Continued Recovery

Just a brief update that my recovery from my Vestibular Disorder continues. I had a little dizzy spell the other day when it was cloudy and damp outside. The Depakote I am taking continues to suppress the symptoms of migraines, which is what I think I have been experiencing these past few months. I signed up to be an online group coordinator with VEDA. I hope to be able to give people like me who had never heard of vertigo or a vestibular disorder a bit of a running start once they're diagnosed with one.

Treadmill, Depakote and Dental Issues Resolved = Massive Recovery

It's been a few weeks since I've posted anything about my Vestibular Disorder. I am happy to report that I have made an almost 100% recovery from Labrynthitis, now believed to be Vestibular Neuritis or Migraine-Associated Vertigo (more on that in this post). I believe a number of factors came into play to get me well again:

1. Walking on a treadmill. I joined a gym, looking for one where I could stand the lighting and one that had plenty of sturdy treadmills with handles I could hold onto. I spent two weeks walking and holding on to the handles. Once that wasn't a challenge, I pressed the incline button so the treadmill simulates walking uphill. Then I would alternate walking uphill and downhill. After a few weeks, I am now running on the treadmill. I have lost 6 pounds and feel better in general.

2. Depakote. I insisted on exploring all the options of Vestibular Disorders. The fact that whenever storms would blow in and my head felt like exploding along with severe vertigo, tinnitus and neck pain, I was very interested in the migraine aspect. My doctor started me on Depakote. Whether it's the treadmill, or the Depakote or both, I've improved. Depakote is a powerful drug used for migraine patients and epilepsy patients, and I am not sure I want to take it long-term, but I believe it has helped calm down my vestibular symptoms, leading me and my doctor to think  I was in fact experiencing Vestibular Migraines.

3. Tooth Extraction - While researching Vestibular Disorders, I came across some postings of patients who have had success with treating dental problems that were exacerbating or causing their vestibular symptoms. As if on cue, I had a throbbing pain in one of my lower rear molars close to my ear. When my dentist saw the size of the abscess, he scheduled an immediate surgery for me. I had the tooth removed, and I was all doped up on painkillers and steroids. The surgeon commented on how severe the abscess was. I felt like death for about 10 days after the surgery, with my vestibular symptoms worse than before. However, now that I have healed up, my vestibular symptoms are minimal most days.

I don't know if one specific thing helped me, but I do know that being your own advocate and doing your research on your particular situation helped me. If I had not been pro-active in my care, I would probably still be taking Meclizine and laying on the couch.

Remaining Symptoms (these happen during weather changes, or when I'm sick, etc):

1. Fluorescent lights still kill me. Wearing sunglasses inside helps. I have found that I can tolerate certain stores better than others (i.e., Costco is a no-go because of the sheer amount of fluorescent lighting used in a sterile warehouse setting). Wal-Mart and big box stores are a challenge, but I have found that they are becoming easier over time.

2. Blue Christmas lights kill me. I can't even look at blue Christmas lights anymore. I've always had an aversion to them for some reason because they make me nauseated, but even more so now. I cannot look at them when in a store, especially if they are flashing on Christmas tree. I have a feeling this relates to the previous mention of fluorescent lighting in the paragraph above this one. They make me physically ill, like I need to vomit. This is the only type of light that makes me this sick.

3. Storms are very difficult. I tend to get a lot of neck pain and some dizziness (not vertigo, typically) as well as tinnitus when storms roll in or when the weather changes. The Depakote has helped with this tremendously.

4. Vision changes still occur. I still get spots in my vision sometimes, or my vision gets blurry, mostly around storms or when I am too long at the computer or on my smartphone.

5. Loud noises are challenging. Loud noises normally don't bother me (pre-vestibular) but they still do now. Loud noises cause me to lose my balance sometimes if they are blasted into my affected ear (right side). I couldn't listen to the radio or music for the longest time due to this. This symptom has improved. I am able to listen to music or talk radio without much trouble. I just typically don't turn up the volume very loud anymore.

