What is PPPD: How to Recover and Feel Normal Again

What is PPPD? In this video I describe not only what PPPD is and how it feels but I also explain what you need to do to recover to a sense of feeling normal again. Healing is possible using a process called Neuroplasticity but you need to understand whats going on in your body, identifying how you feel and knowing where you stand in terms of where you want to be. If you don't know what you're feeling and why, how can you move towards healing and feeling better.

Insta: @balanceyourlifenow

Disclaimer: The information in this video is not intended to replace the advice given by your Doctors and Health Professionals. If you are experiencing dizziness of any kind, please consult with your Doctor in the first instance. Please only consider the information provided once you have gained medical clearance.

[coachjohnodea]

Mine started with severe vertigo after my honeymoon in Tahiti late 2000 and into 2001. Neuro testing said "migraine induced vestibular disequilibrium." Since then up-and-down symptoms over the years. Regular headaches, balance issues, foggy head, neck stiffness, clumsiness, etc. and always fatigue from concentrating. Diagnosis December 2023 after a year of overwhelming tests and doctor's appointments. Looking forward to a recovery process. I feel a tremendous sadness for so many years fighting it and not feeling like myself. My standard mantra over all these years as I felt not well was, "suit up, show up, shut up and get the job done, " as I pushed forward each day.

[GawneMusic]

I’ve had terrible PPPD since 2011, stay strong guys, you can still live an outstanding life!

[LyraPleia]

I had PPPD for 14 years and just found out yesterday what it is thanks to people like you! I’m now 38 so I lost the best years of my life to living 5-10% of what it could be. My husband doesn’t even know the true me, because we met after I was already suffering. I hope to recover, not only for myself, but especially for my husband and children

[Fordrake]

I've been fighting my PPPD now for about 8 months and damn it's annoying. The symptoms i have the most are the dizziness and a feeling of "I'm not myself" a bit like i can do things but not as perfect as i would wish or like my thoughts are clouded.

I've been doing some vestibular therapy, i feel it's been helping me improve, also i realized that's it's useless to try to "push through" the symptoms... if you feel bad take a little break, until you feel a bit of relief, pushing through will make your brain believe that this is your "normal" state. Also never pay heed of whatever the others around think. Some folks at my job say I'm faking it, and that i simply don't want to do a certain job, don't listen to them, the best thing for you, is to do things at your pace, do some vestibular therapy it does help a lot and also even do some normal physical exercices, like going to the gym. It might be surprising but tons of physical exercices often challenge your muscles and sense of balance in a good way! It's been working wonders for me and also helped me lose some extra weight! Also never skip a good sleep, PPPD is basically your brain is not well synched with one of your balance "sensors" if i dare say so, to some it could be the eyes and to others the inner ear etc, the point is, a good sleeping schedule helps your brain "clean" itself, while you sleep your neurons keep flushing out toxins accumulated from everything you do while awake, be it stress at work, excitement from happy stuff anything... these toxins or debris might be bad for PPPD, so you have PPPD, sleep, always have at least a nice 8 hours sleep, it HELPS A TON.

Funny fact, normally some people suffering from PPPD are force to stop driving their cars, but funny enough and lucky for me, in my case it's the contrary! Whenever I'm sitting into my car, for some mysterious reason it's one of the moments i feel almost like I'm healed... perhaps it's the fact that to drive i only need to rely on my eyes mostly and i love driving my car so it helps me relax, making most of the symptoms go away very quickly

Anyway I'm still fighting my PPPD but i feel like i could overcome it very soon. And to anyone facing the same problems, be brave, take your time, do your exercices and rest enough, most people completely recover from PPPD and some that don't still live a wonderful life almost as if they never had it, having maybe 1 episode of dizziness every now and then

[jdyer]

This is such a lonely decease because nobody around you understand how you feel sometimes I just cry and cry because I feel I will never be myself again ... but coming here and reading gives me hope

[colemanglobal]

Does anyone notice it get worse when you talk with someone in a busier environment, like a restaurant?

[A_random_nerd_with_braces]

I've had this for years. I feel like you're describing me perfectly and it's the first time in my life anyone has ever done this. This is actually extremely emotional for me. Thank you so much for posting this video.

