LIVING WITH CHALLENGING duo health diagnoses like mine of vestibular neuronitis and Meniere’s Disease means my life has altered considerably. Some days are good. Some days are bad. And others are a mix. I can never predict how I may feel on any given day.
But I’m determined to do the best I can to manage what has now become a part of living. My physical therapist, with whom I’ve met eight times already, has been a great support in providing brain re-training exercises and encouragement. My balance is better. My double vision is easing. My tolerance to noise is improving. Certainly not like I was pre all of this, but I’ll take any improvement.
JUST DOING MY HOMEWORK
My last assignment from Ryan, my vestibular rehab therapist, was to get out into the real world, even dine at a restaurant. I took my homework and ran with it, maybe too far. Saturday morning Randy and I stopped at a garage sale and then went grocery shopping at two stores. By the time we reached the second grocer, which is considerably larger, noisier and busier than the first, I felt my symptoms flaring from the sensory overload. Oh, boy, how would I manage lunch with his sister?
With a bit of time before lunch, I closed my eyes, rested and tried to settle my hardworking brain.
Soon my sister-in-law Cheryl arrived and we were off to The Depot Bar & Grill, housed in an historic depot along the train tracks next to the river. It’s a lovely place with typically good food. I asked to be seated in a quiet area, explaining that I have sensory issues, especially with sound. I thought I could handle it. After all, I’d been training myself at home by listening to white noise city traffic, roaring waterfalls, crashing thunderstorms while moving my hands near my face. Enough practice and I was managing that noise symptom-free.
A WHOLE LOT OF TOO MUCH FOR MY BRAIN
But practice is not reality. As we settled at our lower level table with only two other dining tables in that section occupied, I thought, “This won’t be too hard.” But then, as more people filled the restaurant and the volume of conversations increased, I felt my head hurting, my eyes hurting, the constant roar of people’s voices making me feel worse and worse. Finally, I conceded that we’d have to move to the patio. It was too much for me. Our waitress was generously accommodating.
She warned us ahead of time that the cottonwood trees along the Straight River were dropping their fluffy white seeds. That they were. As the white fluff swirled and danced and fell upon our table, I felt like we were in a snowstorm. After our food arrived, Cheryl covered her plate with a napkin. I didn’t, nor did Randy. Fluff landed in my water. I still wasn’t feeling well.
I tried to hang in there, taking only small bites of my French dip sandwich, offering the chips (I’m avoiding salt) to my table-mates. I tried to shut out the conversation of the two women dining near us. But their voices, even though not really loud, sounded loud to me. I tried to engage in conversation with Randy and his sister, whom we haven’t seen in a long time. It was a lot for my brain to handle—juggling listening, talking, surrounding noise, visual of swirling white fluff, staff up and down the nearby steps, traffic sounds (thankfully no train).
AN UNEXPECTED DISTRACTION
Then in the midst of this feeling awful and trying to get through this meal, I saw a long snake slither from across the railroad tracks, under the wrought iron fence and onto the patio. It slid toward the nearby empty table, under the chairs, briefly lifting its head as if to inspect. I wasn’t scared, just thankful it was not by us. The snake drew significant attention. Had I been feeling better, I would have pulled out my cellphone to take pictures. Others did, before the snake reversed and headed back toward the tracks, back toward the grassy river bank. A guy identified the snake as a gopher snake. I knew this was not a garter snake, as the women next to us said. I would have guessed rattlesnake, which shows how little I know about snakes. I know only that I don’t like snakes.
After that excitement, we continued with our meals, me mostly leaning my head into my hand in an effort to at least stay until the others finished eating. Finally, I said, “We have to leave.” My symptoms had flared out of control. I tried. And, if anything, I came home with an interesting story to tell about the uninvited dinner (technically lunch) guest down by the (former) train station.
© Copyright 2023 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
When I was going through overstimulation from a TBI, I used noise-cancelling headphones a lot. They saved me many times from complete overload.
Janell, I’ll see what Ryan says when I share my restaurant experience. He’s trying to get me to build up my ability to manage sensory overload. But in this case, it was too much and took me until well into the evening before I finally began to feel better.
