Dear readers: After a battery of tests at the hospital yesterday I was released. The good news is that I did not have a heart attack, stroke, and it’s not a tumah.
However, I am still dizzy and essentially incapacitated. I can walk but with difficulty and simple tasks have become difficult. I’ve been given some medicine to control the dizzying but it is not a cure and I must see a specialist to find out what is wrong.
They say I might have vertigo, which could have been caused by watching the birds fly north by northwest in a psycho frenzy past my rear window.
Thank you for the outpouring of support from readers both familiar and not.
I had an inner ear infection and nothing is worse than vertigo. Nice touch with the Hitchcock movies.
Mike, thank goodness it’s not all the serious things you’ve mentioned. Though, I’ve had vertigo and it stinks, but is recoverable. I hope a week of rest and kitty cuddles helps. Is there anything I could have sent to you for the time being that would help?
With prayers, meows and borks from my crew to you.
Take care of yourself, take all the time off you need to get better, we’ll still be there when you come back.
Yes! Don’t put pressure on yourself. We can entertain ourselves (and maybe you) in the meantime.
I’m thrilled that you’re home and no major bad thing has occurred or is parked somewhere in your body. That said, dizziness is bad. However, could it be BPPV? If so, it can be fixed! I’ve had it fixed.
Please keep us posted to the extent you feel able.
Thank goodness Mike you are back. I was starting to feel sick that things were dire. However, the dizziness sounds awful. I hope it passes soon. We’re here for you!
When I had labyrinthitis they gave me what was basically prescription-strength Dramamine; it helped but I was still a bit unsteady for a few days. Glad to see your sense of humor is still intact, at least. I don’t recommend looking at screens for too long, though. Feel better soon. ❤
Ha ha ha Allein!! 🤣
Thank god Mike. You’ve passed all the tests for the big scary ones PHEW!!
But vertigo is a right pain in the ass. Feel better soon! Welcome back. Hugs. ☺️
Glad you’re back home. Rest well. If you need anything, we got your back.
Thank goodness it’s not any of those serious things!
Not the same as what you’re experiencing, but I recently took Gravol for nausea/dizziness (side effects include blurry vision), but my vision didn’t go back to normal for more than a week.. and now I’m getting glasses.
What the heck Andrew!!
My thoughts exactly XD
But I think I’m the last person in my family to get glasses..
So I’ve lasted till now XD
Oh gosh, I HATE vertigo, I hope it passes quickly but not is a dizzying way. Take care of yourself.
So glad you’re back but sorry there’s still a problem.
I woke up one day with really bad vertigo. Saw an ENT who determined that my eyes weren’t in sync thus the continuing dizziness. He sent me to a therapy outfit that specializes in vertigo, balance etc. Got eye and balance exercises that have helped considerably.
When I had vertigo I went online for instructions on how to perform the Epley Maneuver and it was amazingly effective. It’s a bit of a challenge when you’re so dizzy, but I found it to be worthwhile. It repositions the tiny crystals in your inner ear.
That Epley guy knew his stuff. If it is the miserable crystals then this is a good start for relief.
Epley is, actually, a woman! The video I saw was her teaching the maneuver. (Just FYI)😉
Hi –
The Epley maneuver was invented by an ear surgeon from Portland Oregon named John Epley.
He introduced it to a conference of ear surgeons in 1980 in Anaheim, CA. Some of his colleagues actually got up and walked out. Thankfully it did catch on.
I’ve had to have it performed several times for my vertigo. Mine is very hard, even for the therapists, to determine which ear canals are affected so they do not encourage me to do it myself.
There are many videos online of different practitioners performing it since it is now an accepted treatment.
I hope for Mike it is something as simple as that. Vertigo can have many causes.
https://www.oregonlive.com/health/2019/10/eply-maneuver-for-vertigo-was-invented-by-oregon-doctor.html
After reading the article, I think the woman doc I saw on YouTube had figured out a self-help method for dealing with the issue – of which there seem to be many. This method involved being on your hands and knees, going through a few procedures to determine which ear was affected, and then continuing on as directed.
Well, I bow to your extensive experience! I got it wrong, obviously. I’m sorry you have such an ongoing issue with such a nasty – what, disorder? Condition? Unpleasant no matter the name.
