Hey Ruth and Kippers,

Ruth, how are you doing? Tinnitus any better? Know you're having a rough time so just wanted to check if you're ok.

Kippers - you still out there. Check in. Let us know how you're doing. Any improvements?

take care,

hbep.

Thankyou so much hbep for caring. Sorry for not checking in but have been in a mega-state. I wish I could say it was better, but is still the same. Am praying like I've never prayed before in my life - not sure it will make much difference, but anything is worth a try! Cannot believe I'm telling you this, but as a 26 woman I have had my mum sleep beside me this last two nights as I have been severely low and anxious. She has been great and I don't know what I would have done without her. Basically, yesterday was awful - think I just reached the point when I felt I would go over the edge. This morning I knew I could not cope - have hardly been able to eat anything, had severe anxiety, shaking, panic, could not feel my arms or legs, and just said enough - I need something to help me. Sorry to go on. Phoned my doc - he was very understanding - and he has given me a sedative (cannot remember the name) but he said it is a bit like valium, and will basically help with the anxiety, hopefully stop me worrying, etc... He was so kind - he said to me "you must have done something very naughty in a previous life Ruth, to be put through all this" Maybe I was some dastardly villain in Victorian London or something, creeping around dark alleyways...... (What am I talking about?) Seriously, if there is reincarnation, then next time I'm coming back as a butterfly or something, or preferably some animal that has no ears that can go wrong!
Hope the medication works fairly quickly - have truly never felt this way before..............
Hope you are doing better. There are so many people's messages on here I want to reply to, but don't feel I'm the best person to give positive advice at the moment. Just want to say thanks so much again. I wish I could meet you personally and thank you for all the support you have shown everyone on this board. You deserve a healthboard award, if there is such a thing, but I'm sure you'd much rather get over the hell you've been through this last year......
Take care,

Ruth
xxx

Sorry to hear you are so down Ruth...are the dizzies any better at all? I know just what you mean about needing your Mum, dont you worry. I am also thinking "What have I done to deserve this?" but you just have to think things dont work like that. Traumatic and horrible situations make us into stronger people, we must all remember that. Once this is all over, we will value life like we have never done before. Thinking of you xxx

Hi Ruth - you poor thing!! hang in there!! I can totally sympathise when I first had a labr's I cried constantly, sweated had awful anxiety and honestly thought I was going to die. I was firghtened to be alone and felt like I was totally out of control. I phoned my doctor a lot (luckily like yours she was very kind and patient). I would spend all my time in bed feeling like this and thinking like you - why me - will this ever end - oh god will this kill me. In the end I agreed with my doctor that I would visit her once a week - really for reassurance and just to kind of fell like I was not alone. My doctor would call me at home to make sure I was OK. In the end I really just had to grit my teeth - and no matter what it will improve. i am the one by the way who has written in about feeling off balance - Lbrinthitus - HELP - please read and reply. As you can see although I am still not right I surte as hell do not feel mega anxious or any thing it just bugs me which is accepatable I guess. Oh - another thing I did was self talk - alot of the anxiety symptoms you are experiencing numb arms, legs, panic, disorinataion (believe me I have had the exact same thing) are caused by shallow breathing and negative thoughts. I know when this was explained to me I was like - yeh right. Basically if you concentrate on your bretahing when you feel awful you will find that you are breathing up in your chest area. What you want to do is put your hand on your tummy and ensure that when you breath it rises and falls. An exercise to practise as often as possible is to breath in for 4 (or 5) and out for 5 (or 6) this will correct the blood gas levels which are causing most of the symptoms. the pother thing is to be aware of what you are thinking - likely when you feel anxious you are thinking sacry things like 0- this will never go away, I feel like I am going to die etc etc. It sounds hard but you have to try to catch these thoughts and replace them wityh something happier like - I know this feels awful but it will improve in time etc etc. It all sounds pretty silly but it works - and practice makes perfect.Apparently it is common to feel these anxiety symptoms another thing is try to accept the feeling without adding further fear to the situation. In time you will re-gain control. I am sure it is just a bad spot that you are going through and you will deffinately come out of the other side. As I don not know you if what I have siad you have heard it all before - sorry - but I hope it helps. Stick in there - my prayers and best wishes are with you.

