Whilst browsing youtube I found a very informative video from a young woman describing her experience living with vestibular dysfunction. I am sure that just like me you will be able to relate to all that she has to say. Link below:
http://youtu.be/sVD1KUIV89A
I actually feel sad after watching it, as it reminds me that many others have to live life the way I have been living. I mean I read about other people's experiences dealing with dizziness and vertigo but to actually see their faces in video form really drills it home. It makes me sad that us vertigo sufferers feel like we need to explain our illness and our actions because of it's invisible nature. However, it is personal videos like this one that help provide vertigo sufferers like me comfort and reassurance that we are not alone battling such a debilitating disorder. I appreciate how brave these guys are going on video and sharing such a personal story. Maybe I will make a video in the future.
Dizziness and vertigo is not a mental issue that we make up or can just stop thinking about. It is a real physical disorder of the inner ear and brain that manifests in debilitating visual and physical symptoms/sensations. The only mental aspect to a vestibular disorder is the depression one might experience due to the sudden life altering effects of vestibular dysfunction. Many think it's depression or anxiety that makes us feel dizzy. In actual fact we are depressed and anxious because of battling overwhelming disorientation all day everyday, not the other way around.
Who wouldn't be depressed living with such a isolating, debilitating and poorly understood/treated chronic condition? Our family life, social life, work life and everyday life are hugely affected and in many cases completely halted by our relentless symptoms.
It is not an illness that will get better overnight, it is not an illness that their is a magic pill for and it isn't an illness that one can learn to live with as there is no consistency (base level) and symptoms fluctuate and intensify and morph from one hour to the next. For many long term sufferers there is not a straightforward linear recovery. instead it's half a step forward and 6 giant steps back.
Swimmyhead
Thursday, 8 August 2013
Sunday, 4 August 2013
1 week and counting
It has been 1 full week and my vertigo has remained at a more manageable level. I have no idea why but I am not complaining. I have not experienced a full week in these past 6 years were my symptoms have not intensified. I did have one wobbly evening a couple of days ago and thought my good luck had run out but surprisingly the next day was pretty good.
Of course I am all to aware that better days do not mean I am suddenly going to get better. I am well aware that rare good days have occurred before only to go back to complete and utter disorientation. However, maybe I am turning a corner ,maybe this week will turn into 2 weeks. I am trying to not get my hopes up and remain realistic.
There was one day especially ( I think it was Thursday ) that was the best of the bunch. I went for walk and my vision was pretty damn clear (no fuzz whatsoever) the world looked different, dare I say it looked almost normal. there was much less visual vertigo and that blurring of moving objects that we vertigo sufferers experience was so much better. It felt amazing to watch the traffic go by and actually be able to track the cars and not feel an overwhelming sensation of being pushed and pulled or falling because of the visual movement. How lovely it was to feel like the floor was not lifting me up and down with every step I took. My head felt clearer, my vision sharper , my balance more stable and no headaches. I hope that this positive story helps others living like me. It goes to show that even after 6 years feeling overwhelmingly disorientated better days are possible. For so long I felt like i would never ever improve.
Today is not as wonderful as last Thursday but today's symptoms do not compare to the horror of years gone by. I am keeping my fingers and my toes firmly crossed.
Swimmyhead
Of course I am all to aware that better days do not mean I am suddenly going to get better. I am well aware that rare good days have occurred before only to go back to complete and utter disorientation. However, maybe I am turning a corner ,maybe this week will turn into 2 weeks. I am trying to not get my hopes up and remain realistic.
There was one day especially ( I think it was Thursday ) that was the best of the bunch. I went for walk and my vision was pretty damn clear (no fuzz whatsoever) the world looked different, dare I say it looked almost normal. there was much less visual vertigo and that blurring of moving objects that we vertigo sufferers experience was so much better. It felt amazing to watch the traffic go by and actually be able to track the cars and not feel an overwhelming sensation of being pushed and pulled or falling because of the visual movement. How lovely it was to feel like the floor was not lifting me up and down with every step I took. My head felt clearer, my vision sharper , my balance more stable and no headaches. I hope that this positive story helps others living like me. It goes to show that even after 6 years feeling overwhelmingly disorientated better days are possible. For so long I felt like i would never ever improve.
Today is not as wonderful as last Thursday but today's symptoms do not compare to the horror of years gone by. I am keeping my fingers and my toes firmly crossed.
