Vertigo!!

One night I went to bed, within 10 minutes I was spinning! That was my first of many experiences of vertigo!

I ran down the stairs to my Husband who was still awake watching TV, how I didn't fall down the stains is amazing!

From that day my life changed forever! When it first started this is how it affected me...

I felt 100% fragile! I felt 100% Afraid!

I couldn't move my head up to the ceiling, couldn't move my head down to the floor, I was OK turning my head slowly to the left and right.

How did it start? Why did it start? When would it end?

It affect my sex life! How I brushed my teeth! Even eating! Now I know what people older than me meant, when they said, they had a 'turn' but this was MORE than a turn!

I remember many times holding on, and screaming as the room went round me FAST, then even FASTER!

When would it end?

I remember changing my child's bed linen and I put my hand against the wall to steady myself and it felt like my hand went through the WALL!

Oh why did it start?

To this very day I cant wash my hair in the sink! I would start to spin. I can only do so using a shower head, with my head tilt on the right hand side, no mistakes now, watch the angle!

I drove when it first happened many miles to work, it WAS silly, I tried to be brave, but when I eventually arrived I burst into tears, they gave me a sweet coffee so I could compose myself and I carefully drove myself back. You see, I didn't need to look up and down to drive, just my head left and right and straight ahead.

But what made it start?

Even now and from that day I can only sleep on my right hand side never on my left again!

It changed my life FOREVER!

Running was out of the question!

I joined a ballet class, I've always wanted to do ballet, this was my chance, but after the first lesson I had to stop as ballet is not just standing upright but leaning forward gracefully and back!

I play a musical instrument, it affected that too! I had to stop for a while.

I helped on old lady shaky on her feet, but if she fell, I would too – for I had no strength!
I became weak, fridge.

It affects me even at the hairdressers, “Please be careful by my ears”

I got myself carefully into the bath, it felt like I was in a tsunami, each little movement magnified, no more deep baths for me!

Some said, maybe I had an ear infection, some said go to ENT, nurse friend said DONT!!
Even in the dentist chair, I say the same to her, “Please don't put my chair back too far”

I hate it, I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

I try to describe it to all who will listen, “it's like a shallow bowl filled with 90% water, if you rock it slightly the water will spill over, it's the same with my balance, move my head the wrong way and I spin.

When it first happened I couldn't look up the stairs or down it and had to hold on tight, to steady my weak knees and head.

Five years on I have learnt to live with it. I still sleep on my right side, I am OK going up and down stairs. Driving is no problem. Even now I have to remember not to put my head back when I am drinking from a bottle or can, to finish the last bit. Sometimes I risk it and quickly regret it!!

I have learnt to adjust my whole live ….... so now,

I am 91% 'better.'

Let's hope you don't get VERTIGO!!