Just a thought..........the lessons of life..........

[senile1]

I have been most fortunate in life. I would say, part of the privileged few. I am very wealthy, not in the means of financial status, my wealth lies in my general health throughout my life, and the life I have been privileged to lead,not because it's been an easy life, but because of the valuable lessons life has afforded me. I have been most privileged to work in the field of transportation, basically paratransit the last couple of years, where I can be of service to people. Especially people with special needs.
Have you ever witness a person staggering, attempting to cross a busy street/ highway??? They must have been intoxicated. Have you ever witnessed a confused person, standing in the street, sidewalk, road. Must be drugs or alcohol, maybe a mental issue.
The above describe my condition most of the last 6 months. The culprit, vertigo along with pressure in my ear canal , in addition to the sudden deafness in one ear, the physical weakness, courtesy of 2 congestive heart failures and pneumonia, all unexplainable sudden successive occurrences, most likely viral.
This is not about me, this about people we meet everyday whom appear "weird", so we cross the street or take evasive actions to avoid contact with them. My recent illness has given me insight and a new sensitivity to the plight of our brothers and sisters whom suffer with such illnesses, though I work with disabled people, I would not have otherwise understood. When I return to work in the coming week, my experiences will hopefully serve to make me a more sensitive and understanding paratransit operator, more appreciative of the needs of my precious client. One can never judge another, lest they walk a mile in their shoes.
Just a thought.
peace and health.

 

[jnos]

How very true, senile1, and well said. After nearly three years working with medical marijuana patients, with a wide range of life threatening and disabling illnesses and diseases, I have realized how very fortunate I have been. Several surgeries with fairly quick recoveries, no broken bones, no debilitating illness that keeps me from doing most things. Your post especially reminded me of one 30 something young woman, who is supposed to wear a variety of braces and use a walker. She said the way she's treated (sometimes even rudely). She came in that day without them, because she can't stand the looks and comments, like "looks like you ran into a brick wall." Not funny, in her case.

 

[senile1]

How very true, senile1, and well said. After nearly three years working with medical marijuana patients, with a wide range of life threatening and disabling illnesses and diseases, I have realized how very fortunate I have been. Several surgeries with fairly quick recoveries, no broken bones, no debilitating illness that keeps me from doing most things. Your post especially reminded me of one 30 something young woman, who is supposed to wear a variety of braces and use a walker. She said the way she's treated (sometimes even rudely). She came in that day without them, because she can't stand the looks and comments, like "looks like you ran into a brick wall." Not funny, in her case.

Tis so true. I remember being sent to rehab, the objective is to "retrain" the mind, adjust to and accepting the vertigo. The first question I was asked, "Do you feel other's view you differently"? The answer was an obvious yes, everyone I knew, in addition to those meeting me for the first time, looked at me as a disabled person, different from who I was prior to the illness. The one thing which really ticks you off , is the pity. This has given me insight into the plight of those with "special needs". These are extremely strong people with the perseverance to tackle and make the best of each and everyday. They neither desire or need one's pity, just an occasional helping hand and respect. Thank you

 

[Shalimar]

Beautifully put Senile. What you say also holds true for those of us with hidden disabilities.

 

[senile1]

Beautifully put Senile. What you say also holds true for those of us with hidden disabilities.

As apparently you know Ms. Shalimar, all illnesses are not visible, yet will and has been dismissed by "normal" society.
Thank you Dear

 

[Debby]

Tis so true. I remember being sent to rehab, the objective is to "retrain" the mind, adjust to and accepting the vertigo. The first question I was asked, "Do you feel other's view you differently"? The answer was an obvious yes, everyone I knew, in addition to those meeting me for the first time, looked at me as a disabled person, different from who I was prior to the illness. The one thing which really ticks you off , is the pity. This has given me insight into the plight of those with "special needs". These are extremely strong people with the perseverance to tackle and make the best of each and everyday. They neither desire or need one's pity, just an occasional helping hand and respect. Thank you

You were sent to retrain your mind to adjust to and accept vertigo? Is this a illness/symptom you will have to deal with all of your life now?

