It's so great that I can come to this Board and talk about or relate to some else's symptoms/sensations - we ALL know how it feels.

At work I need to attend A LOT of meetings. Sometimes, when my symptoms are unruly, I can't turn my head a certain way (for example). In meetings, not to look directly at the speaker can comes across as rude, so I find myself in a quandry - especially when I can't turn my whole chair or body to face someone.

When this happens, I will tell the room that I am "dizzy" and turning my head is difficult that day.

My point being, most people understand "dizzy". But try to explain in a brief overview, the trampoline in your head, the quick jolts spinning or floating, feeling too short or too tall, thinking you're going to trip forward, backward, or to the side, or that wearing a pony tail or hanging your purse strap over your shoulder "throws you off"!

So now at work, when I need assistance (in the past, I have asked a female co-worker to accompany me to the rest room on a few days) or when I can't turn my head in meetings (etc) I simply say that I am "dizzy".

I can be more explicit with my friends and family, but unless you've walked in my shoes, a person has no true idea.

How does everyone else explain their symptoms when they need to?

Happy Friday! xo

Thanks for th ispost wowwwweee. I too have this problem a lot. I also say I am dizzy and I often accompany this with "not lightheaded dizzy" just so they get the picture. It is just too tricky to expllain what I really feel like. But I must say occasionally I come across someone who's interested and asks "so what does it feel like?" and I always love it when they say that, itshows they care, so then I go off on one! I always feel v relieved and uplifted afterwards that someone actually wants to know what it feels like.

Happy friday too xxx

Hi wowwweee, i am like you--i have fell into a few people at work and I just say--i have an inner ear problem and I lost my balance.They say--Oh I am so sorry and then start off on a story about someone they knew who had a dizzy spell( if ONLY)...I have only told a few the whole story.One co-worker's husband has meniers--so she knows what I am talking about. She is real supportive and kinda watches out for me. She can tell by the look on my face when its bad. The Lord blessed me in getting to know her. Prayers, Belle

Hi,

Yeh I canrelate entirely to what you say about work and the dizzies. Every one at my work knows that I haev had labs and get this stuff often. If I feel weird (dizzy) before the meeting then i tend to position myself in a place were I can both lean on something and can see the people I am talking too. Failing that I will say something like - I am purposefully not looking at you as it makes me feel quite off, I am not ignoring you! they know I am dizzy so I dont get into the whole dizzy thing. I now do not really mention it to people generally as I get sooooo ticked of by there annoying responses, oh vertigo yeh I get that when i stand on a ladder, oh how horrible, will you vere get better?, oh you had that a looooong time etc etc or just the old eyes glazing over thing! Evene my own mother said to me a few weeks back so your better then! you stopped talking about it! I thought hmmmmm NO point talking abiut it 2 any one who doesnt have it as its imnpossible to understand. I no longer have any inclination whatsoever to explain this to someone who has never felt it, it has to date been a watse of time. I have found people have sympathy for limited time periods then they are like....so you are over that now right!!

Ilia xx

Like Ilia, I get the whole "youve had it that long?" thing plus "can't they give you anything to get rid of it?". I too find people just do not get it plain and simple, so Ive given up too trying to explain! I also do the "im not looking at you because I am dizzy, I am not being rude" thing, but since starting VRT I am now trying to just look and not say anything rather than "avoid". This is harder than it sounds!

xxx

I think anyone who manages to work with this is amazing. I tried last year and it was soooooo hard that I ended up giving in after about 4 months. I am currently trying to figure out something I could do from home but im not having much luck!

Don't have to write anything to explain myself :D you've said it all for me.

I admire all you guys who can work and cope with all these problems. I had already lost my job when the BPPV kicked in and for ages I didn't have the confidence to even think of looking for another job. Like Star, I thought to try and do something at home but the 2 ideas I had aren't working out. Now I have had 6 symptom-free weeks - just - and am planning on making the rounds of the agencies to try and get a job. I don't hold out much hope as I don't want to work full-time and at 57 many employers are going to have second thoughts. So here's hoping.

Madeleine

Agree entirely. I did 9mths of full time university course when hit with this, couldnt deal with work after that so now do relief work. Looking for a part time in Sept. Wont work full time til 100% or 95%!!! Cant deal with it physically or mentally - find it v draining to feel like this and to appear "normal" xxx