1. Community
  2. Ears, nose, throat and mouth
  3. Vertigo and Dizziness

Newbie...help coping in office environment?

Posted , 7 users are following.

CharLee711
CharLee711

Hi everyone,

I just recently have been starting to have symptoms that all align very closely with vestibular disorders.

I am not anywhere on a diagnosis yet, as this just started for me maybe a week ago. After being freaked out for a couple of days, I went to urgent care. The physician there told me that he thought I had positional vertigo. After doing more reading, I don't think that's the case because there is so much more going on. I do have an appt with my doctor this Friday, but reading some of these posts and other information online makes me see that I likely have a long road ahead of me.

I have been working from home for the past couple of days and have been doing "ok". However, I drug my butt in to the office today (out of compulsion) and it was horrendous. The lighting (fluorescent) immediately was a killer. Conference rooms with too many people, especially if more than one person is talking, tracking along with people projecting or sharing their screen and scrolling....all of it was so overwhelming. I'm pretty sure I was also having a panic attack although I don't think I've had one before all this came along.

I'd like to know what strategies other people might have for surviving an office environment like this.

Any help would be appreciated!!

0 likes, 28 replies

28 Replies

Next
  • kathie37110
    kathie37110 CharLee711

    Posted

    I work in an office and know exactly what you are talkling about - overwhelming is a good word to describe it.  I try to have help - like if a bunch of people are going into a meeting I will try and go in first and get settled.  Or if I am bring in coffee or whatever, I have someone help as much as possible so that I can get in and out as quickly as possible.  I keep a fan on my desk to blow on my face.  If I am in a meeting with a lot of people I keep a pencil or something tangible in my hand so when the noise level gets too high I can concentrate on the feel of whatever is in my hand.  It centers me, if that makes sense.
    • CharLee711
      CharLee711 kathie37110

      Posted

      That makes sense, thank you. What about the lighting? I have an immediate physical reaction to it (and immediate relief when not exposed). Are you affected by that and if so, have you found anything that helps?
    • Terry6872737
      Terry6872737 CharLee711

      Posted

      I never really experienced issues with flourescent lighs but, some have indicated that wearing sun glasses helped them.  While that may not seem practical for an office environment, sometimes you have to do what you have to do to alleviate symptoms.  If it is vestibular neuritis most cases resolve in 4 to 6 weeks.  Unfortunately, exposure to the things that bother you is the best treatment.  The light exposure would be a different issue.  You may just want to discuss it with your employer and see if they can help to accomodate you until you recover.  One other thing that may help, if it is at a desk setting, is to have one or two of the flourescent tubes removed so that it makes it a little less glaring on you.  Also, I have read that a variation in the color of the flourescent lights can cause visual issues.  If one is white and one is yellow.  Of course the flickering that we do not normally see is part of the issue as well.

      Just my thoughts.

    • kathie37110
      kathie37110 CharLee711

      Posted

      If I am inside and the walls are fairly close I do okay.  If I am walking, like in my office, I touch the wall as I walk along if I need to, especially if the floors are uncarpeted and shiny.  If I am in a big open room, or outside like in a parking lot, I have to hold someone's arm because my balance almost disappears.  It's really frustrating and limiting.
    • dee50000
      dee50000 kathie37110

      Posted

      This is me, Kathie! You described it so well. Walls give me some kind of "grounding" and I am in a bad shape if there are none around. Good luck, CharLee. I have never had the problem with lights, but you may want to consider asking your doctor about migraine-associated vertigo. It plays tricks with the eyes. Right now I am seeing streaks of light when I look across (not at) traffic lights. Lovely. But in a weird sense, it makes me feel that possibly this is NOT an irreversible nerve problem. Again, best of luck to you both.
  • rita52071
    rita52071 CharLee711

    Posted

    Hi....hate to say it but yes you a long haul......I really pray to God you dont and your doctors get to the bottom of this for you quickly......
  • rocksolid
    rocksolid CharLee711

    Posted

    It could be vertical Heterphoria which is an eye condition. Look it up. 
    • CharLee711
      CharLee711 rocksolid

      Posted

      Thanks, it does look like a lot of the same symptoms. Definitely something to check into!
  • Mary_McAvoy
    Mary_McAvoy CharLee711

    Posted

    Hi CharLee. It sounds like you very well might have a vestibular issue. I too had major problems sorting through light and sound stimulation. Work was terrible. Shopping was a nightmare. There vestibular suppressants you can use temporarily like dramamime until you can see your doc. The advice given is very solid, especially holding the pencil. You can also pick a focal spot to stare at to center yourself. Don't be afraid to share your concerns with your supervisor. There is a great list on the VEDA website that list the top things people should know about Vestibular Disorders. I printed it and gave it to my boss and the managers working under me to help them better understand my vulnerability. Good luck and keep us posted. 
  • kathie37110
    kathie37110 CharLee711

