1/22/13

Steady as She Goes

Tonight I'm happy to report that I have cured my own dizziness problem.  It's a G-D miracle, I tell you.  So here's what happened:

Several of you with very sharp eyes and clever computer fingers put me onto this link about an NPR story on benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV.  In a nutshell, here's what the article says:
Within the inner ear, there's a little pouch called the utricle that contains about 1,000 little pebbles made of calcium carbonate.
The tiny rocks serve an important purpose: They stimulate nerve cells when we move our heads — and send signals to our brain that guide our sense of up and down.
"The trouble is that sometimes the little rocks fall off," ...When the rocks fall into one of the inner ear canals, the brain gets confused. As the rocks roll around in the canal, the brain senses that the head is moving a lot more than it actually is. The result: vertigo.
Here's the accompanying illustration:


So, I have heard of this problem before because back in December of 2006, our local newspaper The Oregonian, printed this article about Dr. John Epley, a Portland physician, who figured out a way to treat this condition that had been previously considered untreatable.  In my case, it's been a minor annoyance at times during my life, but for some people it has been completely debilitating.  Some people are unable even to walk and are confined to a wheelchair or a bed because of vertigo.

Still, poor Dr. Epley was nearly laughed out of the medical community, and in fact, put his medical license at risk over this whole issue.  In the end, Dr. Epley was vindicated and the technique that now bears his name, the Epley Maneuver, has become standard treatment.  Knowing this, I set about today to find myself a physician who could perform the Epley Maneuver on me and, hopefully, cure my dizziness.  (I know Dr. Epley has been retired for at least several years.)

Well, may I just say once again, I ♥ the internet because I found a video that taught me how to do the maneuver all by myself.  And here it is:


It took me less than two minutes to do it, and when I stood up, my dizziness was gone, and it has not returned all day!!!!  It's a freakin' miracle!  Some of you wrote to say that you had experienced the same problem.  If you have, you absolutely owe it to yourself to bookmark the video for future reference.  As the daughter of a nurse, I have always been skeptical about claims like the one I'm making now, but I'm telling you, it absolutely works.  No doctor required.  Unbelievable.

I just put two pillows under my shoulders to get into the right position, and then counted off the required 30 second intervals in my head.  When I turned my head to the right, the room rolled over a couple of times.  When I turned it to the left, it really started to spin.  When I turned onto my side at the end, the spinning stopped, and it has not come back.  Here is one more link to some more instructions if it isn't clear from the video what you are supposed to do.

Despite getting rid of my dizziness, I still felt crappy for most of the day.  My stomach is still queasy, and it's just possible I have some other sort of bug that set this whole thing in motion (no pun intended).  I spent most of the day lying around and napping with my wonder cat.  (He's a very good napping buddy.)  This evening I feel a little better. No Curves for me today, and I was kind of disappointed about that.  It's better that I stayed home though.  Not making excuses this time...it's just the truth.  I rescheduled for next week, but I will be able to get on the website tomorrow and start my meal planning.

There were a couple of fabric deliveries today.  I got this one to use in the Intel Underneath quilt I'm making for Matthew.


This is a mottled brown I needed for the Acoustic Montage quilt I want to start on next.


Here's what the quilt will look like.  I had all the fabrics I needed, but I didn't have a good brown for that bottom guitar or for the accents on the guitars.


This next one was because I needed to spend a little more to get free shipping.  If I bought an additional yard of fabric, I could get free shipping and not spend any additional money.  I love a deal like that.  I could spend the money on shipping or fabric.  I chose the fabric.  (I'm real smart that way.)


Then while I was fabric shopping, I came across this.


Well, um, Mike has a yellow one just like that one on the fabric, except these are the C6s and his is a C5.  I don't have a plan for this fabric, but it seemed like I should.  Something will come along.  I'm thinking a BQ pattern would be a good choice.  (By the way, we've had the car for 12 years, and I've never driven it.  I don't want to.  Mike is happy enough that I don't want to.)

