INSOMNIACS place to talk in the wee hours

JunieB

Oh Ginger, I so wish I had a second bedroom to make into a sewing room. I live in a one bedroom disabled apartment and fortunately the bedroom is large enough to fit my bed, a desk for the computer and another desk for my sewing machine. All my fabric is in the closet on a bookshelf and on my kitchen table, which doubles as a cutting place. My cutting mat is on it along with fabric, so it never gets used for actual meals. I use a folding table for that at meal time.

In regards to the dizziness, I finally took a decongestant and it seemed to help. We'll see when I go to bed tonight. Last night after I'd gotten under the covers, I was adjusting my pillow and the dizziness hit then. It also affects me when I get up to go pee or turn too fast.

So Susan, please share if you wish what you did for your special day.

Sas - Thanks for going to the effort of researching the dizziness issue. I'll make sure to check out the link in the morning. I am too tired right now. I had to have my cell phone replaced and it took the nice young men at AT&T 2 1/2 hours to completely update and transfer all of my apps., contacts, etc. from one phone to the new one. However, the replacement phone, I do not like. It is the same make/model I had, but still different from previous one. I do not like the format it has.

Loverly - I get your dilemma about the distance you travel for work and not being able to use public transportation. Salem is a city of approx. 250,000 people. I live in an area of Salem that is called West Salem, which is over the bridge from the downtown area. So when I take the bus somewhere it usually takes about 45 - 60 mins. just in the Salem area. If I still worked that would be rather difficult. As it is, I mostly have appts., go groc. shopping, or other errands, plus my volunteering.

On a funny note. Today I got a text from my friend in Phoenix who is a nurse at the Mayo Clinic. Her first text said "Oh noooo!" I returned "Oh no what?", then Her - "The birdie.." , Me - "what birdie?" "Are you sure you're texting the right person?", Her - "Didn't you text me on 3/7 and tell me a bird had just poo'd on you? Me - "Yes!, I totally forgot about that - Chalk it up to chemo brain!" Her - Hahaha!

OH GOOD GRIEF!

So grateful for good friends that accept you were you are.

Gingerbrew

June Bug it sounds like you have set yourself up quite ingeniously for sewing in your space. Are you able to store things under your bed? My DD has lifts on each leg of her bed that gives more storage room. Yiou know we have a sewing page on here. It isn't very active lately but folks do come around if someone posts. Maybe I will see you there sometime.

I am indeed very fortunate to have a space all my own, I am grateful for sure.

When ever I get organized I want to work with my Granddaughter. She has some old German sewing machines, post WWII that you use by turning the handle. She is five years old and eager to sew for her dolls. I got some pattern books and learn to sew for young children to aid us. I also need to play dolls with her with my old Muffie dolls 8" tall dolls from about 1958. I have some furniture and accessories for them too. If you say a word to her about any activity she remembers!

I hope your dizziness clears up soon. Turning my head always made it worse.

Hugs Ginger

susan3

jazxyjune, we got things done that have been waiting for. Hung pictures . Took about 3 hours. When we redid rooms upstairs, we never got pics back up. So that got done, did a little shopping, watched some tennis from Indian wells, did get breakfast in bed....my fav. There are a handful of friends that like to take me out...we do that for each other's birthdays. So I still have 3 more outings. I don't always pick a dinner out, I usually pick things like archery, or horse back riding, or a walk around our lake. Couple of days before birthday 8 of us went to play trivia at a restaurant . That is so much fun. My hubby and I don't get a lot of down time. He works 2 jobs. So yesterday was perfect, just relaxing and hanging with my hubby

sas-schatzi

Sounds great Susie, nice

Smaarty

Loveroflife

Awww....look at those bright eyes.

Susan, it sounds like you are loved by many, and I am not surprised

Loveroflife

feelingfeline

Love the Evie shot - looks like she is in a dress too!

Smaarty

I haven't seen her in a dress yet. I'm heading over there in a few. I'm going out of town for a sewing retreat, limited wifi. If I get anything done, I'll show you.

Have a fun and safe weekend. Ladies

M0mmyof3

Just taking a breather as my life has been a bit crazy lately.

Blessings2011

O.K. Sassy – since you mentioned my name…..

JazzyJuneBug - if I had to make a wild guess, it sounds like what you are experiencing is BPPV: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Basically, that means we have rocks in our heads.

