Hidden Disabilities Time To Fight Back

magic57

Hi Mandy2008

I too have menieres disease. I have only had it for about 18 months. The first few months I was falling to the floor every 5 days or so with severe rotational vertigo tinnitus and vomiting. Not much fun. My wonderful doctor prescribed betahistine (serc) and it has given me my life back. It took 4 weeks to have an effect and I have not had a drop attack since. I also have Buccastem to deal with the sickness if I do have an attack.
This works for me. Has your doctor suggested this treament for you?

Good luck.

Guapa1

Wow, between here and the pain management programme I'm just finished I finally feel like I'm not alone! I have a chronic pain condition bought on by whiplash, and I feel so angry that people have played on this so much, because to actually suffer as much as I do is no joke, and I feel like I'm not taken seriously because of of how the pain condition was caused.

Pssst

I have Ankylosing Spondialytis affecting my lower back and neck. I have restricted movement in my neck and symptoms vary usually worsening in cold weather. I also have occasional bouts of IBS and have carpel tunnel syndrome affecting my left arm. I am myopic to -8.50 and often get fed up and some times depressed. I have worked continuously for 26 years and have no plans to leave work. I work a full week for at least 40 hours sometimes including weekends and nights/callout etc.

Disability is sometimes a state of mind.

Savvy_Sue

Those of you with dizzy / balance problems, it might be worth asking your GP if there is a 'dizzy clinic' you could be referred to. It might also be called a Falls Clinic. A few years ago I was sent to the dizzy physio and found it very helpful. I realise there may not be one everywhere: this was a physio with a special interest in balance problems. He assessed me and gave me exercises and was also helpful in increasing my confidence.

trejoy

If you could see me, you would think that I was perfectly able-bodied I am partially- sighted due to MS.I have Rheumatoid, IBS and Psroasis, all auto-immune conditions.(I take my recommended drugs to stay mobile). I find old women the worst, they push in front of you at bus stops, huff at you when you can`t help and glare because you have a disabled toilet key.
I never felt the need to justify my existence before and I haven`t started since disability.
I must have `that` look about me as nobody has ever questioned me, or maybe it`s because I smile at bus drivers as I show my pass.
My advice, ignore the ignorant and be good to yourself
:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

fedupconsumer

got challenged by an obnoxious bus driver for using a concessionary bus pass they really can make you feel so bad can't they for being disabled.

tenacioust123

I have a blue badge and have had the occasional glare from people! I try to ignore them which can be quite hard at times.

My son's mate lost his leg in Iraq he's only 25, he's been tackled numorous times regarding his disability, on one occasion it was an elderly couple the man was giving him a real roasting about youth of today!!!! My son's mate took his leg off and waved it at him....lol I must say I did chuckle :-)

MediSin

princess_pixiedust wrote: »

I know the themeparks here, dont class diabetes as a valid reason to get a pass, which is a lot of rubbish

That's terrible. I've had type 1 since I was 8 and have frequently gone hypo standing around in queues, and it really ruins the day. Hot weather really doesn't help either, and it's a pain having to carry Lucozade (or your hypo cure of choice) all day at these places cos there's nowhere to put it when you're on rides. Diabetic kids need to have fun too!

My best tip for Alton Towers is to skive a day off in the middle of term. I've been during summer holidays and it's a nightmare. But I went in May and it was amazing! No queues at all, so we got to go on all the rides loads of times. Definitely more enjoyable that way. I also did that the last time I got signed off sick from work with stress - an emptyish theme park is perfect for relieving anxiety! (I'm technically 29 but mentally about 9 - I want to go to Alton Towers every week...)

Oh, and always take your emergency carbs if you're diabetic - a day at Alton Towers involves more walking than I'd normally do in a week.

Dazi

princess_pixiedust wrote: »

.I know the themeparks here, dont class diabetes as a valid reason to get a pass, which is a lot of rubbish, i know fellow mums have had to stand arguing with the staff as to why they need one, in the end they have managed to get one, 2 years ago we were at legoland, wasnt aware we could have asked for a pass then and had to miss a lot of the rides as it was too long a wait and the temp was well over 30.

Pixie we live near Alton Towers and they give a pass for people with diabetes, not sure what you have to do to get it as we haven't taken DSD there, but know she has been with her mum before, they are part of the same group as legoland, so will check to find out incase you ever go there again.

We have also had the 'you can't park there' when using a disabled bay when we had DSD with us. OH parked and me and DSD got out of the car, before OH could put DSD's badge in the windscreen this bloke said, so whos the disabled one then. DSD very politely said, It's me, I have type 1 diabetes. He then said, well it doesn't stop you walking does it. He then wanted to know how she got a blue badge, DSD was trying to explain to him, I told her not to bother as he was a very ignorant man and she did not have to explain herself, he then said he thought the badge was a fake. I refused to comment any more. How my OH didn't get out and deck him I don't know! Like pixie said in an earlier post, you never know if they will have a hypo and yes we carry stuff with us, but the need to get back to the car and home is very important.

To outward appearances DSD is a typical teenager (14),all short skirts and make up lol but she does have a hidden disability. It is not nice when anyone is challenged but I really felt for her that day, it has been hard enough for her to come to terms with it, she was diagnosed when she was 10, without people questioning why she should be allowed a badge.

I think she copes really well with her diabetes as she had 10 years without injections and carb counting etc, I am very proud to know her, shes a little star.

justontime

My husband has spina bifida, as well as the obvious damage to his spine he has one leg shorter than the other and one foot four sizes bigger than the other. He has more or less constant pain but he can walk relatively well for moderate distances, but he can't stand still and he falls over a lot due to nerve damage, his legs just 'give up'. He doesn't claim DLA, I don't think he would qualify because he can walk, unfortunately many people assume that if you do not get DLA you do not have a disability. There are many people like him who need a bit of help and a lot less criticism. He walks slightly oddly and when he falls people often assume he is drunk . He uses disabled seats on trains because he needs more leg room, but he gets nasty comments. He has to use disabled toilets because he can not hold on, when he needs to go he needs to go straight away. He has accidents quite often and he needs the space of the disabled toilet to sort himself out. Unfortunately he is young and looks relatively normal, so he gets a lot of abuse and criticism from other disabled people who assume he is not disabled. Nobody really wants to admit to a complete stranger that they can't control their bowels, so he just goes away feeling humiliated. Even at work a couple of people have been tactless enough to question why he uses the disabled toilet.. He never gives up, he works hard, in a good job, he contributes to society and all he asks in return is that they allow him a little dignity. Please think twice before you assume that someone who looks OK has no right to use disabled facilities, they may have very good reasons for not explaining their disability to you.