Hi again,
Yes I tend to research things I personally have to deal with.
Apparently as you age and/or due to inner ear infections, over time miniscule “crystals” get dislodged within the ear and float into areas they shouldn’t go. The inner ear is so sensitive that it can create extreme vertigo. Mine seems to flare up when I have had an infection, the flu, etc. I’m fortunate that I do not get nauseous with vertigo. The room spins around like crazy when I get up from bed or roll over. But once I’m standing it settles down. I get it about 2 times a year. But I am fortunate the physical therapists are usually able to help me with whatever version of the Epley maneuver is best. They are able to figure out which ear canal(s) are affected each time it happens. It isn’t always the same ear canal/tubes each time for me.
It reminds me of when I was a kid and I would purposely spin around until I fell down, then just enjoy the spinning sensation. However it would be a problem if I had a job. Fortunately I am able to stay home during these episodes.
I had to point out Dr. Epley was from Oregon, my home state. 🙂
But of course I don’t know him personally.
Mike, I’m so glad it’s none of those serious things you mentioned. So sorry that you’re still dizzy. Glad that you’re humor is still up and running. Please take care of yourself and rest. Will be sending good, healing, happy thoughts your way. 💜
*Your.
GAH….pre-coffee me apparently can’t spell.
Mike, thank goodness they released you, everything feels better when you’re home. As you can see there are lots of remedies out there for vertigo if that’s the diagnosis (I have to take a prescription diuretic, which clears it right up).
Love and prayers that you’re feeling better very soon. As others mentioned, we will all be here for you when you are ready to come back. ♥️
I am so, so sorry you have vertigo, but it’s a tremendous relief to hear that you did not have any of those other scary things you mentioned. Also that you can still make Hitchcock jokes. Please get well soon! Puppy kisses from Bibi.
Have a really good eye doctor look to see if you are having ocular migraines which can cause vertigo. Hugs from Little Miss Maine Coon and me.
So glad to hear you’re back and that things aren’t too major. Ear issues and dizziness are some of the worst things to happen. Hopefully, it’s just some type of infection and it passes soon. When you go to the specialist, have them check for Meniere’s syndrome, it totally messes with your balance.
Praying for you. Sending a Stoat to make you smile. Hopefully you recover quickly.
Mike, so glad it’s not a tumah, stroke or heart attack. I am sure vertigo sucks though. The best I can relate to this is when my smallest kitty Penelope had an extreme Vestibular Disease episode earlier this year. This is basically vertigo for a cat. Her little eyes were just darting back and forth, her head was tilted sideways, she couldn’t walk straight and you could tell she was miserable. My heart broke knowing she didn’t understand why the world was suddenly spinning out of control. The vet kept her for 3 days using steroids, antibiotics and nausea meds to help her turn the corner. It took her about 2 weeks to fully recover at home. They could only speculate what brought on her sudden attack.
We do appreciate the update, Mike. I was hesitant to check in this morning, but thankful your amazing mind is well enough to reference The Birbs. Take care.
While Mike is taking a well-earned rest, here is a contribution to Teh Qte in the form of a Very Authoritative Discussion of Birbs.
https://www.audubon.org/news/when-bird-birb-extremely-important-guide
Thanks. Very helpful scholarship. Was not aware of the many important distinctions involved in properly applying the term birb.
More Authoritative Stuff …
https://www.audubon.org/news/whats-difference-between-borb-and-floof
Thank you for this very important information.
Thank you. And it’s good to know that the Audubon Society takes its responsibilities seriously.
I couldn’t agree more – scholarly and well-thought out, informative, not in the least pedantic.
f’n brilliant.
Mike, please let us know if there is ANYTHING we can do for you. Duckie sends her best feathered hug.
Duckie hopes it wasn’t the upside down picture I sent you that set you off.
Sorry to hear that it’s vertigo, but at least it’s nothing more serious. Hugs you I hope the specialists can help you.
Vertigo’s a b!tch but so glad it’s not a stroke, heart attack, COVID, etc.
Please rest up and cuddle with your furry roommates.
So glad that they felt that they felt that you’re safe going home.
