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From: paul
Yes, you are correct. I do not work because my employer had a Long Term Disability Plan which I qualified for due to the VV condition. Basically, because I worked in the field and operated company equipment, the liability issue was great. Subsequently, the Long Term Disability insurance carrier contacted Allsup Inc. who are specialists to help individuals like myself apply for and get Social Security Disability which was accomplished are a 2 year process which is normal. As far as changing my lifestyle you inquired about, I do not drive on freeways, swim, skydive etc. In effect, as long as you keep yourself in a position to handle a blackout which is proceeded by 5-10 seconds of dizziness, you don't put yourself in harms way. Other lifestyle modications include lots of salt in diet, regular exercise to keep muscle tone in legs, 8 hours sleep daily, avoid stress as much possible, and always, always, always, learn to recognize dizziness symptoms which escalate to blackouts and take proper action of laying on back ASAP and elevating legs far above head so as to gravity feed blood back to head area in an effort to deter blackout. I am able to dismiss blackout spells about 50% of the time by using this method. Lastly, if you find yourself experiencing extreme aniexty due to your condition, consult a therapist in an effort to keep your head straight--take care.