Hello Everyone
I am just about to hit my one year anniversary from my BPPV attack last July. (Three years after my labyrinthitis which I had pretty much 100%recovered from)
When I look at how bad I was one year ago, there is no comparison! But it is amazing how I can feel really good for a couple of weeks, and then come down again like I am right now and think I'll never feel normal again. The night I came down with BPPV I was at my Inlaws place the night before a big canoe race my husband and I were racing together in. I couldn't get out of bed that morning and I initially thought I had the labs back. It took me from that day in July until early Sept to realize it was BPPV and to find the Epeley which saved me!
We have been out training for the same race this year, and we are coming up to the date in a week and a half and I am scared out of my mind. I want to race but keep thinking that the same thing is going to happen again. I know how unlogical that thinking is, and the race has nothing to do with the BPPV. I keep doing the MEP and nothing has shown up in the last year. I am getting better and better apart from the odd decomp event which I am going through right now (which is probably what is contributing to my negative thoughts.) I told my husband that if I am not feeling great the week before the event then I am not doing it, it is a 63km race and is a huge physical effort. I am also worried that the race itself will wipe me out completely (it will anyway in a physical sense, but I mean in a vestibular sense)
Anyone had any anniversary issues??
Off to practice now, somehow moving on the water makes me forget this junk!

I'm sorry you are having on and off times this entire year. But I'm also glad that you have found stuff to help you. Like you said, this bad spell is only temporary. Try to hang in there and do the training...even if it means reducing it a little. It might help you mentally get through this, because you are still doing the things you normally do. How long does your bad spells usually last? I think it is fine to try to race and then if for some reason you aren't feeling like you can do it come race day, to back out. It's okay to realize your limits yet try to achieve them. Does that make sense? I'm SO happy you got through your labs and recovered! I got over whatever I had (still not sure) four years ago, and now it is back as well. Not as bad as before and it does come and go. Still trying to figure out if it is all labs or not. Doctors tell me 50 different things... I get confused!

I'll send you postive and healing vibes so that you feel better soon!
Joy

Thanks Joy
I just got in from practice, always feel better after some exercise. You are right though, I will be taking it right to the race day to decide wether or not to race. My husband is pretty understanding, and we can do this race next year.
I just wish I had a crystal ball that could tell me for sure if I will have to deal with this junk again. I sometimes think the worry of "will this keep being a problem in my life" is almost as bad as dealing with it when it is here.
My set-backs seem to last about one and a half to two weeks, but the good times are lasting longer and longer and are better and better.
I have been doing a lot of work on my self-talk, positive incantations etc to try to put my thinking into a more positive frame, but sometimes when I am feeling bad it still gets the best of me.
Hope you are feeling well, weird to have labs again, someone once told me it would be like being hit by lightening twice. When I first got the BPPV I was sure I have labs again, but a couple of months into it my symptoms were less severe and I figured out it was definitely related to head position. Thank God for the Epeley maneuover!!!!!!!

firechick,

I'll be routing for you.

Exercise always makes me feel a little better. I really only have the strength to walk but I am up to a mile and a half a day compared to only a couple blocks back in April.

How long did it take you to recover from labs the first time?

I can't believe you and Joy recovered and got ear problems back again.

Take care,
Gloria

Hey Firechick
Just wanted to say that I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you to be feeling well and able to do the race. Sounds fantastic, wish I could do something like that - ill or not!!
You will have to post and let us know how you got on.
GOOD LUCK!
Tesss

Thanks everyone
I had replied yesterday and our power went out and Ilost a very long post!
Joy to answer your questions, my down times are anywhere from one to two weeks long, am just feeling like I am coming out of this one.
When I first came down with the second attack I was certain it was another bout of labs, but after a couple of weeks I noticed it was particualrily bad when I rolled in bed or moved my head too fast, especially upwards. When I discussed it with my best friend's husband who is a doctor he gave me some reading material which included the MEP and once I did that I have never had a vertigo episode since.
My understanding is the damage caused by the labs is what precipitates the BPPV, and lots of people here have had both. The first episode of labs 4 years ago took about 6 months before I could work again, but was still having some decomp events which at the time I did not understand. I wish Ihad found this board then, it would have been nice to know I wasn't going crazy. I was looking into all kinds of self-help and stuff to figure out what I was doing wrong to bring this on myself. I didn't realize that I had damaged my inner ear and that my brain was doing the extra work. ONce I discovered that, my real healing began. I would say it was two years before I could feel normal. Just before my BPPV though, I had a brutal decomp event for about a week which resulted in the BPPV attack the night before my race.
I am feeling pretty good right now, had a short race last night and we won that. We have no designs on winning this other one, it is a 6 hour effort, 10 portages, it hurts no matter how good shape you are in! We will take it one day at a time. I know I am lucky just to be able to function normally. I realize this has been a four year ride of major ups and downs and I have worked hard to get where I am at. I just want to make sure it stays this way, but as with life, there are no garantees.
My heart goes out to everyone in London right now with reports of this horrible terrorist attack! I hope everyone on the board over the pond is safe!

Hey kiddo,

Although we don't seem to suffer from the same problem, I can relate to feeling good, then taking a step back. It can be very frustrating. As far as aniversaries, remember it's just a date and this July and last July are 365 days apart, and you have gotten stronger over these days.

All I can offer is that I'll say a prayer for ya' and that I am impressed with your commitment to physical activity. Keep up the good work!!

How have you been feeling at the Firehouse? I'm itching to get back myself. The ladder company I am on is getting a new rig in service this week and they moved an officer from another shift to cover me, and he's driving my crew up a wall! LOL

You have been an inspiration to many people here and now you need to take your own advice (which is always hard to do) and know that you have learned to overcome this and it will NOT last forever.

Stay safe my friend!!

J

Thanks for the support J
I know it is easier to give advice than to take it.
I am on nights this weekend, I am driving the heavy rescue this weekend which is actually a bit of a break for me as I only have to set up the tools and not get too involved unless it is a big one. Funny though how I can always perform when it counts, but later feel like I am going to pass out!
Work is okay, I hate being there when I don't feel 100%, yet love my job when I am feeling good. It is a great job, itsn't it?
I have only been on 6 years, feels like I just started yesterday.
I feel for your crew, funny how a different body can mix up the group chemistry. My officer on the rescue is so relaxed and easy to work for.
Any idea how much longer until you can get back? When I was off I was hating it, even though I was still working and able to see my crew from time to time, (I delivered out air bottles for the air packs at fires and the stations when they ran out), it isn't the same as being at the station.
Hope you are back at it soon, your crew will be lucky to have you back, at least you know they appreciate you!!
Thanks again for the encouragment!!