Hi ya all - quick question - Brina rasied teh subject of doing a heel to toe test (where you walk with one foot directly in front of the other) first with eyes open then shut. Can you all do this. I can only do it with my eyes open - I feel awful with my eyes shut and feel unable to do it - how about you?

I can do this test fine with my eyes open and pretty good on a flat surface, but on an incline, it can be pretty tough. However, my husband has a hard time with this one so I suspect somewhere down the road after many years of not wearing ear protection and his constant battle with tinnitus, he could have a slight balance problem himself. I practice this walk every evening. Lots of times I rely on my dogs to make sure all goes well.....don't trust them especially the 14 month old....

Kathy

Hi Scant - thanks for your response - you were the one who nearly fell in the ditch right practising this!! that was a funny story. Can you do it with your eyes closed?

I can do it slowly with eyes open but v v difficult with eyes shut, can't do it. xxx

hi all,

the heel toe test is with eyes open only........then with the eyes closed i had to walk 'normal' toward the prof to see if i veered off left or right.... for me it was to the left which indicates a prob in that ear....apparently..........

take care

brina

Okay crisis over - if its when your eyes are open thats ok...............I am laughing now. thanks all. hey Emsy what if anything have you been diagnosed with? Thanks Brina!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just did the eyes shut test walking normal and guess what - yep I so cannot walk in a straight line - always veering left!!! weird or what. I have repeated it many times with dh (long suffering) checking and yep there it is. But to add to this strange thing when I am sitting on my bed ....I got that shifting sensation back (kinda like the rocking that Brina's got) emmmmmmmmm wonder why!!

I Robertson - Labrinthitis though having ENG in Sept. Think it is the right diagnosis though also think there may be a eustacian tube problem. xxx

Hi everyone.

Did the test. With eyes open, I can do it. But with my eyes closed, I can't do it. What does it mean?

Sarah

Hi Sboily - it is nothing to worry about as Brina reassured me - you can read all her comments on the 'Brina (rachaelhannah) thread. IT is nothing to worry about. I cannot do it at all and nor can she or emsysbob for that matter!! It is just one of those tests that the neuro's do to test balance - you do the heel toe bit with eyes open and then walk normally with eyes shut - I can walk normal with my eyes open but am all and I mean all over the place with eyes shut!! How are ya?

Hi,

I know what you mean, I'm all over the place as well with my eyes closed.

Well, I was doing better for a while. But lately, I've been very dizzy. I get panic attacks where I feel about to faint or die and I cannot breathe. I don't know what triggers them. I try to relax but it's so hard. Do you have those? I am so tired to feel out of my body. This the biggest obstacle life ever threw in my face. For the past few weeks, I was good in the sense that I accepted what I had and tried not to worry. I did not cry during that time, not to annoy my family. But yesterday, after my "attack", it all came out. As a result, today I am dizzier and have headaches.

I need to be reassured constantly but no one can do that. I want to know that I will get better and that I will not die. The doctors were not yet able to diagnose me and I find that hard.

You said earlier that our symptoms were alike. How were they in the first few months and how was your mental state? How are you now?

I used to think that I was a strong person both mentally and physically. But now, ouch!!!

This board is the only thing that reassures me. We all seem to know a lot more about dizziness than the professionals I've met.

Hope you are well. How hot is it where you are? Here, it seems this heat wave will never leave. Because of the blackout, we still can't use our air conditioned.

Sarah

Sarah and all,

I have had what the Dr said was Labyrinthitis for nearly a month now. It got real bad with the dizziness most of the time and panic attacks like you described every few days. He gave me Betahistine and then finally Valium which I took for three days. Since the valium I haven't had symptoms and have now been drug free for two days and have felt relatively back to normal. I'm hoping it's gone and my system fought off the virus or whatever was causing it. I know that I'm being optimistic as I've read that it often recurs and I also had two days a while back where I thought I'd finished with it and then a dizzy and near death feeling hit me out of the blue.

Good luck everyone. I'm back to work next week I hope. my colleagues must think I'm crazy or a hypochondriac. I don't look sick in any way but I fear that if it comes back at work (I'm a teacher) it might scare the hell out of a few people.

Dave - Hopefully no longer dizzy!

Hi Sarah - sorry I took a while to reply i have been busy with baby William tonight.

