Vestibular Neuritis- any recovery stories?

Hi Deborah,

I'm sorry to hear your story. It sounds like you have been particularly badly affected. I wonder if the differing degree of illness depends on how badly the nerve is damaged. I don't really have any advice to offer other than keep moving, keep trying and maintain a low salt diet.

I really hope your appointment with the specialist helps and I would be interested to hear what advice she gives you. Would be great if you could share with us what happens at your appointment. Best wishes and good luck.

You know, none of the neurologists I saw mentioned hydration or low-salt. I will follow your recommendations. The last one I saw said, "Only the tincture of time will help. Vestibular rehab will help some." I will keep posting every step of the way. Thanks for your good wishes.

Hi Ms. Debora, Ben here;

I too have heard of Doctor Carol Foster MD in Denver, and I researched her studies some and I found that she had Menier's disease at first, and she got some pretty unusual treatment for it.  I believe she had the "nerve" severed during surgery for that episode.

Some years later she came down with BPPV and decided to find her own recipe for relieving herself of those symptoms at home.

Please Google her name and click on the website option: Vertigo Treatment | Newsroom | University of Colorado Denver, 

 on Google is was the 2nd choice for me. I will give you the web address in another post because, the site moderator must censor all web site posts and it may not be able to see it for several days, if at ever  

Anyway, if you go to the site, it has a picture of her and if you scroll down a little you will see her doing the exercise.  BUT remember, this exercise is for BPPV, putting the loose crystals back into place or somewhere that has less effect on the stereocilia, that very fine hair inside the semicircular canals or loops of the inner ear.

I will post the exact web address in an immediate / next posting.

Ben

 

Hi Ms. Debora, 

here is the site address: http://www.ucdenver.edu/about/newsroom/spotlight/patientcare/Pages/Do-it-yourself-Vertigo-Treatment.aspx

Don't know when you'l get it.

Ben

Sadly, you will find that most doctors, Neurologist, GP, ENT have no clue in how to deal with inner ear issues.  The posters on this forum can provide more insight than most of the ones that I have seen. A Neurotologist, Otologist, is the speciality doctor to see for a vestibular issue. 

It's a shame that ENTs and Neurologists don't refer their vestibular patients to neurotologists.

Please let us know what Dr. Foster says.

I will. My appointment with her isn't until mid-June, but I will post before then about the effectiveness of my hypnosis and about my dizzy tests.

My hypnosis session for insomnia and anxiety was yesterday evening. I'm trying to come off my meds so I can take the tests to know the specific damage to vestibular canals. I fully realized today that anxiety is playing a big role in my inability to walk. I'm going to go to a store or someplace else twice a day to get over being so anxious when I go out in this world. Today I went to Lowes, a giant builders and home improvement store. I shuffled around and felt nauseous, but I stuck with it and started walking better. The hypnosis did make me wake up thinking about walking around a local lake and I'm going to do that now. I'm not taking my cane with me.

That will definitely help.  I did that as well early on after reading about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  The issue for us though is that we are adjusting for the anxiety and how we feel inside our heads.  The exposure is a form of VRT as well, though.  Anythings that forces the brain to try to adjust to the mixed signals that it is trying to make sense of will help with your recovery.

Keep working!

I've changed my appointment with Dr. Foster until late July. My meds can be quite difficult to taper off and I need to give myself more time.

Probably a good idea.  Most medications that treat anxiety, sinus issues, colds, etc. can impact how we feel.  You certainly want whatever is natural to be how you are feeling when she does whatever tests she may want to do.

Best of luck.

Hi Debora, How aare you doing today?

 

Thanks so much for your update. I'm glad you have new insight into your issues.

Hi Cally, Thank you so much for the update info.  You have described me again to the tee. I too have the Horrific Anxiety and the bouts of diarrhea. My heart beats so fierce and hard that I think Im having a heart attack or that its going to explode out of my chest. Unfortunately, the many, many doctors I have seen and the many tests I have done, no doctor will give me a definite diagnosis, maybe because they don't know.  But all of these posts are exactly like me. I have been suffering now for 18 months. I will have 2 decent days in a row and then all Hell breaks loose again and I am so sick and dizzy again for weeks and weeks.  The decent days aren't enough. How long is this suppose to last? I don't want to live like this the rest of my life. It's a Horrible disease. I gave up on the VRT exercises because my PT told me it wasn't helping me, he said I was waisting my time and money. Well, so now what? I gave up on doctors. I'm broke from all the tests and still no answers. I am glad you are on your way to hopefully better days. Thanks again for your post. By the way, I finally got enough guts to try to fly to see my sister, never thought I could get on another plane because of all the anxiety I have and was scared it would mess up my ears, but it didn't. I just had to take deep breaths over and over when I felt the anxiety hit. Listening to music helped me too.  Good luck

Hi Cally,

I am new to te forum so forgive me if you have already gone through some issues I am abiout to ask about.  I have been diagnosed with VN and have been off work for 3 months.  Although the diagnosis is not yet 100% as I am awaiting a further MRI scan to check for damaged nerves ect.  My initial MRI was carried out to check for the usual things such tumours and to look for any lesions and came back clear.

My main symptoms are the feeling that I want to go left when walking and the anxiety.  I also suffer more when still (a feeling of swaying side to side) and feel less affected when moving around.  I have been lucky in that I have not suffered terribly with the nausea (although I do feel this first thing in the morning) but have lost around 8 pounds in weight as my appetite is not that great.  I have numerous other symptoms that come and go similar to you I occasionally feel like i'm about to faint.  

My questions to you are:

How long do I need to carry out the cooksey Cawthorne excercises each day (I assume they are the same as VRT) as none of the professionsl have given me any indication.

How are you coping with work.  I have considered going back but because I have a 45 minute drive I am a little concerned.

Has there been any other things that you feel are helping you.  I have seen the post by Terry who mentions drinking lots of water (which I do) I have also avoided alcohol as even half a pint makes my dizziness worse!

I too am due to fly in the next 6 weeks and my ENT specialist has advised the use of stemitil (i think that's what it is) to place under my tongue (to be prescribed by my GP).  She has also advised a steriod (not sure what this is though).

In the 4 months since getting this dreadfull thing I have not felt any improvement, the Nuerologist did state when I saw him yesterday, that people suffer for around 18 months with this before any significant improvement (a lot more that the initial 7-8 weeks I was initially advised).

