For all fellow dizzies I read this paragraph written by Subs on another thread but its a great one - so here it is. (hope You Don't Mind Subs)

Thanks Subs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :angel:

Try and remember---it is nothing basically/fundamentally wrong with you--it is just some bad electrical signals---generated---by an injury to a sensor(vestibular)---which will repair it self--either---by relying on the good(vestibular) side "more"---or---regrowing/repairing/healing the nerves on the bad side--it will take time--and you need to help---the compensation--but it will go---as it does for most!!---all you need to do---is understand it---for what it is and what it is not---that will help---you keep it together---will not be pleasant--but it will be over!! :)

No prob---but

Rereading---what I said--understand it for what it is and what it is not--was thinking of this:

In some very primitive species lacking both a
cerebrum and a cerebellum, the inner ear is the brain, performing many of
the same functions performed by the cerebellum in higher species. It is
thought that through evolution our cerebellum and cerebrum developed out of
the vestibular system. Because of this, there is a high degree of
integration between the cerebellum and the inner ear.

The inner-ear more or less now acts as the antenna to our brain. If this
antenna is damaged (physically, chemical or virally), information to the
brain will be of poor quality. This does not mean there is anything wrong
with the TV set (our brain). The antenna (the inner-ear) , however might
need an adjustment so that the brain gets better reception.

The vestibular system filters and fine tunes all sensory information
entering the brain--light, sound, motion, gravitational energy, chemical
information, air pressure, temperature, etc. It is responsible for
coordinating, controlling, and fine tuning our vision, hearing, balance,
sense of direction, sense of motion, sense of altitude and depth, sense of
smell, anxiety level, depression etc.

The vestibular system also processes motor function. It coordinates,
controls and fine tunes all motor information leaving the brain. Therefore
it is responsible for guiding and coordinating our eyes, head, hands, feet,
limbs, etc., as well as our various mental and physical functions
--voluntary and involuntary.

The inner-ear system functions:

· It acts like a gyroscope giving you your sense of balance.
· It acts like a compass, giving you your intuitive sense of direction.
· It acts like a guided-missile system, coordinating your movements
(voluntary and involuntary) and thoughts in time and space.
· It acts like a sensory processor (or tuner), tuning in and fine tuning all
of the sensory information entering the brain including light, sound,
motion, gravity, barometric pressers, electromagnetic fields, temperature,
humidity, chemicals, and so on.
· It regulates and dampens anxiety and depression.

DAMAGE TO THE INNER-EAR CAN EVIDENCE ITSELF IN ANY OR ALL OF THE Following:

- balance and coordination
- vision and hearing
- sense of direction
- sense of time
- motion sensitivity
- memory
- fatigue
- concentration and distractibility
- hyperactivity and overactivity
- obsessions and compulsions
- academic performance
- anxiety and depression levels

And -----NO TWO PEOPLE ALIKE

No two people present the same set of identical
symptoms. It depends on which cells and circuits of the inner-ear system
have been damaged. One person may have more problems with learning
disabilities, another with speech, another with phobias, another with
fatigue, another with ADD, another with depression but often symptoms
overlap. It is even possible to have vestibular damage without having
motion sick problems. A person may have difficulty with eye-tracking
(reading) but be able to ride amusement park rides all day long.

It is hard for most to realize the depth, complications and complexities of this thing---what is happening and when it is happening to them is like a "near death experince"---for most

--- whatever the label---patients or the medical types hang on it

---but--the real danger---for most---is not the injury---but the stress/anxiety/depression---which can cause some real long term problems---long after this thing---has been long gone---that is the real enemy in all of this---for most!!

---Getting a handle on what it is and what it is not---helps---to combat--the real enemy

---while

---the current problem---is not pleasant---it goes--in time-- for most!!



:cool:

Hey Subs- thats one of the best things I've ever seen on the subject!!

Thanks for that Subs. It is incredible what the vestibular system does and can do. I had to email your quote to my husband to give him a deeper understanding of what I've been dealing with for the past year. I have not checked these boards in a while because I've been doing pretty well with many more good days than bad (or else my attitude has just changed and I ignore the bad days!), though I have been under water working on my master's thesis. Your words help so much to reaffirm that the progress toward normal (or at least "better") is always happening. I certainly feel it anyway.

:wave: Have a great day!
Terri

Hi Terri

Had a feeling things were going well---few who have not dealt with this understand the depth of the impact of this problem---excellent idea to send it to those involved in supporting you---they need that information---to understand what your dealing with 24/7

---I said above "few who have not dealt with this"---but even some of those who have the problem and those who should understand how to treat it--the medical types---don't understand---you would think---they(medical types) would at least get enough knowledge in med school to get you pointed in the right direction and in to the hands of the right Doc's(N-Oto's)

Glad you feeling better!!

Still maintaining 100% :D always room for one more!!

:cool:

Thanks, Subs. It's great to hear from you and that you are still 100%. I can't wait to join you (and I will!). How long has it been again, 16-17 months? My one year anniversary will be on December 28. I was reading I think Hbep's post where she mentioned feeling normal at about 14 months, so I know this will continue to work itself out until it's all gone.

I actually feel fortunate that mine was only two episodes of BPPV (during which were the only times I experienced the dizziness of vertigo), when I read about some of the more chronic conditions such as labs or menieres that others have to deal with. I wish them the courage and strength to know they will get better. It's so tough. That second bout (in June) was what did the damage to my right inner ear, and the effects of that are what I continue to recover from now. And you're right (I was reading scant5's post from her doc visit last month) those docs can be so horrible and not helpful at all. My GP was AWFUL about this. Loaded me up with drugs and told me to just wait and there was nothing she could do. I was lucky to come across a really great ENT and also a great doc who performed my ENG. He actually had worked closely with Epley to develop the maneuver (I live in Portland, Oregon where Epley has practiced for many years), so there's some knowledgable docs around here. Though, I feel like I should forward your quote to my docs so that before they say they don't know what's going on with the next patient who comes in with head fog and dizziness, they can explore problems with the vestibular system! At least maybe someone else won't have to suffer the way some of us have while the docs figure it out (or not).

I was wondering, is your body of knowledge based on your own research because of your own condition, or do you have some medical training? You know so much and help so many. :angel: Thank you for that; it's a true comfort.

Happy Holidays and best wishes for a 100% 2004!
Terri :)

Hi Terri

Yep---17 months(this month)---100% from the 14 month on(knock on wood)

..."is your body of knowledge based on your own research because of your own condition, or do you have some medical training?".....

The first part of the question--is yes--& second part is no---never heard of this junk---like most---never gave balance a second thought---but--after that first visit to the Doc---knew---that---while they(medical types) might have to be on the "bus"---did not want them---"driving" it---so started digging---I needed to understand---what the heck was going down!

Like everyone here---wish I had never heard of it!

And--yep--your at that point--were things normally start to break--my bet is--that it will not be long now--to the 100% mark!!--but boy what a trip :dizzy:

Happy Holidays! And 100% for us both in 2004--and--also-- for all or fellow passengers!

:cool: