Finding Balance: Healing From A Decade of Vestibular Disorders

by Sue Hickey

Over 10 million adults in the United States have chronic problems with dizziness and imbalance - vestibular problems. This compares to 400,000 with multiple sclerosis or 1.5 million with autism for example, both chronic illnesses with much greater name recognition. Vestibular problems are difficult to diagnose and treat. While vestibular problems come with various medical names (Meniere's, Perilymph Fistula, Endolymphatic Hydrops, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), Mal de Debarquement (MdDS), and others) they present a common challenge for the affected person on how to deal with the dizziness and eventually find balance.

Finding Balance addresses over a decade of illness, from the initial two years searching for a diagnosis, through the long years of treatment and finally to the period of rebuilding a life within the confines of what dizziness and vertigo will allow. Finding Balance provides a detailed description of symptoms, what can trigger them, the emotional reactions to symptoms, how to recognize their subtle differences, and how to track them in order to contribute to your own diagnosis. It also emphasizes the patient's responsibility for healing and eventually how to find the inner balance in life that will be necessary to equitably live with these symptoms over time. And it provides a sense of time, of patience.

Special Features of Finding Balance

Call-out boxes presenting facts and tips for dealing with the disorder All of the medical information in the book has been reviewed by vestibular specialists for accuracy Bulleted lists at the end of chapter with advice to the reader on next steps

Genres: Memoir

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2011

Reviews

[Angelea · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has a vestibular disorder (Meniere's disease), I was excited to find a personal account of someone else's experience. I did not expect to relate to the author's experiences as much as I did since her condition is different from mine. However, I completely related to the cycle of feeling really, really terrible because of it, then move on to improvement such that you can carry on a somewhat normal life, then wash, rinse, repeat. Being sick is emotionally exhausting enough, then add the cognitive dysfunction, aka brain fog, that occurs with vestibular dysfunction, as well as the revolving door of old and new symptoms, and it can get really overwhelming at times. Fortunately, the reprieves, however small, allow for the reserves to be replenished enough to get through the next crisis. Although as you're going through them, you do wonder, as the author noted, if the bad times are as good as it will ever get. She also notes the importance of changing one's expectations for their lives to accommodate the necessary physical and emotional limitations imposed by the vestibular disorder.

It was interesting watching the author experience the various stages of grieving and coming to acceptance, only to have that final stage challenged with each setback. I can relate to that, too.

I am not sure if this book would be as interesting to someone without a chronic illness or someone who knows or lives with someone who has one, but I thought it was well-written and described how a vestibular disorder has the ability to effect the person suffering from one.

[Barbara (The Bibliophage) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned more about my vestibular symptoms/disorders from this book than I have in 10 years of "treatment." My plan is to take much of what I've learned to the oto neurologist appointment I set up just before opening this book.

In addition to the easily-understood medical details, the author tells her complex and emotional story in a way that is eminently human. I wanted nothing more than to see her be cured, but it's more complicated than that. As she puts so eloquently, "It seems to be impossible to try any treatment with detachment—truly not expecting a positive result but being open to it. Being "open to" is clearly the crack that hope sneaks through."

This book gives hope to vestibular disorder patients and their families.

[Lettie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love memoirs, but this is so much more! There is so much to be gained from reading this book... if you have a vestibular disorder, think you have a vestibular disorder, know someone with a vestibular disorder, work in any clinical setting, or are seeking balance of any sort in your life!

[Margo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an important book that documents the terrible ordeal of vertigo, dizzy spells and ocular migraines and other symptoms that are so hard to diagnosis and treat. I am grateful for the information.