So to summarize, after four months (which is about what my ENT said), my vestibular symptoms have mostly resolved. I have lingering affects but they are much easier to handle than the original symptoms. I attribute my recovery to my doctors who caught the vestibular symptoms quickly, and my own pro-active approach to getting better. I still struggle on some days but those days get fewer and fewer. My original diagnosis was Labrynthitis (or possibly Vestibular Neuritis, then it changed to possibly MAV).

Feel free to ask questions in the comments section. I will update this blog periodically with anything related.

Vestibular Disorders and Anxiety

I've been on a bit of a rollercoaster the past week and a half. I have been having a lot of issues with anxiety attacks. I have always had issues with anxiety, but they have become very severe just in the past 10 days. My doctor put me on Depakote which is supposed to help with migraines (vestibular migraines have been suggested as what I am experiencing after my illness) and also makes you tired. It helps me go to sleep, but man, do I feel drugged the next day. I feel horrible. I have to go get blood levels checked next week to ensure the Depakote is in the correct concentration in my body. It is pretty scary scuff.

The Depakote seems to help a bit with the vertigo, but it could also just be time passing. I am not really certain. I have been so tired the past week that progress seems to be going backwards.

I joined a gym as the climate where I live has a long, cold winter. I have been walking 60 minutes a day on a treadmill. I chose a gym that was big and had good lighting, and treadmills that had handles all over them so I can feel secure. I feel like that has helped my balance quite a bit, just walking on the treadmill. I will put it at a steep incline and walk for a few minutes, then lower it. I am getting used to it and my walking has dramatically improved. So I would definitely recommend safely walking on a treadmill to help other people with vestibular disorders. If I am feeling some vertigo coming on, I just move to stationary recumbent bike. I think this will be an overall boon to my health.

Surgery Setbacks & Gains

I had oral surgery about 10 days ago to remove an abscessed tooth and a large area of infection below it. After the surgery, I was much worse in regards to my vestibular symptoms. I had a lot of fatigue and the vertigo returned for a few days. However, I am feeling much better now than I was last week. In fact, I think my vestibular symptoms have improved since I had the tooth removed. It was a rear molar, and the infection was quite large and close to my left ear canal. I am wondering if that was playing a role in my vestibular symptoms. My energy levels have improved since I had the tooth removed. I am sure the infection below the tooth was making me feel more tired than normal.

Fluorescent lights and computer screens are still a struggle for me. I am not sure if that part is going to leave or not.

I haven't gone back to vestibular rehab due to the cost, since my insurance only covers a percentage of it. I might try another appointment if the budget allows in the next few weeks.

Dental Issues Causing Problems?

With this vestibular issue, I have made it a resolution to take better care of myself. I am about 50 lbs overweight, and I have started light exercising with a goal of losing the weight over the next 2 years realistically. I have also had an extreme fear of dentists, and as a result I have not seen a dentist in 8 years. I had already determined to make an appointment in the next couple of weeks, but this morning decided it for me. I woke up with eye-watering pain in one of my teeth. I found a dentist that my insurance covered that was open and thankfully took me. After x-rays, I was told I have a really bad abscessed rear molar. I was given a referral to an oral surgeon to have immediate surgery as soon as they can fit me in next week. I was given steroids, pain medication and antibiotics because my dentist told me "you are one sick puppy!" I am definitely dreading the surgery part of it next week. I am sure it will be extremely unpleasant since it hurts. Depending on the cost of sedation, I might request to be put out entirely. But it must be done. I also have some cavities which I will start taking care of a few weeks after the surgery. Thankfully, we have dental insurance through my husband's employer. It will cover my extraction next week, as well as about one or two cavities. On December 1, insurance resets so I will be able to get the next cavity or two taken care of under insurance.

I am wondering if the severe abscessed tooth in the rear left molar could be interfering with my vestibular system?

Here are some articles on dental issues and vertigo/dizziness:

http://www.penndios.com/toothache-accompanied-dizziness/

http://www.anxieties.com/45/panic-step1e#.WALVS_krLIU

The prospect of a "cure" or a physical reason for my illness is enticing.

