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What I Want You to Know About Me and My Life with Meniere's Disease

If you know someone with Meniere's disease, you should read this. If you know me, and are a part of my life, then you should definitely read this. 1. It's completely fine to ask me about anything related to my condition! I would rather have you ask than make assumptions. MD is not a sensitive subject to me, and I'm happy to fill in the gaps! 2. My condition is permanent. My hearing loss is permanent. Please don't ask me a year from now if my ear is all better - it won't be. There's no cure for MD, and this is something I'm stuck with until there is one. 3. If/when I say I can't hear you, I mean it. Please accommodate to that, and speak up, or write or type what you need to say to me. Or, if you know Finnish or American sign language, you can sign to me ;) 4. When I have vertigo, please know that it's quite debilitating. If I ask you to drive, it literally means my world is spinning out of control and you do not want me operating heavy mach
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Meniere's Disease Symptoms

Meniere's disease is different with everyone, that much we all know. However, there are a variety of symptoms that everyone with MD experiences at least sometimes. Below I have listed common symptoms that occur before, during and after attacks / between attacks, and I have underlined everything that I am experiencing during those stages on a regular basis. All of the information I have gathered in this post, can be found from Vestibular Disorders Association 's (VEDA) website, which is an excellent source of information. This post is not sponsored. BEFORE AN ATTACK: balance disturbance dizziness, lightheadedness headache, increased ear pressure hearing loss or tinnitus increase sound sensitivity vague feeling of uneasiness DURING AN ATTACK: spontaneous, violent vertigo fluctuating hearing loss ear fullness (aural fullness) and/or tinnitus anxiety , fear diarrhea blurry vision or eye jerking nausea and vomiting cold sweat , palpitations or rapid pulse trem

My First Tattoo

So, I got inked. And I love it! I don't take tattoos lightly. When I was a teenager, I was sure I would get my first tattoo the second I turned eighteen. Good thing that didn't happen... Tattoos are, as you know, permanent. Before I stumbled upon sign language tattoos I had never found anything that I would permanently want inked on my skin. And when I found this design, I wanted to think it through. Would I regret it? Is it a bad idea?  I'm not opposed to beautiful tattoos that people get just because. To each their own. However, I decided early on that if I was ever going to get a tattoo, it would have to mean something, and it would have to be a personal decision, and there for myself, not for anyone else. It would have to be in a place where I can show it, but a place I can also cover up if needed. No way was I going to get a tattoo that would insult somebody in any way.  So, why this tattoo? I'm a very different person from who I was a year ago. Wi

General Update

Hey guys! Guess what?! I FINISHED MY THESIS! The official return date is Tuesday the 16th, and I have a few corrections to make before that, but basically I'm done! I'M SO DONE! I feel so incredibly good right now. You wouldn't believe the permanent smile on my face today when I typed the last words... Oh my goodness, what a load off! Needless to say, my life will calm down remarkably now that I'm done with my thesis. I have some plans for future posts and will hopefully finally sit down and film a video for you guys, too. I will be going on a three-week trip starting on June 25, and I want to get things done before that. I'm sorry for having been MIA for so long. Is anyone there still reading this blog? :D I really want to get back to regular posting, and soon you can expect the following: Dealing with tinnitus Something super exciting (for me at least) that I will share with you hopefully next week! Hearing aid update My Story with Meniere's Diseas

Have You Just Been Diagnosed with Meniere's Disease? Read This.

I got sick five years ago and was fortunate enough to have a mother who's an interpreter and knows a thing or do about everything ear-related. I also had a good doctor and did my own research about Meniere's disease online. However, back then it never occurred to me to look for support in social media. I never read blogs about Meniere's disease or searched for any groups or networks. I was pretty much alone with my disease, but I usually prefer it that way. I'm weird and isolated like that. I know that doesn't work for most people. Here are some things you can do if you've recently been diagnosed with Meniere's disease, or if it's something that you might have and you just haven't been diagnosed yet. Do your research. Meniere's disease symptoms also fit some other conditions, so make sure you know what is happening in your body. This way you can provide your doctor valuable information that can help him help you. If/when you get your di

What I Can't Do With Meniere's Disease

Over the years I've come to some realisations about things I'm no longer able to do due to having Meniere's disease. Before you read any further, please remind yourself that this disease is different with everyone, and what's not working for me might be working for someone else. This post is also not me complaining about things I've had to give up. I'm just presenting some facts here :) Rollercoasters. Ah, I used to love going to amusement parks and riding rollercoasters and other rides. I LOVE amusement parks. Now, unfortunately, my balance goes way off if I get on a ride, so I no longer have to spend crazy amounts of money on those wrist bands... Walk down the stairs without holding onto the banister. I still have good days when I can just run down the stairs with no problems, but most of the time I need to hold onto something. If it's dark, I definitely have to be careful on the stairs. Function well without proper sleep. I need my sleep, I reall

Hearing Aid Update

I have been living with a hearing aid for about a month and a half now, so I thought I'd give you guys a little update on how everything is going. It's going pretty damn well! When I first got my hearing aid the ear piece was a very general one - one that could fit into anyone's ear. It worked fine, but it was itchy from time to time. At first I didn't notice too big of a difference with or without the hearing aid on, only some certain noises and stuff. It took a few weeks for my brain to adapt enough for me to be able to notice how my hearing drops when I take the hearing aid out. I also noticed how it helps with my tinnitus :) Almost a couple of weeks ago I got my own individual ear piece, and was introduced to whole new sounds! I didn't know there could be that big of a difference between the general ear piece and the individual one! I hear so much better now. The ear piece fits my ear perfectly (as it should, of course), and doesn't itch. Plus it