Dizziness

Thank you dennis just dont know what to do with myself anymore ive tried everything x

I sent you a private message for you to check out.

Sounds awful. Sorry can't offer any medical advice,but keep you in my prayers.

Thank you

I'm open for all the help that I can get.

Are your symptoms triggered by something, or continuous?  What tests have you done, and what were their results (audiograms, calorics, MRI/CT)?  Apart from dizziness, do you have other symptoms such as hearing loss, fullness, tinnitus?  What therapies have you done so far, which have failed?

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

I tested positive on table tilt test, positive for Rocky mountain spotted fever. Feeling of being drunk without drinking.

Mri of head and ears- normal

Ct scan of head- normal

Audio test- normal

Vitamin B12 and D levels were low, but not too bad.

Stigmatism of the eyes were noted during laser dot goggle test. Recommended log roll therapy....no help.

Balance therapy performed, eye movement noticed, no help.

I also have compression of c4,c5 and c6 discs. Neck area around spinal cord pops when moved left/ right. That also triggers dizziness while sitting. I do notice more dizziness when looking up while walking.

Aw dennis thas me to a t the discs c4c5it is with me x

When you say that the table tilt test was positive, do you mean that your doctors saw specific involuntary eye movements in a specific movement?  If so, do you have more details?  This may be related to the dizziness when looking up while walking.

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

The tilt test was to check if bp was changing while standing. Eye movement was more noticeable while laying down on left side. Eye movement was noticed when brought back to a sitting position. Basically after head movement there was involuntary eye movement.

I'm curious if that could be causing it. Maybe pinching of nerves??? That is my next step...

Is there a report?  I need to know the exact type of eye movement (rotational, torsional, horizontal, vertical, and in which direction)?

Was benign paroxysmal positional vertigo mentioned as a diagnosis?  And if so what type (posterior or horizontal)?

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

Report states:

Possible horizontal canal BPPV.

Nystagmus observed with left ear down.

Unilateral weakness 8% right ear.

Directional preponderance 3% to the left.

And with a diagnosis of possible horizontal BPPV, what was the treatment they gave you for this?

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

Caloric:

Right 7º peak

Left 13º peak

Position: left Slow phase velocity -5.3

Optokinetic: left SPV -18.0, right SPV 18.8

Tracking: Right 0.67, Left 0.80

Treatment: log roll 3x's daily.

Did this help, at least temporarily?

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

It helped for a short time. But it came back stronger. I don't want to leave my house now.

The fact that it helped for a short time indicates that you have at least some form of BPPV.  There are several reasons why the therapeutic maneuvers are not permanently curative, not only this but your symptoms are stronger.  You may have more than one type of BPPV (both posterior and horizontal).  Another reason may be that the BPPV is affecting both ears instead of one.  A third reason may be that the otolith crystals that are moving around in your inner ear refuse to stay in their proper place and move out again.

Have you returned to your doctors, to inform them that it helped for a short time, but it came back stronger?

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

Yes I have. I have seen 18 different doctors. A hearing and balance tech is the one that administered this test. She noted all findings, gave report to main doctor. He then notified me and stated all was normal. And to continue log rolls if it helps.

The doctor also stated that it may be something that I will have to live with.

Can you tell me who your main doctor was?

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

Hello I have neen constantly dizzy for 3yrs I am house bound ive had mri scans xrays ever so many tests and nothing showed up im at my wits end ive had physio acupuncture which did help but they stopped.it after a year ive been on pitzofen serc propanalol nortriplene only thing that takes the edge off is stematil which they wont give me dr told me its a cover up not a cure id do anything for it to go any help at all would be soo appreciated my ears feel full behind and I just feel so imbalanced im afraid to go out x

Have you received a diagnosis?

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

 

Menierres maybe or a silent migraine or unbalance of the brain dont think they know whats causing it x

What did the audiogram show?  Is there ear ringing?

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

Yes I have a high pitched whistle sometimes I am having visual problems when the dizziness is at its worse but they done the eply manouvre and said it was fine it feels like my vision goes like slow motion x

Did you do an audiogram?

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

What is that ? X

Hearing test with different sound frequencies (do you hear it or not sort of questions).

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

Yes my left ear was down but not much x

Down at which frequencies (high or low)?

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

Its affecting my appetite as well as feeling so sick with it its affecting my sleep as well x

Low x

Im getting very confused and and no concentrationat all x

It therefore appears that you do indeed have Meniere's disease.  If the medications you are taking are not helping, then you should consider intratympanic steroid injections (steroid injections through the ear drum).  This will go directly to the problem.  Has this been discussed with your doctors?

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

No they keep telling me I got to live with it x

Then apparently you are in the wrong place.  Where do you live?

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

 

Wales in the uk x

I am trying to find a good doctor near you.  I will get back to you.

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

 

Aw thank you so much x

I found it very difficult finding someone in Wales, compared to other places, that has clearly published in this field.  If the hospital is close to where you are, I would suggest trying:

Dr Deepak Rajenderkumar

Audio-vestibular medicine

Medical secretaries

Denise

Welsh Hearing Institute (Audiology) University Hospital of Wales Heath Park CARDIFF CF14 4XW

029 2074 3474

07807 457952

Thats who im under x

He told me I got to live with it x

I would not have expected this from someone at this level.

Is there somewhere outside Wales where you could go for this e.g. London, Nottingham etc.?  Is this practical for you?

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

Id go anywhere but I dont know how to get in touch or if theyd see me but I sware to you thats what he told me x

If convenient, I can recommend a very good friend of mine in London.  There I know they can help you.

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

I can't find anyone closer to Cardiff that I know.

Id travel to london but I cant pay private as I lost my job through the diziness x

Hi Alison,

Just reading thorugh your discussion with Dr Eletherio.  I see an excellent Consultant in Leicester, his name is Mr Rea (pronuounced Ray).  I have also been suffering with VN for over 2 years but am now able to get on with doing most things (work, social, drink etc).  Mr Rea helped me considerably.  He is noted asd one of the top consultants in the UK for this type of thing.

Best of luck

Laurence

Hi laurence how did you get to see him ? X

Hi Alison,

At the time I had Bupa through the company I worked for.  Unfortunately this ran out and I had to pay myself.  He does though see some on the NHS.  Look him up on the web, he is now a professor (Spires hospital Leicester).

Best wishes

Laurence

What did he do for you that helped?

I'm going through the same thing myself.

Thanks