[charliebrousseau]

I had covid and my symptoms started after. I started feeling as if I was falling when I was up or it felt like I was in a moving boat all the time. It scared me at first so my anxiety was really bad. I had a brain scan, I did a lot of blood test, went to see an ear doctor. They couldn't find anything. My doctor told me she thought it was just anxiety but when you just know something is wrong with you. I knew it wasn't just that. I feel constantly dizzy, lightheaded. Oh yeah, I also went to see an eyes doctor because my eyes felt so weird. It constantly feel like they are moving, like I can't stare at a fixed point because I feel my eyes moving, of course the eyes doctor told me nothing was out the ordinary. I had to stop working because I felt like I was going to pass out anytime. I became extremely scared because I didn't know what was happening, I still get scared because I wonder if it will ever go away. It's harder when I am inside. Lights are a trigger, when I go outside it helps a lot, maybe because of the natural lights. Supermarkets and busy shops are triggering too. I hate this feeling, it's like living in constant fear and that you are out of this world completely. My parents doesn't even believe me since the doctor said it's anxiety. I mean try explaining these feelings to someone. It's really hard. I also have a lot of neck problems right now since I'm always so stiff. I hope other people can relate to how I feel and It really helps me knowing I'm not the only one going trough this.

[vivianhanna]

I’m medically healthy. Mine started all from anxiety and stress 6yrs ago

[Runeing]

I'm 23 and it's been 3 years for me. Completely debilitating for the first year and thought I had every chronic illness in the book. Went to a very dark place for a while. Ended up in the hospital and malnourished. I'm just now finding how what it really is and that I can do something about it. My symptoms are mainly out of body feelings. I also have slight visual disturbances and light sensitivity. I'm going through a program right now and I'm very hopeful to get back to normal. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.

[steveslong-covidjourneyPPPD]

Hi Emma, thanks for doing these videos, I had PPPD after Covid, seems like a lot of people have! Been recovering through Neuroplasticity and parasympathetic breathing, mediation, keep up the good work x

[CarrapatoFa]

suffering for 6 months now after a crohn's disease phase - you really give hope to those who fear living with these kind of symptoms! thank you so much! brings tears to my eyes that it is possible to recover fully from this

[dfanc]

Going on almost 2 years after having vestibular neuritis. Thought it was just a long healing process and didn't realize it could transition into this. It's usually only a problem when moving upright -like walking. Lots of eye strain and tension headaches from trying to focus. Anyone else? Your comment about feeling like you've had a few drinks is spot on! Did a great vestibular rehab program with all the bells and whistles but it didn't result in a full recovery. Trying to work my way out of this by being active through trail running and shooting hoops but the visual stimulation is exhausting after about 30 minutes and leaves me nauseous. Thank you for posting this! I was starting to lose hope.

[planetaryPoem]

It is only true to a certain degree when you say not to challenge the system. Once you see the tiniest improvement, challenge it. Go in crowds, supermarkets, walks and challenge yourself inwardly using affirmations that you are grounded and balanced. I’m doing that and am feeling the symptoms getting weaker.

[seeyouonthefly]

I am so glad you are feeling better. I unfortunately have mal de debarquement syndrome for over five years now. I, too, have a channel trying to process my work and home life with the swaying and bobbing 24/7. Wishing everyone stillness and living on the fly . . .

[bjornhansson]

Well I've got most of the symptoms of PPPD, had them since late may 2023. Especially the drunken, laggy sensation and unsteady dizzy feeling plus that I have tinnitus that came on about a week after my other symptoms started. I've had an MRI and an ECG plus bloodwork done, so I'll have a talk with my doctor about this. Stay strong all <3

[pct]

Wow nearly halfway through this and the symptoms are 100% bang on.

[endevourdaze]

Thanks for making this reassuring video. I first experienced it in 2015 and it went away after a few months or at least to a point were it wasn't bothering me anymore but in March of this year i experienced a really traumatic event which triggered it once again and it's been persistent ever since but i'm hopeful it will go away again in time as it did before!

[gregholtz]

I've had non stop lightedness for 10 years:( I've had a ct scan, I've seen a ent. All came back normal. I've seen a otoneurologist and thinks I had a viral infection in my inner ear, this describes my symptoms so perfectly

[still_standing]

Finally someone that understands!! You've given me hope to getting my life back!