I've posted before on this topic, but it's something I felt I wanted to post about again. You can learn to live with a vestibular disorder. It's of the utmost importance that you do not let your vestibular disorder ruin your life. This includes the anxiety we all feel because we can't trust our bodies in regards to balance. The more ground you give up to your vestibular disorder, the worse off you will be. I am not saying you are going to be able to keep doing what you normally did before experiencing your vestibular symptoms. Three years ago, I was the golden child, a well-paid restaurant manager at a large company. I can't do that job anymore. I could bump into someone, drop a tray, or fall. I couldn't bear if my vestibular disorder caused me to hurt someone. So, I'm kind of consigned to menial jobs which has been a huge discouragement for me. Career blasted away, back in school at 32...
But, you have to roll with the punches when you have a vestibular disorder. You will have to re-arrange your life. I take online courses so I can still work at least part-time, and have time at home. Online classes also work fabulously for the days I am not feeling well. I can do schoolwork from the couch at home. I am getting to finish the History degree I've always wanted to complete, and I'm contemplating grad school. I am working on a book. I get to spend time with my family. I have taken up yoga, and have found it to be very grounding. Counseling is helping me. Medication is helping me. (Anti-depressants are HUGE in reducing anxiety. I also have Xanax for panic attacks, and prescribed sleeping pills. No sleep = vestibular symptom flare. I am a natural, organic eater and so this has been a massive transition for me to taking multiple medications...depressed me a bit, to be honest. But the meds do help me).
I wanted to encourage anyone out there who is feeling down about their vestibular disorder that you can and will have a life again. It might look different, but it will happen if you don't give up. You might need a cane (as I do occasionally), and you might not be able to watch certain TV shows or movies with a lot of camera movement (think Blair With or Starz show Black Sails...great show, but the rocking motion of the camera...bleh). You may need to modify your diet. I have started an overhaul of my eating, following a high-protein, no dairy, low-carb diet. If you have something like Meniere's, you'll probably be on a low-salt diet. It all depends.
On a side note, (I know this post is all over the place, sorry. I didn't really have cohesive thought process when I started it.), tracking your symptoms can help identify triggers for your symptoms. I use the Migraine Buddy app, even before I was diagnosed with vestibular migraines. Even if you don't have migraines, it is useful for tracking vestibular symptoms such as vision changes, neck pain, ear pain, and you can add your own symptoms. I have identified processed foods and weather changes as my primary vestibular triggers. Maybe your triggers are stress, or something else. It's a highly useful app, in my opinion.
Possibly the biggest thing I can tell you the reader is to keep doing things you would normally do as much as possible. For example, there is a local festival today that I've been looking forward to for weeks. I am not feeling 100% today. I've been dizzy since yesterday. I know I am still able to drive, and I am going to make myself go to the festival. Otherwise, I'm letting my vestibular disorder win.
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