Hi all, a quick one as have to go somewhere but just back from my VRT appointment...in a nutshell she thinks I am improving and my rate of improvement is normal - she said prgress is v v v v slow with this - well we knew that!!! She has given me more exercises and I must stick to the vrt...

She did the "dizziness handicap inventory" with me - did it last time and scored 82% with 100 being v handicapped. I scored 64% this time so thats a bit better.

She also said interestingly, those who didnt think about the dizziness recovered more - ie. balance is an automatic process so once it is switched back to that it improves. She recommends doing vrt and walking whilst couting back from 100 or doing the alphabet! I think CBT comes into play here and I think things like distraction are v beneficial.

Scott - read your articles....v v v v interesting - the one about depression and anxiety hindering compensation. My priority at the mo is to get myself some help mentally like counselling or CBT.

Am in a negative patch at mo...still rough with cold, dizziness horrible (had dix hallpike too whoch ddint help matters - no vertigo though - no bppv she says).

Have to just keep plodding (or bouncing) I guess... :wave:

Thinking of you all xxx

Hi Em,

That's really great news about your improvement. Hopefully this has given you a boost to see the numbers like this. The real b*****d about this is that recovery is so incredibly slow that it really is imperceptible and you start thinking nothing is happening when in fact it is! Great that there's no vertigo as such... no real vertigo here either which I think also points to you getting better.

Thought her remark about not thinking about the dizziness was VERY interesting indeed. For me it also supports how are minds can possibly prolong something by keeping it in our consciousness all the time. But geez it's hard not to when we're stumbling around all the time.

Glad the articles were helpful....I plan to go through all of them and pull out the key points for posting when needed for people where it may shed some light.

My neck is such a mess at the mo....just ridiculous. It feels like someone is holding a flame to the back of it. :blob_fire It shoots the discomfort right into my eyes. Yehaaa! Can't wait for those long hours sitting at the PC writing up this PHD...I wonder if I can get a neck replacement - a titanium one just like the ones they do for hips!

Scott xx

Good news Ems! I know it's rough. Big hug from here!

Emsy:
I like the info you posted. Where I am located at my job right now, there are times when I must stand on a small dock. It doesn't bother me to stand on the dock but if even for just a short time I can feel the after effects of that typical boat sensation for hours. If I really tune into it, it only magnifies the sensation...if I am distracted I hardly notice it at all. And very true about healing more if you are not so anxious.....very hard to do as it took me over a year to be able to do this. If something gets me anxious or nervous...I immediately feel the effects of this. Seems like you are really seeing someone with alot of knowledge and useful information. Thanks for posting.
How true when they say there are just a handful of experts in this field.
Keep your chin up Emsy. You would think someone like myself with minimal sensations would be 100% but still not quite there. We'll get it though.

all the best,
Kathy :p

PS
changed my user name since we got a new e-mail address it was just easier.