Monday, May 1, 2023

My New Nickname and Finally, a Diagnosis

In the news of the weird I'm still over here being dizzy, heavy headed and foggy. I am operating at about 50% of my normal cool self. I'm still not driving, but have managed a couple disoriented runs. Yes, call me crazy for trying to run when I feel like I've just had 5 glasses of chardonnay. I just choose a wide dirt path with few people and no huge obstacles like bolders, sink holes or tiny children.

It's been almost eight weeks. Well, 46 days to be exact. When this type of shit strikes you, you don't forget the date of onset (March 16) and you don't stop counting the days. It's been a long road to answers, but I think I've found mine. If you don't know what I'm talking about read HERE first.

Unfortunately with medical stuff, epecially out of the ordinary symptoms, it's a freaking wild goose chase to get answers. It's all about ruling things out more so than getting an actually diagnosis. After two visits to the regular doctor, a hearing test and three visits to the ENT, I was finally sent for a test called a VNG (it has nothing to do with a vagina - that would be weird, just like CLT ((the code for the Charlotte airport)) has nothing to do with ....you figure it out). 

VNG stands for videonystagmography, which is one of the most bizarre tests you will ever have - so bizarre that when I was done the audiologist thanked me for not throwing up. Basically, you wear goggles (think VR) that have cameras in them to track your eye movement. This shows up on a computer screen. Then the audiologist has you watch images on a wall, and puts you in differnt positions. Then the fun part comes where cold and warm air is blown into each ear to see what your eyes do when that happens. This elicits crazy eye movements and dizziness, where you feel like you have the spins after a long night in Vegas. 

The outcome of the vagina test showed a diagnosis of vestibular neuritis (inflamation in the inner ear caued by a viral attack - I like to think it was the walkers from Walking Dead). I have 60% malfunction on my right side. This definitely explains all of my symptoms and while it will go away, it could take awhile. I'll be starting what is called vestibular physical therapy to help retrain my brain and other senses to compensate for the malfunction and hopefully get my equilibrium back.

On a side note I'd also like to share that while I think my ENT is a solid, thorough and wonderful doc, he is a bit quirky. On my first visit whenever I'd ask him a question, he'd start his response with, "I see 4-5 dizzies a week..." So, basically I am now categorized as a "dizzy." I'm not sure this is proper etiquette - like if you saw a psychiatrist would he/she say, "I see 4-5 crazies a week?" 

I also had an MRI on Friday to rule out all the scary stuff, but haven't gotten results back yet.  I took Ativan for the MRI then had wine later and apparently things became very enteraining (you'd have to ask Ken about the details).

Turns out when you can't run you have extra time for other things that don't require too much focus like doing crosswod puzzles and Wordle, walking Annie and picking up her big shits:

The answer is yes, you do need to see this.

I can also sit by a fire pit and drink wine and watch friends fart into the flames:

Tiny bit 'o crack showing

I'm able to sit in a manicure chair:

I've had time to watch every new show imaginable - 

  • The Last of Us (Another day, another apocolyse. Episode 3 was 😍)
  • Ted Lasso, Season 3 (recipe for the biscuits Ted brings everyone. You're welcome)
  • Survivor (I am the only one who has watched all 44 seasons? I refuse to add up how many hours that is)
  • Shrinking (Harrison Ford is so old. But so am I)
  • Bad Sisters (I wish the use of the word "twat" was normalized in the US)
  • The Door Prize (My potential = dizzy. You will get his if you've watched the show. If not, sorry)
  • A Million Little Things (this is getting very sad even if that particular character really annoys me)
  • Jury Duty (okay, this is worth the watch if for no other reason than the poop scene and the ending)
  • The Beef (I will NEVER engage in road rage again)
  • The Last Thing He Told Me (I read the book. The series is entertaining)

I also went ice fishing becaue that just requires standing still and looking into a hole (that's what he said) and not catching anything (well, okay everyone else caught something but they are just show offs).

This was last week at Redfeather Lakes, CO. Spring in CO is not spring in other places

I have already missed two races, including a trail half marathon in Fruita, Colorado. I really enjoy donating so much money to my running habit. Next up is the Bolder Boulder 10k on 5/29. I am determind to do this one as it is one of my favorite days of the year and I've probably done it 15 times. Plus, you can drink beer at 9 a.m. Here Ken and I are last year if you care.


Well, that's enough ranting for now. 

Humor me:

Best shows you've watched lately?

Ever had an illness misdiagnosed or hard to diagnose?

When's your next race?

Later,

SUAR (aka "the dizzy")

30 comments:

  1. Yay! Sometimes getting a diagnosis is the hardest part of the whole thing. I hope they can tell you what things make the inflammation go away, or at least what things to avoid that might make it worse.

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  2. Netflix shows we enjoyed: Night Agent, The Diplomat, The Bodyguard-and oddly enough, The Great British Baking Show. I’m not a baker but the show is so entertaining. The cast of home cooks are adorable or quirky and the host, Paul Hollywood is easy on the eyes. What I love about it is that they all get along so well - not like your average reality show. Even my husband likes it :)
    I’m glad you have a diagnosis and seem to be on the right track back to normal. Thanks for keeping us updated.

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  3. I always tell my patients that it is never good to be 'interesting' in the doctor's office. Well, it's good for us, but not good for the patient. I am so sorry that you are interesting. I had a feeling it was vestibular neuritis, seriously but sadly, there isn't much you can do but wait for it to subside. At least you can still drink wine. And watch shows. We loved Beef. It's hard to love anything as much after that. My last race made me not want to run any races again, lol. Still recovering from it. Race recap to come.

