It's hard to believe it's been such a long time since I last posted What a time I've had. Vertigo set in in early November, a little over two weeks after my second knee replacement surgery. It's been a bit of a rough go getting around. I should be done with the walker but am not. I need it for balance. I went to an ENT doctor who diagnosed the problem as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and prescribed the Epley Maneuver twice a day two times each. It hasn't seemed to help yet. Friday will be a week since I started.
Being physically off balance or feeling like I might fall when I'm standing or walking, or in other various positions, has certainly colored my Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. Hence, my need to look for Christmas Cheer. I don't usually have any problem in that area but it's hard to get beyond one's self when feeling so crummy. But, onward. (Yes, I know this is a small thing and plenty of people are dealing with much larger and more complicated challenges. This just happens to be mine right now.)
I am sometimes able to get out to the grocery store and other short jaunts later in the day (mornings are the worst) if I hang onto the walker or sit in a riding cart. Christmas shopping has been a challenge.
I've done no quilting, or even sewing, other than to repair tiny holes in two pieces of clothing.
Does anyone else remember Dick Van Dyke of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Mary Poppins" fame? I discovered this endearing video the other day. Van Dyke is now 99 and he hasn't lost one bit of his sense of humor.
It's time for TubaChristmas. Some cities had theirs earlier in December but others are in coming weeks. If you're interested in seeing if there's one local to you, check the interactive map here. It's one of the highlights of our Christmas season and I highly recommend going at least once. It's a fairly long walk from the parking lot to the theater where ours is held and I don't know if I'll be able to make it this year. If you go, please enjoy it for me!
This past Friday my computer ground to a near-halt. On Saturday and Sunday it was still barely moving. On Monday, I had the idea to clean the inside of the case. I was appalled at how dusty it was. After removing the dust it was a little less slow, but on Tuesday, it was back to it's Friday night speed. I'm not tech savvy and the idea of having to buy a new computer right now and have my programs and data transferred was completely daunting. I don't usually worry but I actually worried about the situation, trying to figure out what to do and make a plan. Today the computer seems to be back to normal. But who knows for how long. I'll need to do some research and buy a new computer soon.
If you celebrate Christmas, I hope you're having a merry time! No matter whether you celebrate or not, I hope you're having merry days.
--Nancy.
P.S. I'm sorry not to be getting to your blogs to read and comment. I hope I can do that soon. I miss it!
I'm so sorry you're struggling. Vertigo is NOT a small thing, as a fall or accident [are you driving? cooking?] would be so bad.
ReplyDeleteCan you bring your computer to a a repair place or store where you got it?
To share something festive---Flying Geese has a delightful preview in IG, maybe you can see the linked post here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DDXI7dBRtpx/?img_index=10
lots of love
lizzy
Thank you, Lizzy. No driving, a little cooking with vertigo. I've been mostly going without a walker but sometimes need it if it feels like I'm really spinning. I start PT on the 9th and have an MRI scheduled for the 8th. Really, I'm trying to act like I don't have vertigo which isn't going well. One of these days I'll be back to normal.
DeleteI have a friend who will look at my computer, repair it if necessary (I think) or help me buy a new one and transfer data. He was a manager of a computer lab at a nearby university before he retired.
Thank you again for the link to the Flying Geese quilts. What a day-brightener seeing those was!
Ohmygosh--that is just an awful thing to be going through!! Vertigo is definitely not a small thing--I agree--it so limits your ability to get around badly!! I hope you get over it soon --just take care and don't push for the Holiday--let others "do" the holiday stuff for you...
ReplyDeleteNo wonder you are lacking in holiday spirit!!
Hope you can get your computer working again...that can be so frustrating...
Sending my best thoughts and hopes to you Hugsx2 Julierose
I had vertigo about 35 years ago and could barely get up. I slept all the time, rested on the couch or in bed. It was awful. This time it's similar except I'm not spinning all the time. But in some ways it's worse because I want to do things but can't manage it. Our Christmas was very small, just my husband and me with leftovers for dinner. Easy, simple. I hope to feel better one of these days soon.
DeleteI haven't done much with my computer. It works slowly. A friend was going to look at it but I suggested waiting till the New Year when, hopefully, the vertigo would be better.
Thank you for your kind thoughts, Julierose. I appreciate them.
I have had vertigo and it is awful!!!!!!!! My doctor said to get Meclizine tablets and chew them. They did work though I hated the way they made me feel…..but better than vertigo. I also used the Epley Maneuver and it did help me. Keep it up….it apparently rearranges the crystals in your inner ear. But that may not be the cause of your vertigo. I do hope you find an answer soon. You have my deepest sympathy!!Carol in Texas
ReplyDeleteThank you for both your sympathy and the suggestions, Carol. My primary care doctor prescribed meclizine. I didn't chew it, just swallowed, but only took three. It made me sleep and I could hardly get up. Also, I tried the Epley Maneuver but it didn't work. The ENT doctor said to stop. He now thinks I have vestibular neuritis and has prescribed physical therapy and an MRI. I hope the first helps and the second tells me the problem.