I've had two instances of vertigo. The first time I went to the hospital in an ambulance because my husband freaked out not knowing what was going on and the last time which was about a year ago, I was totally incapacitateded for about five days. And in all I think it took about two weeks to recover. But I did recover. However, in reading up on it later, I discovered that even with how bad I felt, other folks are so much worse off with it. Are you one of those folks?

This of course wouldn't help you because it would be like closing the barn door after the horse has been stolen, but I think my years of yoga really helped me during the worst of it because I could 'think' my way through to a bit of control over the feelings of not being able to balance. Didn't help me get up off the floor but slowed the spinning room just a bit.

 

[senile1]

My experience to combating vertigo is repetition, which actually does retrain the brain. My experience started in December , rendering me unable to walk a cross the floor without assistance and even unable to ride in a car, and complete disorientation in ill light or dark room. Through repeatedly doing the things which made me dizzy, over time I began to overcome the symptoms , took 4 months before I could drive again. Today I am back to me abnormal self. lol. Vertigo is a real nasty ride, left me fatigued and confused most of the time, staggering anywhere I went. I had to take the bus to go to appointments, people would stop and stare at me as I attempted to cross a street or highway and/ or cross the street to avoid me. People who knew you casually would even avoid you, it was difficult to engage in casual conversation because of the confusion I felt. My heart goes out to the victims to this terrible affliction.

 

[Ruthanne]

I don't think I've ever seen someone with vertigo but sounds like you went through a very, very hard time with it. I have some invisible disability and some people can't or don't want to understand. I get confused at times and make mistakes but regain my faculties. I believe when some people see me they don't understand why I may have a certain "look" to me. It is even harder to describe in writing. But I have gone through people getting very angry with me and others just wanting nothing to do with me. Yet there are others who overlook it and have become my friends, thank goodness for them!

 

[AprilT]

My experience to combating vertigo is repetition, which actually does retrain the brain. My experience started in December , rendering me unable to walk a cross the floor without assistance and even unable to ride in a car, and complete disorientation in ill light or dark room. Through repeatedly doing the things which made me dizzy, over time I began to overcome the symptoms , took 4 months before I could drive again. Today I am back to me abnormal self. lol. Vertigo is a real nasty ride, left me fatigued and confused most of the time, staggering anywhere I went. I had to take the bus to go to appointments, people would stop and stare at me as I attempted to cross a street or highway and/ or cross the street to avoid me. People who knew you casually would even avoid you, it was difficult to engage in casual conversation because of the confusion I felt. My heart goes out to the victims to thi terrible affliction.

What you describe in your experiences with vertigo, are almost exactly as I've experienced, mine started more than a decade ago, unfortunately I live with it to this day. I take meds when it gets unmanageable. And yes, I've had people stare at me probably thinking I was drunk.

 

[Ruthanne]

My experience to combating vertigo is repetition, which actually does retrain the brain. My experience started in December , rendering me unable to walk a cross the floor without assistance and even unable to ride in a car, and complete disorientation in ill light or dark room. Through repeatedly doing the things which made me dizzy, over time I began to overcome the symptoms , took 4 months before I could drive again. Today I am back to me abnormal self. lol. Vertigo is a real nasty ride, left me fatigued and confused most of the time, staggering anywhere I went. I had to take the bus to go to appointments, people would stop and stare at me as I attempted to cross a street or highway and/ or cross the street to avoid me. People who knew you casually would even avoid you, it was difficult to engage in casual conversation because of the confusion I felt. My heart goes out to the victims to this terrible affliction.

I'm so sorry you had to go through that, sounds awful!

 

[AprilT]

I too am sorry for anyone who experiences the issues mentioned in this thread, it can be difficult and at times lonely, not having people understand. I wish you all well.

