I haven't been on the board for awhile - too painful for me. I caught a nasty viral infection in February (probably from my gym--everyone had it and the virus lasted for a month in almost everyone who caught it). The virus settled in the inner ear. Prior to that, I swam 12 miles a week religiously, getting ready for my first summer off in about 30 years! My summer was going to start each day with a 3000 yard swim, some yoga, walking, maybe tennis. I had planned to take a few lessons to refine my strokes and hoped to swim with Masters. It is now almost August and I am still not able to swim. At first, the backstroke and freestyle resulted in severe motion sickness. Eventually, even breastroke and fly caused it. At first, the motion sickness only happened when I was swimming (almost the entire time), but I was fine when I got out of the pool. Then I became equally imbalanced even out of the water. Has anyone ever gone through this? My ENT says it can take months, or even years to recover from an inner ear inflammation. He also said it could be permanent damage. I am terrified, and needless to say, very depressed. I'm sorry to be a drag, but I know you all can understand. Thanks for listening.
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Jayhawk: Thanks. I think people are often misdiagnosed as having Meniere's when doctors are unsure. I've never had attacks like yours -- when they come, they last at least 24 hours with residual imbalance for months after. This last attack has resulted in imbalance being set off by swimming - my worst possible scenario - I swam in 3 weeks after double stomach surgery and the day after I broke my foot. This really has hammered me. Thanks for all your help.
BTW, I almost never eat canned food and rarely eat out. My salt intake is pretty low.
Jayhawk: Thanks. I think people are often misdiagnosed as having Meniere's when doctors are unsure. I've never had attacks like yours -- when they come, they last at least 24 hours with residual imbalance for months after. This last attack has resulted in imbalance being set off by swimming - my worst possible scenario - I swam in 3 weeks after double stomach surgery and the day after I broke my foot. This really has hammered me. Thanks for all your help.
BTW, I almost never eat canned food and rarely eat out. My salt intake is pretty low.
