Out Sick

[beth22]

I have vertigo and now my intestines are a mess, so I am not posting a lot right now. It just never seems to end for me. One thing after another.

[seekingcure]

I"m so sorry, Liz. When it rains it pours. My husband and brother-in-law had something about three weeks ago with extreme vertigo. They both also threw up exactly once and had a little bit of diarrhea for a couple of days, then they were fine. Maybe there's some kind of virus that causes the vertigo, etc. Hope you feel better soon. Get some rest.

[saraht]

So sorry, Liz. It's never ending. Take time to yourself and try to relax. Hopefully things settle down for you, I will pray. Maybe you're catching something, heaven forbid. Keep us updated!

[getwellsoon]

Unfortunately vertigo happens to a lot of people as we get older. My pastor has it and one time had to be helped off the pulpit. I will pray they can reset your inner ear with the procedure they do and that you feel better. Vertigo is the pits. My Mom has it on and off. I, so far, haven't had actual vertigo, just some dizzyness on and off but the nausea continues for me. Hate it. I pray for us all to get some respite from all this illness, esp. you Liz as you have had your share. Let us know how it goes with the ENT. Carol

[beth22]

I got an appt with my neurologist for this afternoon. Since I had these white spots on a brain MRI before, better that he check it out to make sure it is not related to that. Yesterday was better - just when I see movement in front of my eyes, it bothers me. I was watching t.v. and when the camera moved a lot, I had to look away.

[Fire2]

L:

It could be an Optical Migraine. These are fairly common when the apparatus lights were flashing and reflecting back or in fog. These are usually stress related and will go away after a short period of closing your eyes. Just something for you to consider

Fire

[beth22]

Thanks, everyone. I saw the neurologist and he confirmed what the doctors had told me by phone this weekend. It is proximal vertigo caused when a calcium crytal got dislodged this weekend when I had been bending over a sink for a few minutes having my hair washed and then later looking under my mom's dresser at the rehab facility. That was when it hit. The doctor opted not to do the maneuver because I have not had the actual vertigo since Saturday, just sensitivity to motion and some lightheadness. The purpose of the maneuver is to force the crystal back in the right canal, but hopefully now it will just settle into place. If the vertigo comes back, I will have to have an MRI and I guess he will do the procedure. But, for now we are going to leave well enough alone. Talk about weird things happening - I seem to attract them like a magnet. My husband said if there is a chance anything goes worse or wrong with the procedure it would happen to me, so that is another reason to just wait it out. I'm not supposed to bend forward or tilt my head backward for about 4 - 6 weeks. My neck got messed up too, so I am putting ice on that. Never a dull moment.

[getwellsoon]

I am just like you Liz although not quite as bad. Any weirdo symptom or thing that can happen and I get it. I'm glad they diagnosed you and its nothing life threatening although it is very debilitating, I'm sure. Hopefully it will settle down on its own. Hope the neck feels better. Carol

[beth22]

Everything is worse today. I feel off balance, like on a ship. I am trying to get in to see an ENT. Part of it is my allergies and sinus pressure making things worse. We have had very dry and unseasonably warm temperatures here - close to 80 degrees and everyone's allergies are very bad due to that and winds. I am at work and it is really difficult to get through my day. I already let a couple of classes out early and did not get much done in the other one. Two more classes to go and a meeting after school. Maybe I should put in for a medical leave. I have about had it. Ever since c diff, I have not been the same. Like my husband says, "It really did a number on your body." No kidding!

[getwellsoon]

A leave of absence sounds like a good idea at this point. You could fall if you are so off balance and you wouldn't want to break something. Yes, CDiff had done a number on us all but you most of all. I will keep you in my prayers. Was hoping you wouldn't have to have that procedure but looks like you might have to. If you go on leave you could concentrate on your health and getting better. Whichever you decide, I am thinking of you. Carol

[shopgirl5]

Liz, I hope your feeling better. You have been so supportive of me, while you are always going through so much too. My heart and prayers are with you that you find peace and wellness. Xox Wendy

[AllisS]

So sorry for your ongoing ordeal. I'd find it really hard, myself, not to accidentally move my neck in a wrong position. Would a neck brace help? I'm thinking of the plastic/soft type that people sometimes wear after an injury. When I traveled a few months ago, I bought one of those cushions shaped like a semicircle that go around the neck, as I have some neck arthritis but like to sleep in planes and on long bus rides. I found it very helpful. Unfortunately it got lost in transit so now I'm going to have to buy another one. Hope you feel better very soon!

[amyc]

So sorry to hear you are feeling awful. I hope you can easily arrange the LOA so you can relax and heal. I think you should come see Dr. miner here in OKC. He is double board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology and is a wonderful man with a great staff. It takes months to get in to see him, but it is worth the wait. I think you need to figure out how to be able to eat more so you can get nutrition into your system maybe.

[beth22]

Yes, Amy, that is exactly what I need to do. I need to be able to eat a more well-rounded diet and get some nutrients. Right now I just want to get over this vertigo. I feel as if I am on a ship. My neurologist called and left a message that if it doesn't get better, he will do the Epley manuever, but to give it a few days. I will also see an ENT tomorrow, as my sinuses have been giving me problems. It has been in the high 70s and low 80s here for over a week and is supposed to continue through next week. It sounds great, but it isn't. Everyone's allergies are horrible. The air is really dry and we have these winds that make it even worse. Those temps are nice in Spring, but not in winter. That is part of the problem too, I think. The sinus pressure is aggravating the other condition. In fact, vertigo can be triggered by allergies, I am told and any fluid in the ear makes it a lot worse.

I will look into the doctor you mention. You'd think in a big city like L.A. someone could help. I don't think I've ever been to OKC - maybe OK, but just passing through probably.

Well, yesterday I had a lot of blood work done that the rheumatologist ordered. He was the one who realized I had a B12 level that was lower than it should be. Maybe he will see something. Out of all the doctors, he seems the most thorough. Everyone seems to be able to tell me what I don't have, but can't tell me what is causing my problems. I have fibromyalgia, but no one knows from what, although the SIBO specialist says from that. The vertigo is from a calcium crytal floating around in my inner ear in a canal where it doesn't belong and the Epley manuever is supposed to make it go where it does belong. But, with my luck, I'm going to wait the few days because I don't want to make things worse either.

So, tomorrow is another day. Maybe it will be a better one. Thank you all for your support.

[Bobbie]

Liz,
I agree with the others - apply for a Family Leave. Believe this is the law - you husband would know better and know how to word you request. When I worked in the DA's office, several took them due to stress.

You can't keep going on this way - with your mother's problems and yours - you will be totally depleted.

I know your daughter has nosebleeds. She might try a room humidifier. It helps a lot in the "dry days." Might also be helpful for you.

Take care of you.