Hi Guys

I don't know if you are interested but I thought Id tell you the latest development for me.

I have had 24/7 dizzyness, imbalance, visual disortion for almost 18 months now. Since day 2 of illness when I ended up at emergency I have been told I have inner ear problem. I have seen countless specialists who have all told me inner ear problems.

Last week I went to see top ENT/ Neurotologist in my city who told me he thinks that it is definately NOT inner ear and referred me to guy who specialises in TMJ, facial pain etc. :confused:

This TMJ specialist has told me that I have SCM which is where I have overworked neck muscles through bad posture. The 3 most common symptoms from SCM is dizziness/ imbalance, visual distortion and referred pain (ie back pain, tension headaches, eye strain etc).

So now I am going to have physio to release muscle tension and learn decent posture and hopefully I will see an end to this dizziness. :D

Good luck and wish me luck that I might have finally found my solution. :bouncing:

Leigh

Hi Leigh

Thanks for letting us know and here's hoping you've found your diagnosis and can finally kick this rubbish. Keep us informed of how you get on as I really wonder how many of the long term cases on this board may have something else going on which is complicating the recovery/compensation process.

Just out of interest, do you have any idea how this neurotologist knew your problem was not inner ear related? did you have an ENG for example and what were the results?

Anyway, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, xx

Hi Leigh
I just wanted to add my two cents.
I definitely had an Inner Ear Problem 4 years ago. This past March I got a really bad sinus infection and developed Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. The ETD caused all kinds of inner ear symptoms. My neurotologist told me this was not unexpected. I too developed really bad headaches and neck and back pain. About 2 months ago, I went to an Orthopedist who sent me for Physical Therapy on my neck. It has helped tremendously. The headaches are significantly less severe and the visual problems and dizziness are at about 95% most of the time. I think the PT has helped me relax and the head motions to help the neck are very similar to the VRT exercises. My point is I think I have a combination of problems causing my symptoms, but after so many months of improving slowly, the neck exercises sped up my recovery significantly.

I hope it helps for you!!!
Mia

Hi, am so glad ya'll found something that helps.Would you mind sharing the neck exercises? I think most of us suffer with the tight neck and aching back and the blasted headaches...I know I sure do. Thanks, Belle

Hi All
Here is my routine
10 minutes of moist heat. I use one of those microwave things or I do these in the shower.
Neck Stretches
1. Turn Head to the left and hold for 5 sec, repeat on right side do 10 times on each side.

2. Rotate Right ear to right shoulder and hold for 5 sec, repeat on left side, do 10 times on each side.

3.Tilt head as far back as you can and hold for 5 sec. Bring chin to chest and hold for 5 sec, repeat 10 times.

Isometrics
1. Place hand on forhead and push head into palms. Repeat 10 times
2. Place hands behind head and push head into palms.
Repeat 10 times
3. Place hand on either side on head and push hand with head. Repeat 10 times on each side
4. Place hand on either side of head and resist a turning motion. Repeat 10 times on each side.

I also use a weight machine and do exercises for my shoulders and chest.

My therapist told me that in my case, I should not sit at a computer for more than 1 hour without stretching. I get up walk around and stretch. She told me to take a small towel and roll it up and hold both ends and rotate it around over my head to my back.

Hope this helps..........
Mia
I also have these rubber band type things that I attach to the door. There are exercises I do with the bands that are resistance type.

Hi Mia, Thanks so much for sharing. I sure will do what I can of those. The neck staying so tense can not be helping any at all. Thanks again. Belle

Hi Guys

I had the ENG tests twice before and they have always been on the lower end of vest problems but the neuroto thinks that there is no problem there and that the tests have been misleading previous specialists. Anyways he is wanting to do further testing to confirm there is definately no inner ear prob.

When I saw the tmj specialists he pinched the muscles in my neck and I screamed they were so painful while other ones were not painful at all. Also as soon as I walked in he said that my posture is incorrect and I am putting alot of stress of my neck muscles.

Good luck to everyone.

Hi,

I think I posted a while about this, I have severe TMJD, and neck problems and my one ear is horrible, the dizziness, pressure and ringing. The only thing (despite visiting like 10 ear, TMJ, brain docs etc) that helped me was seeing a massage therapist that took the time to research my condition, and she came up with the SCM being tight, it has helped me SOOOOO much get back some moments of life without hating eevery minute, when your ears go you are shot and no one can see it so they don't understand. Check out her info, I think she has written an article on the TMJ/neck connection that you may find interesting for the amta, american massage therapists association. Her site, look on google for Laura Sadler + massage spirit.