Swimmyhead
Thursday, 1 August 2013
Dizzytimes
Today I headed over to Dizzytimes.com. I have not visited the site in quite a while. It is such a brilliant place for dizziness and vertigo sufferers. So many stories and helpful advice from fellow sufferers. If you are experiencing dizziness and vertigo and have yet to visit Dizzytimes.com then I wholeheartedly advise you to do so.
www.dizzytimes.com
Swimmyhead
www.dizzytimes.com
Swimmyhead
Monday, 29 July 2013
Hope
Today has been one of those very rare less dizzy days for me. If only my symptoms would stay at this level instead of going back to the very uncomfortable disorientation that I have had to deal with for so long. It just goes to show that my brain or whatever is causing the vertigo can actually improve albeit a very rare occasion. Sure, I do not feel normal but days like this are a massive improvement and make my life much easier. How good it feels to see the world clearly instead of through fuzzy vision. What a pleasure it is to walk and not feel the intense sensation of the floor moving up and down or slipping from beneath me. What a delight it is to walk and not see buildings sway left and right or for parked cars to not appear to move in my peripheral vision etc. What a crazy illness!
I really do not know how the hell I have managed to cope with this life altering condition for so long. Better days like this I do not take for granted.
I have had a handful of days like today during the last 12-15 months and they give me hope and lead me to believe that I will eventually get better. I just wish that day would hurry up and appear.
Swimmyhead
I really do not know how the hell I have managed to cope with this life altering condition for so long. Better days like this I do not take for granted.
I have had a handful of days like today during the last 12-15 months and they give me hope and lead me to believe that I will eventually get better. I just wish that day would hurry up and appear.
Swimmyhead
Friday, 26 July 2013
Barometric pressure and dizziness
I thought it would be worth mentioning that every time there is a sudden change in barometric pressure my vertigo and dizziness go insane. I know that it sounds rather stupid but I promise you I can honestly "feel when a storm is coming". During the past 6 years there have been a number of thunder storms and each time my vertigo (illusion of movement) and balance problems become much more intense and my vision fuzzes up greatly. The constant pressure and fullness in my head also increases. It is as if I am looking at the world through a haze or static, rooms appear smokey. It is hard to describe, I simply go back to feeling completely "out of it". This completely "out of it " sensation is a feeling that I am all too familiar with as I was completely "out of it" for the entire first 5 years of my vestibular illness.
Anyway, a couple of nights ago there was a few rumblings of thunder off in the distance and my symptoms heightened and I was back in my very fuzzy swaying world. There is a link between Migraine/vestibular migraine and barometric pressure. I have read about how pressure changes can increase headaches, vertigo and dizziness symptoms. This I can most certainly vouch for.
Still, everyday changes in weather effect me a great deal. For example a sunny day tends to lessen my vertigo somewhat. On the other hand a dull grey day increases my symptoms. I don't know, I must sound absolutely crazy but a vestibular problem can cause many crazy symptoms.
The thunder has heightened my symptoms again so I'm just sitting it out waiting for those rarer milder vertigo days I now occasionally experience.
http://dizzinessandvertigo.weebly.com/
https://twitter.com/Swimmyhead
Swimmyhead
Anyway, a couple of nights ago there was a few rumblings of thunder off in the distance and my symptoms heightened and I was back in my very fuzzy swaying world. There is a link between Migraine/vestibular migraine and barometric pressure. I have read about how pressure changes can increase headaches, vertigo and dizziness symptoms. This I can most certainly vouch for.
Still, everyday changes in weather effect me a great deal. For example a sunny day tends to lessen my vertigo somewhat. On the other hand a dull grey day increases my symptoms. I don't know, I must sound absolutely crazy but a vestibular problem can cause many crazy symptoms.
The thunder has heightened my symptoms again so I'm just sitting it out waiting for those rarer milder vertigo days I now occasionally experience.
http://dizzinessandvertigo.weebly.com/
https://twitter.com/Swimmyhead
Swimmyhead
Sunday, 21 July 2013
1-8 weeks
I thought I should make a quick post and say that I do not want to alarm anybody who is experiencing vertigo and dizziness for the first time. If you have been reading my previous posts you will know that I am a long time vertigo sufferer but this absolutely does not mean you will be too. I think it is important to say that the majority of people who experience dizziness and vertigo make a full recovery usually within 1 - 8 weeks. Some might have to deal with the issue a little longer and may need vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) exercises to help speed up recovery. Of course you must go and see your doctor and get his/her professional medical opinion if you are experiencing vertigo and dizziness.
Long term cases like mine are rare and it is very likely you will be back to feeling fit and healthy sooner than you think.
Swimmyhead
Long term cases like mine are rare and it is very likely you will be back to feeling fit and healthy sooner than you think.
Swimmyhead
Friday, 19 July 2013
My Workout and a little Rant
I have just this second finished a 30min cardio workout and to say I am sweating a little would be an understatement. The weather is glorious, sunny and hot but the heat made my workout extra hard. I have been battling to keep up with my workout routines lately, I mean I have done them all but I have been feeling a little sorry for myself during my workouts this week. I perform a lot of turns and punches whilst working out and of course every turn I make or every punch I throw causes the world in front of me to jerk and shift in my field of vision along with the awful head sensations that go along with the visual movement. Throughout I constantly have to keep myself from falling sideways and correct my balance. A workout is tough enough without having vertigo whilst doing it. I guess I hoped that all this movement would have corrected the balance issue a little more after a year of exercising, unfortunately not. I have spent all my late 20s and early 30s having to deal with this damn vertigo. I shouldn't have to feel like this at 33. I am supposedly in my prime. Some prime it is!