Your Doc sounds like a star I Robertson, I have not found one that really understands me or that has told me to go back whenever I want. This healthboard has been my saviour plus reassuring friends and family. God Bless xxx

Hi there Ruth,

I totally one hundred percent understand - my mother has been getting a lot of phone calls from me lately - I think it's great that you get on that well with your mum and that she is so supportive. As for thinking 'enough' pretty much got to that point myself - so again - yup - know how you feel. I think it's when you're used to dealing with certain symptoms for so long, when something new comes along it just sends you over the edge - been feeling like that about the weird new dizziness and the terrible vibrations in ears sensation. Let's face it, you cope with fear for months and months and then something new and also scarey comes along and it just makes you realise how much you've had to hold it all together, and then it's one thing too many and you can't anymore. Apart from a very low point nearer the beginning, the last 2 weeks since the hyperacusis incident I've been the most anxious I've ever been. Had to laugh when you said you must've been a bad person in your last life, was saying that to a friend only yesterday. I went to the doctor today and got a load of valium - she was happy to give me them after I described the vibrations in ear stuff - it's the only thing that calms it down and I will take it only when that happens. If the hospital didn't treat TMJD with anti depressants (for pain/nerve disturbance) not depression - I would have asked her for a daily anti anxiety med also. Don't think I can take both drugs at the same time. Let's face it, that's what these drugs are there for. We've all struggled through months of this, why make life harder for yourself. If you're still feeling anxious after the sedatives then hit the anti anxiety meds - there's no virtue in suffering.

This will make you laugh - I went to a massage therapist the other week, she was really nice, also clearly very into alternative medicine etc... Didn't like taking drugs for any illness. I was talking to her about all this ear stuff and she said 'I've always sworn I'll never take antibiotics, then I got an ear infection last year and I couldn't get to the doctors and throw the stuff down my neck quick enough.' I do think there's something about ear disturbance that just sends people over the edge.

As for the T - tinnitus can come and go just like dizziness can. There is a good chance you will get rid of it. In the very unlikely event that it sticks around I'm sure it will become less loud and calm down a lot to the point where you barely notice it. As I said before I've had a high pitched ringing since I was ten - BUT when my ears are most disturbed with this condition it gets louder and will then quieten down again when my ears are less bananas. As you have an ear infection and you have lab, it will probably be at its worst at the moment, and it may well go altogether. Don't assume the worst.

Keep in touch, vent on here if you need to. This topic is open now, so if you don't feel up to making contact with everyone just write under this topic. I find it really helps to get it out there. I've often thought what fun it would be to meet the people I've got to know on here over all these months, put a face to the all the names.

I've had tinnitus for a long time - I'm working on the likely assumption that yours will go, but if it ends up hanging around a bit longer than expected - please ask me anything you like about it.

Hi Hbep, Ruth. Also feel as if I know you all! Weird how we are all going through a bad patch, I just feel like crying and crying tonight! Will this ever go?! I am thinking of going to a new specialist. I want to try vestibular therapy.

Have you had any more luck/advice about which mouthguard to use Hbep? I guess knowing what the problem is for you must be something, though I guess you now just want some real relief. I hate ears! They cause so much problems! Isnt it funny how balance is completely taken for granted, you dont even realise it's there til it's gone.

Have a good weekend xxx

Ruth you poor thing. i really understand that feeling of "am i dying". don't laugh everyone, but i have had quite a bit of achy pain since my son was born, and had blood tests to make sure it wasn't anything like arthritis, and i was so glad they tested all my white cells etc, because i actually started to think i had leukemia. And even though i've had the tests whenever i have pain i say to my husband "tell me again i don't have leukemia" i know its ridiculous but this ear thing makes my head space just so weird that i wonder how i was ever the girl who traveled around the world on her own, walked into jobs I’d never done before by lying on my cv (don't tell anyone) - i truly believe like hbep that inner ear problems really effect our whole mental state. Like you Ruth I have thought "what have i done to deserve this will i ever get better". but my husband says you will and you are getting better.

