always rocking. I had rotary vertigo like 10 years ago but even then I could
walk. Never vomited or could not walk. This time Iāve had visual vertigo (as everything was moving side to side) and the feeling of me being on my personal boat all the time. Have not fallen or anything. Going down stairs holding my son was challenging but not impossible, same with bending to bathe him, but now I am good with that as well.
Thatās interesting. Thx. Just goes to show there are variants within Variant and MAVās just an āembrace allā umbrella, Helen
yeahā¦ still many unknowns about our condition(s).
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Interested to read earlier this week in the National Press yet again revised thinking on exercise. This obviously is for the general public, not just us MAVers. Whilst the current recommendation of 150 minutes a week still stands latest consensus is that anything helps extend life expectancy. Just a little light dusting, the moderate level of vacuuming, anything that involves moving around rather than sitting 8/9 hours on a chair. Great news for people who donāt enjoy exercise for exercise sake and people with chronic balance disorder which are so debilitating. On the bad days Just try to keep on the move if only around the house. Much a case of the āanything is better than nothingā syndrome it seems Helen
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Nordic walking any one? Nordic poles? Wonder if that would help people with MAV. Once theyād got over the initial shock that is and found they could cope with some everyday type walking that is. Helen
My first time outside today for a proper country walk for several weeks, life had been conspiring against me recently and buoy didnāt I notice how much more difficult it can soon become. Such exposure to The Great Outdoors proving difficult isnāt unique to us MAVers. Apparently anyone who has been confined indoors for any length of time can experience it too which only goes to show a powerful psychological involvement. It never pays to underestimate the power the mind has over the physical aspects of the human body and total well being. The UK NHS has recently cottoned on to this. I saw mention of āSocial Prescribingā on TV recently. Arrangements are made for people to sign up to Choirs, Gardening Clubs and join rugby and football teams rather than receive prescriptions for antidepressants. I must admit to feeling remarkedly better after my country walk. Helen
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I try to walk outside everyday, sometimes not a very long one if Iām feeling particularly off. I used to do great long hikes but started to worry as my symptoms got worse that I wouldnāt make it back to the car and noticed that if I pushed myself too much that I started veering a little to the left on open ground or that trees seemed a bit blurry at the sides and my depth perception of them was a bit off if I was in the woods.
I canāt seem to get beyond about 2 miles these days before I want to walk back (so 4 miles in total) which I think is a leftover from what was happening last year as described above. However, I do find that as long as I donāt really push it then walking does help. I had headaches ( with tthe usual added symptoms) a few times this week which cleared after being out with my son for country walks, despite wind and squalls of rain. I think open countryside and beaches are especially helpful as the long horizons are great for readjusting tired computer and indoor eyes. I love getting out in this season as the summer can be too bright, hot and disorientating.
I think that unless you are bedridden (sometimes you just canāt do anything) then keeping moving and changing your locale, even to another room in the house or a different activity is very important. Iām sure sitting in a chair, hunched over the computer, scrolling and typing for too many hours in a row does have a bad effect on my symptoms.
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Gosh. Iād think 4 miles is great. Itās more than enough being in mind itās a balance disorder weāve got. You should be proud of yourself because I bet it takes some not inconsiderable effort after your MAV journey. Keep up the good work and remind me yo do the same,
I was told by a VRT therapist to āwalk outside every day using a stick on bad daysā, and no stick in good ones. Her emphasis was on the āevery dayā ie without fail, however I later discovered sheād never had a client who could end up in bed totally devoid of any ability to stand - well not until me! Such was beyond her comprehension. Until me! Like you Iāve proved by experience if you push a chronic MAVer to hard, they just fall over and canāt get up again for days/weeks/months so it pays to be careful.
The migraine specialist neurologist told me to āgo for a short walk outside every day to keep fit and help compensationā. Four miles is more than a short walk in my book. Distance she didnāt specify but, as youāve long since worked out yourself, pushing yourself to walk until such symptoms are provoked doesnāt do you any good whatsoever, just makes you worse. Once you start veering off, getting blurry distance vision and losing depth perception the vestibular system is approaching breaking point (OMG, you sound so very much like me. I remember the first time I ever veered off a straight tarmac path and into the grass verge, I just couldnāt work out why. That was several years before I went chronic. Just couldnāt make a connection). Helen
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I can attest to this. Even though I feel like crap, I go out for a walk for an hour every day. If you stay indoors and hide behind closed doors all the time, you are not going to get better. Of course, you are in the best position to judge your own condition, but itās better to keep active. Keep fighting!
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Yep. I am a comparative success story. I walked for miles nearly every day (often for around an hour and a half) for two years despite the discomfort (especially the first half hour). The only thing which would stop me was a full on migraine or vestibular attack. It was fantastic for several reasons not least for the positive effect on compensation.
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I too am a walker ā out at least twice a day with the dog and often on my own. I aim for 3 - 5 miles daily. Then again, Iāve always been a walker so for me itās a pleasure. Luckily, I live in a very walkable neighborhood with tree-lined streets, lotās of shops and cafes, and easy access to several parks. When my symptoms were out of control, though, walking alone was problematic. Iām so thankful I can once again confidently leave the house. I may not always feel great but I no longer worry Iāll collapse enroute.
Being outside nearly always lifts my spirits.
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Bit difficult in lockdown for sure but it is so helpful. In fact the āUse it or Lose itā principle applies to hands as much as balance/legs. A friend who knits hundreds of Size One baby hats and gloves for Africa ran out of wool for two weeks during Lockdown. Once she got restocked it took her five days to get her hands back to full flexibility. Sheās over 80 but not arthritic but obviously normally it is the constant use that keeps them nimble. So very much a case of Use It or Lose it.
Helen
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The dog keeps me walking every day and I agree 100% that I am better if I keep active. Sometimes I can even approach a jog on the walks.
However my biggest attack occurred on a jog in the park so I now am religious about carrying water (small backpack) and I always carry valium.
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Walking outside is so good for heart strength, mood and balance and coordination not to mention to capture that bit of Vitamin D which does so much for our overall health.
To walk outside daily is about the only consistent piece of advice I have ever been given, first by VRT and repeated by migraine specialist neuro.
Youāre correct I think. I have been keeping this up. I walk on my days off. Never miss it. Vitamin D is a must!! Who doesnāt love the sun
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Most photophobic migraineurs I suspect however the one advantage of living in the U.K. is about 85% of the time you can guarantee there wonāt be any! 
. I think I have seen it about three times since Christmas where I live. Must be the one of the dullest winters ever here. Perhaps you could send a bit over?
Well yes, people with photophobia would avoid it at all costs. I remember not being able to sit in my living room as the sun pours in there. One of the cruelest symptoms. Iāll send some sun to my UK friends - as long as you send some back in July. Hope you get out walking soon
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