Glad to hear it’s not any of the scary things, Mike👍🏼. Though dizziness can be a pain! I hope some of the remedies mentioned work for you. I’ve only been super dizzy recently after a long dental procedure, and I don’t recommend it. 👍🏼 to the Hitchcock movie references!😆
Cuddle with your fur babies and take care! We’ll still be here!😉
It’s so good to have you home, so to speak! We missed you so much.
Best of luck for a speedy recovery and/or effective treatment. I’m sure the vertigo is really unsettling, but it must also be a relief to have a diagnosis. All the kitties send healing purrs.
WHEW! So thankful that it’s not something more serious. THANK YOU for keeping us updated :-).
It may sound crazy, but this little band of people I’ve never met is very important to my life and you, Mike, are the glue that holds it together.
❤️
I hope Mike has someone to help him with Teddy and Vera, and with anything he needs around the house, and to read to him so he doesn’t have to make himself feel ill trying to keep up here. Dizziness and incapacitation are no joke, even if (thankfully!)not a tumah.
What a relief to see this post from you Mr. Mike! I was fearing the worst. I’m so glad it is none of the serious issues – but this vertigo thing sounds like a real inconvenience. I hope that is passes soon and you are back to normal any day. ❤️❤️❤️
Thanks for letting us know, Mike! I hope the doctors get you and your surroundings stabilized soon!
Thank goodness you were able to come home and that it didn’t require hospitalization. Seems as if many of us have or had dizziness issues. I’m one who never knows when a spell can hit me and when it does, I’m down for 2-3 days. Hope your doctor(s) can get to the cause. And I know how tough it can be trying to care for Teddy and Vera. When my husband was at work, I’d try my best to take care of my fur babies, walking with my head tilted sideways and hands on the walls. Hope your niece and her family or someone is close by to help.
Rest up and take care of yourself. We will know you’re better when you start posting again. Meanwhile, we’ll all be going through cutetropolis withdrawal — anyone know the cure for that?
Well, we can always keep this thread going and post what would otherwise have gone to Mike as Submeeshions …
It won’t be quite the same without Mike’s commentary, but better than nothing, no?
Great idea. My skills are probably not up to snuff but Allein is great at submeetting.
Don’t think I’ve submitted anything lately that hasn’t already been posted, but here’s something I’ve been hanging onto for a Caturday thread…
😂
Hee-hee! Fabulous!
I want more episodes!
Yes please, I’m a sucker for catty dialogue.
So great to hear from Mike again! What a relief.
The Parent Trap remake we all need…
♥️Mike♥️
That is too darned adorable – and yes, a Parent Trap remake is a great idea.
So glad to hear it isn’t more serious! Feel better soon, Mike!
I am so glad to get the good news! I realize that being incapacitated by vertigo isn’t fun by any means, but it is fantastic that the docs have ruled out the scariest possibilities. You may well be right about kicking off your vertigo bird watching, and the excellent suggestions from other Cutetropolitans can give you a leg up on how to treat it until you see the specialist. Also keep an eye out for allergens in your environment. Sometimes my sinusitis-induced vertigo is kicked off by lawn mowing. Instead of getting the sniffles or runny eyes, or even a headache, the first sign of trouble is that my head is spinning. Bet of luck in your recovery, may it be speedy and complete!
Any Papa Roach fans on here? (I’m not, I only know the song because it used to play on the radio a lot, but this made me laugh.)
Not a Papa Roach fan per se, but I do love this comic! SO cute! “Don’t give a heck ’bout the living room seating” describes my crew. So much for the nice furniture I once had. It’s OK, though. I’d rather have a pile of pups curled up in my lap when I’m watching TV than have a nice looking living room.
We love you, Mike, and so appreciate you! Take care of yourself and we all hope you are feeling better soon!
Glad to hear it wasn’t a major health emergency. I hope the problem gets fixed soon. Take care, we’ll be here when you return to Cutetropolis.
Just keep hanging on! Dizziness is not fun but can be helped once the source is identified. So keep hanging on and remember there are a lot of folks who are thinking good thoughts for you.
We certainly wish you the best, Mike, and you will be in my prayers. I hope you return to health soon!
So sorry about your health problems! I hope they’re resolved soon. I love your site and your hilarious commentary.
Checking in often; we are all worried and we all care. be well soon.
So glad you’re home!!!
Jasper sends big kitty kisses and head butts.