Is exercise a trigger for anyone? If so, what do you do about it? I've been swimming, because heavy exercise triggers my vertigo, and I have knee and back problems that make it difficult for me to do much else. Lately though, even swimming has been triggering my vertigo. I don't know what else to try. I was wondering if you guys have a similar experience, and if so, how do you cope with it? Thanks!
I have found over the years that moderate exercise actually helps me. By that I mean brisk walking, light jogging, skating, tennis, etc. All those things helped with my balance and done carefully over time improved my over all well being . None of these activities every induced vertigo. I would guess that maybe the side to side motion of your head whilst swimming could be a factor. Try to find something low impact, but that gets the heart rate up like an elliptical or just brisk walking to start and see how you go. This is such an individual condition and requires much trial and error before we find our own individual solutions. Good luck. Th
After diagnosis I feared swimming, believing that the rocking head motion would be a trigger. After a few years of abstinence I discovered that I could swim for free at my local pool. The temptation was just too great (after all the price was right!) so I thought that I would give it a try. The result is that I have now swum for 2 years without a problem, and actually believe that it (and all exercise) helps my Meniere’s Are you sure that swimming is a trigger for you, or could it be happenstance?
I guess it could be just a strange coincidence, but it was so bad I'm having trouble getting myself up to go again. Light walking, and things like it work for me, but its almost like if my heart rate gets too high, the room starts to spin. Its really weird, and super discouraging.
That's exactly how I felt after having a few vertigo attacks. When I felt my blood pressure rising I could feel the pressure in my ears, things would look hazy and I'd have to sit and allow everthing to settle back down. When I've been weight training and done to much I'll wake in the night with the starting symptoms of an attack - flush of heat, loud ringing in my head, panic attack forming. What worked for me was starting really sedately and slowly building it up. I'm lucky in that since my last attack things are mostly back to normal. Still have to be careful of salt intake etc. But training intensity is back at a decent level now. Still not worked up to what it was but am happy with what i can manage.
Biking helps me. And others have mentioned it too. Maybe because it's outside so not as much close-up stimulation on eyes. And maybe because biking is a kind of balancing exercise.
This is very encouraging. I’ve really backed off my exercise routine and had a shitty year. Chicken or the egg? I used to go to a Zumba or cardio dance style class. Loved it but sometimes chronic fatigue syndrome/fibromyalgia flares were triggered. Sometimes the other members perfumes would give Me headaches and rage. Then the disequilibrium was uncomfortable. So I stopped- it didn’t seem worth the money. But maybe even with all those challenges, maybe sweating was protective for Menieres. Hmm. I’ve kept up walking, home physio/yoga and am learning a bit of tai chi but nothing that makes me sweat. And this fall I gave up my 50+ yoga because my vertigo was so frequent and balance so shitty. Maybe it’s time to push my cardio gradually. I’ll still do it at or near home for now. I’d love to be able to jog a little, use my cardio step and get back to my yoga class. So tonight I did one jumping jack,and didn’t fall over. Yay me. Please tell me More exercise experiences and tips!
PS an idea for the swimmers - maybe just do breast stroke until you can tolerate side to side motion?