A year ago I had grommets inserted into my eardrums for the purpose of being able to use a Miniette device. However, I found it was the grommets and not the Miniette that put me into the “well controlled” category. Before this, my known triggers were stress and being a girl. the grommets were supposed to last about nine months. This should have taken me to mid July. However, as my neuro-otologist pointed out, I am not normal and have trouble following standards.
The third week of June, just one week before my scheduled appointment with my doctor, I decided to relax in bed for a while before getting up to enjoy the Shabbat. I rolled over on my left side and tucked the pillow up under my neck. At this point I felt a ‘crunch, crackle and pop’ in my left ear. I lay perfectly still for a bit, afraid to move, not knowing what was happening. When I finally sat up my world was spinning. I had not felt this way since mid October. I made my way to the couch and pretty much remained there until Monday when I could call the doctor.
Anyone who has Meniere’s or is close to someone with Meniere’s, knows how unpredictable this monster is. by the time I got in for my Friday appointment, we had determined that I now have a third trigger ~ WEATHER. Now I fully understand those who refer to themselves as “walking barometers”. We got new grommets inserted and this time they should last two years.
While I didn’t have issues with the original triggers after the grommets were inserted, I still have minor issues with the weather changes. It seems that when the weather changes now I get a dull ache deep in my ears and experience some fluttering. In the beginning of September I was lucky enough to get H1N1. This proved to have a bad effect on my ears. I had lots of aching and it seemed my hearing worsened. When the illness cleared I noticed that I now have constant tinnitus in both my ears instead of just the left ear. My doctor sternly advised that I not get either versions of the flu again for the remainder of the season. (As if…)
Earlier this week I was getting over what I initially thought was a second round of the flu, but thankfully, turned out to be Acute Bronchitis instead. My left ear began doing weird things so I put in a call to my otos nurse. When she returned my call, we talked. She reminded me about the weather and advised I take it easy and keep an eye on things and call back if they don’t improve or get worse. you know, the usual blah, blah, blah.
Everyday we have ups and downs. Right now it appears that I am on more of a Merry-Go-Round. For four years I felt as if I was on a very wild roller-coaster. I HATE roller-coasters, so I am glad I am no longer on that part of this ride. I will accept being on a Merry-Go-Round with Meniere’s although I wish I could be on a real one instead. I will continue to research (for now with a clearer head) and write my book while educating anyone and everyone I can about this dragon that invaded my life five years ago. one day, he will be totally defeated. Until then, my sword stands ready to fight whenever he comes to prey.