Yet another recovery - This time, unexplained Vertigo

Sometimes it feels I can't be healthy. The moment I feel healthier I get something else.

The week I finished a half marathon run, which is amazing considering my knee is a mess (torn ACL and other minor issues that still exist), I got struck with an unexplained vertigo.

I was just sitting in front of the PC and started feeling that everything is spinning around (feeling, not seeing). I put my glasses off and wanted to get up to take a migraine pill or at least a headache pill... I just couldn't get up, everything was in a complete mess. I could only look straight at the screen, every time I moved my eyes or head I felt like I was driven somewhere. I texted my housemate through whatsappweb I need an urgent medical help. Usually when someone says something like that we assume a burn or a cut. In my case the guy assumed it was something with my leg. I asked him to slowly turn my chair and look at my pupils... he was shocked I asked to look at my pupils and didn't understand what I meant. We did a quick stroke test and ruled that out. I tried to stand up but couldn't, so he called an ambulance.

Despite throwing up twice on the way to the hospital the trip was amusing because I'm an army medic in reserves I kept commenting on what they say, like high pulse, I said it is because I'm nervious because I don't know what is wrong with me. One of the medics said that I'm her first patient who is taking things with humor despite vividly feeling so bad, she was at her second week of work...

The hospital was awful, I hate hospitals. I was lucky I was in the bed all the time straight from arrival so I didn't need to move, but having to hold a pee for 8 hours is a new record for me. Did a CT, MRI and blood test, everything was perfect but I was feeling sick and the world was literally spinning in all the directions at once. I was put under IV with some Dimenhydrinate.

They 'held' me in captivity for 3 days. Did bunch of tests with no real result, most of the time I was sleeping because there was nothing to do after the visiting hours. The last day was better and I managed to walk around the room.

While in the hospital I always had company, either family or friends or co-workers. If I was not sleeping, I was surrounded by people so the time did pass quick.
I wasn’t eating much, mostly matza bread (Passover, so no normal bread) and some fruits. I did try the vaggie burger thingy they offered but it was disgusting. First thing I asked to eat at home was a salad. Hospital food is so unbalanced and depressing I think people are getting sick just from eating that food.

After all the tests, the conclusion the doctors came to is that the nerve responsible for the balance (the one in the ear) was ‘burned’ and died, and the brain have to find an alternative path for the neurosignals. It makes sense and explains a lot of my recent problems, frequent headaches (I was sure it is stress related and weather related), some sort of vision loss (which I was sure it is just a prescription change), getting tired more quickly, and finally the vertigo. They also say it might be a post covid thing. When the nerve gets infected and dies without noticing and causing such symptoms.
Anyways, they scheduled some more tests in a month. Meanwhile I’m on sort of recovery. Still have episodes of nausea and headaches which I need to track down.

2 days at home, only today, was able to sit and write on the PC.
Living on the third floor in a house makes it harder to function socially because the social floor (living room and main kitchen) is the first floor. I was offered to move to the first floor, but the third floor is the girls floor so it is more convenient (I guess it is the right word to use) to stay there. I do walk down the stairs but with help and supervision because I may injure my leg again if I step wrong and I am still not fully in control of how do I step.
Vision was always my issue (that’s the reason I went for optometry), so not being able to use my progressive glasses makes it a bit harder to function with devices and still having a bad visual acuity with any glasses makes it annoying, so I end up wearing contacts all the day. It is sad and funny because my vision improved to the point of not really needing glasses even for the computer (before the pandemic) and ever since it got gradually worse, still not to the point it was in the university when I needed glasses for everything but still was in denial. Now I feel the same, but for a different reason. I can read without glasses, but having astigmatism make the letters squeezed and misaligned a bit, having nausea with it makes it unbearable over time. So I just prefer wearing contacts.

Spending nearly 20 minutes to get from the third flood to the first to watch a movie with the housemates makes me feel bad for having them help me and taking care of me. Luckily I do recover fast. The doctors say it might take a few months to come back to full activity.

I'm making the thread mostly to track the progress. It makes me feel better than writing a diary....

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 40

Kathy89

OP

20

Wasn't updating for a long time.
There was nothing new the whole week.
Walked to the store a few times. Still have some episodes but I am sort of used to this already. I mean I still have dizziness when moving too fast, but I feel safe enough to walk alone. Hot days when I feel weak I just stay home.
I work a lot at home now, both on my job and house chores, I cook and clean a bit.
I do so little actually that we even joke at home that I'm 33, look 16 and feel 90...

Went to a MRI scan last night, waiting for the results.

Reply 41

scar-the-queen

17

Original post

by Kathy89

Wasn't updating for a long time.
There was nothing new the whole week.
Walked to the store a few times. Still have some episodes but I am sort of used to this already. I mean I still have dizziness when moving too fast, but I feel safe enough to walk alone. Hot days when I feel weak I just stay home.
I work a lot at home now, both on my job and house chores, I cook and clean a bit.
I do so little actually that we even joke at home that I'm 33, look 16 and feel 90...

