Day 25: Jim is way better

We are nearing the end of the chamber - one week to go. Jim is so much better. I wish we had known about this (mild chamber) before. Our neighbor, Joy (with CLL), says she has much more energy and seems really happy - she has been going in the chamber twice a day. I like it too, but I think it's just because I get to relax, and kinda sleep. It has been rather stressful with the schedule here (the chamber shedule) and I have been getting up earlier than normal.

So we are really hoping that by May 12-15 we can take off on a trip with our trailer, animals, fly rods, bikes and get back to our normal life of fun mixed with work. I think that this week I will let Jim try to drive on the interstate and see how he does. He thinks he is ready!

I would certainly recommend this to anyone who gets severe vertigo - the sooner the better. Forget the PT training exercises. To us they seemed only like ways to gauge how bad you are or how much you are progressing.

Blood test results

Jim says..............

I had the appointment Thursday to get the results of the blood test from the chiropractor. He said that the test showed nothing out of the ordinary. There was no indication of what caused me to be this way.

The Chiropractor had a special software program that he ran the results through and came up with a Nutritional Report and Information. It showed I was.....

-Low in Vit D

-Thyroid was low!

-Adrenal System a bit weak!

-And a few other things

He came up with a supplement Schedule for me:

-Proglyco SP

-Adaptocrim

-Thyraxix PT

-Acrenacalm

-HCL Prozgme

I told him I do not just take stuff recommended to me and I wanted to look up the ingredients.

He gave me their web site:

http://www.apexenergetics.com/welcome.htm

He said that Oxygen would help me and he can administer it there;  combined with his suggested supplements and I would improve.

I asked what he thought the cause of this was and he did not know!!!

There was just no indication of what caused me to be this way.

I thanked him very much and declined to take the above list of whatever it was, and went home to look this stuff.

Looking at the site, I saw the products but I couldn’t get a list of any of the ingredients.

The drive to Denver and back, about 30 min each way with an elevation change of about 3,000 feet, I felt good in the car, WAY better than just a few days ago.

I’d say he was right on about the Oxygen.

I am continuing with the two chamber sessions each day and will until the rental period is up on the 7^th of May.

I will update then.

Oh- A friend of ours, who is a decade younger than me, came down with a bout of Vertigo last Monday, the 25^th. His wife said he threw up and couldn’t stand being in the car. Same as I was!!!

He is in Reno, Nevada. We recommended he find a chamber over there and get in it.

I will keep this blog updated with his results—if he finds a chamber.

Day 21: Jim's Rambling Frustration

Jim reports....

I am at a bit of a stall in progress:

Last Thursday, I decided that I should go back to the chiropractor. He is about my age, loads of experience and specializes in neurology. He really knows this stuff, and using him along with the chamber I felt that I just couldn’t miss.

Doing a “Full Treatment”, not relying on ONE treatment (as I am still “Light-Headed”) has to be the way to go at this point. I feel I have stalled in progress and am only half way through the Chamber time. I feel it is the best use of time and skills. There should be no need to rent the chamber for another month. This way I will get better faster—a more complete therapy –both working together.

Entertaining the thought of using him again, knowing full well that the second treatment he did made me worse, I assured myself that it was just a coincidence and all will help me get better faster. Also his testing would show my progress in “Real Time” - A good test for the hours I am putting in the chamber. Karen and I discussed it and decided to go ahead and booked the appointment.

When I saw him, I told him about the HBOT and my idea of “Full Treatment”. He immediately was on board agreeing that full treatment was a great idea and how he knows all about oxygen etc.  yada yada yada.

He then wanted to see how I was doing and excited to see how I did on the balance machine—me too!

So, I jumped on the machine and the results of that test were promising. Before, I was at 24%, the very bottom of the scale, a high risk of falling. Now I am at 58% – one segment from the “Top” scale.

