The 360 Living Balanced Podcast

Finding Hope in the Storm: Sarah's Journey with Vestibular Migraines and 3PD

EPISODE SUMMARY In this powerful episode, host Bridgett Wallace presents an interview with Sarah, who shares her personal journey living with vestibular migraines and Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness (3PD). Following the theme of hope explored in Episode 1, Sarah's story illustrates the real-world impact of finding hope while managing chronic vestibular conditions. She describes her initial terrifying symptoms, challenges navigating the healthcare system, and how finding proper diagnosis and treatment transformed her life. Despite ongoing symptoms, Sarah shares how knowledge, proper treatment, and realistic hope have helped her reclaim a meaningful life and develop effective coping strategies. KEY TOPICS * 00:00:33 - Connection to Episode 1's theme on hope * 00:00:50 - Introduction to Sarah's story with vestibular migraines and 3PD * 00:01:24 - Sarah describes her first vertigo episode and ongoing symptoms * 00:02:40 - Impact on daily life and social activities * 00:04:45 - Sarah's challenging experience navigating the healthcare system * 00:05:31 - Isolation and dismissal of invisible symptoms * 00:06:47 - Finding validation and proper diagnosis with Bridgett * 00:07:37 - Overview of Sarah's treatment journey * 00:08:20 - Importance of symptom tracking and identifying triggers * 00:09:01 - How knowledge empowered Sarah to manage her condition * 00:09:58 - Sarah's current life with vestibular conditions * 00:10:55 - How hope has been transformative in Sarah's journey * 00:12:31 - Sarah's closing advice for listeners with vestibular conditions * 00:13:59 - Bridgett's reflections connecting Sarah's story to previous episodes EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS * Sarah experienced her first severe vertigo attack while driving, leading to an ER visit where she was told it was "just an inner ear thing" * After the initial spinning episodes, Sarah developed constant unsteadiness that severely impacted her daily life * She saw seven different doctors who offered conflicting diagnoses before finding proper care * The turning point came when Sarah received a proper diagnosis of vestibular migraines with 3PD after 18 months of searching * Sarah's comprehensive treatment included the SEEDS approach (Sleep, Exercise, Eat/Drink, and Stress management) * Vestibular rehabilitation exercises, lifestyle modifications, and medication helped manage her symptoms * Finding patterns through symptom tracking helped Sarah identify that inadequate sleep and dehydration were major triggers * Three years later, Sarah still has symptoms but has developed effective coping strategies and adaptations * Tools that help Sarah include rose-colored glasses for visual challenges and noise-canceling headphones for auditory overload * Sarah emphasizes that hope has been her "most valuable medicine" - not hope for a cure, but hope in her capacity to adapt RESOURCES MENTIONED * SEEDS framework for vestibular management: Sleep, Exercise, Eat/Drink, and Stress management * Vestibular rehabilitation exercises * Rose-colored glasses for visually challenging environments * Noise-canceling headphones for auditory overload * Symptom journaling to identify patterns and triggers * References to Episode 1 (importance of hope) and Episode 2 (dizziness as a "silent syndrome") CONNECT WITH US Visit 360livingbalanced.com to learn more about the VITALITY framework and connect with our supportive community. If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and share with someone who might benefit, whether a healthcare practitioner or someone seeking answers about vestibular health. Remember, true progress happens when expertise and lived experience come together.

Crystal(s) Clear: Let's Explore BPPV!

EPISODE SUMMARY In this comprehensive episode, Bridget Wallace demystifies Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), the most common type of vertigo treated in clinical settings. With her extensive experience treating vestibular disorders, Bridget explains how dislodged ear crystals can cause brief but intense spinning sensations with certain head movements. She breaks down the complex anatomy of the inner ear, identifies the various types and locations of BPPV, and details effective treatment approaches for each variation. This episode offers valuable insights for both those experiencing BPPV and healthcare professionals looking to enhance their understanding of this prevalent vestibular condition. KEY TOPICS * 00:01:11 - Introduction to Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) * 00:02:19 - Detailed explanation of BPPV and its impact on daily life * 00:03:02 - Risk factors and prevalence of BPPV * 00:04:06 - Key indicators to recognize BPPV * 00:04:58 - How healthcare providers diagnose BPPV * 00:06:22 - Detailed anatomy of the inner ear and semicircular canals * 00:07:57 - Types of BPPV and terminology explained * 00:10:30 - Introduction to Type 2 BPPV (without nystagmus) * 00:11:03 - Treatment options for different types of BPPV * 00:12:58 - Post-treatment precautions and effectiveness EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS * BPPV is the most common inner ear disorder, with prevalence increasing with age and over 50% recurrence rate within three years * The two most reliable indicators of BPPV are short duration vertigo (less than 60 seconds) and specific head movement triggers * Risk factors include low vitamin D levels, age, osteoporosis, low estrogen, diabetes, head trauma, migraines, and inner ear fluid problems * There are more than 20 specific maneuvers designed to reposition dislodged ear crystals depending on their location * Posterior canal BPPV is most common (80%), followed by horizontal canal (10-15%), and anterior canal (2%) RESOURCES MENTIONED * Visual handout for understanding inner ear anatomy and BPPV terminology * Epley maneuver for posterior canal BPPV * Semont maneuver as an alternative treatment * Barbecue roll for horizontal canal BPPV * Yacovino maneuver for anterior canal BPPV * Episode 3 reference for describing dizziness to healthcare providers CONNECT WITH US Visit 360livingbalance.com to join our community, access resources including the visual handout referenced in this episode, and learn more about vestibular health. If you found this information helpful, please subscribe to the podcast and share with others who might benefit from understanding BPPV.