Hbep like you i have some valium and i was at my acupuncturist last week and said very guilty "I’ve had the odd valium this week to cope" and he said its fine, not to worry and valiums are only bad if you're popping them everyday for years. i felt so relieved. my acupuncturist is so lovely and supportive and says that i will get better but its just so hard to see it when you're in the middle of it. so maybe we should try looking at this as if it was happening to someone else we love and if they had all the tests that said they would be ok and they weren't dying then we would be saying to them, you will get better. does that make sense??

Hbep i can understand how you would be freaking out with the noise sensitivity? are the drugs working yet??

wouldn't it be good if we could all get together and talk and talk about this, sometimes i feel as if i'm boring the pants of people

best wishes to all
kippers

Hi everyone,
Thankyou so much for your replies - it truly astonishes me that people I've never met before in my life can be so kind and caring.......
The really positive news is that I have had not one jot of dizziness since last Monday - can you believe it? So, yes the 'lab' is most definitely improving. Obviously, who knows how long that will last - but I do know it will gradually go away........
To be honest it was the onset of the tinnitus that finally drove me over the edge, although am sure the whole of the last 6 months has contributed to this. The medication the doc gave me has not eradicated the anxiety completely - but it has certainly reduced it quite considerably - would say I am more 'worried' today than 'hyper-anxious' - that was the most terrifying feeling I have ever experienced.
The tinnitus is still there, although I think it may be just a little bit quieter this afternoon. but maybe these drugs have just calmed be down a bit, so it doesn't seem quite as severe. Who knows?
Sorry so many of you are also having a rough time.....

Speak to you soon.

Ruth
xxx

Ruth:
Was sorry to hear about the severe anxiety that the ringing in your ears causes you. I did not have any tinnitus until about a month ago. I find it is louder when I first wake and can only hear it in my right ear.
Once I get moving I have to plug up that same ear to hear the slight ringing. For some reason the tinnitus didn't freak me out that much. But there are mornings that I wake up with anxiety that I just can't explain what triggers it. I am going to be 42 and can't tell you how much crying I have done to my mom. It is hard for her to deal with the emotional stress she sees me going through at times. My husband is incredibly supportive but I can't say this has been rough on him also, he never knows what is going to trigger me snapping at him or just start to cry. I don't have any children and I commend those of you raising a family as well as dealing with this freak monster inside of us. Ruth I take valium also when things get bad with the anxiety and it's not a cure but it takes the edge off.

Take care,
Scant 5

Hello to all,
Ruth, sorry to hear about your bad anxiety patch. I've been dealing with anxiety for 11 years now and I know how terrible you're feeling. I have a cassette that lasts 25 minutes and it's a relaxation session. It's a man that talks and makes you relax one body part at a time. I find that when I'm extremely stressed out it really helps. It plays on the subconscient and the relaxed feeling continues even after you're done listening to it. He also suggests to your body how to respond next time you are sressed out. I found that by listnening to it on a daily basis it really helps without me really knowing how but I think it's changing the message I give myself (and I'm horrible with myself! My husband tells me I'm my worst ennemy!). Anyways, might be worth a try.
Hbep: You can take antidepressants along with sedatives but of course it must be discussed with your doctor first. Usually, the doctor will prescribe a sedative first because it works fast and well. The antidepressants take 3 to 6 weeks to build up in your system. The idea is to let go of the sedatives gradually as the other medication starts working because sedatives are highly addictive. (Don't get me wrong, they are helpful and necessary sometimes.)
Kippers: I too sometimes feel like I have a deadly disease. Some days, I think: This is it. My last day on earth! I am an outspoken person and I always go for what I want. I have also lied on my resume and in interviews to get jobs I knew I could do (not a good thing but just to give you an idea....) But lately, I don't know who I am anymore. I'm scared, isolated, weak, hesitant. I hope it gets better soon because I haven't felt like myself in months, since this stupid thing came on to me... Good luck to all, haven't been working for a few days but hope to feel go enough to go back soon... Are you guys working and what do you do? Célinexxx

Hello Kippers, All,

Kippers, good to hear from you and yes I agree it would be great if we could all get together and chat. I'm actually surprised that my friends aren't more bored by now. I'm a stuck record, this illness just dominates my thougths.

