home from dr visit - Inner Ear Disorders Message Board

phobic · 05-04-2005, 11:42 AM

I've been reading so many of your posts, and cant believe that im here with the same suffering going on, yet just got back from dr, and what they had to say with a *smile*, is "you have vertigo". I kept asking "why" and where does it stem from (i've had it since 1997) and they just said in a sense,,,,,,,"because you do", and that because my hearing is perfect, and my eustation (sp) tubes are fine, then i just have vertigo and do these exercises. Even the stabbing pain is "ok" by them,just muscular probably

. I do have an anxiety disorder and am dizzy and disorented from that too, but why do they not check my middle ear. Or what do they do to check your middle ear. Am i asking them too much?? Oh, she did mention the eply manuever, and so im wondering if many have done that with success...(think i read a thread on that so will check). Well sorry for the rant! I really thought i'd get at least some answers from them today, but nope. I think i just didnt go in "armed" with the right questions

Thanks for input..

Tesss · 05-04-2005, 11:53 AM

Hi Phobic
Sorry to hear that you are a bit frustrated with your Drs visit. I too usually come out feeling more upset that when I went in. They always seem to have answers for everything, and just bulldoze over my concerns. i think a lot of it is that they don't know the answers themselves but want to appear to know everything to you. Ive not got any answers - hopefully someone else can help with this, but just wanted to let you know that you are not alone.
Take care and all the best
Tesss

hbep · 05-04-2005, 12:40 PM

Hi Phobic,

I've just bumped up a post for you called 'Which Specialist to See.' It will explain what a neurotologist is and why dizzy people should see one. If you've been dizzy that long they shouldn't be brushing you off with no diagnosis. You should be seen by someone with expertise in this area who can run tests - An ENG test being the common one, and can offer treatment and support. General doctors rarely understand much about the inner ear.

I don't know if you're in The States or elsewhere, if you're in England I can point you in the right direction re where to find a neurotologist. Otherwise you could try posting a separate post to people asking if anyone knows of a neuro oto or balance centre near you,

best,

hbep

phobic · 05-04-2005, 09:43 PM

Thanks tesss, i got your message right away (was in a rush) and want to thank you for your support. Made my day better knowing im not alone (which is actually sad, but comforting

none the less

) I really thought i'd kinda fight a bit harder when i went in, but guess my stupid anxiety crap got the best of me and out i went without any answers. So sad.
And hbep, i've printed out the info from the "bumped" site". Thank you! Geesh, really makes me understand that they really did about nothing to help, as they didnt even touch the inner ear stuff, or ask to refer me somewhere else. AND, because i didnt know where to ask for, i just left like so many others. Think they'll get a call from me tomorrow...if my unstable self can handle it

.

studyin · 05-05-2005, 06:22 AM

Hi phobic,

Just thought I'd re-post something I heard back in February from one of the top specialists in Australia. This will shed some light on the lack of service you received from your doctor and why you should follow up on hbeps advice:

Quote:

The seminar was unique because he was presenting to doctors only (except for me of course who was sitting in the front row). In other words, it was a no BS approach and he spelled things out from their point of view. He began by saying - surprise, surprise - that nobody really likes treating dizzy people in the medical field. ENTs tend to not be interested because they prefer stuff where an operation is required, where they can cut something or remove something (typical). Furthermore, there is no answer that is 100% accurate to explain dizziness and all that comes with it. He said that text books on this stuff are by and large useless!! Therefore most doctors don't want to touch it with a barge pole - too hard basket. I couldn't believe it. In fact he said the only reason he got into neuro-otology (this was tongue-in-cheek) was because it was easy to be employed in the field as nobody else wanted to do it! But the upside to it was that, and this is good for us, there is such a high rate of success in treatment that it makes the doc look and feel good. It is good for their reputation - again he said this in a facetious way.

All the best...Scott