DeleteI'm so sorry for your vertigo combined with the knee healing process. Hoping the recommended therapy will begin showing positive results very soon. Regarding your computer slowdown, is it possible that you are over your data limit for high speed for the month? That's usually the reason we have several days each month when that happens. Just a thought. I hope you have a lovely if quieter Christmas and the new year finds you with no vertigo and much progress in your healing knee.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Pat. I'm finished with PT for my knee, which is doing great these days. I still have twinges of pain sometimes and it's not back to normal yet--they tell me it can take a year-- but it's much better than before I had new knees.
DeleteI'd never thought about data limits. I checked and our provider does not have limits for use. It seems to be doing a little better sometimes (and is still very slow other times). I have a friend who will take a look at it and hopefully be able to tell me what the problem is, then fix it. He was a manager at a computer lab at a nearby university before he retired a few years ago. I'm sure he keeps up with computers.
The vertigo is not yet gone. Some days it's less than others. The ENT specialist now thinks it's vestibular neuritis and has prescribed physical therapy and an MRI. I'm hopeful for an end to this one of these days.
I am so sorry you are having so many difficulties, vertigo, healing from your knee operation and then on top that computer problems. I sure hope the exercises work, maybe that will be one problem solved. I hope you do have a nice Christmas though despite all of these things.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Rebecca. My mom used to say two things: "When it rains it pours" or "If it's not one thing, it's another." I've adapted the latter to, "If it's not one thing, it's one or two or three others." The vertigo persists but I hope the prescribed physical therapy will help get rid of it and that the MRI will show exactly what the problem is. The most recent diagnosis is vestibular neuritis. One of these days I'll be good, I hope!
DeleteWe had a very quiet Christmas with just my husband and me at home. It was very restful.
Vertigo is alarming, especially if you've never experienced it. Did you get nystagmus, too? (That's when your eyes flutter uncontrollably; a side effect of BPV sometimes.)........ I rely on Best Buy's total tech to take care of my computer because I am not confident at all about maintenance...........All that said -- yes, happy 99th birthday to Dick Van Dyke! We've been gradually watching all the episodes of the show on Tubi. I remember watching it when I was a kid and I got a lot of the humor then but I appreciate it SO much more now. The domestic dramas, the office jokes. The writing was so good. (Another vintage show we're enjoying is Route 66.)
ReplyDeleteI had vertigo about 35 years ago and was down for the count, spinning so wildly I could do nearly nothing. That experience was awful. This time I have the spinning but also pressure on my head, almost like a constant headache. I'm not sure about the nystagmus. The ENT doctor didn't explain his diagnoses, just told me what to do for them. I went back a week and a half ago and he changed the diagnosis to vestibular neuritis and prescribed and MRI and physical therapy. When I'm feeling miserable I don't do well at asking questions of doctors.
DeleteI've asked a friend to look at my computer. He was going to do it earlier this week but I asked him to postpone until January. I'm confident he will be able to help: he managed one of the computer labs at a nearby university for many years and I'm sure he keeps up his skills. If not, I'll look into Best Buy. Thank you for the suggestion.
Our family watched the Dick Van Dyke show when I was a child, too, and I enjoyed it. I just learned there are 6 or 8 seasons on youtube and watched the first one the other day. I was disappointed at what a wheedling man Van Dyke was (at least in the first episode), though I enjoyed the humor. Rose Marie sang a Durante song that sounded so much like him.
I'm so sorry you're still battling vertigo. I hope the new medicine will help. I watched the Dick Van Dyke video and was delighted by it. My computer seems to be running more slowly and I've wondered if it is caused by a crowded internet of online shoppers. I got a little Christmas baking done today (and then I needed a nap - ha!)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Robin. I'm still trying to overcome vertigo. The specialist prescribed physical therapy (who knew there was physical therapy for such a thing?! I didn't.) and an MRI, both of which are scheduled for next week. I'm hopeful for help.
DeleteOh, I hadn't thought of a crowded internet. That may be the problem. My computer runs in fits and starts--on day it's good and almost normal and another day it stops and sits until I restart it again. I have a friend who will look at it in January when, hopefully, I'll feel better.
Oh, yes, the naps help everything go better! I hope you had a happy Christmas and were surrounded by family.
Wow, really sorry to hear you are struggling with vertigo. I've had episodes with it over the years, and I know how completely limiting it can be. Hope it gets resolved quickly for you--along with the computer issues, which is limiting in a totally different way.
ReplyDeleteMy son had sent me the link to the Dick Van Dyke video, because my kids grew up watching the Dick Van Dyke Show on VHS. Isn't it delightful how he has maintained his zest for life? I loved the video, and laughed and grinned throughout the entire thing.
I have replaced our old VHS tapes of his show with DVDs, and hubby and I still enjoy them now and then, along with The Andy Griffith Show. Classic TV is my favorite.
I hope you can have a nice Christmas in spite of the issues plaguing you, Nancy!
Thank you, Janet. Vertigo is still with me but I'm hopeful that the doctor's prescription for physical therapy will help and that an MRI will clarify a diagnosis.
DeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed the Dick Van Dyke video. The old classic TV programs had moral values and standards, plus clean humor, we don't often see in TV programs these days.
Our Christmas was really quiet and relaxing with just my husband and me. Very low-key. Having my daughter and her family with their five children would have been too hectic but I hope we'll be together next year.
Were you able to put out all of your Nativities this year? I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.