Hi,

I'm still doing ok, not 100% yet but nearly, I think. Still got some symptoms but the imbalance is definitely improving (fingers crossed, touch wood etc!).

What I dont understand is Why are shops such a problem? Dont get me wrong I feel much better in them than I did a month ago but I still dont feel "right" - I feel a bit spaced out and odd. Is it that there is just too much to take in? I read a previous thread from Subs (isnt he good, hanging around even though he's better!) that these complicated sitations are the last things to get better but it worries me as shopping is something I love, dont we all???

Am I doomed never to shop again??? My husband seems quite cheerful about this but I find it a bit concerning.

Cheers


Lizzy x

Well Lizzy

Never fear------

...."husband seems quite cheerful about this"......

He should enjoy it while he can---cause you will be back "to battery" so to speak shortly!

..."dont understand is Why are shops such a problem?"....

It has to do with:

Your peripheral vision------

The brain uses information from the peripheral visual fields, along with vestibular and other sensory information, to maintain balance and a sense of position in the environment & many people with vestibular problems have an inability to function in situations involving peripheral motion (e.g., moving down the aisle in a grocery store or library)---because:

When your vestibular system(both sides right & left) are functioning properly they(vestibular systems) balance out each peripheral visual field that each eye(right & left) is seeing---so that---each eye's peripheral visual field is in concert with the other eye's peripheral visual field---that way---the brain's equilibrium center---senses---an equal movement on both sides of your body---as it(you) travel(s) down the aisle.

With a bum vestibular system on one side or they other---the peripheral visual fields for the right and left eyes are not in concert---and the equilibrium center---is trying to sort it all out---and is using a lot of processing power--to do it---it is further complicated by the fact---that the equilibrium center is over dependent on your vision input---and---as you pass down the aisle---is getting this mixed signal input from your vision---so it(the brain & it's equilibrium center)---is just about going into processing "saturation"---depending on how for along in compensation you are---determines--how bad it gets....some people----have to latch on---to a shopping cart---to even---stand up!!

But

---never fear---it goes---but it was the last thing---to fully go--for me!

You can go to this Education web site---and read all about it:

http://www.opt.pacificu.edu/ce/catalog/COPE7282/Dizzy.html

:cool:

Thanks Subs,

I would say I'm doing pretty well, I dont have to grab hold of anything to stand up, just "not quite right" in there if you know what I mean but like I said no where near as bad as a couple of months ago so hopefully I'm nearly there.

Have you ever thought of becoming an inner ear disorders specialist? You definitely know more about this sort of stuff than anyone I've ever seen. My ENT consultant just looks blankly at me and keeps telling me "It will go, I've seen it a thousand times before"which is easy for him to say!!

Thanks, you've given me hope, I will shop again!!!


Lizzy x

Agreed - that Subs should become an ENT or a Neurotologist - the rest would be out of a job.

Lizzy - have probs with shops too - the more I turn the worse it gets and crowds, yuck. I can have quite major symptoms when shopping, the dizziness escalates so much that I go incredibly clumsy, vacant and even have to remind myself to pay sometimes - all cognitive stuff linked with inner ear - but does worry me sometimes. Cinemas, restaurants are just as bad - worse really cos they involve the dark.

You are nearly there...

xxx

Lizzy,

You're so right about Subs. What a god-send he is for all of us. I think if he chose to go into medicine, he'd have more patients than he'd know what to do with!!

I am in my 15th month (my diagnosis was BPPV) and feeling basically 100% since the first of the year with the exception of a little fuzziness in the last couple weeks -- normal at this stage of compensation according to Subs. I am in grad school, and the library used to really throw me for a loop in the same way you speak of problems in stores. I did originally have some problems in stores too, but I thought the foggy/spaciness was more due to the fluorescent lights than anything. Now I realize it was all input based, just like the aisles in the stacks of the library. Don't worry too much, it does definitely pass.

The thing I've learned most throughout this odyssey is that the inner ear is so much more powerful than I'd ever imagined or even bothered to think about. How amazing a thing it is that we take so much for granted until something goes wrong. There were so many sensations in the beginning that I thought were totally weird (anxiety, foggy head, etc.) and uncharacteristic for me that really had me freaked out, like something major was wrong. It was only through this board and the wonderful people who post here that I realized all of it was due to the vestibular system. Amazing. It's nice now to have my life back, and you will get yours too. Count on it.

All the best,
Terri

:wave:

Thanks so much for that Terri,

I agree, its so nice to converse with people going through the same things. This is, without a doubt the weirdest, most horrible thing I have ever had and the way it gets better is even worse (2 steps forward, 1 back). Quite cruel really.

It's great to get re-assurance from people like you and lots of the others that have been so encouraging. It helps me to really believe this will go for good.

After having a really long run of good days, felt a bit odd today due to being awake most of last night with my 5 year old daughter who had a nightmare! Tiredness really does set you back a bit eh? Hopefully after an early, hopefully uninterrupted night tonight I'll be back on track tomorrow.

Thanks again and glad you're doing so well.

Lizzy x