Here is a good, but somewhat technical explanation: http://www.tchain.com/otoneurology/disorders/bppv/bppv.html

There are three parts to the ear –

1) the outer ear, where we use Q-Tips to clean the visible part, and goes all the way to the eardrum;

2) the middle ear, which is a chamber on the other side of the eardrum, and can be filled up with gunk, or swollen from allergies and colds; and

3) the inner ear, which controls the hearing signal getting to the brain, so you can perceive it as sound.

The inner ear is also a complex series of mechanics, and controls the vestibular, or balance system. You can't see it – it's located behind your eyeballs on each side of your head.

It is a system that is closed, filled with fluid, and little hair cells that move like tall grass growing on the bottom of the lake. A sound wave (energy) goes through your outer ear, into the middle ear, and hits the eardrum, much like striking a real drum.

Then a Rube-Goldberg set of bones are set in motion, which causes hair cells to wave in the water. Eventually this wave hits the part of your brain that turns it into recognizable sounds.

There is a snail-shaped structure in the inner ear called the cochlea. You may have heard of deaf people getting cochlear implants. These are devices that electronically send signals to the brain.

But I digress!

In all of this fluid, we can develop rock-hard crystals, which can get lodged - like a gallstone - in any of the openings to the semi-circular canals which are found pretty much at the end of all these mechanisms. Many times they can dislodge themselves on their own, or other times you will need some help.

There is a test called the Dix-Hallpike, where you are in the doctor's (Audiologist or ENT) office, sitting up on a table, and they lay you back quickly and turn your head to one side. They watch your eyes for something called nystagmus. That's the motion your eyes make when they're watching each car of a passing train go by.

You would then be instructed on how to do the Epley Maneuver at home, a series of positions you put your body in, designed to dislodge the crystals yourself.

A little explanation here: when you talk to your doc about "dizziness"… explain VERY carefully what you are experiencing.

Are you feeling lightheaded? Does the floor feel like it is tilting, or uneven? Do you feel like you are walking on a waterbed or sofa cushions? Those are all symptoms of dizziness.

Vertigo, however, is a definite sensation that the room is moving around you. It might feel like you are sitting in the middle of a skating rink, and a bunch of people are skating fast around and around you. It might feel like you are in a hamster wheel, and the room goes over and over your head, In any case, vertigo involves a spinning sensation.

I have always had vestibular issues, about five diagnoses. But the first time I experienced true vertigo was the time I had insomnia, tossed and turned, rolled over and slammed my head in anger down on my pillow. WHOA! Everything was spinning! I was able to clear the crystals myself by sitting up and not moving for hours. Had I gone to the doctor's, he would have been able to pinpoint exactly which ear in which the crystals were stuck.

These days, I never roll over in bed. I sit partially up, slowly shift over to my side, and lay my head down carefully. I never look quickly at the clock on my nightstand (up and backwards), as that brought on BPPV once. Again, I partially sit up – slowly – turn my whole body, and look at the clock that way.

At the dentist, I never let him flip the chair backwards quickly. I tell him to go ahead without me and I'll catch up, lowering my head slowly backwards as I lower my body. Same as at the salon when it's time to wash my hair.

Some people experience BPPV when looking for something on a high shelf. I just know I can't make any quick head movements.

When I get dizziness, disquilibrium, or vertigo, I do take 25 mg of Meclizine (OTC motion sickness drug, like Dramamine but non-drowsy. Brand name is Bonine. DO BE WARNED – DOES HAVE MANY SIDE EFFECTS AND PRECAUTIONS!)

It does not stop the dizzies, only keeps me from having nausea or vomiting.

Disclaimer: the BPPV is just ONE cause of dizziness. There are a GAZILLION reasons we get dizzy or have vertigo. Always, always, always check with your doc.

Sorry for the dissertation, but Miss Sassypants opened the door!!!

JunieB

Blessings - Thank you for the info. on the vertigo. Doctor suggested the Meclizine, but I don't want to be sleepy. Sleeping too much is NO quality of life. I am very sensitive to medications. The last time I took a quarter of a 25 mg phenergan, I ended up sleeping 11 hours. It just seems so odd that this vertigo stuff came up so suddenly. I do not have a history of this.

Susan - It sounds like you enjoyed your B-day. You obviously have lots of people who care about you and want to celebrate you.

Ginger - Are the German sewing machines full size or small like the old time feather weights?

Loverly - That pink rose in the pic you posted is so pretty! The coffee looks yummy too. Hope your day went well.

