Hi There,
I have started using a cane and it enables me to walk better and get out of the house more- have you tried using one?
Yes me. I don’t need to use a cane as my actual balance is good, I just feel dizzy in my head. However, since I got this and then gave up my job after a year, I am like a recluse. I don’t have any social life and I avoid going out much at all. I do still pop to the shops and for a meal at a pub when I feel a bit better but generally I spend a lot of time at home. I don’t mind in some ways because I am quite an introvert by nature but I guess this condition has made me a lot worse in that regard.
Guys
Loss of confidence can be overcome by VRT. VRT did not help me recover at all in terms of the dizzies. But it did give me confidence to try and go back out there and do things you would normally do. Ofcoz u won’t feel like Pre MAV days but when you do those exercises which are actually harder than normal day to day activities, you kinda start getting the confidence back and remind yourself “hey i can do this and its not affecting me as much as i thought” etc. My VRT specialist Ross Black from the Prince of Wales Hospital Sydney was fantastic. The service is free of charge as long as you get a referral from a Doc. He really helped me build my confidence which also resulted in a lessening of my anxiety.
Good Luck Everyone
I did, or did as little as I could for some time. It made the whole thing worse though. I still use things though, like if I go to the store I make sure to get a push cart and I never go to events where I have to stand without sitting for more than 10 or so minutes as it freaks me out.
When I first got this and wasn’t sure what it was…I was definately fearful. I couldn’t move for fear my brain would start rattling in my scalp (that was always the best way for me to describe the sensation that I was feeling) Once I was correctly DX and began my meds, then I became less fearful…5 years later, I fully function!! :mrgreen:
Pam
What meds r u on?
I started on Nortriptalyne and currently taking 75mg, then added in Verapamil (because my BP was a bit elevated and heard it was good for MAV as well)and currently taking 480 ER (I take 240 in the AM and then 240 at bedtime) Asked to be put on something because even though my mood was so much better, I was still a bit blue so doc said Effexor so am currently taking 75mg ER (non generic).
Pam
Hi Pam,
That is so great that you are fully functional, AND that you stick around on the forum to support others, even 5 years later! Have you been feeling well pretty consistently for the last 5 years? Do you get any breakthrough symptoms? Do you have any trouble walking?
Do you work full-time? Can you exercise? Can you travel and fly?
— Begin quote from “pamg6”
When I first got this and wasn’t sure what it was…I was definately fearful. I couldn’t move for fear my brain would start rattling in my scalp (that was always the best way for me to describe the sensation that I was feeling) Once I was correctly DX and began my meds, then I became less fearful…5 years later, I fully function!! :mrgreen:
— End quote
Pam that’s amazing! What did you get diagnosed with? MAV? So pleased that someone has their life back from this illness
— Begin quote from “Jem”
Yes me. I don’t need to use a cane as my actual balance is good, I just feel dizzy in my head. However, since I got this and then gave up my job after a year, I am like a recluse. I don’t have any social life and I avoid going out much at all. I do still pop to the shops and for a meal at a pub when I feel a bit better but generally I spend a lot of time at home. I don’t mind in some ways because I am quite an introvert by nature but I guess this condition has made me a lot worse in that regard.
— End quote
Hi Jem, I’m exactly the same as you, except I used to be an extrovert, so it’s hit me and my lifestyle pretty hard… feel like I’ve lost everything. Gave up my job too. I stay indoors a lot, not out of fear, rationally, if I know I’m not well, I won’t push it, you know? Xx
— Begin quote from “nabeel”
Guys
Loss of confidence can be overcome by VRT. VRT did not help me recover at all in terms of the dizzies. But it did give me confidence to try and go back out there and do things you would normally do. Ofcoz u won’t feel like Pre MAV days but when you do those exercises which are actually harder than normal day to day activities, you kinda start getting the confidence back and remind yourself “hey i can do this and its not affecting me as much as i thought” etc. My VRT specialist Ross Black from the Prince of Wales Hospital Sydney was fantastic. The service is free of charge as long as you get a referral from a Doc. He really helped me build my confidence which also resulted in a lessening of my anxiety.
Good Luck Everyone
— End quote
Hi nabeel, VRT is pretty much useless to me. Some people it helps, others, not so much… I kept having relapses no matter how much I followed the schedual etc. I get what you’re saying with the confidence though, occasionally it did make me go “if I can do this, I can go out and face the challenges of the world!”