Oh yes, and here is the wonder cat I referenced above.  My, what big feet you have, Little Man.


So, despite feeling crappy, I managed to get the top of the stars sewn onto these blocks.  I'm really hoping I'll feel better by tomorrow and I'll be able to finish them up.


I haven't made any decisions about what to do with my little cut-off triangles, but Rita was kind enough to make up this little EQ diagram with one of the ideas I described.  Thank you so much, Rita! What do you all think of this?


I have enough scraps to make all those little hourglass blocks.  I kind of like it.  What do you think?  Remember, this is the original layout:


I'm still undecided...and of course, I need to know how big it will be when all is said and done.  That might be the deciding factor.

Finally, I finished the little lawn mower for the Gardener's Journal quilt.  This is a tiny little stitchery, and so I finished it pretty quickly.  I just forgot to take a picture of it until now.  I wish there was more contrast between the brown of the wheels and the gray of the blades, but that's the way the cookie crumbles.


 So that's it from me.  Thanks to all of you for your well wishes, your suggestions about my quilt and my dizzy brain, and your taking the time to send me links and EQ diagrams.  You are the best friends I've never met...but I definitely hope to meet you one of these days!

30 comments:

Swedish Scrapper said...

Wow! I will keep this for reference, definitely! Glad it worked for you and hope you feel better tomorrow.

Kirsty said...

Yay! Delighted to hear you are on the mend. Isn't the internet amazing?

Lyndsey said...

I'd heard of the condition before but not the treatment so I spent time on the internet last night and found the information you have seen. I am so pleased it worked. Like you I love the internet it is such a good source of information (so long as you check the validity of the site).

Having seen a diagram of the sun quilt with sashing it does look nice. Thank goodness it's you having to make a decision and not me. Love the fabric you got instead of paying shipping fees, there's no decision to make between more fabric or shipping fees, and the car fabric is cute

Podunk Pretties said...

Thanks for posting this. My mom has suffered with dizziness for about 2 years. Maybe this is her problem!

Catherine said...

My husband had this problem a few years ago. He hasn`t had a problem since. We took care of it ourselves too. Good luck.

Kate said...

Glad that you fixed the dizziness, hope the crappy feeling is gone today.

Pretty fabric. I love your new green fabric.

Dana Gaffney said...

Really? The rocks in your head caused the dizziness? Did you just leave that one open for me?
I like the hourglass but I agree the size could be then decider.
Drive the Vet, I have a C4 and it's so much fun to drive, lots of power, be careful.

Quilting Babcia said...

I think Rita's on to something with those little hourglass blocks. Glad to hear you're cured of the dizziness at least, hope another night's sleep took care of the nausea too.

Nancy in IN said...

I love the layout with the hourglass blocks. It seems to let the stars breath. Glad you are feeling better.

Holli said...

That is such great news about your dizziness! I have had it happen to me a few times, and have always just waited for it to go. How amazing that you can take care of it yourself!! I've bookmarked the video, just in case it happens again - thanks to you and your great followers! I like the little hourglass blocks in the layout Rita made. And I like your kitty :)

Dogwood Lane Rambles said...

So happy for you that you found a treatment by yourself. This happened to my 40 yr old son about 2 yrs ago and he landed in the hospital, could not open his eyes because of the vertigo, could not stand or speak. Truly awful. After about 2 hours the Dr. said we're going to tip you on your head and see if it will make you better! That's what they did and BAM! FYI He had banged his head about a week prior kayaking and that's what knocked his marbles loose - literally.

Snoodles said...

Ah, so you haven't lost your marbles, they are just loose and causing trouble. Heehee! SO, SO GLAD that you are better -- and if you ask me, any trip to the doctor that can be avoided is a great situation!! Love the photo of Smitty and his lovely green eyes. Whooaa, you have some serious power at your disposal....maybe I will send you a pic of my baby car -- not a vette, but fun, nonetheless! :D

Needled Mom said...