I also did the test – standing on foot in front of the other, get my balance and close my eyes. I was able to balance much longer than a couple of weeks prior. Before I lasted 5 seconds, now I was 45 seconds with left foot forward and a minute with the other foot forward, or visa versa—it is important, but not for this report. Now we are getting somewhere!! Yahoo.

So, with regained confidence in the Chiropractor, this “Full Treatment” is a great idea, I am happy that I booked this appointment; I will get better faster—feeling great.

So, the chiro goes on about how he agrees that O2 is a good thing—he said he even administers oxygen to patients, but didn’t with me because----??

He had a stroke patient use a chamber with good results. Chambers are good.

Then he goes on to say that HE would have gotten the same balance improvements doing his stuff, BUT, he said, “It doesn’t matter how you get better as long as you get better”--in other words, he know ALL and His way will work!!!!

He went on to say that HE can read blood test and it must be a test with Fasting—I just had one last week BUT I had coffee that morning—he said that is no good—has to be fasting---SO --I decided to get another blood test and find out what is wrong with me for sure.

He said that I was MIS-DIAGNOSED, it is not Vestibular Neuritis. BUT doesn’t know what it is!! 

With him saying that stuff, confidence just dropped somewhat, BUT it is more looking back on it then at the time.

He suggested we do the same maneuvers as before---

Hmmmm—But—it will be ok, I just got to get better, SO, I am still on this “Full Treatment” idea and all will be good.

He did the same little maneuver on me: I lay down on my side with my head on 10 inches of books (to be level) and he has this little “Clicker” thing and clicks my ear lobe –the second maneuver was me standing with my left arm over my chest—he got behind, I exhale and he kinda pulls my elbow up and into me—not too hard and seemed no big deal.

I immediately felt the light-headedness get a bit worse!!!!!!

He sez that it is odd for that to happen again!!!—NO Shit Sherlock, I thought!

The end of that session, with the blood test booked and the session with him to interpret the test, so I can finally find out what is wrong--- we spent about $400.00.

Then he proceeded to tell me that once he gets the results he can advise a diet for me as well as supplements that will really help me. He pulls out pills—long story short, it is a MLM company. We looked the company up when we got home. Struggling MLM Company, we read that they did a study showing how great their stuff was - it was a study based on a “13 people” - need I say more.

The drive home –I was quite a bit worse and when I did the evening walk with the dog, at the end of the walk –I was just about the same as I was TWO WEEKS AGO!!!

I called him immediately and did get him on the phone, told him and he said that it would be a good idea to NOT do any more treatments in the office---  OH—he had given me that ball to use---I am stopping that too.

At this point I am furious at myself for going back to him!

This “Full Treatment” stuff is not looking too good!

What have I done? How stupid can I possibly be???

I just want to know what is wrong with me. How can I be treated for something we don’t know the cause?????

So, now Tuesday morning and I am still not to where I was BEFORE I saw him. The VOR is a bit worse looking to the left and it was just about gone!!!

I just want to know what is wrong!

I have the blood test results of 4-15-2011on my desk (the one that I had a cup of coffee, that chiro said is NO Good.) What ever good it is to me, I can compare for past ones, but I don’t have the education in that department to really make any sense of it. It is like me reading my brain scan—it is there on the screen BUT

Yesterday, the chiro's office called to say they have the blood test and I have an appointment for Tuesday at 11 am to go over the results and get his opinion of WHY I am this way and exactly what the problem is. BUT my wife is busy today and I can’t get a ride in to see him today!! –I really shouldn’t drive the car either, --I could have driven BEFORE I saw him!!!

I Told the girl this and said I would like the results by phone, perhaps we can keep the 11am appointment and just do it on the phone.—Message back it that he has a lot to go over and needs to do it in person!!!  AKKKK!

I really want to compare the tests and also see what he has to say. At least I will have a direct comparison—maybe I can see just how bad it was to have the coffee before the test---it will be interesting.

OH—yesterday I completed the first “Block” –40 treatments in the chamber. I thought I would be better by now!!

