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Balance tests VNG please share experiences

Posted , 9 users are following.

c83614
c83614

I have had problems with my balance fine the end of January. I'm just recovering now and feeling much better. Although not quite normal but a million times better. When I began with this I could hardy walk from one side of the room to the other. Felt very off balance. I have been waiting for balance tests since beginning of March and have got a date now next week. My concern is that I may never know what's caused it. I have had this before but I just had an mri scan which was clear but the consultant said inner ear damage. I am concerned that this time as I am having balance tests when I feel alot better that I may never know the cause. Or if you still have it slightly can it still be picked up. I wish I could have had my appointment sooner. Feel like I'm going to turn up like a fraud! Lol if anyone has experience of this I would be really grateful. I thought I was having a balance test mo the ago and when I got to the hospital it was just a hearing test.

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  • debbie82116
    debbie82116 c83614

    Edited

    Hi

    Sounds like you've been through vestibular neuritis for a second time...just like me! Horrible isnt it? You experienced a damaged balance nerve due to a virus the first time. This will never heal but your brain learned to compensate. The virus then reoccurred and you experienced it a second time. Again, thankfully, your brain learned to compensate for a second time. The testing you will have will show the damage in one of your ears no matter when the testing takes place. Don't worry....you're not a fraud!

    Best of luck to you.

    Debbie

    • c83614
      c83614 debbie82116

      Posted

      Hi Debbie thank you so much for your reply you make a lot of sense!!!! Thank you its also very reassuring to know.

      I wonder how many of us there are!! ☺

  • DizzyLizzy68
    DizzyLizzy68 c83614

    Posted

    So my diagnosis is not the same as yours, but I had similar issue with sudden hearing loss in my left ear. Fortunately, it did not cause vertigo, but it can in some people.  It came back in 72hrs with high dose prednisone.  I also suffer from Vestibular migraine, but the drs say the current thinking on the sudden hearing loss is viral (some think migraine may also be a cause).  They think it is linked to the herpes family of viruses, kind of like cold sores and shingles.  Anyway, some people who have Meniere's disease believe the antiviral medicines given for herpes help their disorder.  I am wondering for those of you with labrynthitis or vestibular neuritis- have the drs ever mentioned the use of antivirals?  I asked mine, and he said there wasn't enough proof to show it worked or something to that effect.
    • c83614
      c83614 DizzyLizzy68

      Posted

      I have heard that about herpes and antivirals. But I'm not sure where from. Thank you so much for your reply ☺😊
  • DizzyLizzy68
    DizzyLizzy68 c83614

    Posted

    Forgot to mention- I had the VNG tests. You have to follow the directions and not take certain meds before.  I take meds for migraine and dizziness, and was told not to stop them.  But then they did see some upbeating nystagmus at one point, but said it was most likely from the meds!  LOL, so I don't know how worthwhile the tests were for me.  Two MRIs of brain and IACs are fine, so neuro just said the finding was vague and basically meaningless.  The caloric test is where they put hot and cold air or water into the ears to cause vertigo.  Well my left ear (the bad one) had instant vertigo (means a normal result), but my right ear took many tries to get the spins going.  I thought that was strange that my bad ear gave a strong response vs. my good ear!
    • c83614
      c83614 DizzyLizzy68

      Posted

      My letter told me to stop all medication a week before. Odd they didn't say that to you. Perhaps they don't want to be responsible for you feeling worse, as I'm starting to. It is odd about your ear too. I don't know anything about it could they have previously made a mistake. ....am I understanding this right the do something with hot or cold air and it makes the room spin if your ears are working if not there's damage? I had not idea they did that it sounds quite unpleasant. But I suppose if it gets sone answers ( hopefully) then it will be worth it.
    • DizzyLizzy68
      DizzyLizzy68 c83614

      Posted

      Yes, you are understanding correctly.  I researched the tests quite extensively beforehand, and had myself worked up into a tizzy about the caloric test.  If your vestibular system on that side is intact and undamaged, you will get the spins (and nystagmus). I was so, so worried about getting dizzy, but it was really for nothing.  It was not unpleasant.  It felt to me exactly like being on a merry go round-  it wasn't my normal dizzy feeling.  And it only lasts for a few seconds. I understand medical students do this to each other for fun or something..  Don't worry about it.   About the meds, they said they wanted to see me in "my normal state", so not to discontinue.  Even though the handout they gave me said to discontinue for 5 days.  Oh well...
    • danielle556
      danielle556 DizzyLizzy68

      Posted

      Hello, I know this post was 2 years ago so I am sorry if this does not reach you, I have a VNG test tomorrow and I am worried it will kick my vertigo off for a few weeks has this been the case with anyone? Or did it pass rather quickly? Iv had a good few weeks recently and I’m scared it will knock me off my feet again! Thank you 
    • DizzyLizzy68
      DizzyLizzy68 danielle556

      Posted

      Danielle, the test did not ramp up my vertigo. I suppose everyone is different, and maybe it has to do with the root cause. My root cause was determined to be migraine. My Dr told me to take my ibuprofen and klonopin after the test as a preventative, since I was worried about the same thing. It was fine. On a side note, I read something interesting the other day. This dr in an article was talking about vertigo and said if the room or surroundings seem to be spinning, the source is usually inner ear. If the perception is that you or your head is spinning, the source is most likely "central", meaning from the brain or brainstem. While there are some nastier central sources, one of the most common is migraine. And an MRI would rule out the more sinister central causes. I found that info very helpful (if its accurate). My MRI ruled out sinister reasons, and VNG found central findings (caloric test was normal, and that was to test inner ear function). It would've been helpful to know that info at the time, as I had a Neuro telling me migraine, and ENT saying Menieres. And my head always spun, not the room.

    • danielle556
      danielle556 DizzyLizzy68

      Posted

      That is very interesting.. how are you getting on with your vertigo now? I am still awaiting my results however the gentleman that did the VNG test did say that all my triggers such as caffeine chocolate and alcohol ( Iv tried one drop in a year and instantly set me off again) are triggers to migraines so that is very interesting. X
    • DizzyLizzy68
      DizzyLizzy68 danielle556

      Posted

      Yep, those sound like migraine triggers. Also can be Menieres triggers as well, but hearing loss is part of Menieres.

      My vertigo is much improved. I take propranolol, a migraine preventative. I also stick to a mostly migraine safe diet. It can be complicated, but not all migraine triggers will effect everyone. MSG or soy protein is a big one for me. Unfortunately its in a lot of things. I can do white wine ok. I also had to stop all the bioidentical hormones for perimenopause. Some will be helped by them, but I'm the opposite. Good luck!

  • Suzy0410
    Suzy0410 c83614

    Posted

    I've had dizziness,and balance issues since i fell at work a yr. ago. I went for A VNG test on 10-20-22

    During test something happened .. I got real dizzy ,weak couldn't lift my arms or legs ,and couldn't talk right . Doc called an ambulance . They did imaging test ,bloodwork ,and found nothing . My speech is so messed up I have to write what i need to say cause they cant understand me. I’ve been going to a neurologist for almost 8 months now . A-week after test I-went back to see him ,and he cant tell me what the heck happened . He's sending me to speech therapy now . Has this happened to anyone else?

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