Hi all, went to my GP yest who is trying her best to get me to the Hospital Hbep recommended in London but it all depends on money apparently...She was v understanding, the best Doc I have seen thoughout all this and thinks my prob is all due to delayed central compensation. She told me about the link below for vestibular exercises, not sure if any of you have seen it before but I am impressed. Started them last night and going to RELIGIOUSLY stick to them 3 times a day. I think exercises (I hope) are the key to all this as Ruth said on another post - they helped her.

Hope the link is helpful xxx :smile:
www.earaces.com/vestexercises.htm (http://www.earaces.com/vestexercises.htm)

Hey Emsybobs, thanks for the post. I just got my first exercises today, and include the visual tracking one except I use a pen. I also got one to stand on a piece of foam in the corner of the room (? http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif with my legs apart and then together...go figure.. but I'm going to do my darnest to stick religiously to them if only to get rid of this head monster, some useful stuff in here though I'm gonna give it a go.

Cheers.... I have just printed these off. I am going to give these ago and hopefully finsh the off dizzies. They look more advanced and useful compeared to the basic Cawthorne Cooksey I was given which did not do much for me.

Wish I could bring you all here. I'd found the excercises on the internet, as well.

After my primary and ENT had tried all their tricks,
they sent me to a PT with a PHD in Vestibular Rehab.
First she checked to see if the prob was "chrystals",
then deciding that my prob was damage to one ear, we
started the excercises. The main idea is to bring
yourself to the point of dizziness each time, then to
rest. The objective is to get the other ear to take over for the one that's flawed. SO, it only works
if that's the correct diagnosis.

In any case, I also do "agressive" TaiChi twice a week. There are times that it brings on dizziness, as well, but I've learned which positions are most likely to set it off, and rather than avoid them, now I push it, then
rest. The master knows what's happening and has sort
of become a partner in thinking up new things for our
group to do that challenge all of us, and my inner ear
particularly!

The diagnosis is key. I have a friend who had the
"misplaced chrystal" prob. He was sorta "smacked"
abrubtly in the head, then put in a neck brace. He's
feeling much better.

A friend's mother, a stroke surviver, would have
overwhelming, sudden attacks of dizziness and violent
nausea...she is now on Valium, and hasn't felt this
good in years.

So,diagnosis is everything. What damaged my left ear isn't' important at this time, what's important is
that knowing it IS damaged , we're working to have
the good one take over.

Don't give up!

Jim's girl

I have been dizzy since July 12 and started doing the exercises about 3 weeks ago and can tell a big improvement. I still have a long ways to go until I feel normal. The balance therapist said it could be 3 months or so before I feel normal. I do not miss doing the exercises. They really don't take that long and so far it has been worth it. Did they say anything to you about medicine? The balance therapist told me that sleepy meds will hinder or stop the compensation so I have been careful about what I take. I really think that I would be been alot farther from the beginning if my dr. hadn't put me on so much meclizine for so long. I had severe vertigo 9 years ago and was only given a shot at the hospital to stop the vomiting and then did not have anymore medicine because I was pregnant. It took a long time to feel normal when I would go in a big store or something like that, but I didn't have the ups and downs that I have had this episode. Anyway, just wondered if anyone has said anything to you about medicine! Hope the exercises help you! Don't give up!
Vicki

I have a question about the exercises?
Do any of you who are doing the VRT feel significantly worse after you do them. I only do them at night becuase I get so much worse that the only thing I can do is lie down. I can't imagine doing them during work hours. I would be passed out under my desk.

Hi Miza,

Yes, I feel worse, in fact if I start a difficult new exercise I can feel bad for a few days. Although it tends to come on a few hours after, or, in a more general way, as opposed to right bang after I've done the exercise.

Maybe you could adapt your exercise to fit in to the work day - namely do a little less of it - 5 reps instead of 15. Then do more in the evening? Don't know, might work.

Hope you're feeling a bit better, Miza, I know you were having a rough patch - you and me both http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif Been tired and glum today, although still determined to keep fighting and pushing,

best,

hbep.

Thanks Hbep
Nothing else we can do put keep chugging along.

Hope your rough patch gets better soon.

The weather is certainly cooperating today;. 75 degrees and sunny...

Take Care
Mia

My understanding is that we're supposed to push the
exercises just to the point of provoking the bad
feeling, then stop. I'm retired, so I sympathize with
trying to do them at work!

When I'm with my PT, we push it much further than when I'm alone. She stands behind me, or to the side, to keep me from falling. When the reaction is severe we stop until my head stops spinning, and the nausea subsides. If you don't push it that far, it won't work. But there is no reason to push yourself to a danger level.

Hang in!

jim's girl

Hi all, glad my message was helpful, like crazylegs says they seem much better than the others I have been given in the past. I heed what Jim's girl says about diagnosis - which I have not really got yet - and I do wonder about BPPV amongst other things - bit I may aswell try these exercises...

I have them pinned up on my wall and even if I really dont feel like doing it, I do them..Yes they do make me feel worse for a while afterwards...

Dizzyinmissouri - yes I was told about the medication thing and have only taken about 5 tablets in the whole year I have been dizzy. I would stay off them...

xxx

Emsybobs, PLEASE what did the doc to that stopped your rocking?????? My biggest problem is that dern rocking,swaying and its 24/7....Thanks

Hi Realbelle, my rocking has not stopped! Unfortunately...have had it since the plane flight over 2 mths ago, it is a little better and I have days when it's not there but not many! Osteopathy has helped a bit! Apparently stugeron can work too xxx