At this point right now, my ringing in my ears is still down about 25% and I am better that I was after the walk with the dog on Friday.

So, at day 21 of the chamber with 10 days to go with it, I am thinking positive - those couple of little maneuvers were really not that much, my body can’t be that sensitive!

Now that the first block of treatments is complete, I need to do Plan B.

-Finish the 10 days with 2 treatments a day.

- Get the new blood test results and have the meeting with chiro and see what he has to say. There will be no maneuvers at all, just the results and his opinion. Also, I will see what he is pitching for a diet and Pills and will not buy anything. I can get a ride Thursday, so I will book that appointment.

-   I will stay positive.

Just a thought as I am typing this:

I really would rather be the one reading this blog than the one writing this in “Real Time” –Hindsight is such a wonder thing. My progress was so good with just the chamber. I am really pissed that I even thought of that “Full Therapy” stuff.

Maybe it is as simple as going down to sea level for a few weeks; we are at 8300 feet elevation here! Perhaps that will be Plan C.

Conclusion:

I just took a bit of a break and walked around. My VOR is about 90%, not that bad looking to the left.

I think, now from my HBOT experience, that in 4-5 more treatments I will be back to where I was, so it is not too bad, just a little set back. Making decisions and acting on those decisions is a good thing—it is the way a person learns.

Not making decisions is definitely worse.

So, there is no Gloom and Doom here.

Learning from my actions is a wonderful thing.

Can’t learn if you don’t want to and all those other clichés.

To Be Continued...............

Day 16: Balance better, but still dizzy

Jim has now completed 32 treatments in the chamber over 16 days. He knows his balance is better (from various tests he was doing for PT and Chiro) and says the acceleration feeling when moving head or riding in car is gone. However, his head still gets a "swimmy" feeling when he moves it, and/or he can feel a bit dizzy.

So he went back to the Chiropractic Neurologist. We know he has a degenerated disc in his upper spine (has for years) - was this also maybe adding to the problems? Or was something else?

He's doing some exercises that the Chiro gave him. Jim did feel better after Chiro did an adjustment. One of the exercises involves the DynaBall - very cool - strengthens your wrist.

New Way to Follow

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Day 12: This is Jim speaking today

VOR:  for a definition see link   http://www.mkk-ent.com/topicofmonth/balanceproblem.html

When I focus on a fixed point looking straight ahead---I look right and then to left, medium speed, taking about one second to complete the cycle. I do this about 15 times.

Before this treatment –when I looked to the left, all would be shaky---Like watching someone’s head cam video taken from a bike riding on rough roads!!

Now, day 12, there is very little movement, just a bit.

Ringing in my ears has gone down about 25%, listening to it now, maybe 30% - anyway, a lot!

My balance is just about normal. Yesterday, I actually went across a busy 4 lane road (in the cross walk) to get a pizza, and walked back again, even burst into a jog the latter part of the crosswalk, balance was good and my jogging didn’t shake up my vision. I also broke into a smile!!

In the mornings, putting on underwear and pants is back to normal, no holding on to the dresser or sitting down to do that!

This is great stuff for me.

I would say I am no longer disabled!!!

One Thing Still----In my head, it still feels a bit “Swimmy” “Light-headed". Heck, I have 18 more days to go!!

In the Book  Dr. Paul Harch The Oxygen Revolution (fully updated edition) refers to treatment time in “Blocks” – 40 one and a half hour treatments, which is based on his patients (brain injury people).

At the beginning, I thought that it would take a couple of treatments a day for 2 – 3 weeks. That was just me thinking!!

So, I rented the chamber for a month, just to be sure.

My goal is to complete the Block of 40 treatments and then assess my condition.  With this much progress so far at 24 treatments, I am extremely hopeful that I will get rid of this “light-headedness” before then.

So Far, my life has had a huge “turn around”!! I can actually function.

