The ground seems to be coming up to meet me. It see-saws under my feet. If I turn my head too quickly it is like a stop motion animation, and my balance wavers. I am reminded of the feeling following a journey on the sleeper from London to Fort William, or if I have stayed afloat for several days. I am unsteady, destabilised. I cannot drive. I cannot ride a bike.
The kerb seems too high and I dare not risk stepping off it. I hug the inside of the pavement, scared I might suddenly fall. My hand reaches for rails, walls, any support that offers. My feet move slowly. I need to make sure I am in contact with the ground.
A colleague talks about hypertension and blood tests. She looks knowing, as though I am being blind to something obvious. I feel vaguely irritated by her, and fairly certain she is wrong. I manage to get an appointment with the GP. A young woman, she is reassuringly thorough and competent. On the wall behind her is a poster about tinnitus.
Mother had tinnitus and Menière’s Disease. She would feel sick and fall over. Nearly thirty years ago she had a drain put in her head to stop the fluid from building up and making the world whirl about her. When it stopped working doctors thought she was too frail for the same operation, so she elected to be made completely deaf in the affected ear.
All I have is a viral infection in my inner ear. I need rest and medication. My blood pressure is fine. The sun is shining.
Isobel (and Cat)'s Blog 
Isobel, I am happy the sun is shining! Get some rest and take your meds. Take Care.
Thanks Pix. I have been doing v little and have picked up the prescription.
as a long-time vertigo-sufferer, I empathize with how the ground moves when you’re mindin’ your own business! yes, rest as Oaks said; it’s the best medication. Oh and laughter of course! –Laurel
Thanks Laurel. I am hoping to feel significantly better in a couple of days. 🙂
I do hope this destabilisation ends soon.
My husband has suffered from this two or three times and your words remind me of his simptoms. It was’nt the blood pressure. I can ask him about the cure if this could help you at all. Lots of lyind down, though!
Big careful hugs for you, Isobel
Thanks Maria, but I think the doctor has got to the bottom of it. i shall keep my ears warm and get lots of sleep!
It’s a very weird sensation – has only happened once to me (ear infection) but meds cleared it up quickly thankfully because it totally incapacitates doesn’t it! My sister has Meniere’s but has managed it very well my eliminating salt from her diet. I’m thinking your medication, REST and plenty of NotCat cuddling is in order,
Pam (and Sam)
As a family we went on a salt free diet overnight when my mother was diagnosed! I imagine there has been better progress in its management since Mother’s diagnosis.
I shall be following your advice carefully.
Whew. And I’m glad to hear of the salt-free decision. That’s been important in my own situation. Also no coffee. Mope.
Mother’s Menière’s was probably due to an ear infection that had not been treated properly when she was a child.
Ah. Sorry.
No need to apologise! It does make one slightly more aware of the need for care.
Oh goodness Isobel! When I first started reading this I thought I was a piece for 100wc. Then when you went over the 100 words I thought maybe you were writing an episode for a fiction meme. This must have been terrifying. I know what you mean about jumping to the worst conclusion. Hope you are feeling better soon. x
Thanks, Julia. It is feeling better, but the mods are zonking me out. If it weren’t for the cat, I should probably be in bed by now!
I’m glad it isn’t anything serious, but I’m sure it isn’t fun to experience. Take care of yourself. I bet NotCat will enjoy some cuddle time. Get well soon Isobel.
Thanks, TBM. I am working on it. 🙂
Must have been a relief to get the diagnosis. I hope you feel back to normal soon xxx
Yes it was. As I didn’t have any pain in my ear I hadn’t thought I could have an infection there. The ground is not tilting so much today, thank goodness.
Take care and medication, Isobel. I think of you.
Thank you, stranger. The meds are making me very sleepy. I am struggling to stay awake.
Ooops! wrong avatar. – who is she?
Looks like Stevie Nicks from the new Fleetwood Mac. But I am only looking at the small pic.
How perfectly ghastly. Sorry.
Get better soon!
x
I am mending. The effect today is more like a cymbal crash of movement around me. Quite pleasant in a strange way. Keeps me slow.
Thank the heavens and the stars that it is something that will have you down for only a few days. Not life altering. I could read the anxiety in your words of wondering though. God Bless friend.
Thank-you.