I'm a 50-year-old female who over the past couple of years, has changed dramatically from who I was before. I've ben through so much in my life and was always able to handle anything that came around. But no longer.....

I know it has to do with my Meniere's, which causes me Vertigo, nausea, light-headedness and forgetfulness. Combine that with post-menupausal PMS (which is a nightmare!!!) and constant feelings that my life is a failure have made it hard to be happy about anything.

I take a barrage of drugs and suppliments for my Meniere's and Zoloft for my depression. I rarely have the constant panic attacks, but I still feel down a lot. It takes all of my efforts to get up and go to work in the morning. Anything else I can't seem to do.

Nothing I do seems to work...meditation, exercise, I just give up or stop trying. IDK what else to do.

Hi and Welcome to DF Bastet

I am so sorry that you are suffering so much and that nothing seems to be helping.
Have you gone back to your doc and discussed this, you could possibly need med adjustments or changes.

I really hope that you find a way to feel better soon.
We are here for you and feel your pain.

Trace

Hi bastet,

Know what you mean by getting older!! But you are doing so well to hold down a job with you health problems- congratulations. I agree with Trace you may need your meds adjusted / reviewed.

I feel like that somedays , but I got my meds updated and feel a lot better (some odd days still)

Don't let depresion take over your spare time, activities can really help, exercise especially. Keep going on - going on. Best Wishes and keep your focus on what you can achieve more.


jim Bow

Im 38 female 4 kids divorced..I feel like what else is left..I feel just empty like i lost somebody..I dont like this feeling up and down like a roller coaster!!!

Thanks for your responses! Yeah, my meds do need adjusting. I'll talk to my doctor today. And that's another thing that's depressing. I'm paying sooooo much for my ear problems, it's just another added expense to talk to my regular doctor. Sure I have insurance but deductibles are a killer!!!

I have alot of sorrow and loss which has built up over the years on me. I find it hard to get out of bed, going to work forces me up. Today I was in bed for about 12 hours, I could have easily stayed in bed a few more. But I have an appointment with my therapist in a couple hours, so I MUST shower! I take an anti-depressant for my depression but I have many other issues, I might be Bipolar2 but it's very hard to diagnose. What about asking your dr. about other options for meds? When I was taking Zoloft I had 'brain fog' hours after getting up. Now I'm on Prozac 40mg which doesn't cause the tiredness.

Like the others said, don't give up! You're reaching out for help and will find these forums very supportive. I do little things to lift my mood.......I got my long hair cut, it's still long but now it's stylish! I started painting my toenails. I found a craft that I enjoy, beading especially making earrings. Tap that wisdom that comes with our middle-age!

Hi bastet and everyone else-

I know what you mean- I am 48. I re-joined my gym to hopefully get a mind body connection- but so far it hasn't worked- I have been unemployed for many many months now- and that is depression beyond belief- at 48- I had no idea it would be so hard to get employment-

I have changed dramatically too- my 30 year old self wouldn't even recognize me at 48- I can't seem to grasp meditiation either..

I am sorry you feel the way you do too

Hi all,
Older woman here who can relate to the feelings you've mentioned. I just wanted to say "Hello".

Hi everyone,
55 year old male here. Not much I can add. I just wanted to say don't give up. Keep trying. If something doesnt work try something else. Excercise is working for me and meditation. I also angel write and garden. I try to use my spare time doing things that will positively impact how I feel. That in turn helps me get through each day. Some days are better than others. Some days are dark. It just seems wrong somehow to let the bad stuff win.Wishing you all Peace and wellness. Namaste.....................POPI

Hey there. You have Meniere's too...

I know what it is like, I've had 5 neurosurgeries attempting to resolve it - they even severed the balance nerve on one side... Ouch...

It is certainly a major cause for depression, it's a nasty, disruptive, psychologically intimidating disease. It makes you really, really paranoid. It goes away. But it can come back. You don't really know. You live with a darn time-bomb. THANKFULLY though (and this is highly ironic!) usually by our age the damage has been done, there's not a lot left of our ears anymore. And I have lost about 65% or more of my hearing as a result.

