• corsicanguppy
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    1 month ago

    I got hit in college with a virus 30 years ago; a couple dozen of us, but they couldn’t figure out the common carrier that got us all. Anyway, the damage to the vestibular system was permanent and it was a month or two before I could cope.

    The brain has a vestibulo-ocular reflex that picks up when the vestibular is out. It uses the eyes and the horizon as a backup/correction to the bad data from the vestibular. Can confirm it works really well.

    … except when I’m really tired, like today. Bedspins while sober, and if I look up then I’m dizzy. It’s super-great. But it works to remind me I’m over-doing it, and it usually resolves after a few days of good rest. until then, I just have to be careful lest I walk a bit like a bat-spin player.

    In short, ya get used to it.

    • moistclump@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      Oh wow! Can I ask, does it stop you from doing certain activities? For example, are you able to drive?

      • Horsey@lemmy.world
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        1 month ago

        Same thing happened to me as OP. I had only my left side affected, and it literally felt like I was drunk on the left side of my body. It was (is) the most frustrating thing I’ve ever dealt with. I also have a terrible tinnitus in my left ear that’s starting to show up in my right ear.