As I sat down on the sofa, a weird feeling came over me.
My brain was swimming, I was dripping with sweat and my ears were ringing too.
As the room began to spin, I felt nauseous and couldn’t stop vomiting.
This is the end, I thought, feeling like I was going to pass out.
I was home alone, so I knew I needed to call for help, but I couldn’t move.
Desperately, I shouted to Siri on my phone to call my mother-in-law.
She arrived with a paramedic, who gave
me an anti-sickness jab, before they both helped
me into bed.
After four hours I felt better, but I saw my GP the following day.
‘Have you had any ear problems?’ he asked.
‘They’ve felt blocked for weeks,’ I replied. ‘I thought it was a cold.’
The doctor diagnosed labyrinthitis, an inner ear inflammation affecting hearing and balance.
He prescribed anti-sickness tablets and said it should clear up in a few months. Only the funny turns continued, so I went back and was referred to an ear, nose and throat specialist.
While I was on the waiting list, my problems continued. The dizzy spells could last from 20 minutes to two days, which was really debilitating.
Meanwhile, my hearing was deteriorating rapidly in both ears.
The specialist sent me for an MRI and some other tests and finally, he told me, ‘You have Ménière’s disease.’
While the symptoms were similar to labyrinthitis, Ménière’s was incurable and could come and go intermittently.
I felt terrified, but my specialist put me on steroid injections to lessen the episode frequency and severity, and I was fitted with hearing aids.
My husband James supported me as I got used to my new normal. I discovered changing my diet helped my symptoms and I lost an incredible
six stone.
Now, 10 years on from my diagnosis, I still get episodes, but I’m due to have an operation which could prevent an attack for up to nine years.
I’ve learnt British Sign Language (BSL) and trained as a tutor so I can teach others.
I’m also doing everything I can to promote hearing aid positivity to remove the stigma and embarrassment of wearing them.
Adjusting to this condition and everything that it brings has been tough, but I will stay positive.
From Nadia Bishop, 50, of Swindon, Wilts
Ménière’s disease
• What is it? A rare ear condition that affects hearing and balance.
• What are the symptoms? Dizziness, nausea, ringing or roaring in the ears.
• What’s the treatment? There is no cure but certain treatments can help to manage symptoms, for example medicines, hearing aids, diet changes and surgery.
• Where can I find out more? Visit nhs.uk and search ‘Ménière’s disease’.