Menieres

[Old but trying!]

Is there anyone out there riding with Menieres? For those who haven't heard of it, it is a condition affecting your inner ear (and balance). I am now deaf on one side and balance can be quite an issue on the ground never mind on a horse. However I need to balance with my eyes rather than it being an automatic thing.

I think riding will help me to train my brain to develop my balance awareness. I also enjoy the outdoors and horses are just the most beautiful and intelligent animals.

That is the theory anyway! At the minute balanced is not the way I would describe my trotting but I am determined to try.

Anyone out there with similar experiences?


Gill

[AJB]

Hi Gill-Yes! and I thought I was on my own!!! I have menieres which was diagnosed 5 years ago after I developed major spinning and vertigo during a schooling session. Since then I have taken drugs which did no good and am now drug free and live with the disease. My left hearing is poor but right is ok. I carried on riding and now at last have the confidence to have my first horse!. I have to be careful, I always pick feet first as this makes me "dizzy" and endeavoured to find a horse that was well put together so did not need boots each ride-he only uses them if I jump him.
As far as riding goes, I hack, have been galloping on beaches and of course do stuff with my new boy. so far so good. Be careful doing too many 20 metre circles and learn to feel the correct diagonal instead of looking down as I find this really unbalances me!!. You dont say if you have your own horse but if not make sure you get a trainer who knows your problem and will be sympathtic. Sorry to go on so long but it is just amazing to learn I am not alone!!!:D Ps I also tend not to hack alone just in case my balance goes but make sure you are happy with the person with you so they know if you have to hop off etc!!!! Good luck

[Esther.D]

No, but I do have mild dyspraxia (sp?) - this means that I have poor co-ordination...in my case it is poor arm/leg co-ordination. Hence the reason I am a better carriage driver than rider. I find it very difficult to get my hands and my legs in the right position at the same time - as soon as I concentrate on one I forget the other and it all goes wrong! After years of feeling I was a failure when I couldn't get my hands up and heels down (I had traditional Pony Club training with military type instructors!) I now have an explanation which at least makes me feel better....I find riding in an australian stock saddle is great as it makes my leg position so much better and more stable, so I can forget about the legs and concentrate on the hands! My riding is improving now I understand why there is a problem.

Good luck Gill,

Oh, and any ideas from those wise people out there would be appreciated!

[Kerry's Partner]

Well this means there are a few of us, albeit with problems which are not exactly the same. I have hearing loss in both ears - but at different frequencies. I'd say ('though the tests prove me wrong) that I'm OK as long as I'm not tired/stressed - when I'm tired I cannot concentrate any more at all as much as I really need to to hear well enough.

All of this seems to have the effect that people think I'm a bit "simple" at times because I cannot follow their conversation; or because I could previously and then seem not to be able to - they WONDER!!!!!!!!!

That's not a problem, however, I'm used to it. BUT, I cannot at times hear another horse/rider approaching from behind - and the "at times" is an honest statement. You can imagine 'though how it must appear to be to those who are riding behind because sometimes I hear them and sometimes I don't!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AJB]

on the bright side "old but Trying" being poor of hearing (and presume this would work for Kerrys Partner) you can be "selective " about waht you hear when having a lesson!!:D I must admit to using it to my advantage sometimes especially if I overshoot a turn , I just plead poor hearing and get away with it!!
Glad there are a few more "green Card" riders out there....by the way stress makes me much worse and so does booze:( am off to check my boy is warm enough now and of course to give him his supper carrot!

[Perdita]

Esther D. - My little boy has dyspraxia, as well as aspergers syndrome. His co-ordination is terrible, using both sides of his body at the same time is very hard for him. He couldn't pedal a bicycle until he was nearly six, when most kids get the round and round thing at two and a half ish! I have a brilliant book on it....
Dyspraxia, the hidden handicap, by Dr Amanda Kirby. I think it's mainly for parents though, so I don't know if it would be any help with the exercises in it. There is an address for the dyspraxia foundation at the back, who I'm sure you might be able to get some info from?:)
I really admire you all for continuing riding through the health problems, my problems are just general lack of talent, confidence, and athleticism!:D

[Perdita]

Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Old but trying!!:) :D :) :D :p :cool: :)

[CityGirl]

Happy Birthday Old but Trying! Hope you're having a great day & much fun!