The Chamber

Schedule:

I have committed to twice a day, period - No Excuses - I am committed to getting the most out of this as I possibly can.

I decided right away that I would get up early and be out by 6:00 am. Usually I am in at 3:50 am, good time, as I sleep for most of it.

Then back in at 10:00 am and be out before lunch, giving me the afternoon free.

Joy has the 6:00 am – 7:30 and the 12:00 - 1:30 pm shift.

Karen is in at 8am and is doing one time a day for now.

Life in the Chamber:

I am really getting used to it now and look forward to getting in.

It is pretty easy for one person to operate.

I can zip up both zippers from the inside—be careful zipping, just like zipping up your diving dry suit—be CAREFUL with the zipper and treat it with respect---nice slow movement, never jerk on it—it is just a zipper and needs to be treated gently.—Treat it this way and it will last a long time. (this is how I treat my wife!)

I then close the relief valve and start the compressor by way of a remote fob, similar to a car beeper---I do have to remember to start the Oxygen concentrator BEFORE I get in.

I have a dive light inside in the early hours so I can turn off the room light and be able to see while zipping up and getting settled.

I wear a Hoodie and sweat pants and socks---pretty comfy. Also I have a great pillow and another big one under my knees, the mattress that is with the chamber is just fine.

There is a window right above my head, one at each end of the chamber. I have an eye mask (like one wears on a plane) - it does get lightish at 6 am.

The sound of both the air compressor and the O2 concentrator is a steady sound; it really is not a bother.

The O2 mask covers the nose and mouth—the material is pretty comfortable and I breathe through my nose. Sometimes I have put on a “Breath-right” strip; it really does make a difference.

I do roll to either side to sleep, I set my cell phone on vibrate and set the alarm—it seems like only a short period of time before I can hear it vibrate.

Push the button on the fob to stop compressor, turn the Relief valve, and watch the pressure return to 0.

---Unzip---Both zippers, roll on to hands and knees and stand up—Easy.

Safety--It has two over- pressure relief valves, so it is impossible for the pressure to go any higher than the 4.2 PSI—impossible.

You Take Control – You check the room air, You zip it up, You start the compressor, You work the relief Valve, and You time yourself.

And when in there, think about how the Oxygenated air is helping your blood, which in turn is healing your body.

Temperature— At the beginning, when the chamber compressor is started, it takes a few minutes to fill the chamber up before it starts to pressurize. Then you can see the pressure gauge start to move. When the pressure builds up, you will feel the air warm up slightly and when you end the session and release the pressure you will feel the air cool somewhat—kinda neat!

The Air: The air coming into the chamber comes right out of the room you are in, so it is the same temperature. Be sure the room has clean fresh air and not in the basement beside your spouse stirring paint or spray painting or some other smelly stuff.

Make sure the neighbors aren’t having their trees being sprayed with Insecticides. Stuff like that—be very aware of the air in the room.

Just an example---I have a water distiller in the room which creates heat when it runs –my second time in there--- I couldn’t figure out why I was so warm in there and moisture was coating the little windows!!!!---Hmmm—Me –Mr. SCUBA didn’t think of that!!—I had the thing running!!! --So, this is why I mention about the air.

Your Ears:  As the pressure builds you will feel it affecting your ears, like going up in a plane or driving on a mountain road, or like SCUBA diving. You need to “clear you ears” –Equalize the pressure. This is done by doing an exaggerated yawn, swallowing, or hold your nose and gently breath out against your closed nose---you will feel the pressure inside your head equalize. This will need to be done often as the pressure builds, perhaps four times per each one pound of pressure. The pressure will go to 4.2 PSI. Clearing often is good, if you wait too long it is harder to clear.

At the end of the treatment, when the pressure is being released, again, you head needs to equalize. This happens on its own. You will feel the clearing. You can yawn and or swallow to help it, but the “Pinch the Nose” thing won’t help, as the pressure is now greater in your head, you don’t want to put more in!!

