Vertigo is Horrible

I blogged recently about experiencing dizziness during my run last Saturday, while visiting Ireland on business. I thought at the time it was simply related to a combination of jet lag and dehydration.

The dizzy feeling went away on Sunday, and as I blogged then I felt just fine, hopeful I’d get back out for a run on Monday evening.

This wasn’t to be.

On Monday at work the dizziness returned. By lunchtime I had thrown up in the restrooms and had to be taken home by a co-worker.

I could write a whole post on the sole topic of getting an appointment with a doctor in Northern Ireland, but to cut a long story short, I ended up in A&E (ER) on Monday evening.

It was vertigo, as we had began to suspect. The only relief from it could be had by lying down flat and not moving. The doctors gave me an injection to take the edge off the dizziness and nausea, and prescribed some pills to do the same.

Each day brought only a slight improvement to my symptoms. I was not recovering as quickly as I had hoped. It was Thursday before I was able to work again without my head spinning. I didn’t drive to the office that day. I worked remotely from my parent’s house.

I felt really bad about being flown over to Ireland to train people and then being out sick most of the week. I am thankful to my work who understood and gave me the time to rest.

Friday was my first day physically back in the office after my exit on Monday, and yet even now on Sunday I’m still not back 100%.

Vertigo is horrible.

This week it has prevented me from working, and also from running. I still think it’s going to take a few days more before I even attempt a run.

However – there is some good news. What Vertigo didn’t prevent me from doing is catching up with family and friends. I was very happy to meet and hang out with my little nephews and niece for the first time.

So, an eventful trip to Ireland to say the least. I’m sitting in Boston airport, waiting on my plane to Raleigh. I’ve missed my wife and kids. I am looking forward to getting back to normality all around.