Dizziness & Vertigo Support Group
Dizziness is the sensation of instability. Vertigo refers to dizziness with a sensation of motion. Vertigo is more likely than other types of dizziness to be associated with nausea, vomiting, or double vision, to occur even when lying down, and to feel better with the eyes closed. If you are a frequent sufferer of dizziness or vertigo, join the group and find support.
My vertigo has been stated to have been caused by a viral attack to my left eye optic nerve. My physical therapist put a mask over my eyes, then recorded my eyes. The monitor playback clearly showed my left eye flickering back and forth. This test was done three years ago. I am better, but not free of the effects of vertigo.
I began to notice that my vision was connected to how bad I felt. The more active a scene (like being in a crowded store), the worse that it became. Sitting still, like on a computer, it is not noticeable. I was given simple eye exercises to do at home, and was told that my bad (left) eye would hopefully get stronger, while my right eye would get weaker - and they would become equal in strength. This was to help, as my vision is connected to my vertigo. I also went and purchased my very first pair of glasses, other than the cheap reading glasses I had been using for the past 12 years. These glasses were for seeing distance (I tried bifocals, but couldn't adapt.) Boy, was I shocked when I got my first clear look at my 60-something year old self in the mirror! Where DID those wrinkles and gray hair come from??
I get tired quite a bit, but am not sure whether it is due to eye strain (my eyes get tired), or high blood pressure meds that I am on. All the pills are stated as causing possible tiredness. The high blood pressure seem to have been a result of the vertigo. Probably because of the anxiety that accompanies the vertigo symptoms. Anyone else have high B.P. since their vertigo?
One other thing: I don't know whether its the new glasses or the vertigo, but I notice that when I walk down stairs my coordination seems mixed up and I have to start slow and concentrate as to which foot is hitting that first step. Anyone have THIS problem?
Thanks for listening!
I began to notice that my vision was connected to how bad I felt. The more active a scene (like being in a crowded store), the worse that it became. Sitting still, like on a computer, it is not noticeable. I was given simple eye exercises to do at home, and was told that my bad (left) eye would hopefully get stronger, while my right eye would get weaker - and they would become equal in strength. This was to help, as my vision is connected to my vertigo. I also went and purchased my very first pair of glasses, other than the cheap reading glasses I had been using for the past 12 years. These glasses were for seeing distance (I tried bifocals, but couldn't adapt.) Boy, was I shocked when I got my first clear look at my 60-something year old self in the mirror! Where DID those wrinkles and gray hair come from??
I get tired quite a bit, but am not sure whether it is due to eye strain (my eyes get tired), or high blood pressure meds that I am on. All the pills are stated as causing possible tiredness. The high blood pressure seem to have been a result of the vertigo. Probably because of the anxiety that accompanies the vertigo symptoms. Anyone else have high B.P. since their vertigo?
One other thing: I don't know whether its the new glasses or the vertigo, but I notice that when I walk down stairs my coordination seems mixed up and I have to start slow and concentrate as to which foot is hitting that first step. Anyone have THIS problem?
Thanks for listening!
I've been wondering what the eye-ear-balance connection is all about lately, too. I definitely have vision problems since the vertigo started 2 years ago. But I'm also early 40s which is right when a lot changes in the function of the eyes takes a big hit (as I'm sure you recall). Getting old already sucks badly, but the vertigo is ... I don't know. It's too much -- a terrible combination.
I will say that it is extra difficult for me to walk, read, be outside in the sun, and shop when the vertigo is active. Shopping is a common complaint, it seems. I personally feel like I'm having a sensory overload, and my brain gets really confused by the bad signals, and then it freaks out because it can't compensate. Doctors say my "model eyes" look fine, and my blood pressure is terrifically normal; but I have had anxiety from that feeling of falling all the time. Not so much anymore because now I know I'm not going to actually get hurt or die. Nowadays, I'm sort of just miserable and waiting for those periods of relief, perpetually hoping it fixes itself.
The oddest problem for me is when I get these weird depth perception fluctuations. Stuff can look a bit too close or too far -- not where it's supposed to be located. Room & streets do not "seem they're spinning" to me, but it's difficult to get a fix on all of what's going on around me when the dizzy feeling sets in. Hard to make sense of it. My feet often feel like they're tilted or in the wrong place, too.
I mostly just avoid crowds and prefer to go out late at night, if at all, when things tend to be off peak, simpler and quieter. It helps to concentrate on a single shopping task, too. Closing my eyes and touching walls or poles, holding onto a shopping cart all help when I have to stand in line, wait for people to move aside or for a crossing signal to change.
It's tough trying to learn again how to walk and how you physically relate to the rest of the world. Frustrating to waste so much time and feel so out of sorts.