I've read many of your posts and am interested in finding out how you know if you have permanent nerve damage or inflamation only. Do you have to have an ENG to find out? I've been to several doctors with my dizzy, off balance, boat rocking, head spinning feelings and have had an audiogram done which showed "perfect hearing", but what does perfect hearing rule out?? My doctor thinks the dizziness is related to extra fluid build up due to pregnancy. I had a three week bout when I was four months pregnant, then at the end of my pregnancy it came back and after I delivered it was so bad that i could barely function at home. An ENT said that she doesn't even think it's my ear but has to do with pregnancy!!! I'm sure the pregnancy contributed, but what else is it if it's not my ear?? I'm now going to Vestibular Rehabilition (the ENT referred me, even though it's "not my ear") and the vestibular therapist is the only one who seems to understand what I'm going through and not look at me like I'm crazy or just suffering from post partum stuff. Also as it's gotten much better (though still a long way from being normal) I've been able to walk my baby around the block, gradually adding the number of times I go around. Walking has helped immensly, especially mentally. Has anyone else had a baby and had the dizziness get worse during pregnancy or after delivery. My baby is now three months old and as he becomes more active I want to be able to play with him without having to rock back and forth to make myself feel balanced. My dizziness is worst when I am trying to stand or sit still. I'm so sorry for all of you who have this dizziness, it's horrible!!

Hi dizzymommy:
Congratulations on your baby! Sorry to hear you are dizzy on top of all the responsibilities of being mom.
The test they usually do to find out if you have vestibular damage is an ENG.
Audiological testing can only tip them off to possible presence of another condition (i.e. Meniere's)
Just speculating but you may very well have something connected to hormones. MAV can cause inner ear symptoms and with your recent pregnancy and hormone fluctuations, it may be affecting your balance mechanisms. A lot of women with MAV find their symptoms get worse at certain times of the month. Some people unfortunately have all the testing ENG, MRI etc. and they find nothing but the dizziness is still there along with other symptoms at times.
The VRT is about the only thing they can do anyway outside of medication to treat migraines or anxiety. If you do have damage it takes awhile to get yourself readjusted, and staying active and VRT can help the process along.
If it would make you feel better having proof I would press the Dr. to get you in for further testing and see what they suggest.
Hope you feel better.

ASLme, thanks for your input and info! I've read a little about MAV and should look into it more. I have always been a migraine sufferer (about 2 times a week), but during the pregnancy they disappeared (thank goodness because I wouldn't dare take my migraine medicine while pregnant). Everyone keeps telling me that it's probably alot to do with hormones, which I'm sure it is, but I know it's not just that. Also, my doc. gave me some med. to help with the anxiety when I go out somewhere, but I just feel so wierd taking it while I'm nursing. If it had an effect on my baby I would feel just horrible.
I'm going to stick with the VRT as it seems to be helping already and when I go for my followup I'll ask the doc. about MAV (and hopefully be armed with lots of info.). The migraines are back which I can actually live with as long as the dizzyness goes. I'm trying very hard to stick with nursing my baby, but if I need to take medicine if it is something like MAV, then I'm going to have to stop eventually for all of our well being. I figure just like my baby is developing his coordination, I am readjusting mine, so we'll be at it together :) . I'll also press for the ENG testing if it goes on too much longer, just so I would know for sure. Do you know if MAV can cause constant dizziness or is it just in attacks?

I think with MAV you can have ongoing, constant dizziness. Some people do not even get the "classic" migraine headache, but just have dizziness which is the migraine.
Know what you mean about taking stuff while you're nursing...I was even hesitant to do tylenol. But enjoy it; it is such a precious time. Don't feel badly if it comes to stopping though, like you said. You have to look at the "big picture" too and do what you have to do for everyone's benefit.
Take care, Elisabeth