Sorry, just have to explain, lol - the old style try cyclic anti depressant I am taking at a v. low dose is how they treat TMJD - it works on nerves and pain receptors in the brain. (Complicated - don't really understand - something like that) Please understand, I am not telling you this because I would have any hang ups about taking drugs for anxiety - in fact I would LOVE to take a daily anti anxiety medication at the moment, but ironically I can't as I am on an anti depressant to treat the tmjd. Unfortunately because they are giving it to me for TMJD not depression, it's at a v. low dose, so I don't know whether, when it kicks in, it will lift my mood or not. Hilariously when they tell you at the dental hospitsal that they treat TMJD with an anti depressant, they are very careful to stress that it is not for depression but to treat pain/muscular spasm. (I think some people must get offended or angry thinking they are not being taken seriously as having a physical complaint) Considering I was crying the whole way through my consultation I felt like saying, listen, even if you were giving it to me for depression - do you really think I'd object? The valium (again ironically) is for the awful noise that happens in my ears sometimes (I think it's an ear muscle in spasm - which then gets worse when I hear noise - just awful) It doesn't stop it completely but calms it down to the point where I don't have to run in front of traffic. They often treat muscular spasm and/or tinnitus with valium. To be honest, if I wasn't so scared that it would stop being as effective in treating the ear noise, I would definitely take the valium when I was just feeling very anxious. I'm hoping that even though the anti depressant is at a v. low dose, that it might still mellow me out a bit when it kicks in.

By the way, Kippers, I didn't laugh at your leukemia anxiety, apart from in sympathy - a couple of months ago I convinced myself I had mouth cancer. Found what turned out to be some kind of nothing small blood blister in my mouth. I made an appointment with the dentist convinced I was on the way out - obsessed about it for a week. Actually sat on the bus on the way there wondering how long I had to live (yup, completely bananas) Felt a real idiot when I'd had my check up and realised I'd been climbing the walls for a week for no reason. I actually think this is displacement activity - the brain is weird and when you're really worried about something (i.e having a long term ear condition) it tries to divert attention away from that worry to something else. The only problem is it doesn't work as it tends to be something that seems even more scarey and causes more anxiety.

Ruth, glad to hear you are feeling a bit better - ear noise can scare the living daylights out of you. Earlier I thought I could hear some kind of weird chanting in my ears - turns out my hearing has become so acute (hyperacusis) that I could actually hear the pipes whistling underneath my floorboards. Rather wishing I could just lop my ears off.

Anyway, I've rambled on for long enough. Wishing you all well,

hbep.

LOL or what at your description of the mouth cancer Hbep and your account of the pipes under your floor boards. I haven't had much tinitus but at times i thought i could hear the ocean and would walk around the house with my fingers in my ears listening. My mum and husband have both pointed out since that everyone can hear a slight hum when they put their fingers in their ears. so i really do feel for all of you suffering from tinitus.
Sorry but i love the fact that so many of you are obsessing over other illnesses and its not just me who has turned into the hypochondriac from hell. I love Woody Allen movies and i remember in one he was convinced he had a brain tumour and it was a very funny neurotic scene, anyway if you've seen it you will know what i mean.

I felt awful today and had to ring husband to come home and help. he has been so tremendous i'm worried i will end up driving him away with my constant worry about my condition. I've said to him he can't leave me until the kids are older, i couldn't possible cope on my own (LOL). I have some hearing tests tomorrow and then back to the neurologist with a list of questions. Hbep its funny that you mentioned trycilic anti-depressants because thats one way of treating MAV...ummm i'm going to ask all about the next lot of medication. I hope that when he rules out meniers he will give me stronger meds as the sandomigran never worked and only made me put on weight. Not that i would care if i put on 5 stone if I got rid of this thing, i just didn't want to put on weight and be in a fog at the same time.

I love reading everyone’s posts and knowing i'm not the only one out there who feels like this.

Off to watch some bad tv
kippers

Hi Kippers, all

LOl about the bad television - I am queen of rubbish tv at the moment - it's how I best forget this nightmare. And yup I know the Woody Allen film you mean, one of my faves. I believe it's also the one where he asks himself the question 'How did I not realise how happy I was before this happened.' I think we all know that emotion with this illness - how did I not just revel in every second when I didn't even know what the word dizzy meant. How did I not go crazy with joy just because I was well. I can't believe I ever grumbled about anything,(and I did grumble a lot, lol)

What you said to your husband made me laugh, also reminded me of something a friend told me her husband said to her. He is a really funny bloke and said (with a smile, aware of the joke) 'If you ever leave me I'll jump off a cliff, but I want you to know it won't be your responsibility.' Couldn't stop laughing at that one.