Joy and Karen both found it to be uncomfortable on the ears the first couple of times and had to slow down by opening the relief valve.  

After a few times, it seems that your body gets used to this new exercise and then you will be able to “Clear your ears” like a Pro.

Remember YOU have CONTROL—if the pressure is uncomfortable and you ears are not “Clearing”—simply turn the exhaust valve and open it, this will stop the pressure building and give you more time to equalize.

IMPORTANT: In the event that you are having trouble "clearing" your ears, you have total control -- start by opening the exhaust valve, which lets the pressure stop building --- you can ALSO stop the compressor using the fob and open the exhaust valve.

It is only 4 PSI, but you will still feel it and need to equalize the preasure inside you head with the inside of the chamber.

You don’t need to let much pressure drop to make a difference.

You have lots of time, so take time and don’t force the “Clearing”

Another Important Anytime the pressure is building OR decreasing—NEVER HOLD YOUR BREATH. Just breathe normally.

It is nothing to be afraid or concerned about, just breathe normally.

MY OFFER --- With my experience as commercial diver and Diving Instructor, this is no big deal for me, however, non-divers; it just may seem a bit overwhelming, as it is unknown territory.

SO—I will be happy to come and help. No matter where you are.

If anyone ---anyone---wants to try this HBOT treatment, and is the slightest bit hesitant --- I will arrange for you to rent a chamber and the shipping of it to you--- ALSO --- I will come and help set it up – And get you going using it  –Seriously.

Just email or phone me.

JFTJIM@AOL.COM    OR 303-594-1672.

This is all a natural way of helping your body heal itself, no drugs.

This seems to be working for my Vestibular Neuritis – at least it is a great start.

Just a last note---Before this treatment---Every morning when I open my eyes, I look around and say –xx%#%, I am not better yet!!!

The last couple of mornings –I get out of bed and don’t even think about it—AMAZING!

Day 8: Amazing!

Yesterday Jim said he felt 75% of normal. You have no idea how big a deal this is, after more than three months of feeling crummy. He felt so good that he said he could drive to grocery/bank on his own! It is about 12 miles round-trip. I felt like a mom waiting for her newly-licensed 16-yr-old to get home. But he did get home, and felt fine driving.

Today we went and picked up his new Scorpa trails/trials motorcycle in Denver. Jim wasn't sure about driving on I-70, so I drove. But he is pretty darn excited and wants to get to 100% sooner than later so he can be on the new bike.

Here's the new bike, and it's in the living room of course.

Y-Lee (our cat) went inside the 'tube' non-pressurized. He looks like 'Bubble Boy"

Day 6: Vertigo Improving Every Day

Jim has now had 12 HBOT treatment of 1.5 hours each. He feels better riding the car, substantially better. He gives his "car riding" score as improving from 3 out of 10 to 7 of 10 in just these few days! This is good news for  Karen as maybe she will stop getting the "worst driver" award.

His balance is improving, and this is actually somewhat quantitative. His PT gave him an exercise of balancing on a 2x4 (feet perpendicular to the board) with eyes closed. He has been doing this for a couple of months. Until he started the HBOT, he would get his balance, close his eyes, and then immediately fall off. Today, he was able to go for about 15 seconds before falling off. On a second attempt he lasted 45 seconds before falling off. So this is a huge boost to his feelings!

Day 4: Continued Good Results

Jim has now had 8 sessions in the chamber - 2 each day. He is feeling better! This is a bit subjective, but says his vertigo is definitely less. And his hand is still improved.

I slept from 11pm to 5:45am last night without getting up. I NEVER do this, never! I don't know if the chamber just made me extra tired, or more relaxed.

Also - can HBOT help Leukemia? Our neighbor, Joy, has CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia). She is an amazing woman, usually full of energy and controls her leukemia thru diet and exercise (no drugs). However, her body is affected which she knows thru routine blood tests. So she wanted to try using HBOT.