I hope you continue to improve and have now at least found a forum that I can relate to and feel far less alone in my daily battle to overcome this.  I am about to go off for a walk (usually manage 1-2 miles) to help with my rehabilitation.

Best wishes

Hi Laurence,

Sorry to hear you are suffering. For me the first 3 months were the worst and improved for me when I returned to work around week 11 or 12. My job as an early years educator is fairly active so I believe this helped. The cooksey exercises are indeed VRT and I would suggest 5/10 mins three times a day.

The only medication that has helped me is cinnarizine travel sickness tablets which helped me with the spinning and nsusea in my bed at night.

Keep moving, no matter how uncomfortable. The anxiety is awful but improves as you realise you have done something which is difficult but you survived!!

Keep fighting, you will get better it takes so much longer than you think which is why it doesn't feel like you are getting better.

I'm 6 months in and so much better than I was but not totally better.... 60% there I reckon. 3 months ago I felt at 30%.

Hope that helps, any other questions feel free to ask

Cally

Calls u are exactly me. The room doesn't move anymore but I feel like I am. Like I'm on a escalator and my brain feels all fuzzy and stuff. The anxiety is at its worst now I was better at the beginnings but the longer i have this the worst the anxiety is . When I'm in a car in front seat I am ok while its going then when it stops the floor looks like it's still going and the car in front!! The bouncing vision comes back after too long on my phone or when I look at laptop but my TV seems to be ok just makes me tired faster. In the night I wake up and have falling moving tipping sensations . I ignore them and go bk to sleep sometimes I panic badly if I'm on my own though. I won't go shopping on me own now when a few months ago I would ignore the boat feeling and just grab what I needed but now I go in a shop ok and the loving feeling gets stronger and my heart races. Jist shows how anxiety makes it a vicious circle. I think we will get better but I feel like I am separate from eveyone else in my own little moving world. I eat as healthy as possible but also having bowel problems i have never had. I wish u all the luck in the world and everyone else... I've been worrying about flying too did they say we be ok ? One of my ears has been blocked since the start too. I'm 17 months in I hate it but when I'm out and about with people I trust I live a normal life Aslong as I am active. When I'm in doors I feel it.. but when I'm out alone anxiety makes its stronger. Feel like I'm going nuts I was travelling the world alone before this. I have a mri booked on 12 may and I am waiting to see the best balance specialist in manchester apparently...

All the best and good luck xxxx

Moving feeling I meant haha xx

Hi laurence I am 17 months In I have replied to cally people read mine. I am still alive haha buy still feeling it. Mine started so bad that I could no walk for about 2 weeks tho so everyone's different . I have been through a rollercoaster but my life is easy livable this way now it's th anxiety I need to shift . Maybe it will go when the last of this dizziness leaves. Good luck. I have everythinh above. The falling to one side when walking worse when it's windy .. anxiety when out ..The weight loss the no alcohol . . It's not fair on us x

Hi Cally,

Thank so much for the reply and your positivity.  I work fo a Housing Assiociation as a complaints officer so therefore much of my time is desk bound.  I do find that when working at a computer I tend to rock side to side.  I do always get up and move around though so when I return I will make sure I go for a few walks.

Are you aware of any foods to avoid, I did hear that reducing soduim may help but that is not always easy to do especially as so many foods contain salt.

Anyway, very glad to hear that you are on the road to recovery and many thanks for the advise on the cooksey cawthorne exercises.  I think getting back to work (even on reduced hours) may be the answer as I am sure this will help overcome some of my anxiety.

best wishes

Laurence

Hi Sophia,

Thank you for your good wishes, sorry to hear that you have been suffering for so long.  It is an awful illness and I would not wish this on my worst enemy.  

Although I do not suffer with severe nausea I do tend to find the smell of food cooking off puting hence I try to eat cold foods as much as possible.  I too have issues when on the phone or computer to long, not too bad with the TV but try to avoid any programmes with a lot of action as this can make my head spin.

Apart from the first two days of my illness I have not really taken any medication (other than the odd 2mg of Diazipam) as the consultant told me this would slow down any recovery.  I do manage to get out around the shops but again looking down the aisles and with the flourescent lights makes my eyes go weird.  My other issue is that when in the compmnay of more that 3 or 4 people I find it very difficult to concentrate on the conversations, this happened to me at a family do at Easter and after 2 hours ended going to bed as I felt so awful.  This makes me wonder how I may cope when returning to work.

Anyway, I wish you all the best in your recovery and hope your MRI scan is all ok.

Laurence

I no what u feel as I have everything you are saying the too many people thing. And I like to go out for meals with my boyfriend in quiet places I feel normal. When there is too much going on such as music lighting people walking past the table things like that I can't even eat it. I've got gluten free I try have the odd bit on brown bread once a week for health reasons because I feel like I need all my vits right now. I'm the same they try give me meds I won't have them if the mind can't heal itself nothinh will. I had semitic at the start it made me shake and I couldn't sit still . Not good. I tried anti histamines and sudafed but no joy neither . I try eat all my vits naturally because multi vits make me feel a bit funny cus of the energy they make me feel a little worse . I've been taking a small dose on magnesium when eating breakfast and that helps with the anxiety a little but I don't like taking things everyday feel like no body is harmed enough I don't want to be causing any problems I have found I now have a hormone imbalance and pcos. Maybe this makes me worse or maybe I have these because of the stress . I don't know but I am aiming for the light at the end of the tunnel I have so much to live and fight for and so do you xxx

Stemitil - I meant. Bad spell checker!

Hi Laurence, I think I would find it harder if I had a desk bound job too. The movement breaks sound like a good idea.

I have been sticking to a low sodium diet. I figured it's best for you anyway. I'm trying to eat as 'purely' as possible, I eat unprocessed food such as avacados, fruits, nuts, veg, meat etc and only eat home baked stuff. If I eat out I make sure it's steak and veg or something simple like that.

I drink loads of water. I've recently reintroduced red wine in moderate amounts and it helps to relax me and I haven't had any adverse effects.

I think mainly though it is time and movement that heals.

I truly sympathise with you all, it changes your life forever but if we can survive this it must make you tougher and more able to tolerate other stuff.

When my symptoms became more manageable my mental state shifted too. I had to accept that I will feel the symptoms for a while yet and it won't go away overnight . Challenge yourself everyday with something you find uncomfortable and then feel empowered when you manage and survive it. This helps you feel in control.

My scariest challenge is going to be flying in July. I'm not a great traveller at the best of times. I've been told by the consultant that it shouldn't affect me but I may try and get a sedative from the doctors to help me cope, I haven't decided yet.