Hi,

I think I posted a while about this, I have severe TMJD, and neck problems and my one ear is horrible, the dizziness, pressure and ringing. The only thing (despite visiting like 10 ear, TMJ, brain docs etc) that helped me was seeing a massage therapist that took the time to research my condition, and she came up with the SCM being tight, it has helped me SOOOOO much get back some moments of life without hating eevery minute, when your ears go you are shot and no one can see it so they don't understand. Check out her info, I think she has written an article on the TMJ/neck connection that you may find interesting for the amta, american massage therapists association. Her site, look on google for Laura Sadler + massage spirit.

It is so true that bad posture can make you feel off balance. I had labs in august but it is gone now. The off balance feelings I get come from my neck muscles. Seems as you get older if you don't stand or sit with the spine in proper alignment you can get all kinds of strange things. I do the stretches that help keep the spine in proper position. Another thing that will give you an off balance feeling is sinus congestion caused by allergies or cold bugs and if you are near menopause age the blood vessels are dilating a bit more due to change in hormone levels which can cause problems if they dilate in the nasal area because this will give you a full feeling.

Can you describe what you do with the bands?

Were you having any ear problems as a result of the neck problem? ie.. popping in the ears and pressure?

Hi All
Here is my routine
10 minutes of moist heat. I use one of those microwave things or I do these in the shower.
Neck Stretches
1. Turn Head to the left and hold for 5 sec, repeat on right side do 10 times on each side.

2. Rotate Right ear to right shoulder and hold for 5 sec, repeat on left side, do 10 times on each side.

3.Tilt head as far back as you can and hold for 5 sec. Bring chin to chest and hold for 5 sec, repeat 10 times.

Isometrics
1. Place hand on forhead and push head into palms. Repeat 10 times
2. Place hands behind head and push head into palms.
Repeat 10 times
3. Place hand on either side on head and push hand with head. Repeat 10 times on each side
4. Place hand on either side of head and resist a turning motion. Repeat 10 times on each side.

I also use a weight machine and do exercises for my shoulders and chest.

My therapist told me that in my case, I should not sit at a computer for more than 1 hour without stretching. I get up walk around and stretch. She told me to take a small towel and roll it up and hold both ends and rotate it around over my head to my back.

Hope this helps..........
Mia
I also have these rubber band type things that I attach to the door. There are exercises I do with the bands that are resistance type.

Hi pd50---i am wondering---I am almost 49 and what you said about the vessels swelling in the nose--how would we know? I feel the pressure in my head and the outside of my nose looks like it does some swelling on the sides---I asked ENT--my answer---there is no known reason for the outside of nose to swell--so no answer....
Mia, have been doing some of the exercise and I can tell its doing some good.I can also feel warmth going to neck at times. I suppose this means increased circulaton!!! Thanks, Belle

Hi pd50---i am wondering---I am almost 49 and what you said about the vessels swelling in the nose--how would we know? I feel the pressure in my head and the outside of my nose looks like it does some swelling on the sides---I asked ENT--my answer---there is no known reason for the outside of nose to swell--so no answer....
Mia, have been doing some of the exercise and I can tell its doing some good.I can also feel warmth going to neck at times. I suppose this means increased circulaton!!! Thanks, Belle

I think when you get near the menopause age the changing hormonal levels cause some changes in the circulation........at times the blood vessels can swell and you feel congested in the nose which also affects the ET in the ears.........because when I went to the ER claiming my head felt like it was blown up and I had pressure along the sides of my nose and my ears were blocked they said the Ct scan just showed a slight infection in the ethmoid sinus which is between your eyes . That was not even close to where I was feeling it. So I believe some of what I am feeling has plenty to do with menopause. And some pregnant woman I believe have a lot of problems with swelling in the nasal cavities due to the changes in hormones during pregnancy. I believe that is why people prone to migraines will experiece more of them sometimes during the firt trimester of pregnancy and also as they near menopause. Because it affects the blood vessels.

Hi Mel
Yes I have popping and crackling in my ears. It was constant in the beginning but now it is very intermittant. It is especially bad when the weather changes. This year the weather can't seem to be steady for more than 2 days in a row. Everything started after a really bad sinus infection. I think the neck muscles got tight because of stress from the dizziness. My X ray and MRI showed that I lost all the curvature in my cervical spine. The doc said it was caused by muscle spasms. I don't think the neck thing caused the dizziness originally but I have a feeling it is why the symptoms have lasted so long.

I have two bands one is yellow the other red. The yellow is more flexible than the the red. I start with the yellow and work my way up to the red.

I step on one end and hold the other with my hand. I raise my arm as far as I can from different directions out in front to the side, behind my back etc.
I also tie a knot in one end and close it in a door jam. In this position I can do some side to side motions moving my arm from the elbow to the wrist.

I think these exercises are more for my shoulders than my neck but everything works together.

