Mal de Débarquement Syndrome

A link to a recent interview with a Mal de Debarquement sufferer on the Tv show The Doctors that might be of some interest. I tried to post the video but blogger wont let me.

The Doctors

Swimmyhead

Feeling S*****

Since my diagnoses of chronic vestibular migraine (two years ago) I decided I would do everything to help myself. If you have read my Blog. you will know that I have done just that. From taking the medication prescribed to me and completing numerous rounds of vestibular rehabilitation to changing my whole diet and getting rid of all junk (the foods I love). As you know I also began to workout daily despite the fact I feel like S*** every waking hour (Sorry to be so vulgar but s*** is exactly how I feel). I figured that if i got the rest of my body in shape then maybe my vestibular issue would correct itself. I can tell you that I have done more squats, burpees, press ups, lunges and runs than I care to think of.  All the while dealing with a head that simply hates movement of any kind.It's been tough and much harder than one can imagine (unless you also live with vertigo daily) All this exercise and wishful thinking has not helped my vertigo brain at all. I really thought it would. Not many people suffering vertigo would attempt to walk never mind exercise, and that's fair enough because it is a bloody horrendous thing to live with. I decided to do it for me and have to say I am gutted that it has not improved my condition.

However, what it has done is improved my health and body. Sure, I really cannot feel the true benefits because of how crappy my head and vision is daily but I know I am fitter, I know I treat myself better diet wise and I know I have improved my physique. I am stronger and fitter than I have been in about 15 years.

Working out may not have been the answer to curing vestibular dysfunction but it's taught me that dedication,will power and perseverance can work wonders. I will continue my fitness journey and hope it will eventually correct whatever went wrong with me back in 2007.

Anyway despite the relentless head issue I was successful at losing weight and toning up. Here is why:

1. The WANT to workout and be fitter, healthier, stronger (It begins with you)
2. Dedication 
3. Perseverance (results come in time. Those first few weeks are hardest and you want to give up because nothing seems to change but carry on because all that initial effort eventually starts to appear).
4. Substitute bad food for good healthy food(very important)
5. PORTION CONTROL Very important, I love digestive biscuits and pizza and I still allow myself to eat them. However instead of eating half a pack of biscuits or eating a whole pizza I practice portion control. I eat 2 digestive biscuits daily and have 2-3 slices of pizza once a week (not the whole thing). Do I want the whole pizza or the whole pack of biscuit? hell yeah but I control myself. 

Crazy  isn't it. I am fit as hell but dizzy as F***. Keep positive guys

Swimmyhead

dizzinessandvertigo.weebly.com
https://twitter.com/Swimmyhead

Vision

When trying to explain my condition to a friend or family member I use a number of phrases such as Dizzy, lightheaded, heavy headed, swaying, spinning, swimming, wobbly, off balance, lost in space etc..... Simple layman terms that most people could at least imagine somewhat. What I do not talk about as much are the visual problems that go hand in hand with a vestibular disorder. My vision issues (fuzziness,blurred, inability to hold gaze or track movement very well) are constantly present and are as problematic as the spinning head sensations. I have said it before but I hate using the term "dizzy" not only because it sounds cute but it's as if that is all I am dealing with. A damaged or poor functioning vestibular system causes numerous problems especially visual issues.

Swimmyhead

When the world spins......

I saw this on twitter posted by VEDA and thought It would be a good idea to share.  It is a book written by a VEDA member Linda Zonana who was diagnosed with Meniere's disease. She wrote this book to share her own personal experience and also to describe vestibular disorders and the impact and frustrations of living with such a condition. It might be very useful for friends and family to read to better understand our predicament.

CLICK HERE to go to the Vestibular Disorders Association (VEDA) facebook page for more details.

Swimmyhead

Here we go again

Here we go again..........

Groundhog Day

Hi guys

It's been a couple of weeks since my last post. I wish I could say that my vertigo ridden hell is over but that would be a big fat lie.  If only normality would appear as fast as it was taken away. Anyway the last few weeks have been neither here nor there really. My days have not felt great nor have they been the worst symptom wise. I'm living my very own groundhog day. I eat the same things, do the same things and feel the same way day after day. I hate the fact I cannot be spontaneous or make exciting plans because of this condition. On the bright side it looks hopeful that I will be commencing my treatment in the near future, fingers crossed.

Swimmyhead

Turning point

After such  negative post last Sunday I am glad to say that come Wednesday I have been feeling much better. This thing is a constant up and down, I guess it's better than a constant down. It has been a rougher few months lately so I hope this is a turning point as I need any kind of relief I can get. Headaches have been kept at bay this week. I am thinking that onions and tomatoes might possibly be a headache trigger for me. I don't know but I have stopped eating them. We shall see.

My current diet is pretty healthy. It mainly consists of fruit such as pears,blueberries and prunes (these are allowed on the migraine diet). Vegetables such as broccoli,carrots,cauliflower,sprouts and leafy greens like spinach and lettuce. I am now using these fruits and veg to make Quinoa salads and stir fry dishes with. Quinoa  is something I had never tried before but reportedly is very good for you. I do not eat any red meat anymore instead stick to chicken or fresh turkey slices. For drinks I have pure pomegranate juice, Rooibos tea and water. Breakfast consists of a bowl of porridge made with Oatly milk. For treats I do allow 2-3 digestive biscuits. I am happy eating this way knowing that not only is it supposed to help with my vestibular issue but also that it is good for me. I would be lying if I said I did not want to shove a massive greasy pizza or Indian take away down my gullet and gorge on a big fat chocolate cake but somehow I just control myself.

I am still keeping proactive by working out everyday regardless how intense my vestibular symptoms are. I am still taking the starting medication I was given daily and my diet is stricter than ever. What more can I do on my own? What I need is to start the treatment plan proposed to me, this has proved very difficult for some reason.

I hope you fellow vestibular dysfunction sufferers reading this are getting better or at least having some relief from this disorientating world.

"When your young and healthy, it never occurs to you that in single second your whole life could change"
Annette Funicello

Read more quotes at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_health.html#OTIvItIA6RIRqrTQ.99

Swimmyhead