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Posts: 273
May 30 11 6:12 PM
Why I owe my life to Menieres. My Story
In March of 1991 (I was 36 years old) I was working for a large aerospace company in the Pacific Northwest. (Let's call it the Big Kite Factory) It was a day like most others, get up, kiss my lovely wife and drop her at work, and go to work myself. That morning I started feeling funny. I can’t even describe what I was feeling that day only to say that I felt light headed, started thinking that I have been here before (kind of a deja vu feeling), and came as close as I think I have ever been to a panic attack. Not knowing why I was having these feelings I did what any male would do. Went in the restroom so as not to be seen. After hiding in a stall for about an hour or so I finally figured I should try and make it to the medical clinic on site. I made it about 100 feet out of the bathroom when I got very dizzy and kinda fell into a chair in the factory. I got up again and made it about 75 feet when I was hit with the most severe vertigo attack I have ever had. As I fell to the concrete floor, I struck my head on a desk, and for a short time lost consciousness. (This was the first of many of these “episodes” I would experience in the years to come.)
I was taken to the in-plant medical clinic where they could find nothing wrong and I was told I should probably go see a doctor. (Translation: They thought I was faking and go back to work) Because my wife and I rode to work together she was called to come get me and take me home. On the way home my wife, being the pit bull that she was, made me stop at her doctors office. (I did not have one at the time) This doctor checked me out and sent me to a local hospital for an EKG on my heart as he heard something that “just didn’t sound right”. It turned out I had a congenital heart defect (Marfan’s disease) and soon underwent 2 heart surgeries to replace parts (Aorta and valve) and correct. My doctor has always maintained that the episode at work was unrelated to my heart problem and it was not until I was diagnosed with Menieres this March, 11 years later, that I realized this was my first encounter with Menieres. That attack started a chain of events that eventually saved my life. My cardiologist told me back in 1991 that had I not been checked out that day I would have likely died within a few weeks without warning. (one of the lovely affects of Marfan's) He also thought the passing out at work was unrelated to my heart condition. (After genetic studies were done at the University of Washington following my surgeries it was determined that this was the heart defect my mother died of in 1968 at age 41)
I have since complained of the dizzies to all my doctors for over a decade until finally being diagnosed with Menieres this year. At least I know now what has always been a mystery to both my wife and I.
As I did not let my heart disease define who I am and rule my life nor will I let Meniere’s. I am fortunate to have been blessed with a wonderful supportive wife and my “true” friends have always stuck by us. Armed with the knowledge of what I have I can take the steps to fight back against the M&M’s as my wife and I call them. (Marfans and Menieres) I feel I will not be given more than I can handle and know that there is a reason for all the medical problems in my life. ( I am not sure I have yet figured out what that is but ….) I remain extremely optimistic and positive that I will enjoy life for years to come.
I wrote this in an effort to give hope to some and perspective to others. I pray for all of you that have this debilitating disease and hope that you all can find the strength to deal with it on whatever level it affects you. This is the last rambling post for me. I appreciate all the encouraging words received on this site. A sincere thank you!
Also Thanks Menieres!!!!
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