So I am grateful for the improvements I have made, particularly having my appetite back. My nighttime episodes are getting fewer too ( although they still occur from time to time)

You'll get there, you really will

Take care

Hi Sophia, sorry to read your story. Interesting that you have the bowel issues like myself. Strange symptom isn't it?

Could you perhaps ask for a referral regarding your anxiety? It seems a long time to suffer, especially as you've been such an independent person before. Travelling the world solo is something many people wouldn't manage!

Best wishes for your continued recovery

Cally has given you some great advice. The VRT exercises, whether the Cawthorne-Cooksey or individually prescribed VRT exercises, may need to be carried out for months. The issue is to stimulate the use of the vestibular nerve so that the brain can make sense of the new signals that come from it and associating those new signals with what the eyes and muscles are telling the brain. The thing that makes us feel dizzy is the mixed up signals from the three paths compared to what the brain had been used to prior to the event. Our brain relies on three things to balance itself, the inner ear, our muscles and our eyes. If there is an issue with any of the three you will experience balance and diziness issues. Look up vestibulo occular reflex. This will explain a lot of what you are feeling and the reason. When the head starts feeling dizzy it then triggers the anxiety component which exacerbates the other feelings. The inner ear is the central origin for feelings of anxiety and the fight or flight response that is generated for the body.

Things that I recommend are a low sodium diet, no caffeine or alcohol, and no vestibular sedatives.( Benzodiazapenes, Meclazine, Ativert, etc.) I take a low dose aspirin daily to supplement my recovery as well. You are right, low sodium is hard to achieve but, if you eat fresh foods you can manage it. All processed foods and fast food is loaded with sodium. What you are achieving with this is helping to reduce the fluid that the body is retaining and that will reduce swelling and inflamation on the inner ear, as will a low dose aspirin. I lost 20 pounds after I was first hit with this.

There is no quick fix and no magic pill to help us recover from this. As Cally has stated the answers lie within and only time and patience will yield results, along with the fluid reductions. Drink plenty of water to help flush your system and especially to aid with the low sodium intake. I am on a 2000mg per day low sodium diet. Besides helping this issue, it is good for the rest of your health as well.

Stay active if you can and expose yourself to those things that make you uncomfortable. That will help to get you better. I am in month 14 and still have some issues. It was month 7 or 8 before I saw any real significant improvement. I still have some bad days but, they come between several days of little or no issues. Anxiety is our greatest enemy and most doctors will not understand or tell you that the two issues are really one. Kind of a catch 22. Just like most will tell you that diarrhea is not a component of the condition. I also work at a desk 8 hours a day but, as long as I keep my mind occupied I have little issue. I drive 55 miles to work each way so, an hour for each way. 7 months in I couldn't drive by myself at all, the anxiety thing. Once I did it, it got easier each time. The MRI is good to rule out the other bad things that it could be but, as small as the inner ear is and the 2 nerves that originate there, they will not normally be able to be seen either.

Most all of us were told 7 - 8 weeks for recovery and that is the normal recovery time for Vestibular Neuritis. The issue though is that no one can see what was damaged and how much was damaged. Don't be disheartened if you see 8 to 12 months, maybe even longer. Measure your recovery over a period of time. Keep a journal and as you look back on it you will see how you are progressing. There will be days when you will think that it will never end, if you haven't already, but it does get better. 95% of VN sufferers will make a full recovery, just no way of knowing when. My Otologist told me that you get over it when you get over it. I also read in a forum posting early on for me, that recovery is measured in weeks and months, not days.

Keep pushing and you will get there.

Hi Terry,

Many thanks for all the advice.  As I said in an earlier post to Cally I was never told how long I should contnue with the Cooksey hence I have only being doing it as and when.  I am now on  a strict routine of carrying out the exercsises as advised by Cally 3 times per day for 5-10 minutes.  I also take myself out for walks.

I have been drinking a lot of fluids not always water, a mixture of herbal teas, water, juices (both fruit and vegetable) and occasional decaf tea/coffee, is ther an amount you would recommend?.  I have drunk very little alcohol over the past three months and have now stopped completely.  I will take your advice on reducing my sodium intake by cutting out the pre-cooked/packed meals and cooking a lot more fresh meals.  The Neuroligist has advised me to take a quatre of an Asprin per day with food so will start that tomorrow.

I have my MRI scan on Thursday which will look at all the veins and arteries in and around my head, this apparently invovles injecting a dye.  If this comes back clear I will assume the diagnosis is defeinitely VN.

I do try to remain positive, if everything is ok with the scan I will try to get back to work in the next 2-3 weeks (very lonely all day on my own when the wife is at work).

Thanks to everyone who has passed on their good wishes (Cally and Sophia) and advice and at least I know I am not alone in this battle.

Best wishes

Laurence

Hi Cally,

Thanks for you reply and the advice.  I also fly In June and am very apprehensive, the Consultant told me I should be ok and has prescribed some medication just in case.  I too am an anxiuos flyer and always manage to get a few Diazipam from the Doctros prior to flying to help relax me.

Having carried out a 10 minute session of Cooksey this morning I felt  dizzier but reading previous comments I guess this is the same for everyone whilst the brain and body readjusts.

Thanks again for your advice and good wishes

Laurence

Hi Sophie,

I did try Gluten free for a short period but found I started to lose even more weight so went back to normal eating.  I do have a moderate intolerance to dairy so try to avoid milk and cream.

I take a multivitamin and a pro-biotic each day, I am also having acupuncture to help with the anxiety.  

I think I have been luckier that some as my company covers its employees with the bupa scheme hence I have managed to get seen quicker.  As i said in my earlier post to Terry I have an MRI scan on Thursday to check the veins and arteries around the head, perhaps this is something you should ask your doctor about.

Many thanks for your good wishes

Laurence

Yes I am having and mri soon to check for same . I can't handle the anxiety even get it in the house now the doc has gave me citalopram I think it's called But I'm scared to take it because tho it is good for anxiety it is an anti depressant. Ged up of it all want my own life back. I notice I'm sensitive to citrus and milk so I have almond milk now for my calcium and I am ok. X

Hi Sophia,

I was given citalopram but I only took a couple as I din't get on with them.  I don't really take anything for the anxiety anymore as I go for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.  I was given a two week supply of Diazipam 2 months ago but still have over half of these left.  I take one when I feel i really need to and they do help, they can be addictive though hence Doctors will never supply too many.