    Hang in there and keep in touch.

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    1. Looking forward to your recap! Sounds like a tough race and I love that you still put yourself out there and do these things!

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  4. Interesting. I’m at the tail-end of my third bout of double vision in three years. I go to bed fine one random evening and wake up seeing two of everything. Generally takes about 12 weeks to resolve. I’ve had every imaginable test and the only thing that’s conclusive is that I’m seeing double. As it is coincident with Covid, the current speculation is that it’s caused by viral damage to the 5th cranial nerve.
    Your situation sounds so much worse btw. I hope you get relief.

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  5. Oh my gosh, episode 3 of The Last of Us was just so damn moving - I was not expecting that from an apocalypse show!

    I recently finished After Life…really sad and tragic at times but laugh out loud funny at others. I have watched everything else on your list and now realize that I probably watch too many shows (it’s a long winter here in Wisconsin).

    Your dizziness sounds awful but glad you have a diagnosis! No medical mysteries here, though I am legit in the midst of colonoscopy prep and am waiting for the drink to work its. magic. It’s so awesome being middle aged! Hope you are feeling better soon.

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    1. I loved After Life and the characters were so good. But it also made me SO sad. Hope everything moved through in your colonoscopy prep lol

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  6. Yea I've had the dizziness. For months. And the PT. And then it came back the next year. Hope you fair better. Also- avoid caffeine, that seemed to make mine worse.

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  7. Just started the diplomat. Waiting for Silos or The Silo

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    1. We just started the Diplomat too and will probably stick with it.

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  8. The only farting going on was in her fantasies…. Just saying!

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    1. HAHA - well Tom I think I have the picture to prove it. No one will ever know the truth.

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  9. I had mild vertigo and lost hearing in my left ear in December, after a head cold. Assumed it was fluid in my ear but when it didn’t get better after a month I went to ENT. I had moderate to severe hearing loss in one ear. Had the MRI to rule out the acoustic tumor. Two weeks of steroids. Didn’t help. So I figured I’m just half deaf in one ear. The dizziness went away. And about two weeks ago it dawned on me that I can hear better in my left ear! Anyways- I know you’re dealing with vertigo not hearing loss but hang in there. It will get better! And you should request your MRI results. I got mine the same afternoon!

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    1. So odd. I'm really glad the hearing is coming back in that left ear. It just seems like some of this is such a mystery, even to doctors.

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  10. So sorry, dizzy/puky is a really crummy combo. Yellowjackets on showtime!

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    1. I've heard Yellowjackets is so good. We don't get ST but might have to do a trial just to watch that show. Sounds like something I'd like.

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  11. Lovecraft Country is awesome.

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  12. I have vestibular migraines. I also have aura migraines and have them quite often, but the vestibular explained so much. The insane vertigo I am dealing with and the feeling of passing out. Turns out there isn't pain with vestibular migraines. I've had them since I was a kid, and then they escalated a few years ago. Fun story, I thought pilates would be a great cross training experience! Turns out you have to lie down (already a bad idea) and then the board you're on slides forward and back. Nope nope nope. First I threw up, then the manager came to me and said, "do you have vertigo?" I told her I did, and she said, "yeah, you can't do pilates. There's a great StretchLab next door. Tell them I sent you". So that was fun.

    The vertigo test is the worst, and yes, I threw up. Good luck with your healing!

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    1. That is so crazy. I didn't realize there wasn't pain associated with VM. And the pilates - omg here you are trying to do something "healthy" for yourself. These disorders are so weird!

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  13. Glenda Cairns PoirierMay 1, 2023 at 7:24 PM

    So sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I'm glad your symptoms will eventually subside. I think you should watch Fleabag if you haven't already. I loved it!

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  14. So sorry to hear about all of this! I watched Severance! So strange but good! Oddly enough the music freaked out my 90 lb dog so I couldn’t watch it while he was around!

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    1. My husband loved that show! I haven't watched it. Funny about your dog. We had that happen once with Annie while watching some show. She just kept running out of the room.

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  15. The Leftovers. Apocalyptic-rapture-ish. Outrageous at times, and hour long episodes are a huge time suck, but at the end of the series I wanted to go back and watch it all over again.

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  16. i call my golden retriever puppy, twat waffle all the time. twat is a great and versatile word frankly.

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    1. This made me laugh out loud. Twat is so under rated in this country. Now I have a new nickname for Annie

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  17. I just started following you on Instagram. Thank you and everyone else for sharing information and experiences. I have been battling the dizzy’s for four years now, but the last 10 months it’s been really bad. So bad that I’ve fallen several times. I started seeing a PT a couple weeks ago and he’s been treating me for vestibular disorder. Progress is slow, but I have had several days when I can almost function without thinking about every step. I need to get rid of these dizzy’s because I’m losing $’s to my golf buddies on a daily basis. Thank you for sharing your experience. It makes me feel better that I’m not dealing with this alone!

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    1. I'm so sorry you're going through this and for so long. It really is so frustrating, especially on the road to getting answers. I am glad you are doing PT as that seems to be the only thing that really helps people. Hang in there:)

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  18. Hi there, I just found your blog via Wendy's blog. I'm so glad for you that you have a diagnosis! It's so important to KNOW what the problem is so you can get appropriate help. Wonderful that you can start PT for it! I have a mysterious issue with a foot (much less scary than your dizziness but very frustrating) that wouldn't have been mysterious if I could've had the MRI done on time. I'll do the MRI this week and will likely get a diagnosis next week. Whatever it's been, it's probably close to be healed now.
    I hope you'll feel better soon!

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