However I have much to be thankful for. If you have visited my website or read my previous posts here you will know that up until 12 months ago I had a job standing or walking never mind exercising. So it's a massive improvement really.
Since I am still constantly dizzy all day long I can sometimes forget just how much I have improved this past 12 months. It is simply because the level of vertigo on my better days that I live with now is still not good enough and still does not allow me to function normally. I am grateful for any improvement but I want the dizziness gone. Nobody should have to live with any level of dizziness. My consultant told me this. Any level of dizziness is simply not acceptable. Due to the erratic nature of my condition I have not learned to live with it and I never will. I want it gone. Sounds ridiculous I know, here I am writing a post about me working out surely I can function normally?
Nope I cannot. I just have very strong will power and push myself hard to exercise in the hope that my brain and balance will just sync up. This is what motivates me to workout feeling the way I do. It is not because I feel great, it is simply my need and want to get better and live life again.
Living with vestibular dysfunction whatever the cause is very very hard no matter what level you are effected by it. You may have a mild or sporadic vestibular issue lasting a couple of weeks or months or you may be hit very hard with a chronic problem lasting years. Whatever the case, I am sure fellow sufferers will agree it is very difficult condition to live with. I know people who have had a typical 2 week vertigo problem then fortunately recovered. These people said it was the worst thing they have ever experienced. I also remember reading about a women who had beaten cancer and then developed a vestibular problem (labyrinthitis I think). She said that her vestibular issue was much much harder and made her feel much worse than the chemotherapy she had been through.
Evidently I am a mixture of emotions today. I came here to write about my workout and have ended up ranting.
Even after all the ranting, I have to say I am glad I worked out as it gives me a sense of satisfaction knowing that I am helping myself. I think I will give myself a slap on the back and say well done to myself. Well done for dealing with all I have dealt with these past 6 years, well done for always picking myself back up from those low moments, Well done for staying motivated and hopeful for a complete recovery regardless of how bad the vertigo, dizziness, vestibular rehab, medication side effects and exercise over the years have made me feel.
If you live with vertigo and dizziness which I guess you might since you found my blog then give yourself a slap on the back and say well done to yourself for coping. You will be hard pressed to find any sympathy or respect from others regarding this invisible illness. So give it it to yourself , respect yourself and say well done. Keep going.
Swimmyhead
However I have much to be thankful for. If you have visited my website or read my previous posts here you will know that up until 12 months ago I had a job standing or walking never mind exercising. So it's a massive improvement really.
Since I am still constantly dizzy all day long I can sometimes forget just how much I have improved this past 12 months. It is simply because the level of vertigo on my better days that I live with now is still not good enough and still does not allow me to function normally. I am grateful for any improvement but I want the dizziness gone. Nobody should have to live with any level of dizziness. My consultant told me this. Any level of dizziness is simply not acceptable. Due to the erratic nature of my condition I have not learned to live with it and I never will. I want it gone. Sounds ridiculous I know, here I am writing a post about me working out surely I can function normally?
Nope I cannot. I just have very strong will power and push myself hard to exercise in the hope that my brain and balance will just sync up. This is what motivates me to workout feeling the way I do. It is not because I feel great, it is simply my need and want to get better and live life again.
Living with vestibular dysfunction whatever the cause is very very hard no matter what level you are effected by it. You may have a mild or sporadic vestibular issue lasting a couple of weeks or months or you may be hit very hard with a chronic problem lasting years. Whatever the case, I am sure fellow sufferers will agree it is very difficult condition to live with. I know people who have had a typical 2 week vertigo problem then fortunately recovered. These people said it was the worst thing they have ever experienced. I also remember reading about a women who had beaten cancer and then developed a vestibular problem (labyrinthitis I think). She said that her vestibular issue was much much harder and made her feel much worse than the chemotherapy she had been through.
Evidently I am a mixture of emotions today. I came here to write about my workout and have ended up ranting.
Even after all the ranting, I have to say I am glad I worked out as it gives me a sense of satisfaction knowing that I am helping myself. I think I will give myself a slap on the back and say well done to myself. Well done for dealing with all I have dealt with these past 6 years, well done for always picking myself back up from those low moments, Well done for staying motivated and hopeful for a complete recovery regardless of how bad the vertigo, dizziness, vestibular rehab, medication side effects and exercise over the years have made me feel.
If you live with vertigo and dizziness which I guess you might since you found my blog then give yourself a slap on the back and say well done to yourself for coping. You will be hard pressed to find any sympathy or respect from others regarding this invisible illness. So give it it to yourself , respect yourself and say well done. Keep going.
Swimmyhead
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