Glad to hear you have a scan arranged, this also makes me feel anxious, not just the  procedure but knwoing what the result may be.

Anyway, we will keep fighting it.

Best wishes

Laurence

 

On the fluid intake, just 64 ounces or so a day.  That is what is recommended but, with busy life styles few of us normally take that much in.  Water is best but, I believe any water based drink is just as good.  No carbonated beverages is included in the total that I try to maintain.  I drink them, I just don't add those ounces into my total for the day.  With this stuff we just have to keep our body properly hydrated and as I said earlier, the fluid intake forces the body's tissue to work to drain it out.  It';s a slow process but, fortunately most of us get over this stuff.  Some sooner and some of us have a longer course.  On any of the exercises just try not to over do it.  It is possible to over stimulate the nerve as it is healing.  The three times a day that you mention is a good target and no more than 10 minutes or so.  It is also good to vary the type of exercises that you do as your brain adjusts.  Once an exercise no longer challenges you, you need to move on to another one.  There are several good ones out on Youtube.  As I said though, just don't over do it.  Doing more will not speed the recovery process, it will actually give a set back.

The aspirin I think is a key component for addressing the residual inflamation of the nerve.  What I take is a low dose 81mg.

It will get better for us, it will definitely test your patience though.  Time is the key ingredient in recovery from this stuff.  Also, the occasional Benzodiazepene will not hinder the recovery either.  I still use one on occasion.  The only other thing that I didn't mention is that plenty of rest is key as well, and avoiding stressful situations as much as possible.   

Hi Terry,

Thanks for the further adfvice.  64 ounces i think is 4 pints so i should be able to manage that (although this does tend to get me up at night more often).  Did you experience your dizziness being worse after carrying out the VRT?  I have been doing around 6-7 minutes three times a day for the last 3 days and my head does feel like it is rocking more.

Can I ask what Benzodiazepene is, is this the same as Diazipam?  I take 2mg on the odd oaccsion (probably one every 3 days), this also helps with my appetite.

With regard to rest, I do manage around 6-7 hours sleep (broken though) each night.  I am still currently off work and do get really tired during parts of the day (ovewhelming on occasions like I will passout) but fight it.  Do you suggest that I take a nap when needed during the day to help the recovery?  I do try to keep on the move as much as possible.

Going back to the beginning of my illness I am not entirely sure how this condition started. I was suffering a corneal ulcer in November which I understand is part of the Herpes Virus (like a cold sore but on the eye instead of the lip).  In December I then had a massive dizzy attack and have been left with this swaying motion and feeling I want to vere left. Other people have mentioned colds etc.  I understand from reading a bit about VN that it is linked to the Herpes Virus?

Anyway, I will keep on with the VRT and try to vary this as much as possible.  The CC exercises I have mostly involve turning my head side to side/ up and down picking things off the floor, throwing a ball ect.  I have seen other exercises whrereby people lie over the edge of the bed with their head toward the floor and then roll sideways, this I think is to help shift chrystals in the ear but I am not sure this is suitable for VN.

I also find that spending too long a period on the PC makes my head worse, this may be part of the reason why it has been worse these past 3 days.

Can I ask how long you have been suffereing, I think you mentioned that you are able to work, how easy is it to cope?  

Once again thanks for your help and advice.

Cheers (oh to have a beer!)

Laurence

I have been recovering for 14 months.  VRT exercises will make you feel worse at first.  I wouldn't recommend doing any head hung over the bed exercises unless you have vertigo, spinning dizziness.  Spinning is what differentiates vertigo from VN.  VRT exercises should be head movements left to right and up and down while tracking an object.  There are some where you would walk a distance looking side to side and the up and down.  I had one where I would be seated and risefro m a seated position and then sit back down, 10 times.  Began with eyes open and then progressed to doing it with eyes closed.  Also standing straight with feet together, eyes closed for 60 seconds.  Several variations for exercises are out there.

Yes Diazepam, Valium, is a benzodiazepine.  Taking a benzo on a regular basis can delay compensation.  Early on I was taking Xanax ,ost days and that is what my Neurologist told me.  It can also be confirmed on most articles about benzos and VN.  It was month 7 before I began to see any major improvement.  Being at work was a challenge at first but, each week it got better.  I think that our brains get adjusted to what we expose it to each day.  Being at work is about like being at home as far as my being able to cope with the head issues.  When I first started back I had to work 5 or 6 hours and gradually, over two or three weeks, work myself back up to a full day.

Recovery is a looooong course for some of us.        

Hi Terry, Ben here,

My situation is that I could not work at all when it first hit me (VN).  I couldn't even do light house work nor cook for myself.  I had double vision and when that quit I couldn't read ( Nystagamus).  I am still having a very hard time typing.  To work for money?  I have a very demanding job (for me) that requires quick thinking and a keen observance of all the goings on and I simply would fail if I tried.  I probably sound like a cry baby, but I just wanted to tell it like it is for me.

I am still doing the cc exercises that you speak of including the walking and rising out of a chair.  It has been 16 months so far, and I am just now able to do house work, although it really fatigues me and I only last at it for about 2 hours at the moment befor I have such a panic attack that I must go and lie down.  Most times I fall asleep within about 3 or 4 minutes, and sleep for an hour.  Maybe I am a candidate for a benzodiazepine now.  Early on my gp prescribed Valium and all it did was put me to sleep.  I stopped using them because all the Health Pro's told me it woud inhibit rehab, and if that is the case, why should I use them except to finish a certain job around the house?

I know what you are probably thinking, that I am telling a "story" because my employer has kept a place open for me to return to work.  Maybe you think I'm goldbricking. The truth is I am closing in on retirement and wish I could be working right now to put more money away for my retirement.  I wish I could be working right now and do this recovery later.  But that's just the way it goes.

My 2 cents worth.

Ben

You are totally right and no one that has ever experienced this horrid condition would ever judge anyone.  It took me 7 months to get back to work and several days early on I had toeave before the day was over.  In fact I had to take a Xanax tonight because I got hi with the concerns of ever making a full recovery.  Thing that stress me out I used to be able to handle but, now they seem to elevate anxiety.  I would fully recommend for anyone with this to always have something handy for the anxiety.  It hits me out of the blue usually.  I have found that a lot o things that I feared proved to not be worth thr stress after I actually did them.  But, we are all different and we have no way of knowing what was damaged in the vestibular system or how bad the damage was.  I am getting close to 100% but, I still have a ways to go at 14 months.  I too still tire easily from things that used to not present an issue.  I do have sleep apnea and am in the process of getting an APAP versus my current CPAP.  I have a problem falling to sleep with the constant pressure of the CPAP.