 

[Debby]

My experience to combating vertigo is repetition, which actually does retrain the brain. My experience started in December , rendering me unable to walk a cross the floor without assistance and even unable to ride in a car, and complete disorientation in ill light or dark room. Through repeatedly doing the things which made me dizzy, over time I began to overcome the symptoms , took 4 months before I could drive again. Today I am back to me abnormal self. lol. Vertigo is a real nasty ride, left me fatigued and confused most of the time, staggering anywhere I went. I had to take the bus to go to appointments, people would stop and stare at me as I attempted to cross a street or highway and/ or cross the street to avoid me. People who knew you casually would even avoid you, it was difficult to engage in casual conversation because of the confusion I felt. My heart goes out to the victims to this terrible affliction.

I completely sympathize senile1! The last time I got it, I was fine while I cooked supper then started feeling funny as I was cleaning up and just felt suddenly really tired so I laid down on the couch and within minutes the room was spinning and I wanted to vomit big time. And as luck would have it, I suddenly had to go to the bathroom. In order to get there (and if you're picturing this, yes, funny looking as all get out but....) Don laid a heavy blanket on the floor, I sort of slipped off the couch onto it and buried my face in a cushion to try and stabilize my brain, and then he dragged me down the hall. Getting up onto the toilet was a whole event in itself let me tell you. Then he dragged me into the bedroom and there I stayed for the next five days except for excursions to the toilet.

You're right, nasty experience, but you know, in reading up on it, I discovered that some people never get over it. It's with them day after day after day! Can you imagine? I don't know how you could manage to catch the bus! That must have been horrible to have to do that. You're a lot braver than I would have been. The funny thing I remember from when I got taken in the ambulance was that I actually felt better when I was in it and was moving backwards (because you know, when you're on a stretcher, you face the back doors as they drive eh? For some reason, it helped to settle things down so it was not as uncomfortable.

My only concern now after having the last attack is that it came on so suddenly, that I worry just a little bit that I might be driving next time. Now that would be a disaster wouldn't it?

Anyway, hope your brain retraining works for you.

 

[AprilT]

Debbie, unfortunately, I'm one of those who live with it affecting more days than not, you learn to manage it so it doesn't completely bed you. Sometimes it's not such a bad attack, sometimes you have to stay put in one position with your head tilted, even when on the puter, but you learn to manage. I'm lucky in that I don't get the nausea, not most of the anyway. What I do remember from some years ago is on my way to work and feeling like I was walking through a wind tunnel and having to find something to hold on to.

PS same with managing my seizures, I had one yesterday, but, I'm used to them, they're worse when I'm overworked and stressed. This moving business isn't helping.

 

[senile1]

What you describe in your experiences with vertigo, are almost exactly as I've experienced, mine started more than a decade ago, unfortunately I live with it to this day. I take meds when it gets unmanageable. And yes, I've had people stare at me probably thinking I was drunk.

I also tried meds , to no avail. I am sorry to hear this has been an ongoing illness with you, it is terrible, but over time, speaking from my experience, one may adjust. Seeing your's has carried on for such a long time, I am sure has required quite a change in your life, this is never easy. Good luck to you my friend, but remember, this could someday subside, for this I shall keep you in my thoughts.

 

[Phoenix]

I didn't realize so many of you had this affliction, if that's the right word. What a hassle on all kinds of levels. The only time I ever experienced it was when I was taking too much garlic to lower my cholesterol. The Lipitor I was given to do that gave me shooting pain, psoriasis and bumps. I was also taking Lisinopril for my blood pressure. So I returned to taking garlic, which had worked for the cholesterol before. The problem was that when I was taking the garlic before it was not kyolic, which is stronger. It was regular garlic, and I was not taking the Lisinopril at the time. Long story short, one night I tried to get up to pee in the middle of the night, and I couldn't even get out of bed. The room was spinning. Another night I got disoriented in the night and lost my way in the dark from the kitchen to the bedroom. It took me a while to figure out where I was. Anyway, I looked up what taking the garlic and Lisinopril together could do, and discovered I was taking too much garlic. I cut down from four garlic a day to one, and I got back to normal.

