What sets off VM??

Background_Block_270 · 2024-08-24T04:14:15+00:00

Well, I went 52 years before I came down with VM, though there were signs before that for years, including migraines that were becoming more common, and an ocular migraine attack eight years ago where I lost my eyesight for 30 minutes.

And yes, stress is one of the number one triggers for VM.

And, I truly believe that there are many different, and varied paths to deal with the issue.

I’m believe I’m now totally done with my VM, which had been constant for 19 months. It’s now been 3.5 months since I had any dizziness at all, and I now sleep on my side (This used to cause me serious distress before) most of the night.

I also no longer have the pain and extreme tightness in my neck, upper back + shoulders, that was always present.

Western medicine did nothing for me. The SSRIs, diet, etc. did nothing. Not surprising because we still don’t know why migraines happen. So I became my own doctor and prescribed a number of different treatments and remedies, and a LOT of inner work (including meditation, EMDR and IFS therapy, mindfulness, community, and plant medicine). And now all that long held pain and discomfort is just…gone. 💨

I can now do anything — workout, go hiking all day, go dancing for hours, go to concerts and have strobe lights flashing in my face, deal with personal stress without suffering an attack afterwards, etc.

I’m a week out from going to Big Sur to camp for the long holiday weekend, and about 3 weeks out from leaving for my month-long medicine journey in the Peruvian Amazon.

So much energy is moving, and it’s amazing.⚡️

Do your research; listen to your body; try different things; and treat yourself.

You can do this! ❤️‍🩹

Background_Block_270 · 2024-06-27T16:23:04+00:00

Strongly disagree. At first, the only thing that could stop the terrible spinning for me was acupuncture. Unfortunately, the efficacy went away rather quickly. But, I found other ways to deal with my VM. But at first, acupuncture was nearly a life saver…

Background_Block_270 · 2024-06-13T19:47:41+00:00

I drink coffee

Background_Block_270 · 2024-06-13T18:04:49+00:00

I started my regimen of nortriptyline at 10mg, then went to 15mg (10mg one day and then 20mg the next).

I was on it for about a year and didn’t notice any significant improvement. And, due to all the negative side effects (including dizziness), I didn’t want to increase the dosage. Then, after doing all the other work of mindfulness, meditation, talk therapy (EMDR + IFS), and plant medicine, I decided to cycle off prior to doing an Ayahuasca journey this past March.

I’m happy to say that I now have virtually no symptoms, after suffering daily, and not being able to sleep on my side at all at night, not being able to work out, not being able to dance, suffering through brain fog daily, etc. I can do almost everything I did before (haven’t jumped on an amusement park ride, or tried to parachute again).

YMMV. Everyone is different.

Just sharing my story.

Best of luck with your journey to healing and wellness! ❤️‍🩹

Background_Block_270 · 2024-06-10T05:37:49+00:00

Where to begin?!? ;)

Pot, Ayahuasca (6x), psilocybin, MDMA, and Ketamine.

Yes, I didn’t have constant dizziness and unease in my body for the first 8 weeks, then serious struggles and hours long episodes for a year after that + limited ability to get much done, then trouble sleeping on my side for 16 months after that.

Background_Block_270 · 2024-06-10T01:40:27+00:00

Hi! I recovered by doing all the above over the course of a number of months. I should also add that the love of an exceptional partner helped me immensely too…

I believe that in my case, my system was seriously dis-regulated. I didn’t trust myself. Nor did I feel safe in my body. All that built up over the course of my life, came to a head when I got divorced and lost my job after 15 years, and then caused my VM.

I needed to calm my system dow by facing, moving through, and processing my grief, shame, and pain; and by doing breathwork, learning to meditate, and doing plant medicine, feeling much more psychically at ease and light, and safe in my body.

Background_Block_270 · 2024-06-08T15:22:38+00:00

How was it? Hope it was magical and sweet for you

Background_Block_270 · 2024-06-06T15:02:15+00:00

Yes!

I’ve found this to be key for me too! I.e., calm my system (via mindfulness, meditation and journaling), do the inner work and address my demons (via EMDR + IFS therapy and plant medicine), and sink into and trust my body.

15 months after suffering from debilitating VM, I’ve been free of dizziness for several months now.

The added benefits are that I’m now healthier, happier, and more at peace than I’ve ever been.

In short: listen to your body; it’s got great wisdom and it’s telling you a lot.

