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Balance tests normal?!?! What is wrong then?

Posted , 10 users are following.

c4013
c4013

Hi today I had to balance tests. One with hot and cold air and one where I had to follow a red light. They did not detect any thing major and said nothing was jumping out although they were having one or two issues with the computer and could not give me any more I'm formation than that until they had sorted out why the computer wasn't saving something? !? Anyway no problems so what is it. I asked if these tests would tell me why I was feeling a lack of balance and they said not necessarily as it just tested the parts and not the interactions between the parts that make up balance. So really I have been off my tablets for nearly a week have taken a turn for the worse for nothing and still have no answers. I just feel like crying and tonight I have ear ache after the whole thing on top of nothing gained. What is wrong?? I have had this since January I have been recovering coming of the tablets after 3 days I started to feel terrible.

0 likes, 17 replies

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  • Stacy0624
    Stacy0624 c4013

    Posted

    You probably have BVVP and Vestibular weakness... that's what I have. I started Vestibular Therapy and its really helping..I also started acupunture which I would recommend. But definitely look into that therapy. It's changing my life!
  • simone_bev65236
    simone_bev65236 c4013

    Posted

    I really do feel for you,for 2 years I have been off balance had all sorts of tests,but im still the same.when I stand still I feel im moving ,my head isvery foggy
  • simone_bev65236
    simone_bev65236 c4013

    Posted

    I really do feel for you,for 2 years I have been off balance had all sorts of tests,but im still the same.when I stand still I feel im moving ,my head isvery foggy
    • wanda99160
      wanda99160 simone_bev65236

      Posted

      Last December a year ago I had the dehydration,sepsis and pneumonia ever since my balance has been terrible. MRI was great. I been to eye Dr, ent dr wants me to have a vng

      Which terrifies me. I do NOT have dizziness or headaches ever. Just step backwards out of control.

  • simone_bev65236
    simone_bev65236 c4013

    Posted

    Sorry hadn't finished the message, at time I walk all over the place. I can't go to work either because of this ,but lucky I have a husband to provide for me.I am 57 years old but feel like an old woman.
  • DizzyLizzy68
    DizzyLizzy68 c4013

    Posted

    Well, my Drs said with my basically normal VNG, it was most likely MAV or vestibular migraine. Although the problem was that I was in a "remission" of sorts when I had the test. Therefore, they couldn't say I had or didn't have Menieres. I was told a normal vng doesn't rule it out unless I was in the throes of an attack at the time of testing. We you having your normal, full blown symptoms at the time of the test? If so, I'd be more likely to think migraine. Your Dr knows your whole picture, so ask him what conditions are ruled out, and which are still on the table. Then maybe you can narrow things down more so.

    If you weren't having your normal symptoms, I would ask if you could repeat the test on short notice, when's things are at their peak. I

    • DizzyLizzy68
      DizzyLizzy68

      Posted

      Sorry, meant to say with reference to menieres, vng would show something if in the throes of an attack, OR if the Menieres had done some level of permanent damage, as it typically does over time. My testing was in my first year after developing symptoms.
  • lonnie
    lonnie c4013

    Posted

    First start back on your meclizine and get yourself centers again. The advice below is very good. One thing to add as a positive now you know it's not a physical parts problem this gives your physician a place to move forward.

    When this started for me 20+ years ago the tests were not like they are now then 10 years ago my tests were negative so I began thinking it was all in my head (imaging), tried again to get answers b/c the falls were more frequent and I looked like someone was beating me. Now I have a positive VNG with permanent damage. Fight for answers I started needing hearing aid and bifocals back when I was 23 years and was denied b/c they could not conceive a person so young needing these things. Now I went to the VA for TBI specialists. They did more than the VNG testing very different than I had before, speech neurological, eye, audio and ENT.

    For the first time in years I am not taking my medicine every 6 hrs unless I am having a really bad day. I was told the damage probably would not have been able to be stopped but I would have been more prepared for treating the symptoms. Also my family and friends are behind me instead of feeling alone. This forum has been great b/c now I don't feel alone either. Regardless of whether this happened from an injury or infection there are treatment options.

    DON'T GIVE UP!!!!

    • c4013
      c4013 lonnie

      Posted

      Hi I'm on betahistine 32mg x 3 a day. I didn't find it worked at first but it did after a month and a half. I wasn't sure if it was time that was solving me plus vestibular exercises or the tablets but it was probably all 3. But the tablets definitely do make a difference. Just feeling so low. Not knowing feeling lost and wondering why I am having these sensations of being on a boat and unable to walk naturally. I feel dreadful . But thank you so much for your reply
    • Laurie34
      Laurie34 c4013

      Posted

      Is betahistine over the counter or prescribed by a physician?  
  • Laurie34
    Laurie34 c4013

    Posted

    My balance tests also showed minor weakness.  I've started PT and I know it's a long road but I'm on it.  Defintely try it.  I am having both good days and bad days where before it was mostly all bad. 
    • Laurie34
      Laurie34 simone_bev65236

      Posted

      I definitely have light headedness and feel like I'm "pulling" to keep things in my head stable.  I don't know how else to describe it.  
    • DizzyLizzy68
      DizzyLizzy68 Laurie34

      Posted

      Laurie,

      I have all your symptoms and have been told migraine even though I don't have a headache. I was put on the migraine preventative Propranolol, and I was cured for a year. Then it came back, and I began to doubt my diagnosis, but my neuro does not. I upped the propranolol dose about two mos ago, and went back to strict migraine diet. I am getting much better. I understand that horrible feeling of being off, having to pull to one side to stay balanced, walking like a drunk person, holding the wall with one hand, needing shopping carts in stores to walk properly, and feeling like on a boat. It's horrible, horrible. It is not caused by anxiety, but certainly creates it. They are even coining a new term, I've read. Migraine associated vertigo anxiety. When it's really bad, I get vertigo and nystagmus. Migraine can attack the inner ear and cerebellar part of the brain causing all of this. I hate it, and am convinced it is triggered by perimenopause. I was given bio identical progesterone cream to see if it helped. It seemed to help about a year ago, but now it actually makes things WORSE, so I've stopped it. I am now considering low dose estrogen since it seems I've swung the other way. I have read that it can be miraculous or make things worse, so we'll see.

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