Did anyone feel full body muscle twitching during VEMPs test?

Ears, nose and throat
1

So, after 15 years of symptoms, I finally got diagnosed with vestibular migraines. But he also sent me in for VNG and VEMPS testing, because I flunked one of the vestibular tests in his office.

Both of my ears are affected, but my left ear is worse. (Worse pain, worse tinnitus, etc...) I also have left sided pain in my head and entire body during my episodes.

Anyway, when they gave me the vemps test in my left ear,  I didn't notice anything unusual. But when the did the VEMPS in my right year, I felt muscle twitching througout my entire body. I know they are measuring myogenic (muscle) potentials in the neck so I am trying to figure out what this means as far as interpreting the results.

The audiologist who did the test said he should be getting the results to the doctor tomorrow, but I always get curious and impatient waiting for test results to come back.

I also had a hearing test (mild hearing loss in high frequencies) and a VNG. During the VNG, I got dizzy/floaty feeling when they leaned me back on the left side (my bad side) and during the calorics test, I got super dizzy on the right side with the cold water, but not as dizzy with the left side. Not so much spinning, but more like rocking back and forth. 

Just curious if any of you had the same experience? Trying to figure out if I have Meniere's in addition to MAV. 

Thanks.

2

Had VNG. Left side almost non responsive. Right side was instant and violant. Means left ear is messed up. Losing vestibular signals. Right side over compensating. Very very sensitive according to tech that did the test and my ENT. Same results from audiologist. Losing some highs and lows. When I first went to ENT I told him menieres might run in my family. He immediately dismissed it said to many docs blame menieres on these symptoms. After testing he said might be menieres. MRI was clear btw. Had that done to. Getting referal to neurologist for more testing I assume. Audiologist could have told you his results. He knows what he's doing. My ENT has a audiologist in his office. Got my results same day. Along with VNG results.

3

Thanks. I asked him for results, but he woudl only give me my hearing results. (Mild hearing loss in high frequencies.) When I asked him for results, he told me that he'd have his report over to the doctor by tomorrow evening. If I don't hear back from doctor by early next week, I'll go to the audiologist and ask them for a copy of his report. 

My right side was definitely spinning, but my left side was delayed and only felt like I was rocking. (With the cold water.)

4

I did water before. This time they used warm and cold air . Same results. You must have been to nice. Always remember he works for you. Not other way around. Tell him you want the results. Your paying for them. I am having my results sent to me as well. My therapist wants to see them. That's just a way for them to milk your insurance. Get another 300 bux just to have you come back into the office for no reason. When I had mine done he told me most of it. Then handed my doc the results right then and we discussed them. After 6 weeks of this, plus 10 years of it on and off and getting worse , I can't be nice about it. To dizzy and tired to play nice. Enough is enough. Everytime I have to take the half hour ride in the car to a app is a nightmare. I am not going threw that if I don't have to.

5

Yeah, I understand. I've been going through this for 15 years, myself.  I got the feeling he really wanted to put together a report, so when he's done with the report, I'll get it next week. I didn't want to force him. ( I work in healthcare, too.)

But I am definitely not paying another doctor visit to get my test results. My doctor said he'd be calling me with the results. But he's so busy, it could take a while, so I have a feeling I'll just be going to the audiologists office and getting the report myself next week. 

6

I know that's how they like to do things. And most docs work for places. Like mine is actually in the hospital. But I can't afford to drive that far for something that can be told to me right then. Plus the 200 bux I pay for the office visit. Had a operation in june so my insurance is about maxed for the year. Sooner or later they gonna stop paying any of the bills. Then I am gonna be really screwed. First ENT visit was to just tell he's ordering tests. That was over 300 bux and he didn't even touch me. Told him what was up. He said tests. 5 minute consult. 300+ bux gone. I wouldn't mind it if I made 300 bux in 5 minutes. But that's a weeks pay and I haven't worked in 6 weeks. Plus I was off over a month in june/ July. Was only back to work a month when this hit. So money is more than tight. It's none exsistant. Lol

B

7

I am interested to know if you was given tablets for the vestibular migraine.

8

Yes, he gave me a benzodiazepine (clonazepam) as a vestibular suppressant, and it is helping a lot. I haven't been able to work full time for years, but now that I'm on the clonazepam, I can now work on the computer without bumping into people, furniture, and getting confused and losing my place. Also, my speech problems have gone away, which were really bad.  I tried just about every other medication  you could think of for migraine, and nothing helped...but this is working very well. Thank God. I'm hoping I can get back to work full time again. 

9

Well, I got my reports from the audiologist the next day, and it looks like:

1. The VEMPS was totally normal, so the muscle twitching apparently didn't mean anything. 

2. The Dix-Hallpike chair test was normal, except I had some nystagmus on the left side, but without vertigo. (I told him I got a floaty feeling, but apparently, "floaty feelings" don't count. Lol.)

3. My caloric ear test (hot water/cold water) was normal, except my score was 7 points lower on the left side with cold water, and I didn't feel spinning during the cold calorics...just a rocking motion. But the audiologist report said all the numbers were within normal limits, so that's good.

So, as far as I can tell, from all the reading I've been doing, it looks like I don't have Meniere's.....just vestibular migraine, like he told me a few weeks ago. 

Luckily, the medicine he gave me for the migraine is helping a lot.

(Except I'm stll having ear pain just about every day, and constant tinnitus every day, but I can live with those symptoms. The ear pain isn't bad....just annoying.)

So I think, after all these years, I finally have the right diagnosis, and I am finally on the road to recovery. Thank God.

Hopefully now I can get back to work again full time.

10

My results said my left side is down to 30 percent vestibular response. No clue what next step is. Been waiting a week for neurologist to call me with appointment. Boss told me i have a week to tell him when I will be back. Cant even get to the mail box more less work . Don't know what to do now. Been doing rehab excercises 2 weeks now. For some reason they don't seem to be helping this time. Have PT Monday. Will see what therapist says. Will call primary tell them if the neurologist they sent my info to doesnt have the time to see me or even call me to set up a appointment, refer me to one who does.

11

Yeah, it's frustrating when doctors don't call you back. Super frustrating. Since your work needs to know, I'd call your doctor office and explain to the nurse that your work needs to know what's going on. Let them know you need a phone call ASAP.

My neuro also mentioned that he thought vestibular rehab would help, but my problem is that my problems only usually come on when I'm in front of a computer and when I'm in high altitude, and for the most part, and although I get dizziness and off balance, my worst problem has always been mental problems that go along with that.  

They tried to send me to an eye doctor to give me visual therapy exercises, but when they put me on the computer, it triggered another episode, so I said no way am I doing that again.

I'll see what other exercises they recommmend, though. Hopefully they can help. 

12

I am doing 4 eye excercises now. PT will give me more Monday I imagine. Had to start off slow. She tryed more at first. Made me sick. Had to slow down.