But I Feel Like Shite on the Inside

EPISODE SUMMARY In this enlightening second episode, Bridget Wallace delves into the often misunderstood world of chronic dizziness - an invisible condition that profoundly impacts lives despite showing few outward signs. Drawing from her 25+ years of experience working with dizzy patients, Bridget addresses the challenges of living with an illness others can't see, from diagnosis difficulties to the emotional toll of constantly having to validate your symptoms. She introduces helpful concepts like the "spoon theory" to explain energy limitations, while offering practical advice for both those experiencing dizziness and those supporting loved ones with invisible conditions. KEY TOPICS * 00:01:14 - Introduction to chronic dizziness as an invisible illness * 00:02:16 - The many forms dizziness can take and its lack of visibility * 00:03:33 - The struggle of normal test results despite abnormal feelings * 00:04:42 - How difficult it is for others to understand the full impact of dizziness * 00:05:15 - Managing the emotional toll and giving yourself grace * 00:06:01 - Advice for loved ones trying to understand and support * 00:07:11 - Introduction to the "spoon theory" for explaining energy limitations * 00:09:10 - Coping strategies including mindfulness and pacing activities * 00:09:35 - The importance of community and understanding EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS * The invisible nature of dizziness creates unique challenges in both medical settings and everyday life * Many patients see seven or more healthcare providers before receiving appropriate diagnosis and treatment * The worst thing you can do to someone with an invisible illness is make them feel they need to prove how sick they are * "Spoon theory" provides a helpful metaphor for the limited energy available to those with chronic conditions * Open communication about needs and limitations is crucial for both those with dizziness and their support network RESOURCES MENTIONED * Two-page worksheet for communicating about dizziness with others * 360 Living Balanced premium membership ($9/month or $90/year) * Community features including healthcare provider connections, live events, and searchable content * Mobile app for staying connected on the go * On-demand educational courses CONNECT WITH US Visit 360livingbalance.com to join our community, access resources, and learn more about our vitality framework. Subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen and share with others who might benefit. Remember, true progress happens when expertise and lived experience come together.

Why Hope Matters

EPISODE SUMMARY In this debut episode, Bridget Wallace explores the crucial role of hope in managing vestibular disorders and chronic dizziness. Drawing from over 25 years of experience and 50,000+ patient interactions at her Austin-based clinic, Bridget discusses how hope serves as a powerful tool that can improve coping mechanisms, enhance well-being, and build resilience against depression. KEY TOPICS * 00:03:04 - Reflection on what patients truly seek: diagnosis and solutions * 00:05:03 - The vital importance of hope in chronic conditions * 00:07:13 - Different types of hope and their unique purposes * 00:08:33 - Practical strategies for cultivating hope * 00:10:25 - Hope exercises for listeners * 00:13:21 - Information about the 360 Living Balanced community and resources EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS * Hope serves as a catalyst for positive change, empowering patients to envision a better state of being * The three forms of hope: Illness-Specific Hope, Transcendent Hope, and Utopian Hope * Six actionable steps to harness the power of hope, including taking small steps and focusing on what you can control * Extended reflection exercises for listeners to develop their own relationship with hope RESOURCES MENTIONED * 360 Living Balance community membership (free and paid options) * 360 Balance Yourself training program with progressive difficulty levels * Downloadable hope exercises workbook * OTAGA Fall Prevention Program (modified for home use) CONNECT WITH US Visit 360livingbalance.com [https://360livingbalance.com/] to join our community, access resources, and learn more about our vitality framework. Check us out on Instagram @360livingbalanced [https://www.instagram.com/360livingbalanced/]