All any of us can do is what we can do.  Each of us has to figure what our limits are and do what we can do.  The support of those that understand having made this journey is all that we can count on.  I tell people that having this is like having had a stroke, we are faced with a tremendous amount of effort to try to overcome it.  While I work each day I no longer find the enjoyment that once was there. 

Sorry, few typo's.  Entering text on a iPad is not always the best in trying to make sure you hit all of the keys.  We all just keep fighting each days battles with this stuff.

I have high hopes that we all find the end of this journey.

Hi Laurence, do you mind if I ask what medication your doctor prescribed for your trip? It would be good also if you could let me know how you get on with flying.

I'm going to make an appointment yo see my doctor before I go regarding medication for my journey . I have a two hour drive before my flight also to worry about! My plan is to take Stugeron (cinnarizine) for the travel sickness but to ask for something to have on hand Incase the anxiety is more than I can handle. I am a bit wary as I have never taken any antidepressants, sedatives or anti anxiety meds in my life and worry that I may feel worse as taking this type of medication would be a new thing for me. I just want something to take the edge off the panicky, claustrophobic feeling. Do you know if these things would interact with the travel sickness meds?

I will discuss it with my doctor but I just wondered if you knew if you can get something mild. I will be travelling with my two kids so although my partner will be there I can't really be conked out whilst he has the kids for the whole 5hr flight!! Or can I.......!

Hi Cally,

I am going to see my GP in the morning to discuss the report the ENT specialist has written.  This should tell me what medication she has suggested for the flight.  I am not sure about any interaction these pills have with Diazipam/Valium so will also ask the GP.  I have to have a blood teste for my Creatine and GFR prior to my next MRI scan on Thursday as they will be using a dye to check the veins and arteries in my head.  If this all comes back clear I think I can safely say I have VN.

I will respond tomorrow with the info from my GP.

Can I just ask, is your dizziness affected by direct sunlight/heat?

Best wishes

Laurence

Hi Terry,

Thanks for the information.  I think I do have the same CC sheet as everyone else as the exercises you describe are on my sheet.

I have had a bad few days with feeling very tired and dizzy, I also get this weak feeling easpecially in my legs, I think it is the exhaustion on just trying to stay upright on some days.  I know how Ben feels as I think 2 hours is my limit when doing any type of work.

I went out with my wife today, luckily I am ok in the car and do actually feel a bit better when being driven.  I managed to walk around a mobile home show room with the wife (I did have to hold on to her a couple of times) looking at a few homes. I also managed to sit for 1 hour in a cafe to eat a sandwich, this I find the most difficult thing though as I find it hard concetrating when there are a lot of people in the same room/building as me.

I will keep travelling the long road and hopefully start seeing some positive signs in the next few weeks.

Best wishes

Laurence

Hi Laurence, living in Scotland heat is not something I really experience!! At my worst sunlight was bothering my eyes but on good days not so much. I'm off to Cyprus in July which will be very hot so I'm hoping I'll be okay . I'm a bit of a sun worshipper so im hoping to be able to indulge in some sunbathing!

I've been doing my new VRT focussing on exercises with my eyes closed, re my latest appointment and I have to say after initially feeling a bit worse, I've had a couple of great days. I'm hoping I haven't spoken too soon!! Could just be the general ups and downs but I shall continue.

Good luck with your appointment and your ongoing recovery. Hang in there!

Hi Cally,

Just got back from the Doc's but unfortunately he has not yet got the report from my consultant.  The consultaant did say that she would recommend stemitil (prochloperazine) to disiolve under the tongue and a steriod tablet for flying.  

Not sure when the report will be avaialable, she may be waiting until I have had the MRI scan on Thursday to look at the veins and arteries around my head before making a definite diagnosis.

The way I have been feeling these past few days, I don' think I would be up to flying at present.  Hopefully it will improve, I think I have been spending too long on the PC as this affects the way I feel (makes me dizzier).

What are the eyes closed VRT exercises you do?  Are you seeing the Physiotherapist as this has not yet been offered to me.

best wishes

Laurence

Hi Laurence, I'm sorry to hear you are feeling dizzier. Maybe cut back on your VRT a bit for now. You could maybe just do 2 or 3 mins at a time.

There are times where I've had to avoid computers and tablets etc as they make me feel worse for sure.

My physio did say expect VRY to make you feel worse for around two weeks before you should see any improvements.

I balance on each leg, walk heel to toe, stand one foot in front of the other stand up and sit down- all with eyes closed and hands across my chest . Sometimes if I'm listening to music or TV I'll just stand with my eyes closed and feet together. I can feel my self really having to fight to balance as I rely far too much on my eyes - as do most with vestibular damage. I do believe these are helping me with my issues with TV, reading etc.

Dont give up on your flight yet. Is it for a holiday? If so you bloody well deserve that holiday!!! At the same time you are the best judge of what you can or cannot handle and you must be kind to yourself.

Keep going, I hope you'll see some relief soon. It feels like you never will but you will. Believe that .

I'm having a bit of a bad day, not so much with the dizziness but the ear fullness is bad and my gastric symptoms are bad today - so strange. I'll take anything over dizziness though!!

Take care

Meant to add, I saw a physiotherapist privately and at the balance clinic, 3 visits in total and they issued personalised VRT which I follow. You should definitely ask for a referral.

Hi Cally,

Thanks for the information, I will perhaps try some of these,  I am though reluctant to do anything further until I have the results of the scan tomorrow (just in case they find something else).  I also tend to get weak legs but this varies over the period of the day.

I think alot of what i'm experiencing is down to anxiety and the sooner I have the scan and results sorted the quicker I can get on in dealing with this and the VN.

I do really want to get away, we are off to the south of France with two freinds of ours.  The worry I have though is ruining the hoiday for everyone in case I am unable to cope.

I have been going through bupa as the company I work for has this as an employee benefit so may be able to get Physiotherapy through them.

Can I also ask, are the problems you experience actually dizziness or more a feeling of being off balance.  I tend to feel like I'm swaying side to side, it is certainly worse when I shut my eyes.  When I did the eyes closed test whilst walking on the spot in front of the consultant i vered massively to the left and that is the way i keep wanting to vere when walking.

Anyway, many thanks for your good wishes, I hope you also get to enjoy your hioliday in Cyprus.

