Hi I'm going today for some balance tests what are they like. Can someone explain so I don't worry. I read a post on here ages ago that listed what they are like but now I can't find it...can anyone help
I'm going for them on thursday this week and would like to know also. Anyone??
Well its all according what your symptoms are on how you will react. ,also different hospitals,have slightly different tests. The ones i had were standing on some 'plates' that will move. You have a harness on so even if you falter you are supported (Personally i was fine),there are three 'walls' one in front, two,on each side, and these move back and forth (Not all at the same time), it's,to,see how you react to these movements, but honestly dont worry.
also there's one with goggles that track eye. Movements. you are sitting down, they turn lights out, in front of you is a strip with a red light that they will send along and ask what you see etc. They will also see how you are standing on one leg, and how you are placing one foot in front of the other whilst standing still. They are always there to support you you are wobbly okay?
some places have a chair you sit on and it rotates, to test your readtions. O was fine on that too!
They also may do a caloric test where theynout warm water innyour ear/s,,one at a time,then cold, they then can test how that affects (Or Not) you. Usually There are some hearing ones too,to check that,,with earphones. dont get anxious as that doesn't help things, and there really is nothing to,worry about. and dint be afraid to ask questions either, make the most,of your appointment and get as much info on yourself,out of them as you can!!! OH and they may do the Epleymanoeuvre. Lie You down on the bed and bring you up quickly and look at your eyes to see if they flicker. good,luck and have some Chamomile tea or something soothing before you go.
Thanks for that information. Are you in the UK? Just wondered if the tests are different in other countries?
Thank you so much I will let u know how I get on. Thank u x
I'm in the US and my tests were exactly as gillian described them. I was nervous about being in the harness but remember it's hooked into the ceiling and there is also a tech standing behind you. Every time the floor beneath you jerks and you throw your hands out to catch yourself that counts as a fall. This is so they know what your weakness is, the whole part of this lasts about 15 minutes and it's about the size of a closet. The eye goggles were the same as well. None of these tests hurt. I was set up for pt a few weeks later and that is where they did the epley maneuver. That one doesn't hurt but it will likely make you really nauseaus. When I finished with that, I had to sleep on my left side for 5 nights to keep things in place (I am generally a right side sleeper so my husband and I changed sides of the bed so I couldn't turn over in my sleep). Had a few months of pt after that with balance exercises. The main thing to remember is that if you are there, they expect you to be dizzy and will be watching to make sure you are safe while doing these things.
Yes i am in UK, bit from what Kathy says they are all much of a muchness.🙂
Gd luck, am sire it will be okY. 😀
Thankyou ☺. Will they be able to diagnose some inner ear conditions which are causing the vertigo?
The may be able,to, But tbh,,i found that the tests seem to be done more,to rule things out than in!
OK thanks. I really hope they can. I'm sick of feeling like I'm constantly on a boat rocking.
Yes i am the 'Swaying' category too. How long have you had this?
10 weeks now. You? What's your diagnosis?
I hate to say this, 5 and half years! My 'diagnosis' is Chronic Disequilibrium', which means they dont know!!
OMG I hope mine doesn't last that long. I've got problems with my ears so think it's connected.
Yes it could be,what is the ear problem?
I went 90 percent death and have tinitus in my right ear over 2 years ago and now this!
Wow,,90%.! Also have tinnitus, presume it's my right ear as thats the one i seem to,have more probs with. had the Tinnitus few years before this happened though so its not the cause i feel.
Yeah I got the deathness way before this. But it's the only thing I csn think of that's connected. I went to bed one night 10 weeks ago and this loud buzzing noise in my head started then everything was spinning I couldn't walk with out falling over and struggled to get out of bed for days. Now have a constant heavy head feeling lightheaded and swaying feeling when walking about.
Did You feel, at that time, as if you had a virus maybe? I woke up one morning and my head felt 'expanded',,think it was pressure. And i"ve a
ways felt the virus started things off! ALso you may want to watch ChAnnel 5 on Catch up, as there was an interesting story on this programme, 'Medical Mysteries',,last,week about a young woman who had a problem innher inner ear.