    Posted

    One other thing about an office environment that confounds me.  If I am on carpet I am much more steady.  On tile floor, not so much.  So when I leave my office area to go out into the hallway to the restrooms for example, I use extra caution.  Oh how I miss the woman I used to be - bouncing around in 4-inch beautiful heels.  Quoth the Raven - Nevermore!!!!  My point is, start paying a lot of attention to your visual cues and you will start figuring out how to compensate in some areas.
    • kathie37110
      kathie37110 rita52071

      Posted

      I get that but it is so weird how I'm okay inside but onces I'm outside I'm like a slinky trying to stay up.  Unless I have something to touch.  Have been to every kind of doctor I can think of.  Frustrating.  I can walk around in my office all day but if I am outside I can't walk 10 steps without needed a walker.  Then inside I'm pretty much okay again.  This after three years, for a long time I wasn't okay anywhere.
    • kathie37110
      kathie37110 rita52071

      Posted

      Yes.  Twice.  I would get better and then get worse.  For awhile when I was better I was able to walk my dog a short distance twice a day.  I feel a lot and started seeing a chiropractor which has helped my pain, and I have recently started doing a 1 mile walking video in my living room to build my strength up.  Hoping all of that will add up to good things.  I hate losing as much independence as I have lost.  I can't just go get my hair cut anymore - everything is a big process.  But I search every day for a way to make it better.
    • kathie37110
      kathie37110

      Posted

      Sorry  - that is FELL a lot, not feel a lot.
    • Mary_McAvoy
      Mary_McAvoy kathie37110

      Posted

      Has anyone mentioned keeping your ears covered when outside?  I too had big issues outdoors. I found out from my physical therapist that even the smallest breeze blowing in my ear can cause my vestibular system to malfunction and make me dizzy, 
    • kathie37110
      kathie37110 Mary_McAvoy

      Posted

      No but I have wondered if wearing earplugs would help and then I read a bunch of stuff about how earplugs and night can hurt your ears so I was unsure about it.  What do you use?
    • rita52071
      rita52071 kathie37110

      Posted

      I know exactly how you feel not being able to get your hair cut  etc......this med the dr put me on is still not losing its effect........cant leave the house...might need to call her  or call the pharmacist  
    • kathie37110
      kathie37110 rita52071

      Posted

      Sorry - I meant I went to PT on two separate occasions - 10 sessions each.
    • Mary_McAvoy
      Mary_McAvoy kathie37110

      Posted

      A lightweight earband or wider cloth headband can work really well. I don't like earplugs for any reason. Even a scarf draped around your head can work well. You're just trying to stop the breeze from blowing in. My husband has a classic car that we take to shows in the summers. When walking around the shows I had to hold onto his hand or belt to keep from falling. We joked that we hadn't held hands so much in our entire 29 years together. Some days though all I could handle was to sit by the car in a chair. I know it disappointed him when I couldn't get around but he was very understanding. 
    • Terry6872737
      Terry6872737 kathie37110

      Posted

      When you go outside you are exposing your sensory systems to much more stimuli.  There are three things that are required to balance the body, the inner ear (vestibular system), the eyes and your muscles.  With any one of those being out of sync the brain does not know what to do or which one to listen to.  When you are outside you are exposing these systems to a much broader area and more things for the systems to try to compensate for in order to ensure that your body is aware of spatial location and balance.  The eyes are trying to take in all of the visual stimili so your brain is relying more on your inner ear to provide the balance/spatial relation information it needs.  The interaction in a functioning vestibulo-occular (the vestibular system and the eyes) reflex takes miliseconds for the brain to process.  Things that we grow up taking for granted because it happens so quickly and as it is supposed to.  If your vestibular nerve is damaged the signals cannot be correctly interpreted and the body does not understand its spatial relationship to the environment. (you get dizzy or off balance)

      To test this, close your eyes outside and see if how you feel improves.  You probably feel this way in large store settings or stores where there are isles with several items on the shelves.  I know that I did and for several months I also had issues in large open areas outside.  We have to expose ourselves to these feelings for the brain to relearn how to interpret the signals from the damaged vestibular nerve.

      Google the vestibulo-occular reflex and see if it provides an answer to some of your questions. 

    • kathie37110
      kathie37110 Terry6872737

      Posted

      I googled this and it is fascinating stuff.  Will read more about it when I get home.  This is spot on for me.
Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.