Sorry to hear you had a bad day. Know that one. I have been dizzy in a different way from usual since taking this damn try cyclic - I never EVER got the feeling of motion when still, my dizziness was always a more weird, disorientating lightheadedness before now, wow this is horrible. ( I know you'll know all about this.) I feel like I'm doing a cruise around my own flat - I keep expecting a tour guide to pop up and say - and now we're passing the kitchen sink. To be honest I am actually really scared it isn't the drug - one of the listed side effects is dizziness, but maybe it's just a fluke that it came on when I started taking it. Maybe I've just entered a whole new phase of illness (the joy) all I know is it's worrying me senseless - keep wondering about other more scarey diagnosies. I've been forcing myself to keep taking the drug (so desperate to get well) in the hope that if it's a side effect it'll go, but today is the worst ever and I've been on it for 2 weeks. I phoned the dental hospital Thurs, they said to ring if I was worried about side effects, they didn't get back so I've tried again today, hopefully might hear from the consultant tomorrow. Anyway , I think I may just have to stop the drug tonight - stay off it for 2-3 days, see if the motion sensation goes. Although scared if I stop the drug the horrible ear noise will go mad again. SIGH.

Sorry, I am rambling and rambling - been chewing this over all day, and I hope you understand when I say I just need to get it out there. So fed up with it all. Am getting insanely jealous of anyone who isn't ill.

Hope you are feeling a bit better - by the way, know what you mean about putting on weight, one of the side effects of the try cyclic is increased appetite. For the first few days I'd wake up in the morning and think - Wow, could murder a three course meal. I was eating 'lunch'at about ten thirty am.



[This message has been edited by hbep (edited 05-19-2003).]

Hope you don't mind me butting in, I was interested in this topic. Hbep- or anyone, please keep us posted on the progress with the tri-cyclic. I took imipramine, and it truly took some getting used to. I have a friend who is a pharmacist, and she tells me it is used for many things, she used it for arthritis. I started with only 10 mg., eventually over several episodes worked up to 30 mg. per day, apparantly people will take as much as 250 daily!! Funny about the weight gain, I didn't eat for a week, (and lost lbs.) and couldn't sleep!! Go figgure. On the bright side, it totally whacked my symptoms, and I've been thinking about going back on it, just to have a break. Always loved Woody too- i remember that scene. Can't recall which film it was though. Stardust Memories?
I am absolutely determined to get well again. Keep coming back to the thought that its some kind of low level infection.

Hbep MSG41

i thought i had it on video i have annie hall and manhattan but it wasn't on them. Maybe its stardust memories? i had more videos but they got left behind in london. oh well.

re the try-cyclic i'm sure they might take you a while to get use to hbep. its so hard knowing whats right, as i'm seeing a western neurologist and then seeing an eastern tcm sometimes i think i should just do natural, but then i think no -way i need to do what helps, and if the doctor says try-cyclics then i'll take them. the side effects worry me with the kids i don't want to fall over or anything (slightly neurotic!!). anyway got to go as the youngest is crawling around my feet demanding attention.

kippers

Hi Kippers and MSG

It's Hannah and her Sisters - also contains the fantastic scene with the voice over from Micheal Cane where he makes a pass at his sister in law when her older boyfriend is downstairs showing the art dealer some of his work. Love that film.

Kippers - I wouldn't worry about the side effects from the try cyclic - I realise this is a bit rich coming from me, lol. I think everyone is different. If it would help the MAV and they suggest it I'd give a try cyclic a go. I've stopped this one for the moment, need to see if the motion sensation goes - who knows maybe I'm unfortunate and it has nothing to do with the drug - also, I've been taking valium on and off also, so maybe it's the valium, not the try cyclic - SIGH. By the way - the try cyclic does, now, just, after 2 weeks seem to have loosened my ears up a bit - calmed the vibrating muscle in ear thing down. Also, the increased appetite thing went for me after a few days - appetite is back to normal. Unless they tell me to keep taking this one and see if the motion sensation goes, I will happily try a different try cyclic.