Well when I first had the dizzies it was very bad. I had extreme vertigo - the room actually looked like it was moving , I felt very sick, very scared, could not walk unaided, had extreme motion sensativity, nystagmus in both eyes, felt like I was in constant motion and spinning. This went on for 9 weeks getting absolutley no better at any point. Then it slowly got better. I lost over a stone in weight. I cried alot, felt terrified and would actually sweat with fear. I would call the doctor non-stop for reasuurance - i was far too dizzy to be able to use a computer or read - I could nt watch tv as that would make it worse - I was a wreck.

Gradually it got better - i would walk around the house holding on to the wall and sitting down alot. I would even have to hold onto the bathroom sink if I was in the bathroom. I know an excellent doc who is a firned and they reassured me alot that this is very unpleasant but not life threateninh or serious. In my worst moments of fear I would call upon that phrase and repeat it numerous times until the panic and fear subsisded.

Then I got the rocking stage that Brina describes - this drove me nuts and was combined with the lightheadedness.

Then I got long spells with minimal symptoms - they were still there but very mild so as they would not crack you up or be really bothersome.

However i have never got rid of the head sensitivity - I have never not felt dizzy looking down (sya eating a meal or fixing food) for any length of time. I also feel dizzy if say the kids nudge me and I am not expecting it. I find standing still really uncomfortable and tend to fidget around to relieve it.

In between periods of feeling normal - the longest of that prob. 3 months. I would then suddenly start with nausea but no dizzies etc for 1 week or so. Then wham I would get sudden and intense vertigo for 2 mins then get the imablance thing for several more months along with lightheadedness and diizyness. I get the fainting thing too that you describe - for me it is not a panic attack though. I have discovered (Subs likely agree) that the vestibular sytem when over sensative has a direct effect on the autonomic nervous system - that is it can cause your blood pressure to momentarily drop in response to these mixed messages - hence the dizzies - also the flush you then get is simply an adrenaline response. I have had panic attacks in the past 0- they are scary. But I learned that they are just a response to adrenaline - that is all nothing scary not a big bad monster. Eventually I just as claire weeks describes in her book - 'found the eye of the storm and went with it'basically you feel the symptom come on - you then totally accept it - you breath for your tummy - breath in for 4 and out for 5 (this corrects your carbon dioxide levels and slows the adrenaline release) and repeat a calming thought - eg: this is ok I can handle this - it is a response to adrenaline - I am ok - this is not harmfull. It sounds weird I know - but if you take this stance eventually you will beleive this and then hey presto you do not fear an attack - once the fear is gone they have no power - no power - no attacks. Honest take it form one who has been there and soooooooooo done that.

I am loads better now - I go through phases of it beingt hard to cope with and like you want constant reasurance. I used to have a weekly appointment with my doctor to talk it over with and I could cope better with that. I think having a cry about it is a good thing - it helps release stress and the pent up worry over it. I also had a friend who had had it also and I could call her up and say did you feel this way etc.

Do not worry toomuch about not having an exact diagnosis - me too. I think that once they now its not serious (no neurological deficits) thne they kinda think it will resolve itself - which is true - it just very much in its own time. You will get through this patch - so do not give up - If you are worried just post and we will reply and try to reassure you some more!! This is a long ramble - sorry if its boring. Good Luck

I Robertson, your post really reassured me. I must say your GP sounds fantastic, I would love to go and see my Doc every wk for a chat. I have considered counselling as have found this whole thing very hard. I still have that rocking sensation I got after the plane, it got a lot better after 10 days of having it and is still at that stage and is far easier to cope with but it's still there. Did yours just start up one day? How long did it take to go? I am finding it much worse than my "normal" dizzies. Saying that, my normal dizzies are still with me, I just notice them a bit less as this is worse. I have big problems looking up and have done since having this disorder.

Am fed up of all this! Just looking forward to going to the ENT at the end of Sept to be honest. Just want someone to listen. What was your exact diagnosis? I cant remember if you had an ENG?

I live in Northumberland by the way. Not that far from Scotland! xxx

Hi Emysbobs- well I was pretty bad for about 9 months then gradually got better. But I seem to have been stuck with the imbalance thing and dizzies 24/7 for the past 6 months. Perhaps pregnancy agrevated it - not sure - nor are the medical proffesion. I deff. initially had lab's and now they say what I have is the sequel (after-effects) that have over sensatised my balance mechanism. Not sure if I buy that entirely. No I have not had the ENG - I asked for it last week and he said absolute waste of time it would only confirm what he already new. HHhhhhhmmmmmmmmmm.

