I recall in the early days of my diagnosis, searching and googling for answers about what Vestibular Neuritis is and how long it was going to last.  I had seen and heard so many upsetting stories of people suffering for years with vertigo and dizziness, and I couldn't figure out what group I fit into with my Vestibular Neuritis diagnosis.

I saw many resources that explained that symptoms and sensations can last for several months.  And then my lived experience showed me that several months was, in fact, true (more on my exact timeline in my book Ceiling Wings). It's important to recognize that Vestibular Neuritis is probably not like any other illness that you've ever had, and the same was true for me.  There is not an exact treatment plan, length of treatment, medication, or specific instructions to follow in order to heal.  I know you wish it worked that way, because I wished it too.

After my diagnosis at an ENT Doctor's office, I did not interact with the medical system much at all to assist with my recovery journey.  The only other professionals that I spoke to were my therapist/counselor and my primary care physician for check ups as usual. My primary care physician is also who prescribed my anti-depressant. Lastly, I spoke to a CBD coach through the CBD company that I order from. (Equilibria https://myeq.com/). [Always consult your primary care physician when you make changes to any medications or supplements that you are interested in trying]. I am not sponsored by Equilibria, they are just the company I tried and liked during my healing process.

There is not a day when you wake up and it is over.  You will have good days, medium days, and hard days.  Your head stuff will be a constant veil over everything you do for several months, but with patience, silence, music, meditation, a belief in yourself, rest, and other things that you design in your own treatment plan, your vestibular system will begin to recalibrate little by little, day by day.  My book Ceiling Wings is a great place to start as you decide how you will approach your healing.  

You can retrain your vestibular system by challenging yourself in micro ways, and you can come out on the other side of this illness like I did.  But during your recovery and healing, many things in your life will need to be paused, slowed down or set aside.  Your daily tasks and self-care will become your primary focus.  It's imperative that you not try to “push through” at a level that you functioned before you got your diagnosis.  Your definition of “pushing through” will become redefined in this process.  

Trust yourself and your ability to heal.  Begin to accept that you can't map out the exact time frame of your recovery.  If you are a type A personality, you will learn to let go in new ways during your recovery.  You will learn to move more slowly.  

I'm rooting for you on the sidelines!

Big hug,

Elizabeth

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Note to Search Engines:

In a bid to provide a comforting and safe space for my readers who are recovering from Vestibular Neuritis, I intentionally avoid using certain terms that might be distressing within the main content of my blogs. However, these terms are crucial in helping others who are seeking guidance to find these resources. So, I am including them here: Dizziness, Vertigo, Vestibular Migraine, Vestibular Rehab, Healing Vertigo, Vertigo Relief. Please know that these words are not indicative of the empathetic and comforting tone of the blog content, but are necessary to connect those in need with these resources.