[galadriel]

Yikes. I did a quick web search and that sounds like no fun.

I hope you are right that riding can help you, and I hope it works well for you!

[Old but trying!]

Thanks to all for your birthday wishes - I did have a great day.

To AJB - its good to know that it is all possible you sound very experienced in the saddle. My instructor does know my problems and although I do not think she really understands what would happen if I had an attack, she is caring and understanding. I would not dream of doing anything totally alone. I had 2 years of absolute misery and after 4 months of literally not being able to leave my home (or often my bed) I had surgery and apart from one episode have been attack free for 2 years now. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Riding is all part of my 'brain education' with balance and enjoyment being my goal. My selective hearing does (i am ashamed to say) have its advantages on occasions when you do not want to hear something!
To Kerry's Partner - I do empathise with your hearing being 'selective' and directionally dependant. Those who do not know you expect that you will hear when they speak to you ( or make the noise of an approach) I often hear the sound but cannot tell you from which direction the sound came so I can look a bit of a dill looking round to see where a noise came from. I do not have my own horse unfortunately.

To Esther.D - I can't imagine quite how it would feel if your limbs would not co-ordinate, we take a lot for granted in this life. You obviously have some determination also to work at something until you succeed.

I think we all deserve a pat on the back for not giving in. I hope that I can reach the dizzy (sorry) heights of being worried about cantering one day. Trotting is my limit at the moment.

***** Ambition know's no bounds!! *****:)

[Kerry's Partner]

I'm pleased you had a good birthday. It also seems you understand how strange I must seem to people sometimes - thank you. I'm sure you'll reach the dizzy heights of cantering one day. Just think of all the progress you've made since embarking on your plan to "enjoy and overcome". Strange isn't it, it's why I started riding again (not because of my hearing) after being very ill about 4-5 years ago - despite all the trials and tribulations I experienced it was very well worth it.

All the very best.

Sandra

[AJB]

Sorry "old but trying" forgot to add a little tip of mine, if going on a hack always try to be first "on board". This helps as sometimes the stress of worrying about an attack brings a smal one one and you can jump off, recover and then remount without disrupting too may peope:D incidentally i ALWAYS worried that my menieres would cause a problem on a hack , I used to go a lot to Ashdown Forest before I had my horse, and I used to think, what if I have to get off and hold everyone up and cant get back on etc etc (being bigger than Twiggy I was always on the huge horse) and then one ride,4 people fell off on separate occasions and each time we had to stop, get them sorted and back on etc and I thought "what the hell-the worst thing that can happen is that we have to stop for five minutes which is no worse than what happens if someone falls off!!". Also try to avoid straining the neck by looking behind you to chat or pass messages if you are hacking, your balance needs a fixed object and if you feel wobly on board focus on a fixed poing, a tree or the school gate etc...I dont know how your balance attacks happen, mine start with severe deafness in one ear and then vertigo and then sickness and then usually ok apart from feeling exhausted and headachey-I must say that having my own horse is a big tonic and just being with him helps he is a great stress buster-keep us the good work-if I can ride on a beach in Dorset with meneires so can you!-set a goal and try to reach it-when you do its great-it also gives you something to aim for, I know with the disease how it can be, good days and bad days etc. Good luck :)

[Old but trying!]

Thanks for all the tips AJB. It is all the little hints and tips that make for a more stress free experience. Thankfully at the moment I am almost trouble free and I do agree how important it is to set goals and strive to achieve them. When you have been through the bad times you do appreciate the good times more. I know I have a long way to go , its funny but before each lesson I think -- I know what to do, so just do it but the theory and the practice do not coincide!! I don't mind I can be patient, reading these boards does help knowing others are going through the same trials and everyone sounds very positive which is great.
Happy riding to all.
:)

[Kerry's Partner]

Do you have any warning before you get an attack these days?

One thing that strikes me is that if you could share with whoever it is who teaches you/escorts you on a hack that you will say "xyz" if you need to (when you get your warning) - then all else will/could be supported (depending on your instructor/escort) because they could carry the responsibility of concerns like "holding everyone else up". Like
AJB has said sometimes rides are held up for other reasons, so why should you need to worry really.

