Hello,
I have not posted in several years but I am feeling discouraged this past year. Dr Hain always said I was over-the-top complicated and I feel that way lately 
I have been deaf for a number of years, although I grew up hearing. I learned ASL and being deaf is not really too much of a problem if I am not in too much of a “hearing environment”. I lost the vision in my right eye 3 years ago and have diminished vision in the left eye due to glaucoma. I have the usual (for this forum) symptoms of dizziness with significant photophobia & migraines. Thankfully, I have not had vertigo since a labyrinthectomy in 2007.
Last Monday I had an ophthalmology appointment because the vision in my left eye is decreasing due to cataracts. During a visual field test, lights shine into your eyes and the patient clicks a device to determine the amount of peripheral vision is lost. After that test I had a great deal of difficulty walking out of the office and could not speak. It was hard to open my eyes so I had zero communication access. I have had a VM since Monday.
My husband came home from the pharmacy with an additional eye drop that I’m supposed to use 2 times a day. He can’t remember why it was ordered and I had no idea a conversation about the eye drops took place.
I vacillate between being discouraged and thinking I am too dramatic about this situation. I have a gut feeling that a lot of this is related: history of vestibular problems, photophobia, eye strain/stress, deafness, dizziness, migraines, neurological signs.
Why am I writing? I know the people on this forum have complicated medical issues. You are also from many parts of the world. I happen to be from the US. I hope I am not alone. I hope someone can say “I understand. I have experienced something similar. You will get through this.”
Thank you for listening to this very long rant.
Welcome back. So sorry to hear about your episode. That definitely sounds more than enough to stir the beast. You need to focus on doing the things that helped you before. And you know eventually this episode will pass. Good luck with the treatment and any procedure you have for the cataract!
So sorry to hear about this. There are a lot of good people in here who can help. I’m still fairly new but am learning something new every day. Just venting to people who can understand helps. We all have our share of the ups and downs of vestibular problems. You are not alone. Hang in there. I’m also from the USA.
sounds like you’re exactly where you need to be in terms of getting the right care. Best wishes to you
It’s so frustrating, so scary when we go from relative stability to what feels like out of control. Try not to panic. Remind yourself that you’ve been here before and know how to care for yourself. My advice is to cancel everything on your calendar for the next few days and give your brain total rest. Take whatever rescue drugs your doc has prescribed and be extra gentle with yourself. If things don’t quickly improve a call or message to your VM doc might not be a bad idea.
Rest. Slow, controlled breathing. Nourishing food. You’re going to be ok.
Thank you for the responses. I really have been doing better in 2024. I’m gradually getting my act together again.
I recently returned to the forum because of a relapse, so I missed your August 4 post.
As James said, while you have a lot to deal with, you know what worked before. Drag out those old familiar tools and work their use into your everyday routine, You should find some relief in repeating old habits that were successfully. Post your progress here in your journal so you will have a record of what you did, what the results were, what worked, and what didn’t work.
While you are welcome here, I’m sorry to see your return under these circumstances.
Thank you for your message. Decreased vision really messed with my physically and psychologically. Eye strain ramped up the old dizziness. I am having a second eye surgery next week but having gone through it once, I’m not as nervous. It won’t improve my vision but should modulate the eye pain.
The idea of using the journal is a good one. I haven’t done that before.
By good luck on your eye surgery, I hope and pray it is successful.
If you have any trouble getting the journal started, give James (@turnitaround) a shout, he knows all that there is to know about this forum.””