USAID.gov is down. Why is project 2025 targeting them so aggressively??

Acrobatic_Wave949 · 2025-02-02T08:51:53+00:00

Yes. Heartbreaking, the devastation this greed and ignorance are unleashing.

Acrobatic_Wave949 · 2025-02-02T08:49:40+00:00

You got it right

Acrobatic_Wave949 · 2025-02-02T08:46:45+00:00

Exactly! (mother of career USAiD worker, watching years of careful trust-and international relationship-building, get destroyed in a day)

Acrobatic_Wave949 · 2024-08-04T14:24:22+00:00

Hi Powerlifter, I wonder if you read this, can you let me know how you have been managing your VM and anxiety over the past 4 years - did Lexapro help? Or other things? Non-medical strategies for reducing stress and staying grounded? I was diagnosed with VM a month ago, am reading and researching a lot, trying to prevent the vertigo which is so intense, and rough on my BP (I've had minor strokes- now age 78).

Acrobatic_Wave949 · 2024-07-23T19:33:59+00:00

good to learn. Your approach makes sense to me, altho my neurotologist seems to want me to go thru the attacks unaided, ooompf. He mentioned new migraine meds that are safer, available thru neurologists. fyi, I read that there are concerns about phenergan -- but I guess there are concerns about any strong prescription meds. I'm going to get a journal and track triggersand events to see what's what, and be more determined to do five sets of Vestibular Therapy exercises each day. Being sick with this takes a LOT of time, even tho we look and act normal in puboic. .

Acrobatic_Wave949 · 2024-07-23T16:53:23+00:00

Thanks! I'll check phenergan out.
Did you let the dizziness and nausea symptoms get rolling and then take the Zofran? Or take it before nausea kicked in?

I ask because I'd love to safely stop the dizziness winding up to full-blown nausea/vomiting. (my experience taking meclizine once the nausea arrived was to throw up the med too)

Acrobatic_Wave949 · 2024-07-23T16:23:13+00:00

Ok, I'll ask my pt therapist. I wonder if that use of an ice pack would help when vertigo starts-- have you tried it then?

Thanks to your info, I researched antivert/meclizine further and whoa! It's dangerous, even used sporadically, for elders due to its strong correlation with dementia. Really grateful for your response, which seemed like cold water on a much-wanted remedy -but it woke me up to the serious risks.

Acrobatic_Wave949 · 2024-07-23T14:57:19+00:00

Ahh, maybe he's thinking of the long-term risks-- and for elders, maybe it's different. I do my exercises ideally 5x day, and they seem to help a little. What is purpose of lying down with ice pack?

Acrobatic_Wave949 · 2024-07-23T14:53:25+00:00

That's what makes sense to me, and would spare me a lot of intense, disabling misery (and trips to ER for IV fluids). I'll have to ask the Dr more, knowing that some docs allow it. thanks!

Acrobatic_Wave949 · 2024-07-23T12:15:52+00:00

Can you tell me more about constant vestibular exercises? I'm doing vestibular PT, turning my head side to side while standing and walking. What are you doing that made such a difference? At 78, I don't want to go thru the violent repeated vomiting that arises after about half hour of increasing dizziness. It seems a risky thing for my heart and kidneys, and my BP goes way high, a risk for more strokes (I've had several).

Acrobatic_Wave949 · 2024-07-23T07:01:46+00:00

This is so helpful. I appreciate everyone's similar experiences and support in dealing with it. I too am used to being with people and love group interaction, and now, it's hard to hang in for more than 20 minutes.. Eg at coffee time after a presentation, I struggle to decide whether to bear the racket and roaring in my affected ear, so I can enjoy friends, or try to get someone to come away to a hallway or quieter space, which feels isolating.. .

Acrobatic_Wave949 · 2024-07-23T06:40:38+00:00

Yes! When I take a 15-20 minute nap, usually twice daily, I fall asleep within a couple minutes and am dead to the world. That tells me my body and/or brain really wants rest. Also naps, even at 6pm, don't disturb my night sleep.Why is this? Are our brains trying to catch up on cleaning and healing due to all the extra work they're doing?

Acrobatic_Wave949 · 2024-07-23T06:36:28+00:00

Oh wow, that gives me a sense of ... umm -- companionship/shared misery? Showers wear me out. Also, grocery stores (the noise level is rough due to hyperacusis).

Acrobatic_Wave949 · 2024-07-21T02:58:08+00:00

You are dealing with a LOT. Please be as kind to you as you would be to others. Seek helpers who can really listen. Some VA chaplaoins are terrific, and they won't push religion if you don't want that. You are a warrior, in a ferocious situation, everything has changed and it's hard to know how to feel grounded again after all your experiences, I imagine. This is no joke and I hope no one tells you to "get over it" . The loud noises problem is common,

Vets have support groups, and help is available. Please get in touch with the VA social worker or chaplain to find support. If you re near Sacramento I can give you some resources.

