Relapse

Ah, the dreaded relapse. Going back over the past few months, my vestibular symptoms went away. I was taking Depakote which is used as a migraine preventative, but ceased it when I gained weight. We also had a very mild winter, which is unusual where I live, and I think the medication along with a lack of major weather changes contributed to my recovery from my vestibular symptoms. I was wondering about springtime, though. I live in tornado alley and we typically get a lot of severe storms and rapid weather changes in the spring and early summer. I was wondering if this would affect my vestibular symptoms.

It did. I have relapsed and have vertigo, visual changes, tinnitus, ear fullness and balance issues. I first started to feel crummy about two weeks ago. That is when the storms were beginning to roll through. I chalked it up to a cold. Then, my ears began bothering me. They began having the full feeling like I have water trapped inside them. This is when I began to wonder if my vestibular symptoms were returning. The visual changes have been the most distressing for me. When I am looking at something, my vision just seems off. I feel like I am looking at things through a funhouse mirror. I can still drive and make out things, but it's just a really weird feeling. Light and sound are hard for me. I was driving the other day and the sunlight was filtering through the trees and I got nauseated.

It has been quite distressing to be symptom-free for several months and then have it return suddenly. I knew this was a possibility but I was hoping I would not have a relapse story to tell.

I have another appointment with my ENT next Friday. My official diagnosis is vestibular neuritis, but I strongly feel I am having vestibular migraines. One reason I feel I am having migraines is the photosensitivity. Another reason is that I had a recovery period and now a  relapse with the weather changes. My vestibular symptoms did not stay constant; they went away and came back. That is one of the key indicators of migraine-associated vertigo. Another reason is pain behind my eyes, and spots in my vision sometimes.

Despite my symptoms returning, I have been making myself walk every day. I have been averaging about a mile a day. I began taking Depakote again on my own a few days ago after I read it can lessen a migraine's severity. I am interested in Topamax or Propanolol as a preventative which I plan on discussing with my ENT.

In the meantime, I am focused on ignoring my gut reaction of staying home and sleeping all day or cancelling activities. I refuse to let my illness totally take over my life again. I don't know if this will work, but I have stayed working normally and participating in activities normally.

My plan to combat the relapse is:

A) speak to my ENT about taking a preventative that does not cause weight gain.
B) take Depakote ER for the next week to see if it helps lessen symptoms.
C) chiropractic twice a week (this does help me feel better in general, which is a win).
D) keep walking as much as possible.
E) keep my normal routine as much as possible (I had a bad two days where I could not fathom going into a grocery store with fluorescent lights, so I used their new delivery service).
F) eliminate some caffeine, salt, and processed foods over the next few weeks to see if that helps.

I will post updates when warranted. I am having tough symptoms today but storms are also rolling in and it is supposed to be rainy and stormy all day for the next 3 days. I anticipate I will have some issues today and this weekend.

By the way, if you feel you are having migraines of any kind, I strongly recommend Migraine Buddy. It's an app and you can add your own custom symptoms and relief methods. It helps you identify triggers and provides records that can be shared. I have learned through Migraine Buddy that barometric pressure changes are my main trigger, and that vision changes are one of my first symptoms before I start feeling dizzy. I also learned that chiropractic, rest, hot showers, wearing sunglasses, and Depakote are effective relief methods for me.

Just an Update Post Recovery

I'm happy to report that my vestibular symptoms have gone and I am now recovered from Labrynthitis, although my diagnosis is still kind of uncertain since the migraine medication (Depakote) has also helped tremendously with my symptoms. My doctors think I have been having migraines throughout my life, just not diagnosed until now. I have spots in my vision sometimes before a sick headache, that kind of thing. Anyways, whatever the cause of my vertigo and vestibular journey, I have joined VEDA as an online support group coordinator. I will post more information as that arises. Nothing else really to report. I am back at work and running on a treadmill 4 days a week. I am trying to eat healthier and what not. If anything changes I will post it here.

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.