Dizzy with fluorescent lights

[MRG]

Week 2 was pure hell. Started being nasaus all day and night. Constant 'basketball head', like something was dribbling with my head.
PT added a balance board, at first just standing there was unbearable. By now I'm a champ on this thing. Only thing that's slightly problematic is the eyes closed routines. At first DW had to spot me, from the front, I'm backed into a corner. Now I'm able to just use the corner.

Nausea slightly better, 'basketball head' only after doing full set of PT.
I was in two grocery stores this week, I have issues if I look at a big space of different items. Anybody ever noticed how many frozen veggies or different types of canned tomatoes there are?

I'm trying not to focus on how many, just grab and go. Hate to be too optimistic, but I think I'm getting better. Know there might be more setbacks, but the only way to get back to normal is by fighting through them.
MRG

 

[Ally]

Interesting. I have dizziness from fluorescent lights and have to be in an office with lots of windows and natural light at work to avoid symptoms. If I'm in a room with no daylight, that's a big problem. The old style monitors for computers used to drive me crazy, too. I'm thinking of the really old ones with green writing and a slow refresh rate, where the writing looked liked it was shivering. Strobe lights also drive me nuts. I have meniere's. I never thought about them all being possibly interrelated.

 

[MRG]

Had my 4 week reevaluation. I guess the insurance required it. Subjective testing, walking a line, walk and turn on command I'm getting better. The objective measurements, standing on a device that measures center of gravity and deviation those improved as well. The greatest improvement was standing on foam, with eyes closed. I had major problems with that 4 weeks ago(computer said I fell), now I'm close to normal.

Only problem is I feel like crap. More nausea, concentration gone. Concerns about driving. The PT says keep pushing, issues like this cause folks to become housebound. That cannot happen.
MRG

 

[Helen]

I am glad to hear you are making some progress. It sounds like you are working hard in your PT. I hope you have complete success. Vestibular disorders are horrible.

 

[MRG]

I am glad to hear you are making some progress. It sounds like you are working hard in your PT. I hope you have complete success. Vestibular disorders are horrible.

Helen, Thank you very much. I read your post on Meiners, nothing I want.

Few months ago I didn't know what a Vestibular disorder was. You are correct they are horrible.
Thanks so much for your thoughts,
MRG

 

[spncity]

An aside for a discussion on dizziness...

My mom had some dizziness or vertigo some years ago - bad enough to go to the doctor.

I'm guessing from her description it was BPPV as opposed to visual vertigo. Treated in the office and she was fine.

Interesting stuff if you go to youtube and search for Epley and Semont Maneuvers for BPPV.

Hope you are better pronto, MRG.

Kindest regards.

 

[Helen]

An aside for a discussion on dizziness...

My mom had some dizziness or vertigo some years ago - bad enough to go to the doctor.

I'm guessing from her description it was BPPV as opposed to visual vertigo. Treated in the office and she was fine.

Interesting stuff if you go to youtube and search for Epley and Semont Maneuvers for BPPV.

Hope you are better pronto, MRG.

Kindest regards.

My first specialist for vestibular disorders was Dr. Epley here in Portland. He was a true hero. He was almost disbarred for his work on BPPV and what ultimately became known as the Epley maneuver. The other doctors thought his ideas were bunk and started the paperwork to have him disbarred. He plodded along and gave many, many people their lives back.

Here is an article about him:

Cursing the Cure: Doctor and Invention Outlast Jeers and Threats

 

[MRG]

Spncity and Helen, thank you both for your kind thoughts.

Dr. Epley, I'd never read his story, what a courageous man. He's helped millions, many that were told they had no hope.

FYI, your information on Epley lead me to a great resource. I've signed up there. As a result I'm going to step up on the visual rehabilitation therapy(VRT), maybe a little less on balance.

Best wishes,
MRG

 

[spncity]

Spncity and Helen, thank you both for your kind thoughts.

Dr. Epley, I'd never read his story, what a courageous man. He's helped millions, many that were told they had no hope.

FYI, your information on Epley lead me to a great resource. I've signed up there. As a result I'm going to step up on the visual rehabilitation therapy(VRT), maybe a little less on balance.

Best wishes,
MRG

Gotta love the synergy of these ER forums...

Kindest regards.

 

[Helen]

Gotta love the synergy of these ER forums...

Kindest regards.

+1

MRG, I hope that approach speeds up the progress. Please keep us posted.

 

[MRG]

So three weeks later. PT was only too thrilled to add more VRT to my routine(they love adding). So now I'm the proud owner of a disco ball, guess there called party balls now. Go in a dark room following one light across the room, pick up another. Do it till you're ready to fall, rest, go do it again. It's helping I can tolerate it for 5 minutes and still be able stand up.

He also suggested going to the mall, or other busy stores I normally am not in and see how I do. So I'm in Wal-Mart, I stay out of the grocery stuff as I'm used to it.

Walking around, TVs, phones etc. no problem. Off in the distance, I see bright colors yellows, florescent greens, oranges, animal prints. I'm transfixed, walking towards the area, trying to decipher what is this stuff? Trying to break down the puzzle and identify what each individual piece is. After a couple of minutes, yep I'm standing there staring at the new shipment of very young girls clothes. Decide that's not the place for a 57 y.o. guy to hang out while on cameras.

Therapist retested my balance today, my walking is almost normal. Biggest area I need to work on is balance with eyes closed. But there is a huge improvement from where I started at.
MRG

 

[Walt34]

Glad to hear things are getting better for you. All that work is paying off.

 

[powerplay]

Your hard work is being rewarded. Hope you continue to improve.

 

[Helen]

That's great news, MRG!!! It's weird, but you popped into my mind earlier today and I wondered how you were doing. I am really happy to hear of your good progress.

 

[omni550]

Just ran across this article in teh Washington Post aobut a man who had a terrible case of vertigo for 138 days. (btw, the article references the Epley procedure as one of the many things he tried.)

Vertigo: A common problem that left one man teetering for months and months - The Washington Post

omni

 

[MRG]

Omni I can relate to that article. Part that really got to me was the amount of time it took that guy to get well. As near as I can tell, I first started feeling ill five months ago.

I just had my final PT appointment. Using their standard balance tests, I'm now considered to have normal balance. Told the PT I would think I'm 90-95% of my old self. He's pleased, let me know just because I'm released, the fun doesn't end now. Continue PT for at least 3-4 months, maybe forever.

I celebrated by going to get groceries. Nothing moves around anymore, I don't feel intoxicated, or like I'm having a stroke. I'm so grateful for all the people that helped me.
MRG

 

[Walt34]

I celebrated by going to get groceries. Nothing moves around anymore, I don't feel intoxicated, or like I'm having a stroke. I'm so grateful for all the people that helped me.
MRG

That is great to hear the positive outcome!