Vertigo ~ haibun

/ Ken Gierke / rivrvlogr

Vertigo

My absence here may be waning. Normally, I might experience vertigo every couple of years, but I had a brief, half-day episode last week, and now this one. (No, nothing respiratory.)  I’m in my third day, but things are gradually getting better. I’ve only done enough reading to keep up with some comments and the news, and this is my first attempt at writing. Focusing on the screen is difficult, and the headache accompanying this makes that even harder.

About the only thing that relieves the headache is sleep, so I’ve been averaging 12 to 14 hours a day, including naps. Every couple of hours, I tend to rollover in my sleep, with that motion aggravating the situation, so it can be a fitful sleep. Once awake, maintaining equilibrium enough to transition from lying to standing takes from 30 to 45 minutes. I can move around cautiously, but being stationary is best, so I’ve been standing as little as possible. Just glancing around can trigger it. Then it’s nap time.

I learned my lesson long ago, so it’s been years since I’ve had a hangover, but I’d swear this is one of the worst I’ve ever had. The worst would be my first experience with vertigo, a solid week in bed following an inner ear infection, thirty years ago. Thankfully, this one seems to be tapering off. So far, there’s no nap in sight, so maybe I can catch up on a little reading.

the worst kind of friend
occasional companion
world out of balance
one that’s never supportive
constantly leaning on me

Images (layered)
Wikimedia Commons
freepik.com

39 thoughts on “Vertigo ~ haibun”

    • Thank you, Miriam.
      Since mine is infrequent, it may be Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BVVP). This video discusses it and offers an exercise to correct it. I’ve tried it a couple of times, as described, so that may be why it’s lessening.

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    • Thank you, Merril.
      My wife tried some exercises that involve moving the head while lying on her back. The half-somersault maneuver in the video I put in a comment reply to Miriam shows the one I tried. It also explains the cause (if I do have BVVP).

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  7. Your talent at writing really makes me feel the pain, the disorienting horror. Prayers and wishes and love to you. I am very close to moving out, and in a week or two will be sheltering with my brother’s mother in law who could use some help around the house. About 90 miles away from here, in Moreno Valley, Riverside County.

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  10. The poem is wonderful. I feel some of your experiences through it. I hope for healing for you. I know someone with the positional situation you mention and the exercises/movement fixed it. After some trying times. So I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

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    • Thanks, Jazz. It’s a back and forth thing, right now a little worse than yesterday’s good day. I know that a few times my thoughts have been, “Fu@!, F#c$!, F&k!” but lately it’s now mostly occasional instability instead of spinning rooms.

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