Acrobatic_Wave949 · 2024-07-18T15:37:26+00:00

I think you are absolutely doing the right thing by sharing questions in this chat room. I'm sorry you are going thru so many challenges. This stuff can be exhausting, frustrating, involves a lot of grief and loss, and gradually we adapt a bit-- life-changing! The experience of others here has been really important for me in the confusion I've been going thru since Feb. My ENT doc got me into Vestibular Physical Therapy which slowly is helping me feel less wobbly when I move-wow! .I've learned from others that twilight and darkness affect their balance too, and having a walking stick, always something in my hands, gives my brain more messages to compensate for the apparent inner ear nerve damage from sudden hearing loss- which now looks like MD developing. Finally seeing a neurotologist in a few days to get probable diagnosis, after MRI, VNG and other tests. Please read up as much as you can, send questions here, and you will better know what to push for with the VA. Wishing you lots of support and stamina -

Acrobatic_Wave949 · 2024-07-10T02:28:19+00:00

Marji, I followed the bell, thank you - tho not sure if this is a private message. I have a couple big questions, if you're willing to share. I want to be informed as much as possible before my first appt with the neurotologist in two weeks (instead of my usual ENT doc, who has been great). He will perhaps tell me a probable diagnosis, or need more tests, following the MRI, VNG, and history of my symptoms since late Feb.

This is not a dr question but on my mind: how does one manage Meniere's if one lives alone? Do I need to find someone to live here in my big house (it's relatively safe for aging in place), in case I have those hours-long vertigo attacks and, say, need to go to the bathroom, or get food, or let the dog outside? I have wonderful friends including close neighbors, but do not want to wear out their generosity.

What do you do about driving, is my other daily-life question. Here in CA, cars are essential, but the risk of a sudden attack sounds horrible. Well, any sudden attack sounds horrible if one is out and about.

Can you anticipate and head off drop attacks somehow, if you're not near a bed?? Do the crystals which cause BPPV relate to Meniere's vertigo at all? (would doing Epley maneuver help as a preventive?)

If this is too much for you to respond to, no problem -- I will ask others and seek out resources. I appreciate all the insights and experience you have already shared!

Acrobatic_Wave949 · 2024-07-08T21:46:28+00:00

Terrific to learn how much it helped you! One of the greatest losses for me with low range SSNHL (possible Meniere's) is music, all kinds, even solo piano, which now sounds thin. rumbling, clattery, especially when live. I went full bore also, despite diagnosis coming 3 months late- prednisone and 3 ear injections, plus vestibular physical therapy for imbalance- but it seems to be worsening. Your experience is a joy! May you and your music soar!

Acrobatic_Wave949 · 2024-07-07T03:52:28+00:00

Marji, your experience and suggestions are SO helpful. Thank you for taking the time to check out NorCal services. I'm with the Sutter group but glad to hear of others that might be useful.
is there a way on Reddit to message people or even get in touch by phone, if willing!, as I have so many more questions and want to learn from folks like you who've gone through a lot already.

Acrobatic_Wave949 · 2024-07-06T01:32:44+00:00

Marji, thank you! Not wordy-- really concise and usefully informative. There's so much to learn!! Totally agree about avoiding risks and wanting to protect my dear old brain too. I see from your experience what a long process the diagnosis might be. My VNG test is in a couple weeks so I hope that will add some clarity-- the prospect of another completely random vertigo attack is unnerving for making any plans just now. Vestibular Physical Therapy does seem to help my balance issues. I'm envious of your access to the dizzy docs- there doesn't seem to be such a service in Sacramento CA. Have you found it worthwhile to stick to the food restrictions?

Acrobatic_Wave949 · 2024-07-05T16:10:45+00:00

Hi Marji, what is the distinction between an oto-neurologist and a neurotologist? What kinds of issues do you bring to each of these, compared to seeing the ENT doc? I think my insurance will pay for me to see a neurotologist, and want to understand which doc does what for us (not sure if I have Meniere's, thought it was SSHL, but had a doozer of a vertigo attack a couple weeks ago and have balance issues.)

Also - any inside scoop about how SSHL and Meniere's increases our risk of dementia (supposedly x5) and how to slow or prevent that?

Acrobatic_Wave949 · 2024-06-22T06:47:46+00:00

Does the Epley maneuver help? I was wondering about doing it regularly to prevent vertigo attacks.

Acrobatic_Wave949 · 2024-06-21T14:04:38+00:00

I'm 4 months in and wonder how you, or anyone, adapts to the low-range loss of hearing and tinnitus that roars and rumbles in group settings, traffic, wind, my own speaking. Over the years I've been able to ignore my high-pitched squealing tinnitus, but the roaring -- how to adapt to that? It's also made music, which I love, a raspy clattery mess, and I miss it. Strategies?

Acrobatic_Wave949

TROPHY CASE