, buy it a one-way ticket outta Dodge.

    I simply love that picture of you with the old John Deere. Nothing like a Deere. Well, also Alyse(?) Chalmers might be OK too.

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  18. Dear Dee, you alluded to the return of Menieres in a comment. I was hoping that it had passed you by and am so very sorry that it has not. I can only imagine how debilitating this can be and wish for you rest and steady recovery. You remain in my thoughts and prayers, Dee, and with hopes that you are feeling well soon. Penny

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  19. Hi Dee, I am so sorry to hear that you are feeling lousy. You are always in my prayers, but I will pray especially for you this morning as I enjoy a warm cup of tea at my computer. May you feel like yourself again soon.
    Love and prayers,
    Mary Beth

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  20. You need to catch a break, woman!

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  21. OH My Gosh, Dee... I'm so sorry to read that you've had so many problems recently. Bless your heart...

    I am glad that you had a nice visit with your friend. Sounds like you two got alot done despite the internet problems. Those kinds of problems are SO frustrating...

    That book sounds interesting. Hope, as spring gets here, that you will begin to feel much much better.. May God Bless You.

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  22. Friends of mine have Meniere's as well. When they have an episode, it sends them to bed. Take time to heal from this latest attack.

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  23. Poor Dee, you've had so much to cope with and really must be kind to yourself, rest and recuperate. Plenty of time for blogging and reading blogs when you feel more like yourself. Take care. Pxxx

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  24. With migraines each word or movement can be like a bullet. I've heard that both M & PSTD can be very dark labyrinths. You need rest, quiet, & some self-compassion. Stop typing.
    ;O. Take care. ~Mary

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  26. I'm sorry to hear you've been having such a hard time. Take care of yourself, okay? Keep letting yourself rest.

    I'm glad you got to spend some time with your friend in the midst of it all. Those visits can be so sustaining!

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  27. My lovely dove, every traveler must pause along the way, to nourish the soul lest the journey be lost. I was diagnosed with PTSD after Brennan's birth....my heart aches for the maze of invisible internal agony that can haunt one so.

    Be gentle with yourself Dee, find your center again.

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  28. What a special photo of you on the tractor. I love the old black and whites. I am wondering, do you wear a warm woolly cap down over your ears, I hope so.

    Also, have you requested to try the medication stemetil.

    It was at one time the desired medication in Australia for nausea. I once suffered from middle ear infection and I requested to use this, and it helped dramatically. The lower dose is used in connection of migraine and middle ear problems. It blocks the dopamine receptor.
    Perhaps you could contact the pharmaceutical company who manufacture it and ask for one in a small dose, to try to see if it works. You do need to lay down and sleep it off...I found I woke up feeling so much better. I pray it works for you.
    If you look down to the bottom of this page you will see it says, "What is it used for." Then you will see Meniere's listed.

    Relieving nausea, vomiting and attacks of dizziness or spinning sensations (vertigo) associated with Meniere's disease and other inner ear disorders such as labyrinthitis.



    http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/cancer/medicines/stemetil.html

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  29. So sorry to hear about your headaches -- hope you are better by now!

    Pearl

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  30. Dee,

    I'm so sorry to read you have not been feeling well. I will place you in my prayers, sweet woman. May you be well.

    Michelle

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  31. hope you're feeling better...

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  32. As you came to visit my blog I am hoping that you are a little better again.

    Heres wishing you all the best and a speedy recovery.

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  33. I read about Meniere's disease and all I can so is bloody hell, I have had vertigo once in my life and I hope never to experience it again......

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  34. I have not been on blogger as much lately as I have been extra busy. I am trying to catch up now and just got a chance to read your post. Since it was written over a week ago, I am hoping that you are feeling better now. I have had migraines most of my adult life but for some reason, they have subsided in the last few years. However, they have been replaced with vertigo. My doctor gave me exercises for them. He told me that even though there is no science behind them, they often worked. Sometimes they do, but other times, I am worse. I now just skip them. I also seem to suffer more during this time of year. The good thing is that summer will soon be here and I will be better and I hope the same for you.

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  35. Dee, I'm so sorry you have had such a grim time! Your words always seem so calm and measured and I suppose we forget that, like a swan, you might be paddling furiously under the surface. I do hope you are feeling much recovered. I love to come here and read, and somehow your comments at mine are suffused with calm and peace. I shall pray lots over this Easter period for those maladies of yours. Peace to you :-0

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  36. Are you feeling better yet??

    Pearl

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  37. I'm sorry you haven't been well Dee. Hopefully you will recover quickly.

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  38. Thank you for coming to my blog Dee. You mentioned Molly’s post on quilts – I visit her blog and saw the beautiful quilts she posted. It is hard to believe that there are such a variety of quilts to see, all very pretty. I hope that with spring making an entrance your feeling exhausted and ill is making an exit.

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  39. So sorry to hear you have had troubles again with the Meniere's. That has to be totally draining! I hope you are feeling better by now (Easter). I know what you mean about the spirit being willing... I am moving like a tired snail over here, myself. Spring is around the corner. :) *hugs*

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