Hi guys!

It all started with a series of ear infections. Then in July I had a viral infection and the dizziness has never stopped. I've seen 2 ENT's and a neurologist..and in both ENT appointments they were very brief and none of the standard tests were done.

Here are my symptoms:

Lightheadedness/Spaced out feeling - Like I'm in a dream world
Feeling of falling when I stand still or sit still
Marshmallow Feet when I walk (boucing)
Sometimes I can't feel my feet because the ground feels so weird and the feeling of falling is so severe.
I can't bend down because the dizziness is even worse.

Only recently I've had fluid building up in one ear from my tubes being blocked.

Can anyone sympathyse with these symptoms?

Kelly

Although my symptoms are not exactly like yours I surely sympathize with you because I know how it feels to be dizzy and feeling unbalanced. A lot of other people describe the same symptoms as you. You've come to the right place for help, even if it's just to vent. You are not alone. Your symptoms sound pretty much likes it's an inner ear problem. The best kind of doctor for that are neuro"OTOLOGIST" not to get confused with a neurologist. I'm sure you will find answers on this board. :)

Hi Kelly,

YES, you have my total sympathies, because I feel exactly like you. Horrible, isn't it? As Mica says, you want to push for a refettal to a neuro-otologist, who are the experts on these weird inner ear symptoms, and the sooner the better. Mine's dragged on for five years because ENTs didn't know what was going on with me and basically put it all down to anxiety, but a neuro-otologist had me tested, diagnosed and on treatment like a shot. Are you in the UK?

Ann

Hi Ann

Unfortunatly I am in the UK..and as you probably know..the NHS sucks!

One doctor I saw put it down to anxiety..and I was like 'of course I'm anxious..wouldn't you be if you had constant dizziness for 4 months?'

Thanks for your help Ann

Kelly

Hi there,

Both Anne and I are seen at the National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery in London. They have a neurotology department. I was referred on the NHS when the 2 ENT's I saw proved next to useless. I am in seen in Rosalyn Davies department. Your GP can refer you - it's a question of pushing them.

Your symptoms are clearly inner ear/or related - the marshmallow walk - often referred to on here as the trampoline walk can't be caused by anxiety.

best,

hbep

Hi hbep

Thank you so much for your information. I will mention it to my GP when I go next week.

Thanks for the support

Kelly

"One doctor I saw put it down to anxiety.." - yep, most of us on here have had that old chestnut! I was told I was making myself dizzy by hyperventilating. For five years solid?!

As hbep says, try to get to the National. You'll see LL mentioned on here a lot - that's my consultant, Prof. Linda Luxon, but Rosalin (sp?) Davis, the other neuro-otology consultant there, is supposed to be excellent as well. They'll believe you, take you seriously and do their best to get to the bottom of it.

Ann

Thanks for your support.

I'm actually in the process of being referred to another consultant...so I don't think my doc will refer me to another one yet. These consultants you mention sound like my saviours.

Thanks guys

Kelly

Hi Kelly,

My symptoms are exactly like yours, I even had an ear infection from wearing ear plugs before all this started for me more than 6 years ago. I have had no diagnosis, but am going to push for a referral to London when I go to my docs next week, with me being in Yorskhire though I cant see me being reffered on the NHS - they are terrible and have given me little help over the past 6 years, nearly everything I have had done has been privately - its stinks doesnt it? what consultatnt are you being referred to at the moment?

Anyway take care - you are not alone hope you soon get some answers,

Chris x

Hi

I hope you get some answers Chris :)

I'm going to go to the doctors on wednesday and try and get a referral to a Neurotologist.

Thanks for the help and support everyone!

Kelly

It isnt easy Chris to get a referral - it normally has to go to the Primary Care Trust - mine did as my GP in the north also - took 6 mths to get the green light. Be assertive and patient. Good luck xx

Thanks CL,

I will remember that tomorrow when Im sat in front of doc, gonna try my best to be assertive. Will let you know how it goes.

Kelly, good luck for Wednesday,

chris

Good luck, Chris. Remember the magic words - 'So, are you denying me treatment?'

Ann xx

Hi Chris,

I'll be thinking of you on Weds - hoping it goes ok. I like Anne's suggestion - nice tack - although if all else fails, as I said, I found crying hysterically worked, lol.

best,

hbep

Thanks Ann and hbep,

I like that Ann, and if it fails I will blub lol, hope you 2 guys are ok,

Chris x

Thanks everyone!

This weekend has been very tough for me...I've been getting very anxious..but thats no suprise. So on wednesday I'm going over to my doctors and my mums coming too...so were both gonna plead with him.

Hope everything goes well with you Chris.

Kelly