Ever fall into your boat?

[noelH]

Developed idiopathic SSNHL little over a year ago. Balance was really off for the first month.  So much so that I told my brother-in-law over Christmas he could have Vela if I am unable to sail any more.  Forced myself to work on balance improvement over the winter months. A few face plants on land. Was able to sail last season. By early August was able to windsurf.  Windsurf foiling was a bit more challenging. Having a surface that is moving and lumpy the gyro functions better than a smooth surfaces. Oct 17th was an epic(image attached) Lake Superior windsurfing session. Heavy winds and seas. No balance issues on the board.

Problem is more stationary objects. Late summer finally took a fall sailing. Pulling into the marina ramp pier. Up and out. Tied off Vela. Back into Vela to lift the keel and rudder. Was a fall v. step. Luckily grabbed the boom while in the process of face planting. Bonked my forehead on the boom. Luckily padded by the sail. No damage to the boom.  Bit embarrassing then. But getting use to embarrassing myself. Broke out the snowboard a couple weeks ago. First exit off the chairlift all was fine for a moment. Then just toppled over onto my face.  No problems carving some high speed GS turns down to the lift station. Stop. Reach down to unstrap. Boom. Head plant. At least it brought out some smiles and a few laughs.
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[Doug SC]

My dad who turned 101 2 months ago calls it the adventure of aging, but it ain't pretty! The best medicine is laughing.

[Brian N.]

Good for you not giving up! I can't offer any advice but as an avid skier and sailor I applaud your determination. My wife, who has a doctorate in that area, encourages you to seek a specialist (if you have not done so already). Best to you.

[Riley Smith]

Yes, I can sympathize. My balance is miles off from the times I used to work high above the ground. I'm glad you powered through!

[noelH]

ENT, MRI, Audiology test.  Diagnosis: Like most cases. Unknown cause.  Prognosis: profound (>80db)left ear hearing loss.  No functional inner left ear.  Life.  The good thing about my relative active lifestyle has been better than most coordination and balance prior to the event.

Bit weird at times. Went snowboarding yesterday for the 3rd or 4th time this season.  First day was more than interesting. Bit rusty plus the wobble.  No issues once strapped in and moving. Has become more of a problem when not moving. Was able to lay down some high speed dynamic GS turns without issue.  No Euro carves, but clean single track marks. Hit a steeper and narrow. No problems with quick edge changes. Then I stop to unstrap at the chair loading zone and tip over. Just standing in the line I almost fell into the snow fence that mark the loading corridor. No longer embarrassing.  Lift operators know me pretty well and get a good laugh. I think others are wondering what's up with me. Life.

[Norm L.]

Inner ear problems become interesting. Two years ago was lying down in bed hit by a sudden episode as if of 3 straight shots of 100 proof. This first episode was the worst one. The future ones went on 3-5 second hits when getting out of bed, or for no reason.
Eight weeks of PT with vertigo exercises has worked, and I continue them without effect once or twice a week just to be sure.

My exact cause was also not clearly defined.

[Doug SC]

My daughter while doing a postdoc in Boston had a severe case of vertigo and nausea caused by a virus. It took weeks to recover, and Carol flew up to care for her. She had to wear an eye patch on one eye to keep her balance as she improved.

[Brian N.]

My wife says that you might be a candidate for vestibular therapy if you have not explored that. Next sailing season, let us know how you are dealing with the dynamics of a moving sailboat.

[noelH]

No vertigo. Vertigo was really bad the morning I awoke to being deaf.  First time experiencing vertigo. A week later things really calmed down.  Sort still walking like a drunk, but at least able to walk.  ~6 weeks later started to do some winter hiking.  Couple face plants, but luckily climbing moderately steep pitches on the trail.

Actually minimal issue in dynamic environments.  Heavier seas windsurfing feels easier.  The surface conditions require proper jibe technique and focus.  Actually nailing (exited still planing with minimal loss of speed) most my jibes in the heavier seasons relative to the flatter water closer to shore where I probably don't focus on the transition as well.  Didn't attempt any jumps. Nice ramps were tempting, but I guess wiser with age. No issues with boat movement in heavy seas. It's more of a balance issue when motionless or on firm footing. 

ENT noted that the inner ear, the vestibulocochlear nerve is basically "dead".  Probably due to an acute inflammatory reaction. MRI show no evidence of vascular issue, but could have had an acute ischemic event resulting in lack of blood flow and the needed oxygen to maintain the organ. Or it could have been the maybe suspected more common inflammatory reaction to a viral infection.  MRI also ruled out schwannoma or other tumors.  End diagnosis: Idophathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Testing and working on balance as usual using an my ancient Indo roller board, bit of surf skating inside the garage when it was warmer. Bit weird all the things I can do on the boards, but some days just lose my balance standing still. The lift operator asked me if I need to have the chair slow down when I load and unload. I told him to speed it up. He laughed.

Did have to invest in a folding camp chair for FPV(first person view) with the quads. Without the chair for whatever reasons wearing the goggles I would fall over.  Thinking the view is the flight motion of the quad or sailplane and my stationary head don't mix.

[rfrance0718]

Your determination is remarkable. I'm sure that you will keep us posted.

By the way. I just got off of the phone with my buddy who has a summer house in Bayfield. He's flying up there in a couple of days to take advantage of favorable ice. He hasn't had his Arrow out in lots of years. I'm sure I'll get a report.

[noelH]

Is the Arrow an iceboat? Last IIRC Thursday I had a dental appointment in Ashland,WI.  Town across the Bay. Ice free of any snow cover for miles out. Ice fisherman miles out. Doesn't necessary mean safe ice miles out.  IIRC, there were 3 iceboats "anchored" off Sand Bar Beach(aka Masolowski Beach, Goose Sh..Beach, ...) at the western end of town.

Madeline Is ferry is still running. Skim ice forming into the South Channel.  No ice fisherman out of the Bay except for a few crazies along Bayview Beach between the Sioux and Onion Rivers. Lake Effect snow last Saturday night ending on Sunday.  Real windy today.  Small craft warning to gale warning should blow the snow downwind clearing the ice.