Smaarty - How is the weather there in Sacramento? I haven't been there for at least 15-20 years. I'm sure it has grown and changed a great deal. As always, Evie is a cute little love bug.

Today was my day to volunteer and while there I had the opportunity to talk with the lady who runs the women's shelter. She has a passion for genealogy and does a lot of research on her off time. I gave her some of my personal info. and she called me earlier to tell me that she may have found my biological father who I last saw at age 2. Unfortunately this man died in 2000, but I do know that my biological father did remarry and had 3 other children. So this lady found the name of a woman who is the daughter of the man who passed and has sent her a message to see if she'll respond so we can find out if she is my half sister. It is so crazy to wrap my head around the idea of having any siblings. I grew up as an only child and that is how I see myself. Wow!

Unfortunately, my mother still HATES my father despite being divorced from him for over 50 years. So, I don't dare tell her anything about this. The last time I mentioned I wanted info about my father, back in 2009, she was livid and a couple months later she decided she didn't want any further contact with me. That lasted 5 1/2 years, until I was dx'd with this cancer and someone I knew told her.

With that I'll say goodnight to all and I hope you sleep well. Sweet dreams too!

M0mmyof3

Had my latest CT Scan on Thursday, just waiting for the results

JunieB

Good Morning Ladies!

It is very blustery and pouring here today. Will be staying inside.

Mommyof2 - waiting is so hard. Will keep you in prayer for good results.

M0mmyof3

Thanks.

Well I gotta get off my duff and get into the kitchen to cut up the stew meat I took out to make tacos with

Loveroflife

Ms. Ginger, I hope your doc has the wisdom to help you with your pain. So sorry.

Blessings, excellent explanation of having rocks in the head!

Hi Mommy! How is school? Are you done with your class? I'm making porridge with ground beef and ginger. Came down with something. Throat is sore and I am tired. Just woke up from my morning nap and feel like I need another one.

JunieB, you might have rocks in your head?? Oh dear! It sounds like your mom was probably hurt badly by your biological father. 50 years of hatred and unforgiveness is torturing. Your poor mom! This possible half sister lives near you?

It has been raining on and off since last Saturday here. I don't mind the rain as long as I don't have to drive anywhere. Good napping weather because it makes me feel lazy. Ha! Poor Mitzy. She gets so restless because she doesn't get her walk when it's wet. To make up for the walk she wants us to chase her around the house. She would come to one of us with her squeaky toy in her mouth and gives us the I am bored look. Okay, I need to do some cleaning. Tata for now.

Meadow

jazzyb, interesting about perhaps finding your half sister. Will you contact her? Not to pry or bring up bad memories, but any clue about your mom's passionate rejection of talking about him? Again, do not mean to pry if this is out of boundaries.

M0mmyof3

Class is getting crazy, but handling it pretty well

Meadow

Lover, rainy days are the best napping days...feel better soon.

Loveroflife

Thank you, Meadow. Rainy day is also good to cuddle up with a blanket and rwad a good book. I went to play badminton anyway. The nap really helped. Hope I won't pay for it tomorrow.

JunieB

Hmmmm! rocks in my head. That's one explanation. lol

Loverly & Meadow - My mother grew up in Germany during WWII and experienced A LOT of trauma that she will not talk about to this day. I think she may have married my biological father in an attempt to escape what she experienced in Germany. According to my mother, my father turned out to be an alcoholic, gambler & wife beater, and she ended up bringing me to the U.S. by herself when I was 10 mos. old. The problem though has always been that she has held onto and nurtured that anger, plus continued to make life choices that didn't work out either. Now me being the only child that wasn't aware of or understood any of this, I was unfortunately the recipient of all of her anger & bitterness through out the years. Even now at 80 she is as angry as ever. I am hoping that if this man turns out to actually be my biological father, the fact that he is dead might somehow allow my mother to change her perspective and be willing to forgive. At least I am praying it does.

I do not know where this woman who may be my half sister lives. Just that she is the daughter of the man who passed in 2000. The last city I was aware that my father lived is Troy, OH, and the headstone of this man IS in Troy, OH. So as I said the lady helping me with this search has sent a message to the woman on Ancestry.com, so now we wait to see if/when she responds.

Loverly - Like you we had very windy & rainy weather here today, so I stayed inside and dusted and sorted through paperwork. Filed some, shredded some, etc. Then went to church this evening.

mommyof2 - Are you taking a class or teaching it?