So glad that you sorted that out. That is awesome.

Ruth Ann said...

Glad you cured your vertigo. I've had two really bad episodes of that - years apart. I took decongestants and that med for motion sickness(can't remember the name). I will definitely book mark this. Mine happened when I awoke and it was so bad I had to crawl to bathroom with my head lying on a chair and scooting the chair while I basically crawled.
Give Smitty a hug for me and I love to kiss piggy toes (baby toes) but think I will pass on his...I know where they've probably been! LOL

I like the hourglass addition to the stars. Makes it more interesting.

Marei said...

For someone who's feeling crappy it looks like you got a lot done. Hope you're feeling better soon. Insert big happy smiley face here...

Angel, Kirby and Max said...

I talked to my daughter in law and her Doctor taught her to lay on the bed and hang her head off the edge and do the turns you described. I am so glad it worked for you. Now If I can remember the next time it happens to me.

I like the layout, but a softer yellow. I realize that is just an EQ mock up, but the yellow takes over!

Cassandra said...

How awesome that you were able to fix the issue on your own! I love it when home remedies work!

Diane Wild said...

Glad to see that you're returning to normalcy. Hope you are feeling better. Rita's idea with the hourglass blocks looks wonderful. I like it.

Lynne said...

How wonderful that you were able to get relief without seeing a doctor! I hope you are feeling completely better real soon!

The EQ layout with the hourglass blocks looks great!

ana-ane said...

Thank you

ana

LethargicLass said...

my Dad had a really horrible fall one day and I took him to the emergency department... he was extremely dizzy...after about 5 hours and several tests they were about to let us go when the doctor said "let me try one last thing" and they did that and he was perfect :) We were so happy for such an organic solution :) And I think I like the sashing... helps to break it up a bit...

Junebug613 said...

It's incredible what you can find on the internet! I'm so glad you were able to get the "rocks" in balance again and I hope your tummy is feeling better soon. I like the Hour Glass blocks too! Having a furry snuggle buddy (or a few - in my case) always helps.

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

I'm glad it worked for you. I"ll have to watch the video later.

Where did you get that green fabric with the little swirls? I had something like this in red once and can't find it again.

lroghair/lparks said...

My hubby had this a couple yrs ago and went to a physical therapist who did a few other exercises. He hasn't had another occurance. It was amazing! I'm so glad you got help. (Yes, I teased him quite a bit about the "rocks" in his head!!)

quiltzyx said...

I just watched an episode of "Doc Martin" on PBS the other day, and he used the Epley Manuver! I didn't realize it was a "real" thing. :)
The blocks look good. It is going to be so bright & sunshiny.

Smitty's feets are so big to match the longness of the tail, don't you think?

Stella Nemeth said...

I'm so glad you feel better and that you've found an easy way to get your problem fixed. From some of the other comments it is obvious that the maneuver is making the rounds.

Mary E. Stephens said...

Thanks for posting about the Epley maneuver. I'm going to have to get my mom to try this as she has vertigo occasionally.

Where did you get the keyboard fabric? My husband is a programmer and that would be so appropriate for him! :-)

Sarah said...

Thanks for the link Barb. I had an acute case of vertigo, called vestibular nevites, over 10 years ago and found it extremely scary and distressing. The doctor who treated me explained nothing of what caused it and what was happening. Eventually it did clear up and i havent had an attack since, but i do kinda fear it happening again. I shall have to check out the Epley Maneuver if it does recur.

Michele said...

I am so, so glad that you found an answer to your problem. Yes those are big feet and yes I like the hourglass cornerstones.

Ranch Wife said...

I've heard of vertigo, but have never had much experience with it. Just a spell or two that made me want to be sick so I cannot imagine dealing with it on a regular basis. So happy to hear that you found the solution! What did we ever do without the Internet? I'm excited to see your guitar quilt progress - that looks like a fun quilt. And I love what you are doing with your sun blocks!