This was her third day - 1.5 hours each day. When she entered the chamber, her O2 saturation in her blood was 88% (we measure with a pulse oximeter). This is low - most people would have a value of about 95 to 97%. (NOTE: I think that her SpO2 reading might be faulty because the oximeter was acting up). So, once she has been in chamber for awhile, and her blood 02 goes up to 98 to 99%, we all figure this has to be a good thing. She says she has been sleeping better and her spirits certainly seem high!

Here are two pix of Joy...

Exiting the chamber

Out and happy!

So we are all happy with this thing so far. Our plan is to continue every day: Jim twice a day, Joy and I once per day. We're trying to document how we feel, our times, O2, etc. so we have a reasonable idea at the end of one month how effective this truly is.

Inside the Chamber

So I decided it was time for me to try out the chamber. I don't have any huge problems, but maybe it will make me 10 years younger!

I went in for 1:15 hrs. A little nervous at first, but then it became incredibly relaxing (and I do not relax easily!). My blood O2 went from 96-97 to 99 and pulse went down 30% (not surprising since I was all cuddly/sleepy).

In the chamber we have:

• Two pillows
• Nice firm foam mattress
• blanket/throw
• reading glasses
• IPhone
• Dive watch

I took in:

• Magazine
• Pad/Pen
• Cell phone

I thought it would be claustrophobic but it's not. It is well designed with windows at feet, head (on the ends) and above your head (where you look out if lying on back). It seemed very comforting.

Me inside - had my hoodie on

Getting out

Getting out 2

My feet - got my Easter socks on already!

Looking up at the pressure gauge 4.15 psi

Shot towards my head - we have some stuff hung on the frame on the right side. We put a lanyard on the zipper.

Day 3: Unexpected Benefit

Jim as now done 5 sessions in the 'chamber' - he uses it for 1.5 to 2 hours at a time, and even slept in it this morning!

He says his vertigo is better. We have ways to test how he is feeling, mostly any changes driving in the car, walking around large stores, or his daily walk with the dog (along an uneven trail thru the trees). His spirits seem very 'up', and we hope this really will make the vertigo go away (at least get better).

However, he has hand improvement in his had and this is somewhat quantifiable. His had surgery on his right hand in late November for Dupuytren's Contracture (aka Viking Disease). Before the surgery, he was not able to extend his fingers out straight, i.e. they were curved. Post-surgery he could stretch fingers out, but has not been able to make a closed fist. After 2 sessions he can now close his fist completely!

Day 1: Chamber Arrives!

The chamber came - it set up fairly fast, all very portable. It includes the chamber (which is soft-shell but built to withstand 6 psi), a compressor and an oxygen providing tank thing (I need to find out more about this). You get inside, zip up the compartment, and then start the compressor - there are controls from both inside and out. There are pressure relief valves to keep the thing inflated at 4 psi. There are two pressure gauges, one tilted so that the person inside can see the pressure also. There is a mattress, and Jim took in his pillow, IPhone and cell phone. He was actually IM'ing people from inside. So, photos....

Jim holding up his Iphone

This shows the small compressor and oxygen-providing machine

Jim took from inside with his IPhone

A look at Jim lying inside

Jim decides to try HBOT~

Completely frustrated with treatments to date, and after three months of Vertigo, we started looking for something else. We are both quite open-minded about treatments. On the drive home from the chiro, Jim saw an Oxygen truck and said, "That's what I need - Oxygen!" Part of this comes from his SCUBA background. As divers know, the air we normally breath is only 21% oxygen (O2). However, some divers are trained in the use of 100% oxygen for emergency treatment. Jim used to breath 100% to treat his migraines, and it worked.

So how to get O2 treatments? Jim immediately thought of a recompression chamber since he was also trained as a chamber operator as part of his dive background. We began looking for traditional chambers (used in the medical world for burn treatments, etc.) but the chambers at hospitals are expensive and pretty much reserved for patient care, i.e. Jim couldn't just waltz in and go thru a course in the chamber.