But I did have an MRI - ok so I know that it is not a tumour or MS pr anurysm or anything - but in a way that only serves to make the medical proffesion a little complacent. I think they think well its not serious in terms of being life threatening but I think (likely as they have never felt it) that they fail to realsie the stress and impact it has on day to day living..........LOL.

Any how he said perhaps it could be central - something about a pinched atrery - again not serious or life threatening - appaerentlt this can restrict blood flow to the inner ear - but again its a long shot.

I start VRT in Sept - roll on - like you I just want to get reassurance that if nothing else it will go away and I will be back to normal.

What about you - what have they come up with so far. What are your symptoms - do you have imbalance - by that I mean the sensation og being unbalanced but you still look to all intents and purposes normal. Thanks. Chin up girl - we will beat this thing.

Hi I Robertson, I recommend you have the ENG, that way you would know for sure. I dont believe they can tell without doing that. As far as me is concerned, yeh I have inbalance, worse with head movements, I must say it has changed since the flight, it is now both inbalance and head movements and ground moving up and down. I just want a diagnosis. Yes I "look" normal but my stamina iasnt great, get v tired etc. This rocking is worrying me. Thank you xxx

Hi Emys - quick response as my kids are all charging around - I am sooo glad that at least one is in his crib. Well your symptoms are very similiar to mine. I called my ENT doc today (he will speak to me on the phone so that helps!) Any how I asked him again about the ENG - he again said not neccessary it was deffinately a disturbance in the inner ear - like I said before and over senativity after the initial Lab's. You know after mine settled down (I mean very mild and did not bother me hardly) what set it off was a trip to Euro Disney with my kids last Easter. I got exactly the symptoms that you describe (I know that you have flown long haul - boy I have suffered this with that too) Any how he said that it was because the travelling basically asked the inner ear to work extra hard to constantly balance - I even get worse after travelling in the car a long distance. Any how what I can reassure you is that the rocking sensation will go just as suddenly as it started. From memory each time I have had the rocking senstaion it has lasted diff. amounts of time any where from weeks to several months. Well back to what I was saying about an ENG - he finally said ok if it'll please you go get the ENG done - so I am. As much as anything it will please me because then I can like think ok - I feel yuck but hey its my left ear or right or both or whatever. I got my first appoint. with VRT on the 11th Sept - yipee - its on the NHS too - which is great as so far this whole thing has been expensive!! I hope you are OK today. Great to hear form you.

Hi Brina - if you are reading this!!

Hi I Robertson, your post reassured me again. Our symptoms do sound v v similar. I was interested and relieved to hear you had this rocking after a long haul flight. Have you not flown again? Apart frm going home, I am not going to for a long time! Can you remember how long the rocking after the flight took? Did it surprise you suddenly getting the rocking when you hadnt had it before? I am worried this'll last for another several mths! I am having my ENT apntment on 29th Sept and then if I wait on the NHS the ENG etc will be another 3 mths but I cant wait, so am paying privately whatever the cost. I am completely broke but I need to know what's going on. The rocking is horrible isnt it? Worse than my other dizziness, at least the ground was fairly stable then! I am trying to move lots and do my VRT but certain movements (like standing one one leg with eyes shut) which was hard before with my normal dizzies, is just horrendous with the rocking. The ground moves so much! Thanks I Robertson xxx

Hi Emysbob - Well there is not a cat in hells chance that I am prepared to get onto a another flight until my symptoms have been stabilised for a lonnnnng time. My ENT doc has recommended taking a strong dose of antihistimines for two days before and two days after to get through the flights and help settle the inner ear. I have read that flying has no adverse affects on the inner ear oif you have lab's - that is soooo not true. To be honest I cannot remember how long the rocking took to subside - for me (like you and Brina) it is the 'next' symptom after the initial attack of Lab's - so its certainly nothing to worry about the fact that it came on later on after your initial bout. Thats normal - the good thing is that it just wears off - you will just suddenly not notice it as severly - it may well take some time - when I had it the ENT did say it would last several months (it did) but what I can tell you is that once you know for sure whats wrong just reducing the anxiety over 'what is this etc etc' will reduce it and then it'll go any how. Honest take it from one who is further down this road. Hope you are having a great day - I think you are brave travelling around etc - heck that in itself is stressful never mind on top of this head monster. Have a good day. Catch you later -

I Robertson

I just read your long post describing your experience and oh my god you have gone through hell. I just wanted to say what a strong person I think you are especially dealing with this with young children and a pregnancy! I don't think I've ever had symptoms as badly as yours. Wow! Wonder Woman!