Best wishes

I feel dizzy rather then off balance but when I close my eyes I feel both. I also veer to the left. I have had the weakness in my legs too, also in my arms - my understanding is that this is caused by the brain seeking extra input from the muscles to compensate for the lack of information from the damaged nerve. Because it's not getting this it misinterprets the information as weakness in the muscles. I think that the anxiety also plays a part. Hope you get some answers soon

Best wishes

Hi Laurence,

I just wanted to comment on your questions as well.  Hope you don't mind.  All of the symptoms you are experiencing are tied together.  I believe that everyone that has suffered VN has had the weak legs and you are corrrect in identifying the anxiety as an underlying cause.  If you look up the symptoms on Generalized Anxiety Disorder you will find that weak legs, rubbery legs, is one of the symptoms.  Also, as Cally has stated the brain is so mixed up with the signals that it is getting and trying to sort things out that everything is struggling.  This is also why most of us suffer with sore neck muscles.  The brain is trying to balance the body while receiving signals from the eyes, inner ear and muscles.  To put it in a simple prospective, it doesn't know who to listen to and it is working overtime to try to get all of the information synced up.  Hence, the associated fatigue from the least of tasks.

The word dizzy means a lot of things to a lot of people.  I found out early on with my recovery that dizzy means one thing to me and something totally different to a doctor.  To me dizzy always meant what I called a swimmy head or a feeling of spinning.  To my doctors the spinning meant vertigo.  The feeling that I have had the last few months is a feeling almost like you are on the verge of inebriation.  This feeling happens in some environments.  In other environments I feel fine.  The feelings are often hard for us to find the words to decribe.  I can rotate my head quickly back and forth and it is almost like my eyes and my head are not in sync and that is then the feeling I have in large stores and sometimes outdoors.  My early symptoms included an inability to focus and a feeling like my head was full and concentrating was almost impossible.  Stressful situations really made it worse.  I remember working on the computer on some sessions that I had to take for coaching basketball and it felt like I was going to go crazy if I didn't get to the end of whatever the current module was that I was working on.  I also had problems thinking things through and I couldn't remember things.

What I read in what you are and have experienced seems to mirror what I have been through and what Cally and I have discussed.  If you read online extensively on VN you will find that with a damaged vestibular nerve you will tend to drift to the unaffected side.  I remember having to walk in place with my eyes closed while at the doctors office and after 3 or 4 seconds I was two or three feet from where I had started.  You will be amazed at the difference a month on a low sodium diet can make in your recovery.  If you haven't tried that I highly recommend that you incorporate it into your recovery routine.

You are right, from my experience, that you will feel better after your test is over.  I would be very surprised if they find any issues, though.  What you have described in previous posts sounds very typical of VN.

Best of luck as you continue your recovery.  

Hi Terry,

Thanks for your comments.  I had a further MRI/MRA scan yeterday which included the veins and arteries around the head and neck.  I will see the consultant again in 10 days.  I do vere to the opposite side to where the Vestibular dysfunction has been diagnosed, which is on the right side so I vere left.  I don't tend to have any good days but do find walking for a short period out in the open is better than when I am walking around indoors.

With regard to soduim, the maximum daily adult intake in the UK is recommended at 6mg, how much do you think i should reduce this by?  I have been checking lables and notice that for example a normal bag of crisps is around 0.33g.  In past comments you have also stated that it is ok to take a Diazipam (benzo) once in a while.  I have recently taken more than normal due to the anxiety brought on by stressful situations (further tests and appointments etc) but think these have affected my balance and hence made it a little worse.  I don't normally take these regularly, as the doctor will not prescribe many, just when I feel the need (on average 2mg every 3 days), do you know if these can affect the balance?

I have had the Neuroligist report prior to the MRI/MRA scan I had yesterday.  He tends to agree with the ENT specialist that it is VN but has mentioned using either Topiramate or Gabapentin to help the dizziness, not sure what these are though as I was initially precsibed prochloperazine which I only took for 2 days before the ENT specialist told me to stop.  The furher MRI/MRA scan is to check the vertebral Basilar system and for any inflammation e.g demyelination.  He has also recommended that I take 75 mg of asparain as you have also suggested.

Thanks for your continued comments and advice.

Best wishes

It's amazing the difference in the US recommendations on sodium and those in the UK.  I found this on salt on your NHS website "Salt and sodium in your food:

Salt is also called sodium chloride. Sometimes, food labels only give the figure for sodium. But there is a simple way to work out how much salt you are eating from the sodium figure:

Salt = sodium x 2.5

Adults should eat no more than 2.4g of sodium per day, as this is equal to 6g of salt.

So it appears that the UK guideline is based on salt intake value versus the US recommendation being in mg of sodium.  2.4 grams is 2400mg of sodium so, to go by my Otologist's recommended number that would be a recommendation of 5g of salt. (2.5 x 2000mg = 5,000mg or 5 g) Elimination of sodium just helps reduce the body holding fluids.

From my understanding a benzodiazepene sedates the vestibular system and therefore, can also impact balance if the nerve is weakened anyway.  When I take a benzo I take Xanax.  The dosage that I use is .25mg.  I take one once in a while maybe once or twice every two or three weeks. I do take Gabapentin on a daily basis.  Gabapentin is what is called an anticonvulsant but, it has a property that works for generalized anxiety.  It also gives a double benefit for me as I also, as most of us, suffer from neck pain.  I take 200mg per day before bedtime.  It doesn't sedate the vestibular nerve and doesn't inhibit compensation.  It just helps to manage the anxiety for some of us.  I really can't tell that I take it.  If I do have a heightened anxiety issue I supplement it with the .25 of Xanax. 

This stuff just takes a long time to recover for some of us, not sure why.  At 14 months I still have some issues but, nothing like it was even 2 or 3 months ago.  I can function without issue and do most, if not all, of whatever I want to do.  Funny that even when times were bad for me the only time that I felt normal was while driving.  For whatever reason that never seemed to bother me.  If I sat in the passenger seat it was a totally different story.  Never had issues with car sickness before this.  Just try not to set a timeframe for recovery and always remember that you cannot speed up the recovery.  You get better when you get better, we just have to do the things that we feel will help and somewhere down the road they will.

I found it hard to believe early on but, you will find that you will get over this.  Just small steps make the journey long.

Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have that I can offer any information related to my reovery.  We past and current sufferers are all we have to rely upon as everyone else that never experienced this has no clue as to our symptoms or how we actually feel. 