Went to a MRI scan last night, waiting for the results.

Hoping the results are positive! xx

Reply 42

BurstingBubbles

20

Only just seen this thread, but posting to follow :smile:

Reply 43

Bookworm524

19

I hope you're getting better now. I got dizziness from time to time after falling off a bouldering wall back in January, but my GP says it's just ear crystals and it'll pass (hopefully), even though it still feels like I'm floating when turning over in bed.

It kinda gets easier when you get used to it. Remember to keep hydrated now that it's hot!

Reply 44

Kathy89

OP

20

Original post

by Bookworm524

I hope you're getting better now. I got dizziness from time to time after falling off a bouldering wall back in January, but my GP says it's just ear crystals and it'll pass (hopefully),

I'm sorry to hear that.... since January :eek:

I hope you recover well.

Original post

by Bookworm524

even though it still feels like I'm floating when turning over in bed.

Yeah, that happens too, and it is actually very funny now, it fills like drifting away in a lake or something.

Original post

by Bookworm524

It kinda gets easier when you get used to it. Remember to keep hydrated now that it's hot!

Thanks! I'm drinking much more than usual now.

Reply 45

Bookworm524

19

Original post

by Kathy89

I'm sorry to hear that.... since January :eek:

I hope you recover well.

Yeah, that happens too, and it is actually very funny now, it fills like drifting away in a lake or something.

Thanks!

Same for both of us!

At first I felt scared over the floating sensation, but getting used to it and telling myself logically 'you are lying on your back flat on a bed and you are not moving, nothing is going to happen and you will stay on the bed' to calm myself, I sometimes imagine I'm in a tranquil lake or floating on the clouds -- making it feel a bit more bearable I guess : )

Reply 46

Kathy89

OP

20

Original post

by Bookworm524

Thanks!

Same for both of us!

At first I felt scared over the floating sensation, but getting used to it and telling myself logically 'you are lying on your back flat on a bed and you are not moving, nothing is going to happen and you will stay on the bed' to calm myself, I sometimes imagine I'm in a tranquil lake or floating on the clouds -- making it feel a bit more bearable I guess : )

Thanks.

At first I was scared of any symptom, but now I'm used to most of them. Although sometimes I do get anxious when they appear when I'm outside alone. It takes some time to catch a breath and relax. A few days ago I turned my head to quick when crossing the road. It was really scary.
I don't tell my housemates or family about it. If the symptoms or the episodes get worse I will. I do keep track on when they appear though, at least so I could monitor if they get worse.
Do you only have this floating sensation only in bed?

CT and MRI came clear so, it is the ear crystals and nerves.

Reply 47

scar-the-queen

17

mine was due to ear crystals too, i had BPPV, is that what you have?

Reply 48

Kathy89

OP

20

Well... The last week or so was great.
I'm back to work, still not driving though. I'm most of the time in the office, but I can be normal finally. I work slower than usually. Need more breaks, I move slower. Every time I have a headache I have anxiety, but I can cope with that.
At home I'm back to cooking and buying grocery on my own, I'm strong enough to carry bags and walk a decent distance. I can lock the doors when showring or using the bathroom without the fear of falling or something. I use the stairs almost normally. Sometimes I forget and try to run downstairs but get dizzy and catch the banister.
I still have some episodes of dizziness but they are seldom serious, most of the time I ignore them. I started noticing that there is a difference in hearing between both ears, but it is like one ear just hears the sound a bit differently. When my eyes closed it is harder to guess the distance of the sound. It is not that important actually, it is just something I'm used to from playing basketball, to hear where the teammates are without really looking. Also a quick glance is not working anymore, I feel dizzy when I do that, it is worse without glasses, so I wear glasses or contacts most of the day.

I think I'm ready to start running slowly.

(edited 2 years ago)

Reply 49

Kathy89

OP

20

Over a week without episodes of dizziness. So yesterday I went to the pool. I swam six times a 25m pool, a short break after each time. While it doesn't seem any serious achievement it is a pretty good thing for the recovery. However, I'm pretty sure I'm not supposed to do that yet, but I took the risk, with supervision of a friend of course.

Nothing else is new but I will slowly do more physical exercises when the weather is cooler. :smile:

Reply 50

Kathy89

OP

20

Another late update.

I've been very busy most of the time. Back to work, back to training.

I'm practicing in the pool once a week and in a gym once a week. It's too hot to run or walk ouside. I do go to the beach to run a bit at night when possible. It is very difficult because I can't do it alone (still not 100% so I'm always with someone just in case and it is fun to have some company). I'm doing a good progress but I always feel like it is too slow and too little. I mean running 1km in 6 min is a very bad result for someone who just a few month ago was ready to run half a marathon. I know I'm never be able to go back to competitive running... I knew it when I injured my leg, but just to run in a pace I'm used too will be a good enough achievement.
I still feel drained after a light training and sometimes feel dizzy. I know I'm doing too much for my current stage but I feel really bad if I don't. I need someone in a bad shape to run with me and hold me back.
Swimming is another problem. On one hand I'm not used to be in such a bad shape, on the other hand I'm too scared something is going to happen when I'm in a deeper water. I managed to swim 2 pools (50m) in one take.

