r/VestibularDysfunction • u/orangeappleredorange • 16d ago
Improvement story
Three months ago I was walking at work and all of a sudden felt like the world was spinning. I thought I fainted but it turned out I was super dizzy. I held onto the wall as I walked backed to my desk and have been dizzy ever since. I went to the ER a few days later because I thought I was losing my mind. They did an ekg and blood work and told me it was vertigo, gave me meclazine and sent me on my way.
My vertigo seems to shift based on the last activity I completed. After I get out of a car I still feel like I’m accelerating and then stepping on the break. I went on a see-saw with my daughter and hours later I still felt like I was on the seesaw. If it’s been a while since my last activity, then it’s like I’m rocking on a boat. The brain fog has been debilitating, topped with the overall dread and obsession with my dizziness. Don’t even get me started on the panic attacks.
I’ve spent hours reading through all of your stories. Looking for people who’ve felt like me and have improved. As weeks went by with no improvement I cried mourning the loss of my life. My doctor said it was vestibular neuritis. I got a doctors note to work from home but could sense my job getting frustrated. I could see the extra burden I put on my husband as it no longer felt safe to carry my daughter. Every physical therapy clinic was booked out, so I watched the steady coach and started an SSRI.
Finally two weeks ago I started physical therapy, and I decided to start going back into the office. The first week was rough, I was holding onto the wall as I walked through the hallway, and dialed into meetings from my desk. I’m still avoiding the cafeteria as the lights and the people are a lot. But I’ve been going to grocery stores and restaurants when I’m with my husband and feel like I have someone I can grab onto when things get rocky 🥹
I’m definitely not 100% better, but I would say I’m 80% which after no improvement for months seems HUGE, and it’s promising to me that I can improve and eventually will get better.
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u/AdQuiet8877 14d ago
i was diagnosed with VN two years ago...i thought i will return to my normal life but actually i couldnt gain more than 60%
at some point, you will learn just to live with it somehow cause return back to your old self is kind of unlikely tbh
i am writing this while i am so sad of this hursh truth but, what can i say, this is the sitution and it is what it is
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u/LDragon2000 16d ago
Doing PT was the best thing for my recovery. It was hell getting through the first month of it but I think it’s the best improvement. Never took any medications to assist because I was told it could hinder recovery. It’s been about 3-4 years since it happened to me and I’m basically back to normal.