Roll Over, Johanna
One of the strange side effects of my hemorrhage was my inability to turn onto my left side while lying down without using my arms. I could roll over to the right, like any three-month old baby or a normal adult. However, I could not roll over to the left without propping myself up on my arms. Why? I have no idea. It was just one of my random symptoms.
A few nights ago, I rolled over for the first time, without propping myself up to do so. That meant I didn’t wake myself up when I rolled over.
So, what changed?
I received steroid injections in my right ear to attempt to stabilize my right ear in February. My brain is not adapting to the damage from the hemorrhage. Okay, a hemorrhage is rare. But, normal people’s brains adapt to loss of vestibular function. Not mine. We always knew I was a unique individual.
We can’t tell if my ear is still changing—a distinct possibility because my vertigo changes minute by minute, day by day—or if the problem is that my brain is not adapting, or both.
If I had a stable ear, my vertigo would not be a problem. We would have options for treatment. But, because we don’t know what the problem is, we have fewer treatment options.
I saw my otoneurologist this past week, and told him my dizziness was better after the steroid injections. He explained that the steroids changed how my ear manages the fluid exchange. It’s quite interesting. I can get the steroid injections again, if/when I become more dizzy.
In the meantime, I get to practice rolling over. I am not going to practice Sit, Stay, or Fetch. I am not a dog. I am a person. Just in case any of you, my friends, out there get any good ideas. I’m onto you!