VERTIGO

 VERTIGO

If you have never had it, you don't want to have it!! And for anyone who has never had it, let me sum it up with my version of how it is without adding in all of the terrible symptoms alone that it can carry with it. 

It's more than just dizziness, it is a spinning sensation. Have you ever been on a merry go round on the playground as a child and when you get off it feels like the world is still spinning around. Well, that is what it reminds mw of except the spinning won't stop after a minute or so. It continues on. And it can be very debilitating. 

It's something that I would not wish on my worst enemy!! But, it has been a part of my life for over 2 and a half years now! It started out bad and got even worse. 

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In my last two years I have dealt with the attacks, I have had a couple of attacks that I told myself that was probably the worse one yet. The first one got me seen in the ER and the second worst one was at home and brought along an anxiety attack with it, And, I should have been seen that time as well because it led to being seen several days later anyway when the attacks were hitting me one after another and not getting any better. 

With not knowing exactly what was triggering them other than it's one of the symptoms of Meniere's, I wanted to figure out what was triggering them. But each time it would seem to be something different with how it was triggered. 

And I was becoming discouraged not knowing how to help myself to figure out what I could do to keep from getting one, I felt so defeated. It also worried me that after a while some of my coworkers at the time would get so sick and tired of me having them. I always felt so nervous that it would happen at work and it did on a few occasions, but I do have to say that I had a few understanding coworkers that were there to help me through and for that I am grateful. 

After trying what seemed to be everything that I had been told about so far to try. And believe me when I say that I tried everything except for this one particular thing yet that I was putting off because honestly I was a little nervous to try. But I overcame my fear and gave it a try. 

Also in the process of that I had finally came to the conclusion that anytime my vertigo attacks got severe and were more frequent, that it was more than likely from my levels being out of whack, The ENT Dr. had told me at my last appointment with him, several things. It was all told to me in a matter of a short time so it was hard to retain it all but I do remember him saying to make sure that I keep my sodium and my magnesium levels evened out. 

Well, OKAY

So, I thought more about this and thought to myself well, that seems easier to say than do, but I really started to concentrate on trying to make sure I kept these levels balanced out to see if it would make a difference. My levels for those things tend to be on the low end to begin with. So, it would be a challenge for sure. 

So with my mind focusing on trying to stay hydrated all of the time, I was due to go to my appointment that I had made with a local Chiropractor. And no, I had never been to one before. I had always felt a little intimidated of them. And of course had heard bad things about them. But decided to give it a try anyway. This was the last thing that I had not tried yet for my condition. And I guess you could say my last resort. And of course wouldn't you know it, I had an attack the night before my appointment. 

I show up to my appointment and eventually after waiting which seemed to be an eternity, Both nervous and excited to give this last resort a go, I explained my symptoms to the Chiropractor and waited anxiously for him to say, oh yeah, I see this condition all of the time and I have a maneuver that I think may help you. But....No! Instead I got a long list of other issues he found wrong with my bones and such and he basically told me that my whole body was out of whack pretty much but of course that he could help with all of that! But didn't seem too concerned about the real reason that I was there! My VERTIGO Attacks! 

So, during my first appointment he stretched, tugged and cracked every bone he could. I felt like a wrestler being pinned to the mat in a match. 

After that first session, I didn't reschedule another appointment right away because I wanted to see how things went plus, at this point all of the money that I have put into trying to find anything that would help was starting to add up (to a lot) so trying to space out some time around 2 and a half weeks later and have the money, I ended up having a mild attack, I call it mild because it sure wasn't as bad as the others I had. And it didn't last very long either, in fact it went away before the medicine had time to kick in. Which by the way, I keep stock in Dramamine. 

So anyway for this particular attack, I was at home and like I said it had been about two and a half weeks later after my first Chiropractor visit and asleep in bed when it hit. I got up to use the bathroom because I'll spare the details in this post but if you have had a very bad or severe vertigo attack before then you know what all comes along with it. But anyway I got up and took some medicine and made my way to the bathroom when I first woke up and then I stumbled back to bed, I laid down and said a little prayer, this time I didn't pray that God would take my attack away like I had so many times before had done, especially anytime I was at work or in a public setting and would beg God to just please take it away. But I prayed "Dear Lord, thank you for not letting this one happen while I was at work or somewhere else and for letting it happen at home, In Jesus name, Amen! 

And guess what? Within about 10 minutes, actually probably less time it was completely gone! I could even feel it leaving my body and started feeling much better within minutes of saying that prayer. 

And guess what else? other than having some weird 3 second spinning spells on a lot of different occasions but not lately though, so far that has been my last attack to date. And I can say I have went five months without and attack. But I not only have not had any attacks but I have finally started feeling better and not like poo all of the time like I have been the past two and a half years now. And, my Tinnitus has even cleared up a good amount. The constant 24/7 pesty noise I have experienced on a daily, has gone down to a very minimal level and to the point of me forgetting that I even have it sometimes. 

As far as these symptoms returning, which could hit at anytime. That is how my vertigo has been, is it would just be so random sometimes that I never knew when it would strike. But as far as me having these terrible symptoms ever again, I won't know and can't say for sure but I can pray and hope that I don't have them ever again. The hearing loss is permanent unfortunately but I do have high frequency hearing still in that ear. And my hearing doesn't seem so muffled as it has now that the tinnitus has calmed down. I am full aware that they could hit me again at anytime. 

And as far as me having more chiropractor sessions, I have been again and will continue to for awhile longer at least. I do have a few aches and pains in my limbs that are bothering me. And I am not sure if that first visit helped with the vertigo attacks but I can say that I am gradually improving in how I feel. So for now as long as that continues I will say that I finally found something to help me. But I give God all the glory and especially for giving me the courage I needed to take that step of faith to give it a try. 

I'll be talking more about how these dreadful and debilitating attacks made me feel emotionally and physically in a separate blog post. So for now enjoy and stay tuned for more.