[rjbillsfan2013]

hey folks, my most pressing issues are vestibular and ocular it feels like my head isnt connected to my body. Ive been resting in bed as much as possible only taking a short walk a day to save sanity.

I went into a small shop with my father and just bieng there having a simple conversation made my head explode and i basically stopped functionin being in an indescribable discomfort that im sure some of you have experienced.i cried the entire way home because i am sadly begining to believe i have perminent brain damage that wont get better,

i literally cant go anywhere without my brain "exploding" from overstim. and my head feels like its in a fishbowl and im in another dimention.

i believe peoples symptoms getting better if it relates to thinking, but these physical eye -inner ear and overstim problems are debilitating and heart breaking.

Has anyone had these lessen in time? or more or less just cope with it. I will not be able to lead anywhere near a normal life if this doesnt go away. its been 3 months, i will give a year to see improvement before i dont think i want to suffer on burdening everyone around me

[Mark in Idaho]

Sorry to hear you are struggling so. Were there sounds at the small shop ? How about a busy visual environment ?

What diagnostic have you sought out ? Do you have an appointment with a vestibular specialist scheduled yet ?
How about a neuro-ophthalmologist ?

It does no good for you to worry and fret until you have been properly assessed by these specialists. Then, after a diagnosis and treatment for 6 months or so, you will have a better idea of your future.

You are still very early in the process. We have had many people on NT who have struggled for a year before finding the right help and treatment.

Over-stim problems are something you can work on without a professionals help. Have foam ear plugs handy all the time. If you want into a store or other environment where you get a glassy eyed or spaced out feeling, at the very first sensation, head for the door and a safe environment. Do not try to overcome the stimulation. Avoid it.

Also, learn to look around by turning your shoulders, not your neck. If you have unresolved neck issues, turning your neck will likely make things worse. I had to learn completely new scanning skills for going into my backyard to clean up after my dogs. Turning my head at the shoulders made all the difference I needed.

I always have a hat and tinted glasses. They are my life saver.

Take is slow. Try to be patient. You are still young and have plenty of time to recover and start a life.

My best to you.

[chocolatebell]

I can definitely relate. My fall was in August 2012. My main symptoms were migraines and vestibular symptoms, I also have visual issues. I had constant dizziness, terrible headaches and nausea. That fishbowl disconnected feeling was constant for me for about 6 months, but then I started to have moments without it, and now I haven't felt that way at all in at least 2 months.

Overstimulation was a big issue for me. I had a 15 month old son at the time of my accident and it was months before I could play with him for 5-10 minutes without having to go lay down after. I remember one grocery trip with my husband early on that I ended up sitting on the floor of the store waiting for him to come find me.

My speech therapist was a huge help in finding coping mechanisms to minimize my symptoms. She helped me find my specific triggers which really helped, some of mine were trying to talk to groups of people, looking around as opposed to straight ahead, two or more competing noises (radio and someone talking at the same time). By learning these I was able to have my family help me minimize those situations, and it made me much more comfortable.

Her best piece of advice to me was to make a list of the things I do that cause my symptoms to increase, and how long I could do that before the symptoms increase. The following week she would have me add 5 minutes and do that amount until it didn't trigger symptoms, then add 5 more minutes.

One thing that really helped was if I went to a store I would let the person I was with lead and instead of looking around at things I would simply follow them. When I began to feel taxed they would help me find a place to sit and close my eyes or take me to the car. This helped me to be able to get out of the house which lifted my spirits.

Vestibular therapy, lots of rest, medication for the migraines all helped greatly. At 3 months in I was miserable, constantly dizzy, almost constant migraines, feeling very isolated. I am now at 14 months, and I am back at work, I have taken 2 trips by commercial airline, one with my son. I still have some trouble with flashing or bright lights, I am on medication for the migraines probably for the long term, but I have had migraines since high school. My vision gets weird if I get tired, but I am rarely dizzy (only occasionally with a migraine or if I am very tired and stressed) and I don't have trouble with nausea at all anymore.

Sorry this is so long, hopefully you could read it. Everyone's experience is different, but hopefully my experience can give you some hope for the future.

[rjbillsfan2013]

Thank you so much, your situation gives me hope

im doing vestibular exercises at home and trying my best to get a neuroopthamologist