I just wondered how other MAVers cope if they have been to the theatre, cinema etc? I have been quite a few times during the years I have had MAV and whilst I have had funny moments or not felt amazing some of the time, I have always managed it ok until this evening. I went to see a ballet at the theatre in Manchester this evening and after about 30 minutes I just got hit by vertigo and ended up having to go home and miss the rest of the performance. I am trying to work out why this time I had this horrible turn, could it be the heat, the lighting, maybe the movement, a combination of factors, I’m not sure but feel quite deflated that it seems to be a step backwards especially considering I thought I was doing ok and I am on meds now as well. Wondered if others had a similar experience …
Hi Jem,
I’ve had the exact same experiences when I’m symptomatic. Wonky distorted perception, claustrophobia etc. I’ve had to leave performances, once it was so bad I couldn’t wait till intermission and left a comedy show after 10 minutes. You can imagine the heckling I got on the way out… :lol: My advice is don’t put yourself though it when you’re feeling really bad. It’s just too much overload for your poor brain. The good news is when you’re well you’ll be fine and can even watch 3D!
Vic
Thanks Vic, thing is I wasn’t feeling bad yesterday or in the lead up to going so I thought it would be okay and that is why I am a bit confused as to why this happened. I have been to the theatre when I have felt worse but not had any vertigo. I just hate the unpredictability of it! It makes it really hard to plan anything. I bought the tickets a couple of months ago and it is always a worry about how you might feel on the day. Even more worrying when these attacks can happen without any prior warning x
Hey Jem,
How are you doing??
I went to the cinema for the first time in 1.5years last week. Was quite wobbly after but it lessened. I sometimes struggle at the theatre, seeing double and after images etc.
Maybe the ballet was too much because there was a lot of movement i.e people were dancing around and your eyes were following them all over the stage? More so if it was a play for instance.
It kind of makes sense.
I hope you don’t feel too bad today.
xx
For me, it’s the sound, so I used to stuff a tissue in each ear and it helped; now I use earasers (ear plugs like the ones used by musicians) and they really help. Good luck!
Hi MM - how are you doing at the moment?
Yes think you’re right about the movement. The lighting and all the twirling around possibly triggered the vertigo, also it is very humid at the moment and I don’t think I react well to humidity. It’s just so disappointing when stuff like that happens. Also it was this time last year that I began to have my relapse so very conscious of that and hoping it doesn’t happen again.
Lisa - hope you are ok? So far sound hasn’t really been a problem for me. You never know when that might change though. I know lots of people are sound sensitive.
xx
I think live theater bad because of all the charactors/actors on stage and the spinning & twirling of the dancers. I have gone a plays where there is only 1 actor and that was OK. I too am sound sensitive so I use headphones (like those used by landscapers/law movers) and earplugs. I went to see the movie Lincoln and that was not bad, except for the opening war scene. I find the movies are OK if there is not a lot action or many people talking at a time. I am on 100 mg nortriptyline, and this seems to work well for me.
yes trial and error - some shockers from time to time but most (in my case) could have seen coming…(3D, Gatsby, anything my 16 year old would like to see, day being not best shape to begin with etc)… sometimes defiantly attend concerts with earplugs and sunnies close at hand (not to mention a clear diary at least the next morning). Absurd to live this way but in time worked out it was way better than never going…
Hi Jem
That was disappointing to have a little set back since you’ve ben going well. I struggle terribly at the movies. Every school holidays I psych myself up to face another kids movie and regret it as soon as the show starts. I thinks its the combo of the noise (does it really need to be that loud!), bright screen, and the 3D images that really get to me.
Kylie
Hi Kylie, yeh it was disappointing. I kind of want to try seeing something at the theatre again soon just to prove to myself it was just a one-off but then don’t want to risk wasting ticket money again! How are you doing right now? Any luck with the meds you were trying? xx
Hi Jem.
Still in the process of finding one that works. Have had a bit of a break from them to give my poor old head a break. Dr Granot want me to start a combo of Zoloft and Epilim. I took just one dose of zoloft and reacted really badly to it with a racing heart, insomnia, breathlessness and nausea. I do not dare go back and give it another go. I need to be somewhat functional to look after the kids! We might need to reconsider this one.
Take care Jem
Sigh on the meds.
Blocking out sounds is possible, so go for it (earasers are awesome!). I’d start with drama rather than action (though my last favorite film was “The Place Beyond the Pines” which is a bit of both). But 3D is awful…I have to look down as soon as they start any motion; actually, now I avoid it…
Today I had a real rough time trying to find a specific product in the aisles of the grocery store; the looking from one side to the other got me sooo dizzy that I’m still a bit woozy a few hours afterwards. I finally found an employee who led me to the right spot (though they didn’t have the product) and I was so grateful. I’ve figured out that I love small boutiques and shops and adore helpful employees.
I just went to see the lion king and managed to be ok dark places always set me off but was ok this time. I went to a show last year and felt very bad in there I think it’s the luck on the day tbh.
Sorry you missed half of the show what a shame 
I have a very rough time usually. Sometimes I have a better day, and can handle going but still get nauseous. I tested out my migraine glasses at a movie not long ago (on a better day) and did well for most of the movie. I had to close my eyes during one scene with close up action shots, but otherwise did pretty well (Man Of Steel, so lots of movement). As a rule, I do much better renting movies to watch on a smaller screen. I have only been to one live show in recent history, and did fine with it. It doesn’t seem to bother me in the same way.
Can relate to this Jem, awful feeling. I can’t go to the cinema anymore or theatre. Think its the lights and position and for me the ‘moving’ on the screen. At home I can only watch television in the kitchen as the television in lounge makes me so dizzy. Think the position of the sofa and low lighting doesn’t help either. Going to try and reorganise the room soon to test this.
Hope you are ok.
Angela
When i improved after having it for two years, i had to start off practicing in my lounge room, so sitting in the dark and watching movies, initially i could only last a few mins before i had to turn the light back on but over a few weeks, i was Ble to sit their fine watching the tv in the dark. I then went on to sitting and standing during the movie and then getting up to leave the room, as i seem to always needing to go to the toilet during the movies in the cinema. Once i was confident and adjusted i trialled the movies, some cinemas are better then others and i find sitting close to the exit good as their is light that shines from them or near the isle if they have little lights. For me it took time Nd patience now with my recurrence i will need to be taking some ear plugs in since i am now very sensitive to sound and maybe even sunnies. I hope this helped 