Senile1, my uncle had the problem with people thinking he was drunk when he had Parkinsons. It's a bummer you and the others here have this problem. And yes, going through difficulties ourselves gives us new insights and compassion. As much as the bad things I've been through suck, I'm so grateful to them for that reason.

 

[AprilT]

Some folks have it way worst in life, so yes, we learn to adapt and deal with it, but even so, it has altered my life quite a bit, could be so much worse though.

 

[senile1]

I completely sympathize senile1! The last time I got it, I was fine while I cooked supper then started feeling funny as I was cleaning up and just felt suddenly really tired so I laid down on the couch and within minutes the room was spinning and I wanted to vomit big time. And as luck would have it, I suddenly had to go to the bathroom. In order to get there (and if you're picturing this, yes, funny looking as all get out but....) Don laid a heavy blanket on the floor, I sort of slipped off the couch onto it and buried my face in a cushion to try and stabilize my brain, and then he dragged me down the hall. Getting up onto the toilet was a whole event in itself let me tell you. Then he dragged me into the bedroom and there I stayed for the next five days except for excursions to the toilet.

You're right, nasty experience, but you know, in reading up on it, I discovered that some people never get over it. It's with them day after day after day! Can you imagine? I don't know how you could manage to catch the bus! That must have been horrible to have to do that. You're a lot braver than I would have been. The funny thing I remember from when I got taken in the ambulance was that I actually felt better when I was in it and was moving backwards (because you know, when you're on a stretcher, you face the back doors as they drive eh? For some reason, it helped to settle things down so it was not as uncomfortable.

My only concern now after having the last attack is that it came on so suddenly, that I worry just a little bit that I might be driving next time. Now that would be a disaster wouldn't it?

Anyway, hope your brain retraining works for you.

As obvious as it is per your experience(very similar to mine),this condition may/ does appear suddenly and without warning. The advantage may lie in your past experiences with this affliction. I have noticed when I am really tired, some remnants of this affliction may appear, but are very slight. Good luck my friend.

 

[senile1]

I didn't realize so many of you had this affliction, if that's the right word. What a hassle on all kinds of levels. The only time I ever experienced it was when I was taking too much garlic to lower my cholesterol. The Lipitor I was given to do that gave me shooting pain, psoriasis and bumps. I was also taking Lisinopril for my blood pressure. So I returned to taking garlic, which had worked for the cholesterol before. The problem was that when I was taking the garlic before it was not kyolic, which is stronger. It was regular garlic, and I was not taking the Lisinopril at the time. Long story short, one night I tried to get up to pee in the middle of the night, and I couldn't even get out of bed. The room was spinning. Another night I got disoriented in the night and lost my way in the dark from the kitchen to the bedroom. It took me a while to figure out where I was. Anyway, I looked up what taking the garlic and Lisinopril together could do, and discovered I was taking too much garlic. I cut down from four garlic a day to one, and I got back to normal.

Senile1, my uncle had the problem with people thinking he was drunk when he had Parkinsons. It's a bummer you and the others here have this problem. And yes, going through difficulties ourselves gives us new insights and compassion. As much as the bad things I've been through suck, I'm so grateful to them for that reason.

Life does offer it's hurdles, it's up to us where we go with them, is it not?
The term affliction is mine, twas the best way I could think to describe it, as it has no name.
. Affliction :something that causes pain or suffering: "a crippling affliction of the nervous system

"Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it"
Charles Swindoll

 

[oldman]

As anyone that has flown already knows, when planes are boarded, those that need special assistance are taken aboard first. On one occasion, I was asked by a business man that seemed to be in quite a hurry, why we did not board those types of people last since it seemed to take longer getting them situated. I explained to him that "experimentally" it has been tried both ways and has been proven that getting "special needs" people on-board first is the better way to go. He then made a comment something like, "I don't know why they are even allowed to fly." I asked him, "Suppose that was you in the wheelchair?"

