My GP has today referred me to ENT. In the meantime Iām looking for suggestions to add to my list of activities on how to distract my self from the visual flickering (almost imperceptible but deffo a thing)/dizziness/nausea/ears I get on a bad day (like today).
Canāt look at phone for too long.
Canāt watch telly for too long.
Canāt read for too long.
Audiobooks send me to sleep (possibly a good thing!)
Even listening to my mum chat on the phone made me feel worse.
Any ideas appreciated! Thank you!
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I do simple chores I could do almost blindfolded like fold laundry or wash dishes. I also exercise - again simple things like walking the dog (sunglasses and hat), static stretching, riding a stationary recumbent bike, or swimming. The more oxygen I can get into my brain the better, but it has to be in a less visually challenging manner.
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Thank you - I do those sort of things on a good day (sad, I know!)
But you made me think about the walking - crossing roads is tricky for me but we live next to a hospital site that isnāt too busy and has speed limits so I could walk around that on a bad day. Itās next to a nature reserve so isnāt as bad as it sounds!
Iāve also found just tonight that listening to music (quietly!) with a strong beat seems to dampen down my eye movements, or at least my awareness of them 
That makes sense. Your eye movement is connected to your eardrums. Thatās a distraction technique I use, too. When things are really hyper for me Iāll take 25mg Meclizine and then try the other activities. If I donāt improve and itās pretty clear I wonāt, I usually bump it into the more serious rescue meds (Ubrelvy or marijuana or some combo of Fioricet, Amitriptyline and Compazine - in that order because being high or sedated isnāt my goal) and resolve to try whatever I was up to again later.
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Trouble is you soon find as I did you tend to need good eyes to do anything much. Best avoid screens as much as possible - I went 9 months without any screens at all and many other eye related issues all listed in my PD which is probably something else you should avoid, far too much reading. Phones can be difficult. I had that a lot too. A kind friend brought me adult colouring books and pencils. Just opening the pencil box let the light reflect off the coloured pencils and I reached for the bucket. Itās difficult finding occupation. Must admit for long months I was so sick just sitting up and breathing took all my energy. However if you feel you can do so I would say go for the light housework or any housework you can do without discomfort. Listening to music is good. And radio. Walking outside is good for mood and balance and to pass the time but you need to do it safely. I was told never to walk out alone. Depends how unsteady you feel. Walk away from usual stimulation. Passing cars will send you spinning as will much twisting and turning. Go flat and even underfoot to start. You could try simple exercises for balance. NHS do some for the elderly holding a stable chair or bit elementary Tai chi. Less screens the better.
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Thank you, thatās really helpful 
When I was at my worst, I used to sit in silence by the window, with a pen and paper, and write poetry. (re-reading it when I was better was fascinatingā¦ a little portal into the depths of despair!)
And yes, walking, as much as possible. As long as youāre safe, walking (especially in that nature reserve) would be ideal.
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Iāve written some pretty dismal poetry myself!
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Me too, and that was when I was well 
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Writing negative emotions down can be really cathartic. Great that you did that!
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