For me, vertigo has been an off and on experience. From moments of one split second where the world is spinning to other times when any movement made me throw up.

My first experience with vertigo was the worst time. It was in 2015 during my initial diagnosis. I had just gotten out of the shower when suddenly the world was spinning. I fell to the floor and yelled for my roommate to help me. There was a grocery bag nearby and I threw up into it and stayed on the floor.

For the next 16 hours I threw up each time I moved, but still managed to make it to the couch downstairs. While resting on the couch I kept my eyes closed most of the time while the world continued spinning.

Since that time I have only experienced moments where it feels like my eyes are rolling in their sockets or that I’m standing on a boat during a storm. It lasts no longer than 1 or 2 seconds.

Coping Tips

• Stillness: Holding still is a helpful thing when everything else seems to be roiling around you.
• Breathing through your nose: Vertigo often makes you nauseous, so breathing slowly through your nose keeps you from stimulating your gag reflex.
• Darkness: Reducing the amount of sensory stimulation you’re experiencing can help to reduce the impact vertigo has on you.
• Something cold: Holding something cold gives you something to focus on other than what you’re feeling. Without needing your eyes open!

Vertigo is nasty and difficult. Try some of my tips, check these ones out, or if you have some that work for you please comment and share them (:

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