when brain doesn’t work, use hands
Eight weeks ago, at the end of September, my brain decided to go on strike. Since then, my world has been unstable. I have trouble focusing on and looking at a computer, laptop, tablet and smart phone – it makes me nauseated and reality is spinning. Just a little bit, but it is enough to make me sick.
There’s a tickling sensation on the left, underneath my skull – left, always left, also the home of the many migraines I used to have – and a constant light pressure a.k.a. headache. Bright lights do not agree with my vision, especially when they are moving. Imagine the flashing lights of a police car on the TV. Imagine me with two arms in front of my face to block the stimulants. Imagine me blindly groping for the off-button on the remote.
The first two weeks I worked from home, as much as humanly possible. The third week I took a taxi to the university, but when my desk started moving when I was leaning against it – while it was rock solid – it was time for me to go home and stay home. Fortunately I had a two weeks vacation. That’s when my son came over with his girlfriend and her kids. Meanwhile my left ear went partly numb. My hearing is the same as before, but the top half of my auricle feels like it is in another universe.
The family doctor gave me pills to battle the dizziness, except I’m not exactly dizzy. When the pills didn’t work after two weeks, he doubled the dose. When that didn’t work either, I demanded he send me to the hospital.
A visit to an otolaryngologist (ear nose throat specialist) got me a balance examination/test. The doctor attached sensors to my face. I was strapped into a chair and had to follow lights with my eyes. Then the chair moved left and right and the sensors registered what that did to my (closed) eye movements. Then the same chair started spinning to the left and I had to count backwards from 100 to 1. The same towards the right. When that ordeal was over, I had to lay down and focus on a spot on the ceiling. For half a minute she pumped cold water into my ear and I had to keep my eyes shut. Let me tell you this: money doesn’t make the world go round, water does! After she had her way with my other ear, she heated up the liquid and bombed my eardrums with hot water. The spinning of my world increased to a level that my stomach tried to flee through my mouth. Of course I didn’t let that happen, I need my stomach! And all of this only to prove that my vestibulars are OK. Because that is what the ENT doc presumed. And that is why she forwarded me to a neurologist.
This man did some tests, scratched his head and ordered an MRI scan. That was last Thursday. I was transported into the white, shiny tunnel with a deep sea helmet over my head and magnetic impulses bounced all over the place. Monday I’m going back to the hospital to hear the results of the scan. And Wednesday back to the otolaryngologist to see how my vestibulars are doing.
Perhaps now you understand why I don’t write much anymore. This feeling is freaking me out, to be honest. I want to work, I want to write, I want to drive a car! But for now you’ll have to excuse me. Nausea strikes again and the left side of my head feels like it’s in a fairy tale, because I’ve been behind my computer screen for far too long. Hurrah for being able to type blind. But now it is back to the couch. I will give my eyes a bit of rest and then spoil them with my Kindle. Fortunately reading is still possible.
Have a stable weekend,
Marion
x
Results of the MRI scan: everything is OK.
Results of the balance check: everything is OK.
I’m thrilled with the outcome, but there’s still no solution to the problem. I’m trying physiotherapy next, perhaps something in my neck is blocked.
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Thank you all so very much for your sweet and encouraging words. Fretting won’t help me at this point, so I’m trying to keep my worries at bay. I would love to hug you all personally.
Love,
Marion
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Thank you for the specifics, Marion. I will be praying for you and for good results reporting from the tests this week.
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Gosh Marion. You’re kind of scaring me. I hope all testing provides you with an easily curable answer. For now, put your feet up and enjoy a good book or two. Thinking of you, my friend.
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Take a lot of care…
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Great picture! i miss those days, now with snow shovel in hand!
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Hope you find out on Monday and that the news is good. Take good care.
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Hope this is just a passing phase. I get dizzy spells sometimes and they’re not good. Don’t like the sound of all those tests – doesn’t seem that they were helpful.
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I did not hit the like button on your post today, Marion but – am sending positive thoughts to you for rapid healing. Oh I am sorry to hear about your head and ears and what you have to go through to find a cause or cure. Ugh
I thought your descriptions were so well written, I felt queasy along with you.
Several friends have experienced vertigo or had crystals realigned in that tortuous method.
Thinking of you and wishing you well.
Best, Ruth in Pittsburgh
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Let’s hope everything rights itself soon.
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Oh, bless you, Marion- this sounds a total nightmare! I was just going to bounce in with a ‘wow- that’s a statement header’ (and it is!) but as I read through I felt so sorry for you. Hope Monday brings good results. 🙂
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Oh dear, it sounds dreadful. Poor you. I hope the medical people find a way to help you.
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Oh, sorry to hear your woes, Marion. Rest, rest and more rest boring I know, I have to do enough of it…and hope the neuro comes up with some answers. Look after yourself (I had wondered why you had gone quiet on the blogging)
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oh my dear woman, take care of yourself. sounds like some kind of manic vertigo going on, and in this case the search seems to be worse than the ailment. I do hope you’re okay, truly.
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Right back atcha, stabilization-wise, Marion.
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HUGS
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