BUT now there are "mild" chambers and these are portable and quite cheap to use/rent/own. The treatment is known as HBOT (HyperBaric Oxygen Therapy). The chambers go to a max of 1.3 ATM (atmospheres=pressure, i.e., 1.3 times sea level pressure) and supply "enhanced" air, i.e. a bit more O2 (we are not sure how much yet). Our thoughts = we live at 8100' which is equivalent to 0.74 ATM and the 'mild' chamber goes to 1.3 ATM so Jim will have an increase in pressure of about 80%

There are quite a few places in Colorado that have mild chambers on site, and they cost something betwee $75 and $100 per session (say an hour or so). But we fould a place that would rent us a chamber. So that is arriving today! Jim is very excited and I think psychologically this has beem a real boost. We are hoping that if he does two treatments per day at 1.5 hrs each, for two weeks, it will help reduce the inflammation in his inner ear and allow some healing. The vestibular nerve, along with the auditory and facial nerves, travel thru a very small space as they go into the brain. The concept is that the increased pressure with reduce the inflammation on this area. Vestibular neuritis is apparently somewhat similar to Bell's Palsy. And remember, we are not doctors but just trying to understand all this!

HBOT is authorized by the FDA for many problems and these small chambers seem very safe (whereas large chambers are quite technical in operation and also involve 100% O2 which presents many safety problems). So, more to come later today as Jim tries HBOT for the first time and we'll take some photos.

Treatments to Date

The ENT did many tests and determined that Jim had Vestibular Neuritis, a virus in the middle ear. His left side was affected much more than his right. Vestibular Neuritis causes inflammation in the inner ear.

Background on Jim: He is 59 yrs old, very physically fit. Works out on bowflex every day for 45-60 minutes. Eats healthy foods, low-fat, no starches, fresh fruit and vegetables, rarely eats out. Very active outdoors (hiking, rafting, fly fishing, trail/trials bike riding). SCUBA instructor and ex-commercial diver (thousands of hours in the water). Originally from Kelowna BC Canada, now resides in Evergreen with his wife, Karen (me, the author) at an elevation of 8100' (this becomes important later on...)

The ENT referred Jim for PT (physical therapy). The PT gave Jim several mind-training/rehabilitation exercises which he diligently did for the next two months. In early March, we flew to Arizona for a 1-week vacation spent hiking and goofing around outdoors. Jim seemed better, but still could not drive. Any motion on uneven ground was difficult which he described as "bobbly head". If he's sitting or standing still, he's ok. But whenever he moves, everything seems to move around him. We can take the dog on his 1 mile hike every afternoon (thru the woods and hills), but has to look down since the tree motion combined with uneven ground makes things 'swirly'.
By mid-March, Jim actually got worse. He had been progessively feeling better, but then went downhill slightly. Decided it was time to try something else besides PT, so went to a Chiropractic Neurologist. The chiro again did many tests and on the first visit did an adjustment which immediately made Jim feel better! However, on visit 2 the adjustments set Jim back again. Visit 3 did not help either so it was time to move on - Jim was getting impatient since his new Scorpa motorcycle would be arriving from France within a couple of weeks. We wanted to get outside and start having fun!

Jim gets Vertigo

On Jan 31, 2010 my husband, Jim, developed Vertigo very suddenly. He had gone to a neighbor's house and on the walk home started stumbling, barely able to walk.

Once home, he got into bed and within a couple of hours started vomiting. He could hardly sit up, and retched almost constantly.

I was able to get him to the doctors' in the afternoon. They did several tests, and gave him a shot to calm the nausea. He also got scripts for two anti-nausea medications.

He spent the next two days in bed, not able to eat and barely able to drink. He finally was better enough to walk cautiously and eat bland foods.

Initially the doctors thought it could be BPVV, and tried the Epley maneuver. When that didn't work, they referred him to a specialist (an ENT)