Confused - Inner Ear Disorders Message Board

gloria2936 · 07-13-2005, 09:06 AM

I think anxiety from reading these boards the past 2 days have really set me off today. I feel like I can't even breath. I am so confused about this whole Labs versus VN (which I thought was wrong with me from the beginning) and then you throw MAV in. I have headache all the time. It changes in severity constantly. I have so many ear symptoms and symptoms of LABS. This MAV stuff is freaking me out because I'm so scared if it is that, it won't go away.

I do have an appointment scheduled with a neurotogist, but I'm afraid the doctors only say what they think not what they have hard evidence for. Therefore, I'm skeptic of a diagnosis, if I get one. Does that make sense?

I have refused any meds for depression at this point because I've had allergic reaction to drugs in the past and am afraid of what they could do to me. I know some of you are taking them, do they really help? I don't think I can handle this any more and I don't think talking to a therapist is really helping me (been going since the 1st week of April). I know how I feel and the constant crying is not normal. Talking to my husband use to make me feel better, but I think he has just about had it. He doesn't want to hear any thing negative but that is how I feel. There is nothing positive about living like this every single day so I don't talk about it with him. I feel the last few days he's given me a little bit of a cold shoulder.

Do any of you that got a diagnosis of Labs or VN have headache too?

Thanks,
Gloria

tummy2 · 07-13-2005, 09:09 AM

I get headaches of varying degrees... sometimes its borderline headaches and sometimes its just nagging and slight.

I have dx of Labs

joyb77 · 07-13-2005, 09:25 AM

This disorder is a HUGE test of anyones ability to cope. I don't blame you for feeling like you do. It's completley understandable. As far as a diagnosis goes, I would focus on what the doctors tell you. Reading this board and all the possible reasons for vestibular problems can make you crazy. You shouldn't try to diagnosis yourself. There is nothing wrong with educating yourself but if you try to diagnosis yourself you will go crazy. I think the simple fact is a lot of symptoms can be the same for many disorders. You may have headaches just from stressing over all of this. Try to figure out what is wrong with your doctors not with this board. I'd use the board for a way to get support not try and figure out a diagnosis because that is impossible and will make you nuts.

Your husband is only human and he probably feels really helpless because he can't make you feel better. Maybe tell him you don't expect him to fix the problem, you just need him to listen. I would also try ( and I know how hard it is) to spend maybe 30 minutes a day doing something that will get your mind off of this. You have to find a way to find something that will make you happy or at least distract you. Maybe think about all the things in your life that you feel grateful for (like your husband, children if you have any, ect...)

I would continue with the therapist, because you have someone objective and detached from your life to listen to you. I'm so sorry you have to deal with this. I do understand the fustration and hopelessness you can feel. It makes sense. But you need to try and maybe make small goals for the day. Try to do something you didn't do yesterday. Maybe it's just walking for a minute more than you did before, or anything like that so you can feel like you have accomplished something that hasn't happened in the past. Find small goals, and as you accomplish them that might make you feel better.

Remember you are NOT DYING, and this is not a permanent condition. MOST people DO RECOVER. Unfortunatley it works at a snails pace. That is why taking it one day at a time is super important.

Big Hugs,
Joy

Howie2 · 07-13-2005, 10:01 AM

Gloria:

What you are feeling is normal. Vestibular Disorders are dificult to give a specific diagnosis. However I do not think that matters. It is the treatment. Except for MAV which I do not know much about but I believe treatment is medication . Their are no test that takes a picture of the entire vestibular system. It takes a picture of part of the system but can test to see if the system is functioning correctly. They do not have the capability right now. However VRT works for most and helps a lot of people. You have to stick with it as this takes a long time. Anxiety defintely works hand in hand and makes you worst. I have had my condition for 19 months. I do not have a definte diagnosis. I was told I have a vestibular disorder and dysfunction. I have been doing VRT for 7 to 8 months and I take Zoloft for 7 months. I have made a lot of progress from a year ago. I am probably 75% to 85% on most days. Like 5 out of 7. I think both VRT and the Zoloft has helped. I had a lot of anxiety symptoms like trembling, insomnia that are no longer there. Therapy also takes a while. I have been in therapy for about 14 months. It took me a while to truly understand therapy. CBT works as well. I am pretty much done with therapy. If you get a good therapist they can teach you coping techniques such as Meditation, breathing excercises, yoga, journalizing and other things. I am no way near where I am but I have made progress and it takes a lot of time and patience. I feel everything you have and times still do and have bad days when I panic. You did say you have had some good days. You are finally going to see a specialist. I think you are on the right path and doing all the right things. Maybe ask your therapist to help you out with some coping techniques.

Best of Luck,

Howie

gloria2936 · 07-13-2005, 10:17 AM

Thanks Joy. - I am going to take your advice and try and stay off this computer the rest of the day. I tried to be so positive yesterday and just broke down today. Thanks for the uplift.

Howie - Thanks for the information. My therapist has tried meditation with me, but I have a really hard time with it because my symptoms are in my head and to try and put yourself somewhere else is really hard. I've always been a realist too so I think that hinders me. I do journal but sometimes find it difficult to really put a number or reference on how severe the symptoms are. I did notice some of the symptoms have gone away or disappeared so I guess that is good. I do breathing exercises everyday. The therapist taught me these and I bought a CD on breathing by Dr. Andrew Weil. It does seem to help me but I get a little lightheaded or feeling strange after I do them. The therapist I am seeing suffered with chronic fatigue syndrome for 8 years so I would assume she kind of knows what I am going through. I am going to stick with her. Maybe I will see a difference with continued therapy. I only have 10 visits left for this year that my insurance will pay a % so we kind of have been spacing them out a little to get me through the year. I was hoping I wouldn't need therapy until the end of the year, but it doesn't seem like this is going to be gone any time soon. Do you have any side effects from the antidepressent?

Thanks tummy for your response. I don't want to end up with migraines for the rest of my life. Mine started from an ear infection so I am going to listen to Joy and stop searching so much and just try and use this board for support. It is easier said than done, but I am going to try.

Thanks Everyone,
Gloria