I was feeling pretty good about not breaking any bones or having any sort of emergency that would require an ER visit. In fact, we've been avoiding going to the hospital where COVID viruses could be lurking and waiting to hit us while our two Pfizers are perhaps losing their efficacy.
We got our annual high dose flu shots on October 4th. Soon afterwards, my ears felt plugged like I was in a cavern. I'm not saying they're connected, but I'd never had my ears plugged for a long period of time like this.
On Sunday afternoon, while working on the computer around 3:00, I suddenly got hit by a wave of vertigo. I had to lie down. Every time I thought I was OK and moved my head, I'd get that wave of vertigo and then nausea.
OK... I figured I'd better make an appointment with Tripler Hospital soon. Art came up and found me on the bed and insisted instead on going to the ER....now!
While driving to the ER, I felt like things were settling down. Still I was wondering if I had a brain tumor like my paternal grandfather. Maybe I should tell Art how to finish the family photobook I was working on. Maybe I should tell him how to inform bloggers why I wasn't posting... (yeah... I get crazy sometimes.)
We checked in at Tripler around 4:40. The nurses were all so super cheerful and friendly, I was amazed. The ER was filled and I told Art to wait in the car after they checked me in (because of COVID rules, I'm sure).
The doctor came in at 6:05 and was absolutely wonderful! My blood pressure had shot up to 153/137 earlier. He said not to worry. It's just from being in the ER and what I was experiencing.
I told him I was actually starting to feel fine. "Really. Maybe I should just go home."
"Not to worry," he said. "That happens sometimes with my family too when they go to the hospital."
He had me lie down and turn my head to the left for several seconds and WHAM the vertigo returned! "Yup," he said. "I could see it in your eyes." (Hmmm...I wonder what that looked like.)
He looked in my ears with that ear checking flashlight thingy and said, "Your ears are clear. No ear infection." (I knew my ears would be clear because I have wet ear wax. And I didn't have any pain so didn't think I had an infection.)
He explained how I probably had crystals (who knew???) in my inner (especially left side) ear and prescribed the Modified Epley maneuver to get them to move off or whatever. He also gave me an anti-nausea medication.
So here I am... back at my computer and hoping that things settle down.
You know what? I have to hand it to the doctors and nurses at Tripler. Despite the screaming children, ambulances coming in, and patients in all the curtained stations, they were as kind, super patient, friendly and cheerful as can be. They really are heroes!
I have had vertigo. It was distinctly unpleasant.
ReplyDeleteAlways some challenge, glad you were able to solve it so easily-maybe you need to work less and play a little more? Hoping you feel better as the days go on...hugs!
ReplyDeleteI never heard of this maneuver (or inner ear crystals) until now. I googled/youtubed this, it's not uncommon but it is unpleasant. Sure hope this resolves itself soon Kay, I admire your upbeat attitude. But I almost chuckled at you instructing Art to take care of your blogging friends!
ReplyDeleteSorry that you had to go through that.
ReplyDeleteGood for you and the hospital. It seems like you got it sorted, or mostly.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of this either and visited Dr. Google. Seems like you got excellent care and I hope the maneuvers and meds do the trick. Yes, medical professionals really are heroes.
ReplyDeleteKay, I have had 2 severe episodes of BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo). It can be very debilitating in that I actually fall and vomit with the vertigo. I keep Serc (a histamine) in the house for mild episodes. I also do a sound therapy on a regular basis. Since I started the sound therapy > 2 yrs ago, I haven't had a severe episode. Nystagmus is one of the diagnostic symptoms that can isolate which ear is affected. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteOh wow! I’m hoping these exercises help. My ears are not quite as unplugged as I’d hoped.
DeleteVertigo and nausea are so very unpleasant. I hope this episode of crystals is soon over...and for good!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad the exercises are working. Hugs from here.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother is dealing with the very same issue right now. I hope you get better.
ReplyDeleteSo glad Dr. Art insisted on heading to the ER. I have heard of this symptom in a Continuing Ed / Physical Therapy class I took about preventing falls. There are several spots in the inner ear (remember the snail shaped cochlear, and the 3 semi-circular canals that help with balance? If one of them forms little pieces or crystals in that tubing, it causes your symptoms. The cool thing, is that some Physical Therapists actually have several appointments on their table, turning your head based on the diagnosis as to WHICH tube part has the floating annoying crystals. By rotating and turning your head in the recommended direction for the location of the crystal, it eventually relocates out of those sensitive canals. A bit like kidney stones in your ears! That was nice of them to give you the paper with instructions on the exercises. Probably should avoid spiraling rollercoasters for awhile! Coasters won't turn your ears and head the correct ways! It was nice to learn that these movements can fix it instead of having surgery. Excellent ER team! I think in most civilian hospitals, you would have been told to go to an ear doc or PT to get a diagnosis. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteArt experienced terrible vertigo while in Chicago about 15 years ago. The Great Lakes Naval Base never thought he had crystals in his ear. They did all kinds of brain scans, etc. and said they'd call it a "head scratcher" since they had no idea what caused it. It did go away after a while and he hasn't had it recur since.
DeleteYikes! This is one thing I hope I don't have to experience. And I sincerely hope you will be feeling back to normal very soon.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are ok I have had friend with vertigo, it seems to pass.
ReplyDeleteVertigo is one of the worst issues because it makes you feel so out of control. I have had it only a couple of times but know of friends who live in fear of another "attack". So glad you had a good experience at Tripler.
ReplyDeleteThose crystals in the ears are a very real thing and just need to be put back in place. You and Art are brave people to go to ER. We have telemedicine here that we go to first, and then if something needs to be seen, the telemed doc refers us to the closest urgicare, even telling them we are on our way. It's all through our medical group and our insurance covers it.
ReplyDeleteI learned something new from you again - crystals in the inner ear that can cause vertigo. I will keep that in mind.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you got such good treatment at your ER. Thank you for sharing that. Our medical personnel need all the praise and appreciation they can get.
The best to you. May I never have vertigo. Ever!
ReplyDeleteYou accurately describe hospital staff. I only with they'd hire more so the workload isn't so great on just a few people.
ReplyDeleteI have had to do the epley maneuver myself a few times! Feel better
ReplyDeleteI had vertigo once in my life, and it was actually very scary. I was walking past the top of the stairs when it hit, and I felts as if I was about to be sucked down them. It lasted for two days until the meds kicked in but it was awful.
ReplyDeleteLong ago my friend told me that she got an inner ear virus. I never thought you could get it. And the symptoms are just like that vertical but there was no nausea involved thank goodness. I don't know if I'm a hypochondriac but I woke up and I had the same inner ear virus. I didn't even see my friend so it wasn't like I contacted it from her. Luckily all I had to do was were sunglasses indoors because lights were too bright for me increasing the vertigo. Thankfully I never had it again. And I hope to never get it again ever. So I commiserate with you on your ongoing symptoms. On that note I admire how you remain very healthy and strong. But I guess life throws curves even at the best of us. -N
ReplyDeleteKay of Musings: Hello N, Thank you very much for your comment. I’m thinking an inner ear infection could be cured with antibiotics? I wonder. I’m reducing the light in my rooms right now and trying to keep it cool. The heat is not great for me. Also, I discovered the overhead ceiling fan causes flickering light which doesn’t help either. Arrrghh..
DeleteThank you so much for caring and your kind words.