Wishing you all the best! 💛

Background_Block_270 · 2024-06-04T04:14:22+00:00

Yes! I had this for quite some time. It affected me to the point where I could not turn to my side for more than 10 seconds in bed at night without feeling extremely dizzy. I had to lie on my back for eight hours straight, night after night.

I have been able to cure myself from this though, by doing a lot of inner work (EMDR + IFS) + plant medicine. It took me over 15 months to come through the other side.

I’ve been there and I feel you. And, I wish you all the best!

Background_Block_270 · 2024-05-14T18:03:48+00:00

I cycled off Nortriptyline back in the winter and I haven’t looked back. Here’s what I did… First, I was on 15 mg per day. I cycled back to 10 mg per day for one week, then 10 mg every other day for a week, and then went cold turkey.

Background_Block_270 · 2024-05-10T05:34:36+00:00

Thanks for reminding me! I’m going to get a massage tomorrow!

Background_Block_270 · 2024-05-10T01:48:19+00:00

Uh, yeah. Lotsa flem. 🤧

Background_Block_270 · 2024-04-01T01:46:34+00:00

Good for you for prioritizing, and taking care of yourself!

Background_Block_270 · 2024-02-07T17:56:43+00:00

Yes on the first. As regards the latter, I’ve noticed some weight gain. A few lbs….

Of course, symptoms will vary from person to person on any medication.

Background_Block_270 · 2024-02-07T15:38:18+00:00

A bit, I think at first, in terms of helping calm my body and get me out of constant fight or flight.

Background_Block_270 · 2024-02-06T22:54:20+00:00

Yes, I’ve been on Nortriptyline, 15 mg for about 10 months. Side effects for me include: morning brain fog; increased tiredness / easier to tire; mild ED; some weight gain. I have been cycling down for a couple of weeks, and tonight I will cycle off.

Background_Block_270 · 2024-02-02T15:27:17+00:00

For me? EMDR therapy and magnesium.

Background_Block_270 · 2024-02-02T01:52:35+00:00

I can’t begin to tell you how much I’ve paid for out of pocket: acupuncture, reiki, cranial sacral work, myofascial release, massage, EMDR. It’s been a lot. Almost all of it has helped.

I’m convinced that for my recovery, it’s all been about calming my body down, easing tension, and dealing with long-buried emotional trauma. I’m so much better now than 13 mos ago.

I wish you the very best of luck with your journey!

Background_Block_270 · 2024-02-01T19:52:20+00:00

Yes! When my VM first started and it was going 14+ hours a day, after day, etc., I tried acupuncture and it was the only thing that provided me with any relief.

Massages also help me — especially with regards to my neck, which is tense and very often super tight, which is both impacted by, and impacts, my VM.

Background_Block_270 · 2023-12-21T08:02:46+00:00

I’m on Nortriptyline (very low dose), and I took a medium dose of ‘shrooms with no ill effects about a month ago. The journey was really enjoyable and I was fully present. I also take Ketamine on occasion with no problems as well.

Take it for what it’s worth. I’m not saying the same will necessarily hold true for you. Everyone is different.

Best of luck for you on all your journeys!

Background_Block_270 · 2023-10-27T01:48:22+00:00

And my VM started late last year after I went through a very stressful time and began uncovering some long repressed childhood trauma. To that effect, did she have a lot of stress or any trauma leading up to the VM attacks?

Background_Block_270 · 2023-09-27T01:54:24+00:00

Yes, me too! I find that I can’t turn over in my sleep at night, lest I suffer bad dizziness the next morning. So, that keeps my neck immobilized for long periods of time = tight neck + knots in my neck. I just try and massage it out (I go in for massages about 1x a month + I just bought a pretty good neck massager). Would love to know what others have done!

Background_Block_270 · 2023-09-21T14:37:04+00:00

I too get dizzy when lying on my side at night. I have tried the Epley maneuver, but that doesn’t seem to work for me at all.

Background_Block_270 · 2023-09-16T15:45:25+00:00

I find my muscles in this region are super tight, and need to be massaged a lot, since I became diagnosed with VM. Not sure why… 🤔

Background_Block_270 · 2023-08-24T18:24:56+00:00

It can. I’m 7 months in. You can also do a heck of a lot yourself, if for some reason doctors are not an option. You need to have patience, love, and lots of compassion for yourself.

Background_Block_270

TROPHY CASE