 

[Ameriscot]

Senile, my husband had an 'episode' 13 years ago (TIA - mini stroke) and it caused serious vertigo. He had to retire early because of it. About a year after he retired he was back to normal. He had incredible balance before this happened, and now he has normal balance (like the rest of us). When he was diagnosed the doctors said it could last the rest of his life. His MRI showed no permanent damage. So it can go away. He found while he had the vertigo that it easiest to walk on rough ground - like hiking trails - than on flat floors.

 

[Ameriscot]

As anyone that has flown already knows, when planes are boarded, those that need special assistance are taken aboard first. On one occasion, I was asked by a business man that seemed to be in quite a hurry, why we did not board those types of people last since it seemed to take longer getting them situated. I explained to him that "experimentally" it has been tried both ways and has been proven that getting "special needs" people on-board first is the better way to go. He then made a comment something like, "I don't know why they are even allowed to fly." I asked him, "Suppose that was you in the wheelchair?"

How selfish of him!

Oldman, can you explain why when I fly certain airlines I have a lot of pain and blockage in my ears when the plane descends (nothing helps - I've tried everything possible). And on another airline (Emirates) I have no problems whatsoever. I've even been on a couple of flights where I didn't even notice we were descending!

 

[AprilT]

Senile, my husband had an 'episode' 13 years ago (TIA - mini stroke) and it caused serious vertigo. He had to retire early because of it. About a year after he retired he was back to normal. He had incredible balance before this happened, and now he has normal balance (like the rest of us). When he was diagnosed the doctors said it could last the rest of his life. His MRI showed no permanent damage. So it can go away. He found while he had the vertigo that it easiest to walk on rough ground - like hiking trails - than on flat floors.

You know Ameriscot, I wonder if it was the TIA i had prior, that started it for me, I never thought about that. hmmmmmm. I'm glad you brought it up, it's not even something I've always remembered to mention I had when filling out new info at doctor's office, the mind just doesn't always remember everything all the time.

 

[senile1]

Senile, my husband had an 'episode' 13 years ago (TIA - mini stroke) and it caused serious vertigo. He had to retire early because of it. About a year after he retired he was back to normal. He had incredible balance before this happened, and now he has normal balance (like the rest of us). When he was diagnosed the doctors said it could last the rest of his life. His MRI showed no permanent damage. So it can go away. He found while he had the vertigo that it easiest to walk on rough ground - like hiking trails - than on flat floors.

This condition effects different people in different ways. I found it very difficult to walk on rough and/ or uneven terrain. As bad as the balance issues or even worse , at least for me was the confusion. My getting back involved in discussion groups was driven by my desire to challenge my mind, my thinking process. I have found, as I have said earlier, repetition is the best way I have found to adjust, retraining of the mind. I am glad your husband has made a full recovery and hope you and himremain healthy in the future.

 

[Ameriscot]

You know Ameriscot, I wonder if it was the TIA i had prior, that started it for me, I never thought about that. hmmmmmm. I'm glad you brought it up, it's not even something I've always remembered to mention I had when filling out new info at doctor's office, the mind just doesn't always remember everything all the time.

It makes sense. Is the timing right?

 

[Ameriscot]

This condition effects different people in different ways. I found it very difficult to walk on rough and/ or uneven terrain. As bad as the balance issues or even worse , at least for me was the confusion. My getting back involved in discussion groups was driven by my desire to challenge my mind, my thinking process. I have found, as I have said earlier, repetition is the best way I have found to adjust, retraining of the mind. I am glad your husband has made a full recovery and hope you and himremain healthy in the future.

My husband worked in a school and he said he'd get confused when someone was walking down a hallway toward him. He couldn't figure out which way to go. He'd lean on walls often. He stuck it out a year before giving in and retiring. He took a LOT of sick leave during that year.

Thanks, we both only have mild health issues - his arthritis in his hand, but otherwise the picture of health. My issues are allergies and orthostatic hypotension (which I'm told is not a big deal).

Hope your condition improves!