Creeping Crud
01-15-2002, 03:15 PM
I noticed that in one of his posts Allen mentioned that he rarely drives anymore & I was curious as to how many others of us don't drive anymore and the reason why.. I can barely ride in a moving vehicle without getting extremely dizzy to the point of almost blacking out & the last few times I actually drove, I had to keep pulling over, pinching myself and holding my head out of the window just to make it back home in one piece.. I finally stopped driving altogether because I knew that I was seriously compromising my safety and the safety of others when I was behind the wheel..
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sujenke
01-15-2002, 09:01 PM
I had a period in my life several years ago where the dizziness made me afraid to drive. A good ENT (ears, nose, throat specialist) helped me out, and now I almost never have dizziness. I don't know if the dizziness was because of FMS, but the ENT definitely helped me. Please don't be shy about seeing specialists- your life and QUALITY of life is worth whatever it takes to get you back on track.
Also, don't assume that the dizziness is FMS - an inner ear disorder, calcium deposits in the ear canal, sinus pressure, and other things can cause the same symptoms, and they are treatable!
Let me know how you progress, and good luck!
God Bless,
Susan
Also, don't assume that the dizziness is FMS - an inner ear disorder, calcium deposits in the ear canal, sinus pressure, and other things can cause the same symptoms, and they are treatable!
Let me know how you progress, and good luck!
God Bless,
Susan
Allen
01-16-2002, 11:54 AM
My main problem with driving was the sedating effects from my meds. I get a bit nervous sliding behind the wheel, when my brain is disengaged :) I am now taking Provigil and it MAY be making me more alert. People with Fibro do have lots of fatigue, so I too had some times returning from an appt afraid I might get in a wreck!! Al
Creeping Crud
01-16-2002, 12:40 PM
Susan: I've always wondered if I would benefit from seeing an ENT (even though all the other doctors I've seen basically poo-pooed my dizziness as a symptom of FMS or asked me if I was pregnant which I wasn't).. I've actually wondered if an ear problem caused the FMS because I began exhibiting symptoms after contracting viral labyrinthitis 4 years ago and finally got a diagnosis of fibromyalgia about a year ago.. What did the ENT find and/or do when you went?
Allen: Thanks for the reply!! :wave:
Allen: Thanks for the reply!! :wave:
sujenke
01-16-2002, 03:01 PM
Hi!
The ENT did lots of tests (non-painful) on my ears and first determined that I DID have an inner-ear problem. He then prescribed some heavy-duty decongestants (basically the same medicine as non-drying sudafed, which contains guaifenesin, but stronger), experimented with different antihistimines, and did a few things inside my ear that were uncomfortable but not painful.
I probably saw him every other month for about a year, and then less frequently afterwards. He was quite sure that something in my environment was causing an allergic reaction, and he didn't "poo poo" chemical sensitivity.
All that he did worked for me, and I didn't need anything further to be done, but I know that some people have something similar to an ultrasound done to their ears while the ENT manipulates their head position, and this moves the calcium deposits that are floating around in their inner ear fluid. I've heard that it's really effective.
I think my doctor was really good and "up" on the newest research. He was on staff at the teaching hospital (University of Missouri). He really wanted to avoid surgery at all costs, which I appreciated.
In order to get a family doctor to take me seriously and get me an appointment at the ENT, I went to his office, had a dizzy spell after standing up,fell down, threw up and cried in his office. He took me seriously after that!! LOL!
If I take my allergy medication, take decongestants at the first sign of either congestion or dizzy spells, use a humidifier and air purifier at night, then I never have real dizzy spells anymore, but if I start having them like I used to, I'll get into the ENT"s office ASAP.
It was so miserable being dizzy all the time. It made me have a headache, get sick to my stomach, and feel like a freak. I'm so thankful that I found a solution to my problem, and I'm sure you will too.
Try going to your family doctor and TELLING him to get you an appointment with an ENT. IF he won't do it, then find a doctor who will. If that doesn't work, just call an ENT (they are also called otolaryngologists) and find one who'll take you without a referral. It won't hurt, and it can definitely help!
God Bless,
Susan
The ENT did lots of tests (non-painful) on my ears and first determined that I DID have an inner-ear problem. He then prescribed some heavy-duty decongestants (basically the same medicine as non-drying sudafed, which contains guaifenesin, but stronger), experimented with different antihistimines, and did a few things inside my ear that were uncomfortable but not painful.
