Vertigo no more

written by Sophie Chiche

I experienced vertigo for the first time in my early teens. I was on a plane coming back from Toulouse, all by myself. My cousin put me on the plane on one end, and my mother was picking me up on the other. What happened in between went down as the worst day of my life thus far.

I remember sitting toward the front of the plane with a giant sign UM [unaccompanied minor] around my neck. About 20 minutes into the flight, I felt the cabin spinning around. Eyes opened, everything twirled in a circle. Eyes closed, nausea was immediate, vomit imminent. Bag in the sleeve in front of me, stewardess attentive if not slightly panicked.

I was wheeled out to the gate. That was the first of many episodes of vertigo. They have happened on most planes late into my adult life. As they occurred only on planes -and Ferris wheels and boats… which I avoid vehemently- the experience is manageable. I expect it. It happens most times. End of story.

Not quite. Until last week where it happened from the comfort of my own bed. Twirls and spins lasted about four days. Well, they got triggered if I moved my head an inch left or right. So, I laid still.

Until I decided to try this technique, I discovered a few months ago, EmRes. Emotional Resolution. I had done sessions for all sorts of emotional and mental stress. Mommy issues. Boyfriend tumult. Covid anxiety. I was not sure it would work with vertigo. The desperation of my situation pushed me to give it a try.

Crossing fingers and touching wood and turning brooms upside down [I know- that is what my mother does when she hopes something true, don’t ask]. It worked wonders. In the first session, I felt about 25% better — the second 50%. Third, completely gone. Actually, not quite. I am still experiencing a tiny bit of it. But from the work I did with my EmRes practitioner, I surrender instead of battle it when it happens. And the episode stops almost immediately.

I am ok with that.