And I am now 51... I got hit with this way back in my mid-20's.

Hard part is accepting it. To this day, I *still* haven't fully accepted things - I did, however, manage to run through a large laundry-list of things I did to distract myself over the years.

One med that works well for me is Decadron. (Ask you doc about it.) It's an anti-imflammatory (a very POTENT one) that is particularly effective in reducing fluids in the brain and head... When I feel an attack coming on, I hit this med for a few days and it usually knocks it way down.

I usually have to sleep on only one side, to prevent loose particles of stuff in my ear from drifting into the vestibular canals and creating nightmare vertigo all over again.

And yes, when we were younger, for some reason we were able to tolerate this better... For good reason. As we get older, we loose a lot of a particular chemical and 'chemical receptors' in our brains -- dopamine. Another interesting thing is that dopamine is critical to the parts of the brain used for balance and coordination... Hmmmmmmmm...

Might want to talk with your doc, or for that matter, go see a specialist that REALLY knows Meniere's. Try a neurologist too.

There are antidepressant med's that work on dopamine (only a few, but they ARE out there) which can really help with the 'lack of will' issue. (Which is ALSO dopamine-based!)

Been dealing with this myself for over 26 years. You're not alone.

I'm 61 (don't know how I got so old. lol) I had a major breakdown in 2001 combined with encephalitis that put me out of working a regular job) I'm permanently disabled by my mental illness. I function at a lower level than "normal" people, but I manage. I currently take a combo of 5 meds for Bipolar I (something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy). Are you seeing your GP or a psychiatrist for your Meds?

I went through menopause without any problems. Guess I'm in with the few women who moved through it quickly That and Meniers can increase depression. I have Parkinsonism (lifelong), although it's not like Menieres, it is a problem. The tremors are reduced with medication and I tend not to think about it.

You could try counseling in combination with your Meniers and depression.
Sheepwoman

((((( Bastet ))))))

I am so sorry that you are going through so much. I am familiar with Menieres (I may have spelled it wrong..sorry !!) as I have a friend who suffers from it.

Please don't let your age hold you down. I will be 50 next month ...It is just a number...don't let it bug you. There is so much left in life to enjoy. I agree that maybe you need your meds checked.

Maybe I am a weirdo but I am enjoying my age. I am a hell of a lot wiser. I personally have no desire to be the bell of the ball...Actually being an observer serves me well on so many levels.

Women live so much long these days. I recently attended my first NA meeting which was a women's only group.. There are ALOT of us 50's babes out there.
What a cool group of women. I hope that when some of your depression lifts that you can see the positives of this time of your life.

I hope that you find joy in learning something new or rediscover a hidden talent which is ready to come out....You are awesome and laugh at anyone who tells you otherwise....Peace, Shannon

Dear Bastet,
I am really sorry that you are finding this age, which is supposed to be such a wonderful age, a struggle and if I can do or say anything to make this better for you....

At this age group we have at last reached the freedom to be as individualistic and eccentric as we want to, to be how and who we want to be, not having to give a D*** about what anybody says! This is supposed to be the age where we no longer feel restricted by society's rules and regulations, where we can just break free.

Once you have had your meds checked, and I really, urge you to do so, there is really no reason why you should not live a full and varied life. I have a natural herb remedy, called Phytol, I think, which is really very good for those Menopausal symptoms. Mine started since 45 already.

Yes, we have spells of being depressed, feeling lonely, feeling down, feeling ill, of course we do. But these are to be of a passing nature, these are not to remain and these are not to rule our lives? The only restriction is that which we place on ourselves.

We are to feel free to wear the purple hats with the red jerseys and the gold shoes and eat whatever we want and to live a life of simple freedom and joy and work towards achieving inner peace?

I personally find abundant joy in Christian spirituality, which I combine with other activities and interests.

Yes, again we have to dig deep and draw on that strength that we have had to utilise to get through all the difficulties to where we are now. And the difficulties taught us the tenacity to get through the set backs, taught us that we can do anything that we set out to achieve and that this, the here and now, is the time to start reaping the benefits of struggling to reach this point.

My support goes out to you in any and every way possible.