Hope this helps
Mia

hi everyone,
i'm new to this site so here's my story
in October I had a terrible case of vertigo that lasted 2 months non-stop.I was totally disabled. I had no prior symptoms prior to this, not even a cold.I did theorpy to get my balance back. I still feel somewhat off when walking,I also have ringing and pain in my ears. The ENT gave me allegraD and flownase, not working.Has anyone have any information for me.I actually made an appointment with a new ENT I really did't care for him. THANKS FOR LISTENING.

when you do these exercises,the one where you put your chin to your chest,why would it pull and hurt bad in my neck,chest and back?i cant even get my chin all the way to my chest,it hurts too bad.

sandydiaz - what you describe sounds v much like labyrinthitis - i'd do more vrt......(exercises) and keep active.

Interesting about your story star...but must say I think neck dizziness is different to inner ear dizziness - this is just to reassure belle etc - im v confused as my neuroto said neck cannot stop compensation and she said dont touch the neck if you have inner ear prob, itll confuse the brain and send odd signals...Agree dizzy blonde that maybe things that hold people back from compensating or maybe its just that some people take longer?? (ie anxiety has been shown to hold people back from compensation) but I do think inner ear dizziness is very distinctive and altho neck can make you off balance its v different to inner ear dizziness. Do people agree?

I think neck stuff can worsen vestibular stuff and it is worth keeping this under control (i do via osteopathy which has cut down my headaches to 1 a fortnight) but as Billy rightly said no test can rule out a vestibular - inner ear -disorder and its actually more likely that people have both things going on...It seems the norm for lab people to have neck tension - no wonder holding our heads still daily!!! Keep us informed star...im not saying your prob is not solely neck but I am just trying to reassure the rest of us who may be panicking, doubting or questioning...Star, I think u have TMJ? This is different to a sore neck so belle etc dont panic. I think dizziness is def possible with TMJ but you'd know you have TMJ. I also know that with SCM stuff, you'd have chin, jaw, often throat pain...not just a sore neck and dizziness is normally bought on by "sudden head movements" and can be brought on by "pinching the SCM muscle". It is most often caused by "whiplash" or a certain injury or/and is strongly linked to facial pain and TMJ disorder.

I will have my fingers crossed for you star and pray that this therapy will help you and give you a dizzy free world! :dizzy:

xxx

Hi All,

3.Tilt head as far back as you can and hold for 5 sec.

I was told NOT to do this by my physiotherapist. Bringing the chin to the chest is OK as long as you keep your chin tucked but tilting the head back is a big no-no. It causes unnecessary compression/shearing at C1, C2. She told me to sit with your back and head against a wall and slowly stretch the neck muscles by doing "chin tucks" to the chest and keeping your eyes focused straight ahead.

Scott

Hi All

Just in relation to my neck, posture issue - I have kinda given up on that. I saw a physiotherapist who worked on it for about 2 months and while my neck, back symptom improved the dizziness did not therefore he decided it was not causal. As emsybobs said it is more likely that the dizzy problem has caused the neck/ back pain. I am certain I have vest damage to right ear as had more testing in january. But am trying to find out what is holding back compensation at the moment.

So thats the update - another dead end!

Agree entirely star...

Scott - the VRT expercise is putting your head up like you describe!!!! And that is one of my main probs dizzy wise so I have to do it!!! xxx

Hi All

Just in relation to my neck, posture issue - I have kinda given up on that. I saw a physiotherapist who worked on it for about 2 months and while my neck, back symptom improved the dizziness did not therefore he decided it was not causal. As emsybobs said it is more likely that the dizzy problem has caused the neck/ back pain. I am certain I have vest damage to right ear as had more testing in january. But am trying to find out what is holding back compensation at the moment.

So thats the update - another dead end!

Sorry star803,
I was going to say same as emsybobs. Since all this started for me my off and on leg pain from past 10 years has gotten much worse and has moved from ankles and knees to ankles, knees, butt and lower back. Not only that but when I spend a lot of time walking and standing I will get shoulder pain from slumping to one side while standing. I get a lot of weird sensations in back and shoulders like hot cold and heavyness. All these extra symptoms may be caused from pinched nerves or scatiac nerve impingement, I personally think that it was all caused by inner ear probs. All of my extra probs started a couple months into dizziness and have gotten worse. Not only that but I have a new prob where I get urgency when sitting and putting feet up, as if something is pushing on my bladder.

I feel like the most unhealthy 35 year old on the planet. And to think I was chasing my kids around the yard at this time last year. Sorry you were let down star 083 it still may have a lot to do with your dizziness. Dont give up! And if all this stuff makes you mad make sure you punch something soft. DO NOT HIT A METEL DOOR. LOL. I got a broke hand to boot.

Derek

Am sorry derek you are feeling so rubbish - you really hit a metal door?!

xxx

Am sorry derek you are feeling so rubbish - you really hit a metal door?!

xxx

Yes

I went down to my shop and got mad so my kids would not see me, I dont want them to think I am a psycho jerk. They found out anyway when I walked back up to the house with a broke hand. You should see the dent I left in the door.LOL.