Sandra

[Old but trying!]

Thankfully it is extremely rare that I have an attack since having surgery a couple of years ago, only 1 in that time. However I do take the responsibility of making sure that those in charge do know what may happen and how I cope. I would not be able to drive to the stables at any rate if I was feeling unstable so I would not hack if I felt at all unwell. However in the bad old days I didn't really get any warning that was when I was ill on a daily basis. At the most it would be 30 seconds warning and I would have the vertigo and sickness for usually between 6 and 18 hrs. If I went back to that state I would not be able to ride at all. I hope it will not come to that again!

[Esther.D]

Thanks for the replies and the sympathy - although my case doesn't really deserve it like the others....my dyspraxia is so mild that it is completely invisible in normal life (other than being bad at dancing:D). I only notice it when riding (ie hard to keep leg/hand position at the same time), swimming (can swim with arms or legs but not both!) and driving a car (am still trying to practice changing gear and operating the clutch at the same time - I don't want to be forced to drive an automatic..). Because my condition is this mild it was not diagnosed until 25...I just thought I had poor co-ordination I didn't realise there was a condition...I really do sypathise with those who have a problem with balance/deafness - that must be a nightmare, at worst people just attribute my poor co-ordination to being blonde and female!!:D

[Kerry's Partner]

Without your problems - take a look at loads of the posts on EE. The vast majority of us have problems with co-ordination imo. Riding is on the one hand SO simple but SO SO hard to get right (well riding in harmony with your horse is when you've been taught to do so in countless different ways).

SO, if you can somehow overcome the side-effects that most of us experience during not so good "lessons" - I think you could end up streets ahead of many despite your dyspraxia. My "all in the mind" so to speak problems have taken me 3 years to overcome - and I still get flashbacks which set me back for ages as well.

Happy riding.

Sandra

[FRED]

I guess a problem shared can be a problem halved, its no fun eh for those that understand.
To be honest reading this thread has brought back haunting memories of doctors prodding and pocking in ears with freezing cold instrument and buzzing machines, month in and month out, year after year, yuk, only to be diagnosed as a difficult child,grrr

:)

[marge]

Yes, I have menieres. The first attack I couldn't rise my head from the pillow without throwing up! Then spent three days seeing double. When I was finally able to walk upright my horses must've all thought I was drunk when I staggered out to the barn.

My Doctor gave me eye exercises that have helped a lot. I still have bad days, but on the good days I try to get brave and ride. It has definitely made a difference though, because I have a real hard time with my balance when I ride that I didn't have before.

It is sad, because I am having trouble ejoying riding as much as I did before. My big dream after getting my kids raised was to get horses and enjoy them. But, I came down with Ulcerative colitis and now this menieres. Life isn't fair sometimes. But I still manage to enjoy them without riding as much as I used to. I love their smell, the sounds of them eating their feed and just watching them graze. Horses are so beautiful.

[Old but trying!]

Hi Marge, you do seem to have been dealt a tough hand I hope you are stable at the moment. I can really relate to the balance bit and it is great that you can still be with your horses even though you may not always be able to ride. Best of luck and happy horses!

[AJB]

Hi Marge, I cant say its nice to know there are others with menieres riding but it helps to know your not alone. I agree with old but trying, just being around the horse is enough sometimes, last night whilst getting mine in I had balance problems, mainly because meneries is worsened by the dark of course and not having anything to fix onto to balance...however once in the yard my walking improved (i think im lucky my horse doesnt mind me leaning on him for support!) and I was able to spend a while recovering-I often feed him when this happens and the de-rug and sort him after as generally I have recovered by then!:p However If im having a bad "ear" day I just go and hang out with him and do stuff I dont get time to do if I ride, like clear my feed shed and wash brushes etc. Hang on in there Marge, keep up the exercises-one I have learnt is to pick things up with my bare feet-saves bending and means less giddyness:p

[mikka]

When I asked my MD about Mueniere's, he said it was stress related.

[AJB]

I can agree that stress worsens menieres, certainly when I have a really stressful day in the office or feel anxious and under pressure it gets worse :( although I have been riding in pretty stressful situations (horse bolting off etc) and my "ears" have been ok! however the plus side is that horses are generally good stress busters :p