The passing of an era for me

[Ned]

I have been off the radar for a long time. Two reasons:
1. The FJ sits sadly in the garage languishing after failing its warrant of fitness 12 months ago. I needed to do a fair bit of work after it spent more than a year in the weather and I finally got my new garage underway late last year and was just finishing the lining and fitting out over the summer so I could do some work on the old girl - carb overhaul and brakes.
2. Then disaster struck just over three months ago. I have developed severe labrynthitis - woke up one Sunday morning wobbled all over the place and spent the next week chucking up every time I moved. For those who have had it you have my sympathy. I've never had vertigo or motion sickness in my life so it was a big shock to the system. Three months on and I still can't drive as every head rotation, corner or bump in the road still produces vertigo. I walk like a drunken duck and I have trouble walking across the road looking from side to side. I can't walk around very safely in the dark - need the visual input to stay upright. I have done all the compensation stuff so I don't get nauseous any more but the specialist I saw said it could be a year or more before I regain my balance fully, if ever.
The only upside is that while I have returned to work I can take a day off now and then and the ride in my wife's car along our windy country road is like 25 minutes on the best roller coaster in the world. After 47 years of bike riding, I'm hoping that I will be able to get back in the saddle again but it's not looking good for the immediate future.
I still look in on the forum, often with amusement and to keep my hopes up. Anyone out there who has made a full recovery from this totally crap, insidious mind altering affliction - I'd love to hear how you did it.

All the best
Ned

[roverfj1200]

Bugger Ned. I was wondering where you where. I hope you make a speedy and full recovery.

Cheers

[andyoutandabout]

Crumbs, that sounds nasty. Don't sell the Fj and make matters worse. The human bod is an amazing thing, so stay positive and you'll be right in no time at all.
Best wishes
Andy

[Arnie]

Ned,

That's a real bummer.  I had something similar, but much milder and it made getting out of bed and finding my way to the toilet for a piss, an 'adventure'.  Mine was diagnosed as an inner ear infection and only lasted a couple of weeks, but it was a trip.
Hope yours clears up soon.
I'll give you a hoy next time I'm in NZ, but don't worry it won't be till at least spring.

Arnie

[simi_ed]

Ned, my wife developed Vertigo several years ago.  Her symptoms were similar to yours, but not as severe.  It took a few days to be able to even drive, and about 6-8 months to fully recover; so I agree with others here, don't sell the FJ and hold on.  Time will heal you, at least to some degree.  See how you do and get better!

All the best!

Ed

[The General]

This really helped my daughter.  Epley's maneuver I found it hard to do by myself when I had it.

Don`t give up....and keep moving.

Read some of your history, ...Great times. (More to come!) 

[Ned]

Thanks for the vote of confidence Arnie
Yep - staggering around in the dark is a wild ride. Luckily I haven't reached the old age incontinence stage. Mine is inner ear - viral infection. I had a couple of cold sores just before it started and the doc said that was frequently the same virus that starts it off and like any herpes related thing can re-occur and last for ages. I'm on an anti-viral called acyclovir for another month as they may assist with clearing it up.
I don't intend to sell the FJ at the moment mainly because I still hold out hope to be able to ride some more but also to fix her up to look like she did before and get her running sweetly again.
Ned

[Ned]

Thanks for your suggestion...
I went down the "canalith repositioning manoeuvres" track early on but I don't have BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) caused by little crystals in the inner ear coming adrift and getting into  the wrong places. They were part of the testing procedure to work out which ear is effected. The doctor watches to see what your eyes do while performing them.

Ned

[Joe Sull]

Thats a crazy ailment. I was fishing with a guy on his powerboat when he stopped. I thought we were at the next buoy and I turned to look and he was on the floor puking. It came on him just that fast. He couldn't get up. I had to drive the boat back to the pier. I called his wife to meet us there. It took two guys to drag him up to the car and they rushed to the hospital. His illness lasted about 3 weeks.
At least you can do some stuff on the bike if your up to it. I never run out of thing to do on mine. Just doing cosmetic things that don't cost to much money. I'm not heavy in to driving it anymore, like I use to be. I really enjoy tinkering with it. Gives me something to do and when I do drive, It still brightens my day. Good luck recovering. I hope it comes soon.