MSG - no need to apologise for butting in, lol, that's what this board is for. I've been reading some of your posts with interest. Was going to say this before, but didn't want to poke my nose in, but now you've mentioned it... http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif If the imipramine whacked your symptoms - then surely the way to come at this is the other way round - what does imipramine cure/control? As kippers says, migraine is one thing try cyclics work for, tmj is another. It relieves pain, can also relieve tinnitus, strained muscles. I know you've said that you don't just want to mask your symptoms - but the drug is probably not masking them but alleviating them. I know you're keen on the virus theory - but Imipramine , as far as I know, won't whack the symptoms of a virus.

Not just for you but others out there, I can't say whether you or anyone else has tmjd or not, but you CAN have tmjd with NO jaw symptoms. I'm starting to get boring, but just because it seems whacky, doesn't mean it isn't true. You can ONLY have ear symptoms. Studies have been done on groups of people who ONLY have tinnitus - when examined large percentages of them were found to have signs (they weren't aware of) of TMJD. MY JAW DOES NOT HURT at all at the moment. Two of the big symptoms are tinnitus and ear pain - ear fullness is another. I can't say whether you or anyone else has this, but I can say it is a big cause of tinnitus, full ears, ear pain, dizziness, and can also cause hyperacusis. It has also been linked to vertigo, but there is no conclusive proof of how it causes it.

hbep msg41

what is imipramine?? is it a try cyclic (did i just type trycicle ie 3 wheel bike). my spelling has gone to pot since becoming a mum!!!

cheers kippers

hbep msg41

what is imipramine?? is it a try cyclic (did i just type trycicle ie 3 wheel bike). my spelling has gone to pot since becoming a mum!!!

cheers kippers

[This message has been edited by kippers (edited 05-21-2003).]

Hi Kippers,

Yes, imipramine is a tri cyclic, if I cast my memory back, I seem to remember a trycicle being a lot more fun with less side effects, lol.

i love Hannah and her Sisters as well, my favourite along side annie hall.

by the way does anyone else here who is in their mid 30's get achey joints???

Hi there Kippers,

I know there is v. possibly a hormonal component to your MAV, I was reading some stuff on the tmjd board, which might be relevant in a roundabout way - It was about why people with tmjd (a joint/muscle problem) get worse around their period. It said at various times in their monthly cycle, things get worse because the changing hormonal level tends to increase the tension level of their muscles. If their muscles are already overloaded and dysfunctional (as with TMJ) they will go into spasm. It also said hormones can increase headache problems around your period in the same way - through muscular spasm.

Could be if there was some slight underlying joint, plus muscle problem around your joints, maybe brought on by pregancy, those pesky hormones could be causing the aches and pains in your joints as well as your MAV.

If you are experiencing joint problems a very well known natural rememedy that can actually really work (it's been around for yrs and doctors will actually recommend it) is Glucosamine - vitamin C is also meant to be good to help absorption of it. My friend's mother has hip problems, she and her mother both take it. When I mentioned it to her she was totaly familiar with it and said everyone with joint probs take it. Someone on the tmjd board managed to get rid of their jaw joint ache with it entirely. There are lots of different variants on glucosamine that contain different combos of things - fish oil is also meant to be good. Do a search on the net. It's got to be worth a try and I don't think it can do you any harm - check for any contra indications with drugs you are taking. I'm going to try it.

Don't worry, Kippers, I'm sure it's just that your body is very run down at the moment and all this stuff is just linked together.

Hi Hbep, Ruth, Kippers, Emsybobs

I'm back from a blissful 8 days on a tropical island in Fiji. It was so totally relaxing - I was not happy to come back to reality!

Sorry to hear that you've all had such bad phases while I've been away. Ruth, I'm glad you've improved somewhat recently.

On the dizzy front, I had extremely low levels of dizziness while on holiday which started before I left. I've been back for two days and they are still very low. I chart my dizziness on a calendar and I have had very low levels for 20 days now. It feels great. It flares up when I'm tired and when I have a bad headache.