I did fine at the funeral on Thursday. I slept for 14 hours that evening. I have been exhausted, which I attributed to the Labrynthitis, but it could definitely also be due to the severe tooth infection. I will not be able to appropriately evaluate my vestibular symptoms until after my oral surgery, which I am praying will be sooner rather than later. I call the office of the surgeon first thing on Monday morning.

Good Days and Bad Days, Vestibular Rehab

I worked a shift on Wednesday morning. It went better than I expected. I was still dizzy and off-balance, but it wasn't too bad. This past week has been a struggle. I have not had too many good days. I was getting used to having them more and more. But as with any vestibular illness, it seems like there is progress and regression. The neck pain has been quite bad this past week.

I have occupied myself with working on my novel. I had written about half of the book, and it wasn't flowing really well. I thought on my plot and my characters and made some lists of character attributes, and worked out an alternative beginning for my story. I wrote about 10 pages of the rewrite in Word today, and it really turned out much better than I thought it would. My main character are much better and the book is easier to read. My goal is to have the whole story written down within the next 6 months. I intend to spend the next year rewriting and editing it. Then I will get up the courage to print off the manuscript and see if it gets published. If not, I will self-publish.

Thursday is going to be a big test for me and my endurance. It sounds selfish because we have a funeral to attend. Since we are in the procession, we must be up very early and across the city by 8:45am. The procession leaves at 9am and goes until about 10am, when we all arrive at the church for the funeral service. Once the funeral service is over around noon, we will be in the procession to the cemetery. I also will be putting on makeup and dressing nicely. I am trying to rest myself up so that I can do it on Thursday. I am a little nervous about how I'll feel.

Friday was my first Vestibular Rehab appointment. I am not extremely optimistic about it. It is very expensive ($40 per visit with insurance). They gave me some gaze stability exercises. It did not seem like it was going to help me overmuch. I will probably go a few more times as finances allow. I honestly think just walking and doing normal activities is the best thing. But I have not waited this long (nearly 8 weeks) for nothing.

Feeling a bit down on myself and am thinking about seeing a psychiatrist for an anti-depressant.

Thoughts in a Vestibular Patient

I figured I'd document as much as I can about having a vestibular disorder, including the mental side of things. My hope is that someone looking for answers may stumble upon this blog and see that they are not alone in this weird illness.

Thoughts that are going/have gone through my head:

• Is this permanent? Even though I've been diagnosed with a temporary illness, Labrynthitis, it's still a waiting game to see when (and if) it goes away. My visit with the ENT basically told me it could go away sooner, it could be later, it could be several months, it could be longer than that. I had a dramatic improvement in symptoms last week, but had a pretty big relapse a couple of days ago, which is ongoing. I am due to start back at work tomorrow as a trial run, although I am not feeling especially optimistic.
• What will life be like if I am chronically dizzy and off-balance? I suppose the best answer is: how it's been the past few weeks. Modified activities and a focus on wellness, I would presume.
• What will my husband think of me if I can't work in the long-term? He has been good-natured and supportive of my not being able to work. He says he likes seeing me more. Economically, though, I will have to find some sort of employment. I am working on a book to give that shot. 
• How will this impact my daughter? This has been better for her, actually, as I have been home to help her more with schoolwork. I have also taken over her Girl Scout troop. I figure I can muster up the stamina to volunteer 2 or 3 times a month in this capacity. In the end, she is glad I am not working. So this has positively affected my daughter.
• How will I contribute to my family if I can't work at a traditional job? I will have to find some other means of making money. As I mentioned above, I have always wanted to write a book and have been working on a historical fiction novel, which is about halfway completed. I have decided that substitute teaching is a feasible way to go right now if I can't resume my old job of working with horses. I could work on days that were good for me, and I could work full or part-time. That is growing more appealing day by day. I could turn down jobs if I am not feeling well. I will also be on the lookout for a job where I can work from home, even though I have no idea how to go about that.

These have been the primary thoughts in my head. I will update later this week with how work goes tomorrow.