Hi Terry,

Many thanks for your on-going support.  From what I understand I should try to keep my intake of salt to no more than 5g per day.  The diazipam (Benzo) i have been taking can hinder my recovery if I take too much? I think my ENT specialist mentioned that certian pills can numb the Vestibular nerve hence making recovery longer and this is why she told me to stop taking the prochloperazine.  I did take 2mg of Diazipam last night to aid sleep but woke up this morning feeling dizzier and my legs felt weaker as I was struggling to keep my balance.  The Diazipam does though make the dizziness feel a little better when I take it, and on a websiteb I recently visited it does mention this along with Benzo and lorazepam as medication that can be used to help the Vestibular but because of dependancy they will not usually prescribe large doses (they state 2mg per day as the maximum).

Unfortunately I also suffer with Glaucoma and I am sure that the Lumigan eye drops I use make the dizziness a bit worse ( i was ok on these drops up until I got the Vestibular problem).  I do feel as though I have got worse rather than better this past month but this may be due to the added anxiety as I have had many more tests and seen plenty of Doctors/consultants in the last few weeks.

 I keep up with my VRT and try to keep moving around most of the day (ensuring that I move my neck and head all the times), I do the gardening and most of tghe housework so try and keep active.  I will only lay day in the eveing when watching telly, this is my restful time.  Back in March I felt as though I was improving but for whatever reason my recovery went in reverse so I do not feel even close to getting back to work.

I will keep on with the fight and keep positive.

Thanks again for you support and the advice and support from others on this forum.

Kind regards

Laurence

Terry, your positivity is really making me hopeful.  Thank you for your posts and Cally too.  I am at month five and I have good days and bad days.  This really is the hardest thing I have ever experienced.  For those who are worried about flying I just want to let you know that I have flown twice and it was fine.  I had my valium on me just in case but I didn't have to take it.  

I can't remember if I mentioned, I think that Cally may have, that I found that sleeping with my head elevated seemed to help with the early morning dizziness.  I have a bed that can elevate the head or feet so that made it easier for me.  I have seen recommended to use two or three pillows or here in the US I know that you can get a foam wedge for the same purpose.  Just wanted to pass thais along.

 

Hi Cally,

Can I ask how you are getting on.  I saw tha neurologist on Monday who has confirmed the diagnosis of VN (my MRI and MRA scans came back clear).  He is though going to ask my Doctor to check for B12 and Magnesium deficiency as I also suffer with gatritis (which can cause malabsorbtion of nutrients).

He has encouraged me to go on holiday hence I fly to the South of France in just over three weeks.  My concerns are standing for long periods in queues as I have to sit down after around 10/15 minutes on my feet, he did though suggest hiring a wheel chair (feel a bit embarrassed though about this) and obviuosly the air pressure changes during the flight.  The condition was improving up until Easter and then deteriorated and I have not felt any progress since (even though I am doing around 10/15 miutes of VRT per day which makes me feel awfull).  

I am due a session of accupuncture today and hope that will start working, the Neurologist i saw is a firm believer in this and encouraged me to contnue with the sessions, is there anything you are doing that you find useful?

I hope you are making a recovery and are able to go on your hol's to Cyprus in a few weeks

Best wishes

Hi Laurence, im glad nothing serious came back from your tests but VN is a nightmare in itself!! I am glad to report that I am doing pretty well. Had a couple of short lived blips but I'm soooo much better and enjoying life again.

I recently hit the 28 week mark and have seen the biggest improvement in the last month or so. I still feel it but much less severely.

For me the fact that I physically move around all day for my job , bending down a lot etc I think helped the most. It was hard in the early days but as I work with children aged 3-5 they kind of don't let you focus on yourself! It just got easier.

I recognise the feeling you describe when queuing - could you sit on your case or lean on something? For me shifting my weight from foot to foot helped ground me when feeling faint/ weak as did walking around. I agree you should go for it and have your holiday. I still do VRT 10 mins, 3 x per day but focus on eyes closed exercises. I think time is the biggest healer but it takes a lot of time. Terry who posts on here kept me going when I felt like is never get better. I truly believe you will too but that it is a mental bate to believe that. It's also a mental battle to try and ignore your symptoms sometimes and push on regardless. It is so hard to do when you feel weak/sick/dizzy but when you do accomplish it, it makes you feel like you are getting there.

For travelling my consultant recommended taking over the counter Stugeron the day before and on the day of travelling.

Hope that helps, hang in there you will get better. Let me know how your holiday goes

Cally

Hi Cally,

Thank you so much for the encouraging words and very glad to hear of your improvement.  I think I must be at around 22/23 weeks (5 months) since first getting the dizziness.  I will take myself out for a walk today and see how i get on.  When i was going through my initial improving stage at month 3 i was able to walk around 2 miles, since my set back at easter I have hardly walked at all (at most 1 mile).  I am very dizzy today after my accupuncture yesterday but I think this is all just part of the healing process.

As I said in an earlier post I work in  very busy office on a computer all day.  I can only tend to spend around 20-30 minutes at any one time on the computer as this makes my head spin even more.  Communicating with large groups of people face to face is also a problem as I find it difficult to concentrate, is this soemthing you experience?

I was wondering if spending more time on the computer each day will help improve my tollerance to this? I have been doing VRT 2x5 minutes per day but this is still making me feel dizzy efter each seesion, is this something you also experience? 

I was given cinnerazine in my earlier days of this and am told these are for travel sickness.  I am fortunate in that I actually feel a little better when travelling in a car but not sure how i will react on a plane?  Like you I am also an anxious flyer so will take a couple of Diazepam before the flight.

Once again, thanks for your encouraging words.  I will feedback how I got on on holiday and the flight.

best wishes.

Laurence

Hi Laurence, I've not really experienced the problems with talking to people although if someone tries to have a conversation with me in a supermarket then yes! It's more than I can handle. I'm sure as you improve this will ease. Regarding the computer screens , and this may be just a coincidence, my tolerance of TV, computer screens and reading improved as I began to focus on eyes closed exercises. The vestibular therapist at my recent appointment explained that as we are over relying on our visual system for balance then our brains can't cope with the added confusing stimuli of movement on a screen. Sge recommended switching to these exercises but it may not be right for you. I used to take just one Stugeron when I was a having a particularly dizzy spell and they did seem to take the edge off for me.

