vertigo back advice needed please

I definitely agree with Gillian and Gilly flower. My GP told me I had to have this for 3 months for him to even consider referring me and then when he did I had another 2 month wait to see ENT!!!

Exactly!!  They dint damn well care.  You have to tell white lies these days i'mmafraid!

My Gp didn't even send my referral of straight away when he said he was going to , even though I have been seen now and been told It's bppv , ( they can tell by the movement of my eyes ) and seeing a audiologist , my GP still wants me to go down the mental health route , now I do agree I'm anxious , but it's unavoidable when your dizzy all the time , I wouldn't wish it on anyone , just my GP for a couple hours so he knows what it's like , so I don't have to explain anymore 

Having had vertigo before for 6 months once I know this condition is a battle. I defy anyone to not feel anxious stressed hopeless. Make sure your doctor puts you in touch with a specialist which can get to the bottom of yours. I am sure you wouldn't feel half as stressed if your world would stay put. So keep strong and make sure you get the right treatment. Wishing you well and thanks for replying to my post

Yes the anxiety is a side effect, which needs hammering into gp's brains, A SIDE EFFECT, not the cause!  I did accept CBT (via my .vestibular therapy physio, not gp directly , although she had to get the gp to,do the referral , the NHS system!!) as i wanted to talk to,someone who understands.  she was good and talked about this condition as a 'Silent illness', which was good to hear.  she used the Mindfullness technique which I do recommend to anyone who feels not just anxious,bt misunderstood.  If your gp,keeps pushing on it,,say you would   be happy to,see a CognitiveBehaviour Therapist as it's the popular 'thing' at the moment so you may as well take advantage of it.!!

Your right , it is a silent illness , I said to my GP , that I don't mind accepting any help with the anxiety side of it , as long as it's understood that's it's the bppv that started the anxiety , not the other way round , but he just won't have it , 

Dont worry when you get to see the counsellor ,,you can work that out with hi  or her, amd make sure you get them To agree,with you that the caus  is the physical problem, ie vestublar,,or whatever ,and the anxiety is the effect of  dealing  with it etc.  reason being. That when they do their report after you've had so many sessions (I Got eight), you want them to be writing that in plain speech so your gp  gets told in no uncertain terms! rEmember all that goes in your record and you don t want them having you down as having an an anxiety problem that  causes vertigo!

Hi Gilly Flower,

I developed labriynthitis at the end of December and am slowly starting to improve - working half days and doinglotsof exercises - seeing physio.

Had it 20 years ago - bad - and had major trouble with anxiety.  This time, I'm trying to keep things in perspective and the anxiety is less of an issue.

Are you sure you have BPPV?  If so, it is not viral.  check it out online.  One of my colleagues at the clinic where I work was flat on her back for 3 or 4 days with BPPV.  Went to the doctor and then to physio.  They did the epley manouver a few times and "poof" it was gone.  BPPV is caused by crystals in your ear being in the wrong place and the epley manouver moves them to their proper place.  it's easy and can be done at home - first thing my doc and the physio did.  I had really hoped that that was my problem versus a virus because there seems to be good treatment for it.  The epley manoever can be done at home - it's very simple.  They have ENTs doing it online.  check it out!!!!

Best,

Linda

Hi Linda , yes they seem sure now it's bppv , was told Wednesday it can be severe and stubborn , sometime s , i had it like this in 1998 , lasted 18 months , but didn't have any treatment 

Ha!! Yes I'm the same. Of course I wouldn't wish this on anybody but maybe a few in the medical profession who I've seen!! It's hard to explain it to someone who has absolutely no idea of what it feels like.

I'm glad you mentioned the eye movement for BPPV as I worry when I'm really bad if I've got that. At the beginning a young Dr attempted to do the Epley on me but I'm sure he didn't do it right. Now I'm being told I haven't got crystals but vestibular neuritis.

As for the anxiety, I can't believe your Dr would send you to mental health. That makes me so annoyed. I've been told I'm quite an anxious person but having this has made my anxiety go through the roof. it's anxiety to get better. But saying that, I did go for counselling but only went for 3 sessions as they couldn't understand what being dizzy was like!!!

When they do the manerver  s , my eyes sort of jerk , and sometimes I can feel that happening 

When mine was done my head wasn't held. I was just instructed where to move my head. But now I think about it he just talked me through the Brandt daroff exercise. As I felt really dizzy he just said I'd proved positive for BPPV. Didn't even look at my eyes!! A month later I had to return and another ENT did the dix hallpike test and said no you don't have crystals. So maybe he was looking at my eyes?

You are absolutely right!!!! thank you. I know from my own experience last time that all the Gps are floundering in a field they don't really understand or comprehend. I will ask for a referral. Last time I was refered to ent specialist was given a mri and told I had damage to my inner ear. Told to do exercises. I think the exercises are the key. I know they will help with persistence. But if this is viral? Should I ask for a blood test? As I am having headaches this time would a neurologist be better?

By the way thank you for your help and your reply it is very kind of you and I am very grateful. Solidarity is one of the best forms of help when you have vertigo. So thank you

The problem with,proving the viral,connection is hard. there are different viruses, and unless they do a blood test for a specific one, they could easily just say "no not  viral, go away'!  there are theories now that the epstein Barr virus is a cause of vertigo symptoms as it can lay dormant and you would t even know you've,got it.  and there are lots of strains so even an EBV blood test won't  necessarily show,up that you have it.   But anything can trigger a virus to emerge, another illness, stress, am accident.   I Feel mine is viral,induced and so i  treat ,myself as if Imhave one and try to,keep as healthy as possible diet wise and use supplements etc.