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The
Faces and Stories of MdDS
JOAN DREUX's MdDS STORY
February
2011
In my picture at age 58, I'm
with my husband, Mark, and our granddaughter, Charlotte, in June
2010. I came down with MdDS about 5 years ago after a flight to
Florida
from Virginia. It was a condition that for years, no doctor I went
to
had even heard of, let alone suggested to me. For
years, no
doctor I visited knew how to help me in any way and simply sent me on
my way
without any suggestions for coping, let alone recommendations for the
next
place to turn to. I felt alone and at a loss of who to visit
next. It was humiliating, exhausting, costly, and
depressing. I went
with no help for about 3 years until I met with my current neurologist
(I sing his praises every day of my life now). I went to him to
see
if I should be treated for migraine vertigo. While talking
with him,
it occurred to him (he had heard a little about MdDS at the time) that
I may be
the first patient he had ever cared for who might really have this
rare
disorder called MdDS. So, I went home and looked MdDS up on the
WEB. Immediately, I could see these stories were about me too. I
called Dr. Stark, my neurologist, and said I think this is what I have.
He concurred and he did some research on how to start treating me with
something to help me cope better. Also, months later, I met with Dr.
Zee
at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Zee concluded I had both MdDS and migraine
vertigo. But, we all know Who knows, really? Right!
Anyway,
for the past two years or so, I have taken a mild antidepressant
in the
morning and a mild anti-anxiety drug at night to help me sleep
better. Both have at least help me cope better with my disorder
and my day-to-day
living. I still have teens at home, and when I was receiving no
treatment
at all, I was having a very hard time. In fact, depression and anxiety
became very real issues in my life. Since some form of anxiety
treatment,
I am so much better able to constructively cope with my condition
and
compensate on a daily basis for the rocking head and uneven
balance.
I pray for a cure and bless those who are working toward a greater
understanding of the disease. I also applaud this Foundation for
helping
fund research, for reaching out to and educating medical practitioners
who for
years knew nothing of this disorder. In fact, I often felt I was looked
at as a "crazy lady" rather than a patient who was
suffering with a real medical disorder in need of understanding
and a
cure.
I am also hoping I can
be of assistance in studies being done to help understand and cure
MdDS.
Whatever we all can do to support each other and future MdDS sufferers,
I
applaud. Blessings to you all.
Joan
Dreux, McLean, Virginia
February
12, 2011
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Brochure |
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This
site is designed for those suffering from MdDS (Mal de Debarquement
Syndrome) and the health care professionals who treat them.
If
you have been diagnosed or suspect that you have MdDS or Disembarkment
Syndrome, sign up for a free membership at our support site
and review or search the
thousands of messages from those who suffer from MdDS. Here, you will
find caring people who understand what it is like to live with this
rare balance disorder; members are from all over the world. Please join
us to share and learn from others.
The
MdDS Balance Disorder Foundation is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3)
nonprofit PA foundation dedicated to promoting awareness of Mal de
Debarquement Syndrome and seeking treatments and a cure for people
suffering from this disorder.
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Copyright
© 2006-2011, MdDS Balance Disorder Foundation, Inc.
All
rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited. Copyright materials may
not be reproduced in whole or in part by persons, organizations, or
corporations without the prior written permission of the MdDS Balance
Disorder Foundation. The information contained in this web site is not
a substitute for medical advice or treatment.
Last
modified on February 12, 2011
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