Yesterday I went to the physio. Before holiday, I saw the neurotologist who referred me to the physio. His theory is that my bad neck and frequent headaches are hampering my recovery. The physio prodded and poked me and I have had a thumping headache today. Otherwise, he has given me a few exercises to do at home to strengthen my neck and I have to see him once a week. I'm not holding my breath!! I've seen physios on and off my whole life and I've never had any improvement. My dizzies are improving anyway, so as long as this pattern continues I'm not complaining.

Glad to be back guys - I missed you all in some strange way... http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hey Jen,

Good to hear from you, glad your holiday was relaxing and the dizzies aren't bothering you too much. As you've probably seen we've all been having a rocky ride of it since you went, lol. You must've checked in and wondered what on earth happened.

I'm having a better day today - my specialist called today and has also arranged some physio for me. Can't wait as despite having some massage the other day my neck is a disaster area. I have entered the land of the dizzy when still/on a cruise ship feeling (new one for me) I am very much hoping it's induced by the drugs I'm taking, otherwise it means I just have that now. Anyway, worn out worrying about it, just can't dwell on it anymore today. Once again, good to hear from you.

Hey everyone

Glad you had a lovely holiday Jen. I went down to melbourne today and had my final inner ear test. this time it was easy and from what she saw she said it was normal, although she has to interpret the reports. they stick this wire in your ear and play this beeping sound at you for about 10 minutes... has anyone else had this other then the caloric tests and normal hearing tests?? apparantly it helps paint a picture of the inner ear.

Hbep thanks so much re info on Glucosamine i will look into it. i'm taking fish oil on the recommendation of a nutritionist, apparantly our brain is 60% fat so we all need these essential fatty acids. interesting what you said about being run down. i'm about to see another gp who specialises in women's problems and is into natural methods as well as western. i have to wait until july 16th to see her, but she mentioned if its not my hormones then she is going to look into my adrenal glands as when they are depleted all sorts of suff goes on, like run down aches and pains etc etc. anyway i haven't seen her yet and will look forward to that, but hopefully by then i will be better.

hbep i have no doubt some of my problems are being caused by spasming muscles because funnily enough since my 2 visits to the cranial osteopath the fullness in my ears has disappeared which i think, if i remember correctly, can be caused by muscles of the tmj spasming??

thanks for all your info everyone
kippers

Yes, I had wondered what on earth had happened while I was away! I hope everyone is relatively improved. Sorry to hear you have the dizzies Hbep. I understand that feeling of being worn out by worrying. I started to bore myself too! I had to force myself to focus on something else.

Last night I got to bed at 2:30am and had to be awake at 7am. I have been sooooooo dizzy today. Having too little sleep is such a trigger for my dizzies. Does anyone else experience this too? From experience I should be much better tomorrow after a good night's sleep. It's nice to know that this condition is getting a bit more predictable for me.

Kippers, do you see your cranial osteopath out where you live? I'm thinking of finding one in melbourne because I've read a few good reports on this treatment. Glad to hear your tests look fine. I'm dreading my tests. They're on the 2nd June. My biggest worry is that it sets me back. I will be so upset if that happens. Has anyone else had a setback after caloric and other tests?

Hi Jen

There is a really good one in Fitzroy. I will find the name for you. There is also a practice out in Glen Iris called the Hillside Osteopath Centre. The guy who now works in Fitzroy started Hillside and has moved and according to the guy I see (in woodend so local) he is one of the best. I hope you feel better after some sleep its good you know your patterns. I'm sure all your results will be fine, the neuro otologist would have a good idea whats going on but just needs the tests to confirm his views.

I'm sure my pattern is I feel better after day 15 or 16 of my cycle and get worse just before my period is due. anyway having hormones tested soon so will find out for sure.

take care kippers

Thanks Kippers

The Glen Iris practice is really convenient for me. Fitzroy is unfortunately a bit of a drive to go to regularly. I will give Hillside a call.

My ostepath said there were some good practioners at Hillside. I went to one at Hillside who didn't do much he just put his hands on my head and didn't do any sort of gentle manipulation his name was Richard.
So i suppose i'm saying don't go to him. He might work for you though.

Thanks Kippers
Would you mind asking your guy for a name of one of the good ones at Hillside? That way I can ask for him/her and not waste my money on Richard http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif
Thanks a stack. I already owe you big time for putting me on to the neurotologist!
Jen