| Re: Eeeeeek! Linda Luxon appointment
Ann: Yes, she is very nice .... but you may not see her, as when they run a clinic several different docs are taking histories, and making diagnosis', I had a few comunication problems (and so did a friend) with one of the doctors there, which made things tricky.
Unfortunately, they will want to repeat the tests, this is partly because the a lot of the ENG type tests are done on their rotation chair machine, which is more acurate and because they don't trust results from other labs (ENGs are very easily misinterpreted). The rotation chair tells them a lot more than most ENG machines would, so is far more informative. The caloric test (the air/water) is done by hand in separate room (well, it was i went). Sorry.. but I had to be honest..
They work the appointment out as follows. You discuss history and symptoms with a doctor, based on that they decide which tests to carry out, you then go and have various test, the results of each is passed back to the doctor who decides which test to do next. This took the whole morning in my case, then they review the test results with you and make a diagnosis (may be provisional) and decide what treatment you need, when I was there they booked my into a VRT session later that day so I didn't have to travel again, and book you for a followup appointment.
The various test they may do (I doubt they'd do all) are the rotation chair, which is yucky while it happens but ok after, various hearing tests (which aren't very symptom provoking), calorics, postography (stand you on a free moving platform, while moving the wall infront of you - it's a bit wobbly while it happens, but your fine after).
I know exactly what you mean about getting there, its a bit of a mission. I found the easiest way was to go on the train, then get straight into a taxi as they can drop you straight at the door, and you don't have to use the tube, and in all honesty they only charge a few pounds more (£9 I think). The first time I went I had to travel up from devon, for 9am appointment, and the first train didn't get in until 11, so I had to stay in a hotel the first night which I found pretty rough. The getting there and getting back is actually a bit easier going than thought, it's just a case of sitting there until you arrive.
I hope this helps
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but I'm actually going 
because I'm absolutely *petrified* - of the train and tube journey there, of the tests she might have to do (I'm taking last year's caloric test results - she won't want me to have that done again, surely? Please say she won't?!) and most of all, I'm so, so scared of her saying there's nothing she can do and I'll feel like this for ever. It's come at a really bad time - my mum's been seriously ill in hospital for about 6 weeks so I'm stressed and exhausted by that and feeling ten times more spaced and dizzy as a result. I know some of you guys have already seen her - any words of wisdom? Is she nice? What tests did she do?
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