I'm sure you all know this already, but as a friendly reminder, "Don't forget to turn your clocks forward tonight before going to bed!"

Goodnight to all, sleep well & sweet dreams!

Cubbie2015

Jazzy, I'm glad you reminded me about the time change - I had completely forgotten! I'm setting my alarm clock right now.

Loverly, my dog loved to be chased around the house. I got a remote control car for Christmas one year, and we discovered that it was perfect for playing with the dog. The car would chase him, then he'd chase the car, back and forth.

magdalene51

JunieB, my cousin has the same problem with rocks in her head. She is also very sensitive to meds and can't take meclizine. Dramamine helps some.

Went out this evening to the Jazz Lab to see our favorite group play. I've known the lead singer over thirty years and her voice hasn't aged in the least. I think of Joni Mitchell, whose music they play occasionally, and how her voice aged over the years. My friend's has remained pure and clear. We took our new friends, my PCP and her DH who works with my DH, and they loved it. We stayed for both sets, and boy is my body protesting now. Ribs, back, hands, cramping and seizing up, but I won't mention it to DH because I want to go again. They play there usually once a month. Now we have another couple to share it with. It was well worth the pain.

PattyPeppermint

waving hello. Letting y'all know iam still alive and somewhat kicking. Trying to place catch up on y'all

Hootie hoo

Loveroflife

Good morning MammaRay. It is 11:30 pm here in California. Sorry about the headache. Have been thinking about you and was hoping that the radiation helped. Interceded for you and hoping for answered prayer with your headache. Hugs

Loveroflife

JunieB, how do you turn out so sweet and kind given your family history? My mom.......well I will share another time. Hugs to you. Oh, thank you for the reminder about moving the time forward. They should leave that alone. Jmh

Mags, sometimes we got to enjoy life even if we know that our body will protest sooner or later. My hip and elbow are also protesting now from playing badminton earlier.

Patty, have they gotten the n/v under control? Hope you can go back to sleep.

Hi Cubbie Bear, so good to see you.

JunieB

Loverly - the answer to you question is "All that I have and all that I am is by the grace of God! And I have my issues just like everybody else.

Also, after posting earlier I went to bed, but could not sleep. So I got on-line and did some checking. As it turns out the man who may be my father was murdered on May 1, 2000 in Montgomery Co., OH. and he is buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Troy, OH. And the plot thickens. I don't mean to make light of any of this, but it sure has me wound up now. Found phone number for prosecutor's office in that city and plan on calling on Monday to see if I can get any further answers.

It is now 4:00 a.m. and I'm supposed to be up at 8:00 a.m. to get ready for church. Yikes!

Goodnight again.

M0mmyof3

Morning all! Sitting and enjoying my coffee after a nice sleep.

JazzyJune, I'm taking a class in Public Speaking. Scariest subject ever for me.

sas-schatzi

Ginger, how does a five year old have "some old German sewing machines, post WWII"? Someone must be collecting them for her? If she's this astute in collecting already, she will be a formidable dealer by adulthood hahah. Interested in knowing why the attraction to the German sewing machine? My old treddle singer could go by hand on the roll wheel or moving the treddle very slowly. I foolishly got rid of that machine. Bad decision.

Smarrty Evie looks beautiful.

Hi momie, update on school?

Blessings thanks for taking the time. Great explanation. I have a new thread that is Pain and Other Things. Do you mind if I repost this there.

Junie, your quote " It just seems so odd that this vertigo stuff came up so suddenly. I do not have a history of this." Not that I wanted you to spend any amount of time on dizziness by looking at the differential list. I was trying to impress upon you that dizziness is a serious symptom not to be taken lightly. Until the origin is flushed out you may be at risk for something serious. How much of a work up did your doc do? Tests? ENT referral? Blessings and I know the exact moment ours started. Physical trauma. That made it easy for steps in the algorhtim to be bypassed. Blessings was more complicated. My doc did the EOM test and my eyes went indifferent directions. Within and hour I was in an MRI. Saw the ENT the next day. He did the tilt test and off the eyes went again and the roller coaster ride. Dx done. My study told me that people have gone decades without a proper dx. Guess I pick my docs well. Did you read my post on monitoring your BP and the safety steps you should take? Did you get more out of Blessings post than rocks? She has taken a very difficult subject and created a very excellent layperson friendly explanation

sas-schatzi

Patty hootiehooegladyourhootinkeepitupandwewillhootback.