Those uninvited guests sure do make for an interesting meal. It’s so encouraging to read that you continue your work and therapy to overcome this. Hopefully your re-training soon lets you live life as you wish. ❤️
You know about uninvited guests, aka bears. I’m trying my hardest to overcome. It takes time, hard work and effort. Yesterday was rough with a trip to the ER due to an allergic reaction to something. Hopefully answers will be forthcoming on how this may or may not be connected to my vestibular issues. I didn’t eat anything that I haven’t eaten before and have not previously had an allergic reaction of this magnitude, although several minor incidences lately. It’s all complicated with many unknowns. And that’s the frustrating part.
that must have been incredibly hard. that’s a lot of sensory stimulation even when feeling well. I’m wondering if you may have had an allergic reaction to the cottonwood seeds, many people here are experiencing this right now. just a thought. glad you have a great therapist who is helping you on this journey and you’re just going to really have to listen to your body and take your cues from it for a while as you rebuild your strength and rebalance your system.
I have a lot of sensory overload going on. I ended up in the ER on Thursday with an allergic reaction after eating. Since then, anytime I eat, I experience some type of allergic reaction. Not enough, thankfully, to send me back to the ER. My taste buds are super sensitive to anything that touches them. I can’t even brush my teeth because the toothpaste is too overwhelming. And it’s not even flavored. I am eating very little and only the blandest foods I can think of. Each time I experience a reaction. This is one of the hardest health issues I’ve ever faced. (I’d rather have a broken bone, and I’ve had two of them.) I believe the hypersensitive taste buds are part of my vestibular neuronitis. Another medical appointment tomorrow. I hope for some sort of relief soon because this is a challenge to endure. But, hey, at least I’m dropping pounds. I wouldn’t recommend this plan, though.
I am so sorry and hope you get some relief soon
Saw my primary care doctor today. Going to try a med to calm my brain nerves, hopefully reducing the overstimulation of all five senses. It’s a try and see if it works approach right now.
I’m so glad that you have doctors who are trying a variety of approaches, knowing that it’s rarely a ‘one size fits all’ solution.
Me, too. It’s not easy, any of this.
wow. i didn’t know we have rattlesnakes here in Minnesota, Great information greatly appreciated.
Thank You
Yes, there are rattlesnakes in the southeastern corner of Minnesota, in bluff country.
Audrey, sounds pretty rough! Hang in there. Have they investigated possible lupus? The sudden allergy to things seems like your system is attacking itself. I have known people who after a viral infection have contracted lupus. I will keep you in my thoughts for some resolution to these health issues you are experiencing.🙏🤗
Thank you, Paula. Another medical appointment tomorrow. The last five days have been challenging.
Hang in there!🙏🧘
I’m trying. Today and yesterday were better days than the previous. There’s hope.
I can imagine that was a pretty big test for you. Glad you tried it even if it wasn’t totally successful. Hopefully more experiences like this will increase your tolerance over time. Very difficult and frustrating but I am glad for your therapist. As for your guest—- no thank you.
Yes, it was a big test. I’ve taken many steps backwards in recent days, dealing with a new sensory issue, this time on my tongue. I spent three hours in the ER on Thursday due to an allergic reaction after eating. Read my reply to Beth’s comment for more info.
I’m sorry to hear about the snake at the Depot, a place we like to eat, but not with snakes!
And I’m sorry to hear about your recent allergic reaction…o my.
Thank you, Valerie. The past five days have proven beyond challenging healthwise. Thank God for a patient, loving and supportive Randy.
I’m sorry to hear this. I’m glad Randy is retired and can be at home with you. Take care, my friend.
Thank you, Valerie. Yeah, I kinda don’t want to be home by myself right now. He was working last week (he’s not fully-retired) when I had to call him home to take me to the ER. That was a long 35-minute wait.
Good for you trying to make it work! Try again in a few weeks, eh? Little steps!
I had to make the effort. But I think, based on how I currently feel, I won’t be dining out anytime soon.
This has to be so challenging and must feel chaotic! Thinking of you. Take care of yourself.
Kiandra, my current health issues are particularly challenging. There’s no “fix,” just live with and try to manage. I appreciate your care.
♥️
I am so sorry to hear about your latest outing. I just can’t imagine the anguish that you must be suffering. And on top of that, a snake!! For many years, I could not even touch the page that a snake was pictured on. May God bless you, Audrey.
Thank you, Norma. And thank you for the loving card and thoughtful note you sent. You uplifted me.