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Vertigo for 10 months

Posted , 8 users are following.

spudler
spudler

I started getting vertigo out of nowhere one night in March 2015.  My vertigo is less of a spinning sensation, however, and more of a sinking feeling into the floor.  Sometimes it is so bad I can't walk straight.  Around August I started getting heart palpitations, most likely from the anxiety vertigo causes, but there is also heart disease in my family, so it is a concern of mine.

Here's what I have done:  Been to the ER 3 times (said I was fine), been to an allergist (my only allergy is to dust), been to a neurologist (said my MRI looks fine and I should see an ENT and do physical therapy), been to an ENT (said I was wrong for coming to him, I should see a cardiologist), went to the cardiologist (said I'm fine, but is doing another round of tests for my palpitations), been going to vestibular therapy (says I'm fine and can't find anything wrong with me).

Meanwhile, my vertigo gets worse every day, and I'm really sick and tired of everyone telling me they can't find anything.  It is getting ridiculous and I don't even know what else I should do at this point.  Give up?  What other specialist can I possibly see?

2 likes, 29 replies

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  • Terry6872737
    Terry6872737 spudler

    Posted

    A Neuro-Otologist specializes in inner ear issues.  Vertigo and balanc e sensations are cause from inner ear issues.  Aside from anxiety, which can cause some of the things that you describe, that is the best specialist to see.  ENTs are a waste of time for inner ear issues.  If all tests look ok from what you stated, what did they tell you the cause of your symptoms was?
    • spudler
      spudler Terry6872737

      Posted

      Thanks Terry, I'll look into a neuro-otologist.

      Every doctor I've seen, with the exception of the cardiologist, has told me there is no cause for my symptoms that they can see, and they send me off to some other doctor.

    • dee50000
      dee50000 spudler

      Posted

      Sounds all too familiar. The good thing is that nothing is obviously wrong. I wonder why an ENTs do not know more about inner ear issues. I would think it would be a big part of their training! I think I have a good one, but he does not have a therapy table in his office (that I've ever seen) so I wonder. My other one did, but he sent me to a neurologist,rolleyes
    • Terry6872737
      Terry6872737 spudler

      Posted

      I'm curious if the ENT or anyone that you have seen has tested you for nystagmus.  If you have vertigo VRT will not be of any help.  Will probably make things worse.  Epley manuever is the treatment for vertigo which is caused by loose Otoconia in one, or more, of the inner ear canals.  Reading you other posts it appears that that, vertigo, is your main issue????? 
    • spudler
      spudler Terry6872737

      Posted

      My PT said that 90% of  vertigo patients she has that can be treated by the Epley Manuever (have loose crystals in ear), do not have vertigo that lasts as long as mine has, which is why she was leaning toward a neck injury.  I've already had a brain, neck and spine MRI done though, and they didn't find anything in that.

      But yes, vertigo is my main issue. I don't recall if I've been tested for nystagmus, what is that?

    • Terry6872737
      Terry6872737 spudler

      Posted

      Nystagmus is a reaction to the eyes upon head rotation or head thrusts.  The eyes will move rapidly upon the head movement in a jerking type fashion.  May be subtle movement.  Check the posts on here by Dee50000 that just had a final Epley that resolved here vertigo issues after suffering for a year.  She had a total of 4 Epleys performed if I remember correctly.

      Just a thought

    • spudler
      spudler Terry6872737

      Posted

      That could very well be my issue.  My PT did tests to watch my eye movement, and she said she was surprised my eyes weren't reacting.  She referred me to another PT clinic that has some sort of beer goggles that prevent me from focusing on anything, and thus will make it easier for them to detect eye movement.  I honestly thought that was a load of you-know-what, but after what you said it's very possible that might help.  My appointment is not for awhile, but this gives me more hope, thank you.
    • dee50000
      dee50000 Terry6872737

      Posted

      A lot more than 4... I've estimated about 50 over the course of the 14 months. Spudler, you just have to find someone who knows what they are doing, and then you have to be careful not to move head head way up or down or lay on the side that the maneuver was done on. My audiologist said wait 48 hours before laying down on that side, bending down, etc. And the maneuver has to be done in a way that ALL of the crystals go back into the right place - some health providers don't do it for the full minute required. Also, they can be put back into place and then more "come out of place". Keep us posted!

       

    • Terry6872737
      Terry6872737 dee50000

      Posted

      Hopefully, you have found your answer. It would stand to reason that your balance will now begin to improve as well.

      So happy for you.

  • rockymama
    rockymama spudler

    Posted

    Any chance it could be mal de debarquement? As a thought, hormones could be an issue. May want to try an SSRI. Also see if amitriptyline helps. In the meantime do exercise....it should help with balance as well as anxiety.
    • spudler
      spudler rockymama

      Posted

      I already did blood tests for hormones and my thyroid, the results showed my levels were normal.  I've been very healthy my whole life, and I exercise 6 days a week.  I stopped for about a month when I first got vertigo to see if too much exercise was causing issues, but it didn't help.
  • linda40217
    linda40217 spudler

    Posted

    I too suffer many symptoms without diagnosis. I've been to all you've mentioned also. This week I'm going to a chiropractic. My PT thinks it might be neck related.

    Don't give up!

    • spudler
      spudler linda40217

      Posted

      Yeah, my PT mentioned I might have a neck injury as well, or an injury in my trap muscle.  But I did x-rays for that and everything was normal.  She also said I don't have the tell-tale eye movement when my head is pulled back off the table that gives those kind of issues away.
  • emma93780
    emma93780 spudler

    Posted

    A story all to familiar, I've been suffering with dizziness since July, had test upon test, including ct scan, seen ent twice waiting to see neurologist, the doctors haven't a clue what's going on and either send me to another specialist or they give me more pills none of which have worked yet! Anxious yes but only because I'm constantly dizzy!!! X
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