I am 68 male very healthy, but diagnosed with vestibular disorder 10 months ago. had an MRI, every blood test known to man and still suffer unsteadiness, fatigue and double vision while driving been to neurologist twice, opthalomologist and internist all to no avail. I do 3hours of therapy per day staring at dot while rowing, tossing ball, walking while focusing on distant object. I also take very small doses of ativan. Still no improvement anu ideas??? besides suicide?
Do bright lights, grocery stores, driving bother you. Have you ever heard of the term "vertivcle heterophoria?" Please look into this. Many doctors go straight for the ear when balance issues are involved, however your eyes coould be the cause. If you have any questions, just let me know
The Following User Says Thank You to lfanner For This Useful Post: gj123 (06-22-2012)
Unfortunately I can't offer many suggestions but I can definitely relate to the driving issue. I try to keep my distractions minimal, always have music or talk radio on but keep the volume very low, seems to help a little. Do you think the ativan is helping at all? I've been on klonopin for years and taking a small dose while I'm driving if my symptoms are severe helps quell the symptoms a bit. I think klonopin is similar to ativan in terms of dosage, I only take .25 mg when driving, not enough to impair but enough to take the edge off. Obviously everyone is different and you'd want to talk to your doctor before doing this. I also find that driving slower helps, pisses other drivers off but oh well! Obviously if I am in a bad way I will pull over or simply not drive.
That being said, have you found anything that works for you while driving, do you get lightheaded or more of a spinning sensation?
The Following User Says Thank You to mszach For This Useful Post: gj123 (06-22-2012)
Hey GJ - i looked up vertical heterophoria and have found that it seems to be the specific name for what i have been describing as visual vertigo after years of research.
I struggle with driving, supermarkets, patterns, screens, feelings of imbalance, fatigue, inco-ordination, heavy and starey eyes (like a zombie), feelings of wanting to close my eyes when driving or concentrating.
I had to leave my job, cut down on driving, suffer from anxiety (especially anticipatory anxiety when i know i am going out somewhere). However, i am dealing with the anxiety side of things and now feel positive that i can improve.
I would suggest in the midst of what you are going through that you ask your doctor for help with what you are feeling ie hopelessness/anxiety/depression first and foremost. That may sound counterintuitive but everyone on this forum will tell you that anxiety and/or depression make these symptoms even worse. Good luck and dont lose hope.
Last edited by Administrator; 05-21-2013 at 10:04 AM.
The Following User Says Thank You to wellyoulookfine For This Useful Post: gj123 (07-02-2012)
I completely understand. I had suffered for 6 years with no help from doctors.
I went to every specialist and had every test done. My family doctor finally prescribed me ativan and said I would just have to deal with it. Friends and family couldn't understand. We look healthy from the outside right!
I had trouble in grocery stores, malls, large crowds, boats and driving. Anything with alot of visual stimualtion made the symptoms worse. I coudnt work for two years and hardly left the house.
I only found help because I refused to give up. It has been my eyes tis entire time. They were seeing things at two different levels. I saw a specialist in Fresno California, had a test done and now am earing glasses with special prism lenses. Life has never felt so good!!!!!
Hi, went to a neuro-opthalmologist who sid it is horizontal heterophoria. prescribed some prisn glasses thst got rid of double vision. but I still have unsteadiness and I don't know what else to do.