My dizziness and sense of false notion has always been worse when sitting still or lying down so I've kind of abandoned the movement type VRT in favour of eyes closed balance exercises. This is just me though, if moving makes you dizzy then those are the sorts of things you should be incorporating. It really is miserable I know. You're doing so well to keep going and working. Good luck with the holiday (and flight!!!) I would love to hear how you get on .

Take care

Hi Cally,

Unfortunately I am not able to work as my condition got so much worse at the beginning of April.  Like you I feel worse when sat still but better when moving (especially as a passneger in a car) unless the dizziness is so bad then I can't do anything.  Can you please explain what exercisis you are doing to help as I also think these would help me (i think you may have already explained this but I can't find the post).

As I have explianed to Terry in a post today my condition has been a gradual deterioration in that I have developed more symtoms over time (blurred vision, jumpy eyes,weakness, occasional upset stomach).  It may be because I tried doing to much from the outset (which included still drinking the occasional beer) but did very little of the VRT exercises as the doctor never really impressed upon me how important these were (maybe because they were still investigating the problem).  The past two weeks I have felt really awfull and am beginning to think that the accupuncture I'm having is doing more harm than good.  I will probaly stop this and see how I get on (although the accupuncturist is a firm believer in that things get worse before getting better).

One more thing can I ask, have you changed your diet and if so do you find this helps.  I have incorporated more healthier things, drink more water, stopped alcohol and have also cut back on salt but still have the odd cake or biscuit just so I can keep my weight up (I have probably lost 9 pounds in total).

Sorry for keep coming back and asking more questions. Thanks again for you advice and encouragement.

Best wishes

Laurence

Hi Laurence, sorry for delay in replying, it's been a very crazy week.  Sorry you still feel so rough, perhaps the acupuncture is stimulating the nerve. I would persevere though as it may well be that it will be worse before it gets better, as with VRT. 

The exercises I do are

turining head side to side with eyes closed

standing one foot behind the other with arms crossed and eyes close then swap feet

standing on one leg, eyes closed then swop 

walking heel to toe slowly down hallway with hands across chest eyes closed 

10 minute sessions three times a day but I don't always have time so sometimes it's only one session a day. I'm a bit half hearted about it to be honest, I'm not overly convinced but it helps you feel in control and like your doing something.

i also do an Epley type move the specialist showed me every day. I'll try and describe it. It's easier than it sounds! :

sit on edge of bed, turn head to the left, fall over to the right, keeping head turned left  landing with chin pointing to ceiling and feet tucked up behind you . Then repeat with head pointing right and falling to left. I do a couple each side .

as for diet- I have a healthy low salt diet and I probably have over 7 portions of fruit or veg a day, I also eat raw unsalted nuts (different types) as these gives me lots of energy which helps with the fatigue. I do have wine at the weekends now and it doesnt affectme but ive never been "drunk."

I did have periods of relapse but they didn't last too long. Deep down I think we can do as much as we can to feel in control and help,things along and manage our symptoms but time is the eventual cure.  A guy at my work explained his experience as lasting 18 months with 6 months of that being extremely Ill and incapable and a year of symptoms which were annoying but not incapacitating, it did go away eventualy and  he manged tricky periods with Valium. 

I really hope you turn a corner soon, never, ever forget that most people get better from this, they just tend not to post on forums. I'm trying to avoid them a bit as I live in fear of a relapse and the forums are full of the poor  people who are still suffering 

best wishes 

Cally

Hi Katie,

I am reaching two months into this (VN) and though i had improved i feel a lot but i have had some bad days. Some days are very good. I just cant seem to figure out what and why this happens b/c that sort of brings me down. Glad to know about flying. When you say bad days can you please give example so hopefully i can relate. I will be posting a long info regarding my VN issue for you guys soon in this thread, so others can relate and help me with positivity as well. Hoping i can help as well.

Kind regards,

Thanks 

Sham

Hi Cally, glad you are continuing the VRT, but my ENT told me not to do the Epleys more than once every 48 hours. I wonder why they told you to them 10 x a day. He said you have to let them "settle". Keep us informed!

 

Hi Cally, Although I'm sure your trip has already come and gone (thuis is an old thread, but new to me), I am wondering how it went. Did you find something that would not "konk you out"? lol I would say if your doctor prescribed you a mild sedative likeXanax or Valium, you will do fine and might even fall asleep. Not addicting if taken that short-term, and it would not incapitate you... I was told to take 2 Xanax before my MRI. You are still awake, but a lot let nervous.

Still not sure how to just "post" and not reply to someone in particular... so,, I just wanted to put it out there that I recently read a scientific article (I think it was from someplace in Florida) that said dizziness can cause anxiety, but hardly ever does anxiety cause dizziness. So, for anyone who implies dizziness/vertigo/disequilibrium is in your head, it's not! I have read that steroids and anti-viral meds get rid of the virus. I wonder why the various doctors we see just don't give us something for the virus that causes VN. Or do they (some?) and we are just left with an injured nerve that will slowly recover?

Good luck to us all...

Hi Terry,

I have not contacted you for a few months but I think I read on another comment you made that you are neraly 100% after 21 months which is excellent news.  I did also see you mention about having your neck looked at or manipulated?  I suffer with a very stiff neck, this has not always been constant since having VN and probably only started around 3 months ago but it feels like blood is restricted to my brain because my neck gets so rigid (and rock hard).  I have been told by my consultant that this is likely due to tension. 

Just a quick update on my condition now that I am approachiong 1 year with VN!  I was making slow progress until September when I had another 'event' or de-compensation (apparently there is a 4% chance of this happening to anyone with VN)  whilst out walking as part of my physio.  I had to start my physio again from scratch as I was so off balance after the event.  I am now beginning to feel some improvement again but not quite back to where I was in Septenmber with regard to my balnace (although other areas seem to have im[proved, like the use of a PC, reading, watching TV etc)).  Do you think having someone look at my neck with a view to manipulating it would be helpful? I have read other comments whereby people have said it made their dizziness worse, did you think it helped you?

Hope you finally get to the holy grail of 100% fit.

Best wishes

Laurence

 

Did you recover and how did you recover

Hi pili, there is a lot of great information in this blog about recovery. It takes time, possibly a lot of time for some. for me drinking water, reducing salt, and walking a little at first then more and more everyday. I avoided medication and saw a chiropractor. Everyone is going to have their own needs. I still have exhaustion and moments of confusion, it's been almost a year but I had 100% loss at the time of the virus so I feel very blessed to be 90% recovered.

HI BRenda, how are you doing now?