Nichole

It’s ok to grieve what you have lost

Age: 45

Diagnosis: Other

I was diagnosed with MAV (Migraine Associated Vertigo), PPPD and Ménière’s in September of 2018. I became ill August 6, 2017. My diagnosis took 23 doctors, trials of medication, vestibular rehab and a trip to the Mayo Clinic to finally figure out what was wrong with me. I have been told it’s all in my head. I have been told, “I don’t know what’s wrong with you!” I have even had the wrong diagnosis several times. I have suffered greatly in my vestibular journey.

You have days you think you can’t go on, and you cry constantly. The next day you wake up and you think, “I can beat this!” It’s a struggle and explaining it is extremely exhausting.

It has taken me a very long time to talk about it with other people. I find when I do, I cry, because it makes it real.

Just this past year I have started coming to some sort of terms with it. I can laugh now when I fall. I still struggle, I still grieve for my former self and the people that didn’t stick with me along the way, but I know I can do this.

I have come so far from Aug 6, 2017. I’m a new me, a different me, and I’m going to beat this one way or another. I’m vestibular strong!