Jen

Hey everyone,

I don't wanna throw a wrench in anyones spokes and I hope it turns out better for you. I've got all the same symptoms and I've had an ENG done and it also was normal like my other tests, like CT scan and seeing the neurologist. It gives you peace of mind in one way and more stress in another.

I cant stand the fuzzy headed feeling and the off balance unsteadies like the ground bouncing when I walk and such. The anxiety and depression are really running my life honestly....

Sorry had to vent a little..just extremely frustrated. I hope you all are having a better day and God Bless. ---FIghter--

Hi ya all

Jen30 - thanks so much for your kind words - that really made me smile thanks!! My symptoms really do get to me at times - strangely this week I have had a few better albeit not symptom free by ANY means. I tell you that I have been fascinated by Woozzeeeeeee 'I have a diagnosis' as her discription and symptoms seem to very much fit mine!!?? This has me thinking big time - I often have head aches and yes migraines including aura's in fact ,my most recent one for 14 days solid (depite medication) gave me mega mega symptoms. Also last year I was what you would describe as OK (minor symptoms) and I had a miscarriage and wham started with a major headach (lasted for 9 weeks solid) and that seemed to coincide with this imbalance/fainting feeling and dizzies. I got pregnant the same month that I had a miscarriage (by sheer chance) and basically the symptoms escalated the whole preg. The ENT has mentioned that fluctuating oestrageon levels can irritate the inner ear and also increased fluid levels. HHHHHHmmmmmmmmmm!! Whe I talked to him last week he did mention meeting a neurologist to discuss the possibility of restricted blood flow................maybe he was thinking MAV - I am not sure. But I guess I will try the VRT - I start that in 3 weeks - YIPEE!!!!!!!!! I have tried hard to divert my attention form the balance thing and it does seem a bit more managable - on the other hand it might be easier to handle as it is genuinely easing up!! How are you?

Fighter

I feel for ya - I really cannot believe that anxiety alone can cause these symptoms. I have suffered form severe anxiety (we are talking I thought I was losing my marble etc) and honestly OK I felt dizzy now and gain but sure as heck imbalance was not part of the picture - not even when you get that feeling of 'unreality' if you know what I mean - it simply did not ever evoke unbalanced symptoms nor vertigo. Honestly - look again at the vertigo links - it ordinarily always has some cause. Also did this whole thing just present itself gradually - or like me - I was perfectly well sitting chatting at a meal in America when whammmmmm - I fell onto the floor - could not stand and the room was reeling - anxiety was not the cause - that I can say for sure - also I had nystagmus - that is a physiological response to a vestibular malfunction - again nada to do with anxiety. The thing is that now my symptoms are obviously much improved in fact vastly - but I do not have a nystagmus any longer. I had a clear MRI scan too and all neuro checks are normal.....its a strange one. I dooooooo think that anxiety heightens the symptoms no doubt of that at all. It seem to me that doc's seem to take the attitude of if in doubt - its anxiety. I had some really great support coping and delaing with anxiety symptoms (I did not take any meds after an adverse reaction to the first couple that I took) Have you got some-one to talk it over with and get support. After all if you could get on top of the anxiety symptoms perhaps you could determine if yes that is the problem or no it just makes what is really there worse.?? I do hop that this all makes sense I have lots of little kids milling around and its hard to concentrate. I hope you are OK - hear from ya soon.

Hi 'Robertson,

I hope this finds you well.

You write, "...The ENT has mentioned that fluctuating oestrageon levels can irritate the inner ear...". I have also been told that for women, estrogen and progesterone can also bring on Migraine Associated Vertigo. I am not trying to push a diagnosis on anyone, but I realize our symptoms are alike on some levels, and this may be something for you to look into to see if you can't get some alleviation, and possible diagnosis.

Wishing you a nice evening.

Hey - wowwweee - yeh read your post and replied on your thread. It has given me plenty to think of.....what were/are your symptoms and do they last 24/7 - my symptoms seem so like the article I really wonder. Thanks.

Hi 'Robertson,

I replied to you on the other thread. I hope it helps you out. Wishing you a lovely day.

I Robertson

Like Wowweee, I don't what to push a diagnosis on anyone, but if you do investigate the MAV diagnosis talk to your doc about Amitriptylene!! I'm calling it the wonder-drug myself. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif If you are a chronic headache sufferer like me (I also get the migraines with aura very occasionaly but otherwise have headaches almost daily) then we're in the same boat.

Cheers
Jen