5 Take-aways from a Vertigo Episode

I suddenly felt helpless, dizzy and as limp as a noodle.

I bid my client goodbye when a wave of dizziness overcame me. I told her to let herself out, and I clutched the door frame of the office. It was nearly 1 p.m., and I suspected I was faint from not eating or drinking since 7:30 in the morning.

I staggered my way to another office using the walls for support. I knew I needed to make it to the break room and my lunch. A passing coworker guided me to the kitchen when I disclosed my plight.

Downing some water, and a couple of bites of apple, I was overcome with nausea just before another staff could take my blood pressure.

Twenty-four hours later, I was on my way home after spending the night in the hospital. I experienced a number of firsts: an ambulance ride, a CT scan, an MRI, and the final diagnosis of Orthostatic Postural Hypotension (dehydration which results in vertigo and falling blood pressure when moving from lying down to sitting or standing).

Through this adventure, I have several take-aways.

1. Dehydration effects can come on very suddenly. It had been a busy morning with barely time to visit the restroom, but no typical signs of hunger and thirst. On numerous other occasions, I have breakfasted earlier and lunched about 1 PM without any dizziness, so it is quite humbling to be hit with something this powerful and debilitating so unexpectedly.
   
   Lesson learned: I will be carrying my water and have a quick snack with me when I know the shift will be extra-busy.
   
2. Humor is hiding nearby even in difficult circumstances. I was talking to my husband on the phone when the admissions staff came in to collect my payment. When I told her that I participate in Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM) (shared expenses pool instead of insurance), my hospital bill went from $1,782 down to $524. My husband jokingly asked if I had used my Airbnb credit which had just been extended the night before.
   
   Later when admitted, I had this conversation:
   
   Nurse:  Are you comfortable? I am sorry that you are here. I know you didn’t plan on this.
   
   Me: I used my Airbnb credit.
   
   Nurse: (Laughing) Well, we charge a lot more than Airbnb.
   
   Me: True, but I probably have more social life here than I would with Airbnb.
   
   Nurse: I am not sure that you want all the social life that you have in the hospital. Anyway, we want your stay to be as comfortable as possible. Do you have any valuables you want locked up in the safe?
   
   Me: I have my rings, my phone and purse.
   
   Nurse: You may keep those with you. I mean if you have a lot of cash, say $1 Million, we could have security lock that up for you.
   
   Me: Now that would be for my Airbnb trip around the world.
   
   Nurse: (Laughing again as she leaves.)

Lesson learned: I cheered up at least two people (myself and the hardworking nurse) by not taking my situation too seriously. Who knows? That conversation may have been passed around the nurse’s station to lighten the day for several others.

3. Non-Marketplace healthcare may have lower out-of-pocket costs. I had not used my CHM program to this point. At the highest level, I pay only $172/month and the first $500 per event; the latter can be reduced further when self-pay discounts are taken into account. The hospital discounts have more than covered the out-of-pocket portion, and I should be reimbursed for all the expenses.

My prior employer paid the monthly health insurance premiums, but my HSA carried a $2,700 deductible. One hospital visit of an hour rang up my portion of $1,000 plus the provider fees.

Lesson learned: It was exhilarating to hear my bill drop from $1,782 to $524, simply by saying, “I am self-pay”. I look forward to talking with other providers to see the total of my discounts and to know all costs will be covered by CHM.

4. The MRI was fascinating! People I know have totally freaked out when enclosed in a dark tube, but I was relaxed and not afraid.

The tube itself is white and translucent, so I was not in complete darkness. With ear plugs in, a band across my abdomen, and cage-like structure around my head, I listened to an array of sound sequences which seemed to vibrate in different parts of my brain. Each sound was repeated several times, and then a new one buzzed in another section

I expressed my fascination and said I could feel the portion of the brain being addressed by each sound. The MRI Tech responded, “The table has some level of vibration.” (I still think I could actually feel the sounds.)

Lesson learned: The first doctor told me there was “no sign of severe dehydration”, so he needed the MRI to rule out other possibilities. However, the final diagnosis confirmed the dehydration with the fancy name. I felt all along this was the case and had no fears about brain or heart issues, so I must wonder how much of health care is based on the extreme possibilities.

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5. Hospital food is an adventure! My dinner was a turkey breast sandwich on plain, dry wheat bread about 7 PM. I only had time to nibble a couple of bites before a flurry of activity and finally transfer to my room. Then, I discovered the mayo and mustard packets, and my meal suddenly tasted like a feast! The next day, I discovered that the menu pictures don’t fully represent the food that is delivered, but was impressed with the food selections.

Lesson learned: Despite the anticipation of something a bit fancier for my salmon, asparagus, and cranberry sauce lunch, the food was tasty and filling, and I was very grateful for this final meal before returning home.

From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Psalm 61:2

Sometimes, life throws us an unexpected curve ball. How do you handle such situations?

UPDATE: After considering all my symptoms and reading about apoxia (the effects of not getting enough oxygen), I think I was suffering from mask-related apoxia. Just my theory.