I probably saw him every other month for about a year, and then less frequently afterwards. He was quite sure that something in my environment was causing an allergic reaction, and he didn't "poo poo" chemical sensitivity.
All that he did worked for me, and I didn't need anything further to be done, but I know that some people have something similar to an ultrasound done to their ears while the ENT manipulates their head position, and this moves the calcium deposits that are floating around in their inner ear fluid. I've heard that it's really effective.
I think my doctor was really good and "up" on the newest research. He was on staff at the teaching hospital (University of Missouri). He really wanted to avoid surgery at all costs, which I appreciated.
In order to get a family doctor to take me seriously and get me an appointment at the ENT, I went to his office, had a dizzy spell after standing up,fell down, threw up and cried in his office. He took me seriously after that!! LOL!
If I take my allergy medication, take decongestants at the first sign of either congestion or dizzy spells, use a humidifier and air purifier at night, then I never have real dizzy spells anymore, but if I start having them like I used to, I'll get into the ENT"s office ASAP.
It was so miserable being dizzy all the time. It made me have a headache, get sick to my stomach, and feel like a freak. I'm so thankful that I found a solution to my problem, and I'm sure you will too.
Try going to your family doctor and TELLING him to get you an appointment with an ENT. IF he won't do it, then find a doctor who will. If that doesn't work, just call an ENT (they are also called otolaryngologists) and find one who'll take you without a referral. It won't hurt, and it can definitely help!
God Bless,
Susan
Creeping Crud
01-17-2002, 09:37 AM
Susan, dizziness has definitely been one of my most distressing symptoms, physically and emotionally.. It makes me afraid almost all the time because I never know where or when it's going to hit.. Freak is a perfect description of how I feel..
But again, I was told repeatedly that this was "normal".. I probably should have seen an ENT behind my doctor & rheumatologist's backs earlier than this, especially since if there's one thing that I no longer have, it's faith in most medical professionals.. Dealing with doctors has just become so exasperating for me & there are times that I feel like I'd be taken more seriously by a brick wall (and the wall would have more compassion too)..
I'm not sure that I could pull off vomiting in someone's office (though it would be a spectacular way to get my point across), but if that's the only way I can get someone to listen, I will!! :D
Thanks again for your advice.. I'm glad things worked out for you!!
But again, I was told repeatedly that this was "normal".. I probably should have seen an ENT behind my doctor & rheumatologist's backs earlier than this, especially since if there's one thing that I no longer have, it's faith in most medical professionals.. Dealing with doctors has just become so exasperating for me & there are times that I feel like I'd be taken more seriously by a brick wall (and the wall would have more compassion too)..
I'm not sure that I could pull off vomiting in someone's office (though it would be a spectacular way to get my point across), but if that's the only way I can get someone to listen, I will!! :D
Thanks again for your advice.. I'm glad things worked out for you!!
Allen
01-17-2002, 03:14 PM
Hey CC: I notice you are from the Hoosier State--whereabouts? My folks live in La Grange(NE part),about 2hrs from South Bend. Nice countryside and so much more tranquil than the big city where I lived. As a kid I lived in Indy for several yrs and Gary(yuk!)for 6 mos. See ya, Al
Creeping Crud
01-17-2002, 03:43 PM
Hey Allen: I'm actually out in the boonies (up in the boonies?) of good ol' NE Indiana right now, close to Noblesville.. My fiance' grew up here & is going to school in Indianapolis now, thus the recent relocation.. I agree, it is quite tranquil here (especially if tranquil means flat).. :D Have you ever been to the Chinese place in the plaza on the corner of Thunderbird Road & 59th in Glendale?? Can you email me some egg rolls?? Kidding of course, that'd be too messy, but boy do I miss them!!
[This message has been edited by Creeping Crud (edited 01-17-2002).]
[This message has been edited by Creeping Crud (edited 01-17-2002).]
Allen
01-21-2002, 04:02 PM
Hey C.C. My wife and I can picture the area, since we've been by there often when I was often at Good Samaritan Hospital, but we've never been there. Most folks from the Midwest are dying for our Mexican food! Do you have family in arid Arizona? Al
Creeping Crud
01-21-2002, 05:21 PM
I miss Garcia's too if it's any consolation (and also Ray's pizza on 59th).. :D No family in AZ - my fiance' works in the less than wonderful world of aviation & it was one of the many places that he & I lived while he was contracting.. The Chinese place that I mentioned doesn't look like much (just a little take out place that you might not even notice was there), but of all the places I've lived and food that I've tried, their egg rolls were the best!