I had only one episode and it was in the shower, when I locked it, so even if I wanted to call someone it would take time to get to help me so I just took time to relax and rest there. I didn't tell anyone about it. Just stopped locking the door.
I act like this thing is completely over, when I know it is not.

People at work know about it, friends and family too. So wherever I am I'm safe.

I'm off of the medication. The doctor approved, I still have some with me just in case.
It is funny to think how many medications should take with me just in case... especially if I'm out for long.

I'm also back to dating, which makes me feel alive.
So I'm almost back at my normal stage.

Reply 51

Kathy89

OP

20

Back from the hospital again.

I fainted Friday evening when I got up to drink some water. My body just shut down. A housemate called an ambulance but by the time we arrived at the hospital I was feeling well. All the tests were fine. They monitored me for two days and released me. They referred me to a cardio monitoring for week though. It seems like there might be a problem with my blood pressure and heart rate. I have a low blood pressure and heart rate, which is fine for a young athlete but I'm not really an athlete now so these things might be unstable which may cause some of the symptoms I have which don't fit with the vertigo.
Also the cardiologist at the hospital mentioned my weight and said that on one hand I'm still underweight but on the other hand having gain weight should effect my heart rate and blood pressure but it doesn't seem to so it is also a sign that there might be something wrong. He also said 'we are not getting younger, you know'... I'm in my 30's, I shouldn't be having these issues.
Right now I'm restricted from any physical activity and waiting for a cardiologist appointment to put a monitor/recorder on me for a week.
I had a feeling that there is something else wrong with me since most of the episodes of dizziness might be caused by blood pressure changes and have nothing to do with the vertigo. My hearing is almost back to normal, so is my vision (perhaps a slight change in the prescription).

All this makes me a bit depressed. I'm young and healthy, I shouldn't experience this ****.... I feel like I'm 60 or more when I look at my medical history from the last several months...

Reply 52

scar-the-queen

17

I’ve been struggling with low pressure too recently, it really is a pain!

Reply 53

Kathy89

OP

20

Original post

by scar-the-queen

I’ve been struggling with low pressure too recently, it really is a pain!

How are you doing?

Reply 54

scar-the-queen

17

Original post

by Kathy89

How are you doing?

I'm okay, I haven't fainted as of yet because I'm starting to get used to dealing with it. I was getting dizzy at school today so my friend kindly acted as my crutch and let me lean on her to walk :smile:

I find having a little bit of something sweet or salty helps for some reason!

Reply 55

Kathy89

OP

20

Original post

by scar-the-queen

I'm okay, I haven't fainted as of yet because I'm starting to get used to dealing with it. I was getting dizzy at school today so my friend kindly acted as my crutch and let me lean on her to walk :smile:

I find having a little bit of something sweet or salty helps for some reason!

The thing for me was sudden... like I didn't feel like fainting.
Something sweet or salty sound like a good idea.
Have you had low BP for a long time?
My normal was 80/50-90/50 all the years I was an active athlete (midschool to university). Now it should be higher. Heartbeat was around 55-60, now should be higher... but it is not always higher.
Anyways, waiting for the cardiologist appointment for the monitoring...
Hope you are doing better too :smile:

Dizzy spells are scary.

Reply 56

scar-the-queen

17

Original post

by Kathy89

The thing for me was sudden... like I didn't feel like fainting.
Something sweet or salty sound like a good idea.
Have you had low BP for a long time?
My normal was 80/50-90/50 all the years I was an active athlete (midschool to university). Now it should be higher. Heartbeat was around 55-60, now should be higher... but it is not always higher.
Anyways, waiting for the cardiologist appointment for the monitoring...
Hope you are doing better too :smile:

Dizzy spells are scary.

For some reason I developed low pressure after catching covid at the start of last year, but it tends to get worse for me in hot weather. I’m doing better now that the weather has cooled. Hope everything goes well at your cardiologist appointment!

Reply 57

Kathy89

OP

20

Original post

by scar-the-queen

For some reason I developed low pressure after catching covid at the start of last year, but it tends to get worse for me in hot weather. I’m doing better now that the weather has cooled. Hope everything goes well at your cardiologist appointment!

Thanks.
How is your vertigo going?

Reply 58

scar-the-queen

17

Original post

by Kathy89

Thanks.
How is your vertigo going?

All gone

Reply 59

Kathy89

OP

20

Original post

by scar-the-queen

All gone

YAY...
It might be something common to have low blood pressure issues after vertigo :hmmmm:

Yet another recovery - This time, unexplained Vertigo

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