The more bizarre things that result from SSD or vestibular dysfunction

[amymeri]

My last post and all the replies got me thinking about all the odd adjustments I have made to having no hearing and no vestibular nerve on the right and I thought I would ask others about their experiences.

1.  Noisy, busy environments make me feel hot and disoriented
2.  If I am riding my bike, I can't turn my head to talk or I will steer off course and fall over.
3.  If I lose balance it is often front to back, so squatting can result in me tipping forward if I don't concentrate.
4.  I run into walks and doors on my "bad" side sometimes!

[lori67]

Amy,

I have the same problem on my bike.  I always make my family ride in front of me so I don't have to turn my head.  Good thing I have a place to ride other than a busy street, or I'd be in trouble!  I also walk into things, but on both sides.  That was fun when I was on blood thinners for a year - made for some nice bruises!

The noisy environments don't bother me too much anymore.  I still don't like them, but honestly, I never did.  I did have a hard time at my nephew's wedding recently - the dj was using those spinning lights, plus is was crowded, loud, etc.  I was standing still trying to have a conversation and all of a sudden just started to fall over backwards.  Fortunately, I grabbed the back of a nearby chair and was able to look like I meant to just lean on it casually.   

It's funny the little things that just become second nature to us after a while.

Lori

[leapyrtwins]

Amy -

if it makes you feel any better, I can relate to numbers 2 - 4. I've had all these experiences, even though 98% of the rest of the time my balance is not an issue.

Sudden turns of the head while riding a bike are NOT a good thing.  I try to avoid them at all costs.

Be careful out there 

Jan

[wendysig]

Hi Amy

I have to agree about noisy environments -- they just make me frustrated because I can't hear well enough to keep track of conversations, ugh!!  I have a huge family and we get together a lot, sadly for me, I don't enjoy these gatherings as much as I used to. 

I haven't had the nerve to get back on my bike yet, so nothing to report on this matter.

I walk into doorways and brush walls and furniture all the time on both sides.  I'm like a Weeble, I wobble but I don't fall down!   

Sudden turns when I'm walking, whether I just turn my head or my whole body aren't good so I try not to do that too often. If I'm driving I'm okay since I'm sitting down.  For me, my body has to be in motion for things to go wrong.

Getting on escalators that are going down are a challenge and I wouldn't dream of walking down a flight of stairs without holding on.

Wendy

[Pembo]

I'm laughing at #3. I was in a store, squatting down to look at a display, and fell right on my a*%. I also enjoy being on Wii Fit, and it telling me that I have balance problems. LOL

Noisy enviornments have gotten better but it's still hard to hear.

My other one, is the ceiling fan. I can't look at it or it makes me feel wonky-head. I put it on while I work out and have to turn it off when I do the cool down or close my eyes.

[pjb]

You explained everything perfectly at first I had a panic attack I thought I was going through the hot flashes again I said oh no not again once was enough....

Pat

[reg]

dont feel like the lone ranger on this i experience the same symptoms the disorientation really bothers me but not so much as the balance issues you see i have a harley that i havent rode in three years and thats killing me lol

[amymeri]

 ::)Oh lordy, don't even bring up the Wii Fit!  If I hear it tell me I am a little shaky I am going to throw the controller at the screen.  There are a couple body tests where they want you to close your eyes and balance!  As if...I just laughed out loud. 

[moe]

 I'm like a Weeble, I wobble but I don't fall down!   

Showing your age!
Heard the joke about the Bulls that didn't fall down during the tornado?

It was  a miracle that they didn't get blown away with all the other  animals/livestock.
Their response was "We bulls wobble but we don't fall down!"
Lame I know.

Here's to good balance days
Maureen

[leapyrtwins]

Actually I think the joke is kind of cute, Moe.

And, I confess, I too remember Weebles.  Guess I'm an oldie also 

Jan

[cecile k]

It's been over 8 years post op and I still don't dare get on a bike.

Walking - I have to look down at the sidewalk to keep my balance while walking.

Noisy environments - I avoid them like the plague!

Cecile

[leapyrtwins]

Cecile -

I'm surprised that you have to look down at the ground while walking.

The trick that always worked for me in the first few weeks post op (when my balance was a huge issue) was focusing on an object ahead of me and walking towards it.  Once I reached that object, I'd focus on another distance object, and so on and so on.

Jan

[wendysig]

Jan -

I did the  same thing and on days when wonky head strikes again I still  do.  It works much better than looking down (which I also did at first after my surgery).

Wendy

[Pembo]

I can't let go of the handles on the treadmill unless I'm walking VERY slow.

[TriMan]

How about doing ANYTHING in the dark that requires walking or moving around? I find myself making those late-night trips to the bathroom with my feet wider apart than they would be during the day. Standing at the urinal in the dark is a feat, also. I'm a Private Pilot and enjoy looking up at planes as they fly by. The problem without stereo hearing is that I can't find the darn plane. I look around until the engine sound is fading away and I know I've missed another one. Listening to music isn't quite what is used to be either. I recently bought the new Beatles remastered CD box set. I opted for the mono version since I couldn't tell the difference with my iPod bud set anyway. The channel separation gets lost when I can only hear one channel. On the other hand, I've saved lots of money not wanting to buy that big home theatre system with surround sound!