Have I mentioned that I love being a physical therapist?
Not only do I have a pretty killer knowledge of the human body and how it works, I love that as a profession we can do so many different things to help people. I also love that when I am broken, I can turn to my coworkers to fix me.
I can teach someone who's had a stroke to walk again, and rehab someone from a surgery or illness.
When my back is out of alignment, I can count on getting it fixed at work. It also comes in handy to be able to provide my family members and friends a quick fix.
When I have a new running pain, I can usually trouble shoot my way through it with some help from a coworker. Last winter we did ultrasound and kinesiotaping to my shin to help with knee pain (opposite knee, go figure).
And this morning, when I woke up at 3:30am and the world was spinning, I knew I had to get to work to get fixed. It was Vertigo.
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How could I tell? I've never had it before, but the room was spinning like crazy and was positional with head movements like rolling, especially to the right side. All those signs I learned to watch for in other people during PT school, I was unfortunately experiencing. I tossed and turned much of the night, knowing I had a 6 mile run planned for the morning. Finally, at 5am I woke Kevin up to get me a puke bucket.
After getting up, I felt a little better. I managed to shower, eat breakfast, and get ready for work. Normally, I would stay home, but a few things were dragging me in. Every thursday, I have Springfield College PT students that I have to organize their learning experience, I also had a home evaluation for a patient in the afternoon, and thoughts that my coworker may be able to fix me, dragged me in.
She did her work, treating me with the Eply Maneuver. I vomited. The room spun. I wanted to curl up and die. I vomited some more. Thank goodness hospitals have those nice pink basins perfect for getting sick in. The third time doing the maneuver, I felt significantly less dizzy. I did still feel incredibly nauseous, probably due to the vomiting. I went home, and have been sleeping on/off since.
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How lucky am I that this stuff is normal to me. If I worked in a business office, or at the mall, I'd probably have no idea what to do with BPPV. I am so thankful that I'm in the business of fixing people. Not only do I get to help so many people, which is amazing, but it also helps me to get the help I need. Thanks Springfield College!
Needless to say, I missed that 6 miler this morning...
Wish me luck on banishing the dizzys!
6 comments:
Ugh, vertigo is the WORST! feel better. that really is great that your profession helps you feel better!
I hope you feel better. I
Half of my comment disappeared! There was more there. I know how debilitating vertigo can be. I've had many patients who suffer from it. Take care of yourself.
That sounds awful! But how great that you work in PT and have the resources you need right at hand.
Yuck - every couple months, I get the same thing - I always feel like it's related to my ears though. Is the Eply changing positions until it makes you feel really sick, or is there more to it?:) When I get my vertigo I move my head as little as possible...
I had BPPV a few years ago and found the Eply Maneuver on the internet and did it myself a few times. Mine was also on the right side. It did help but would come back occasionally.
About 3 years ago I went to see an ENT who did the Eply Maneuver on me and after the treatment I was instructed to sleep sitting up that night and not bend over or put my head down for 24 hours.
This was really important because the little crystals that move around in your ear need time to STAY in the new position they are moved to with Eply Maneuver.
I went back 2 weeks later and he did it again... same instructions.
That was 3 years ago and I have never had a reocurrence.
I urge you to get it done properly by a professional... and to follow the advice about sitting up etc.
Good luck with it... BPPV can be a horrible thing.
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