I'm thinking I should see a neuorologist and I don't know if there is any certain type, or will just any type do? I can't take this anymore. Last night was so bad, I don't know if it was just my anxiety but it was awful. All night I had this falling backwards feeling and the anxiety just heightened to the point when I went to bed I had adrenaline rushes in waves and any sound or movement would startle my system, I had to finally take a xanax to get to sleep. Today its all residual, especially the fear it happening again. I have spent the past few days trying not to let the anxiety get to me and I thought i was doing okay, but apparently I'm not. Everything about this disorder scares me, I can't even eat anything because i'm afraid it will cause some reaction. I'm tired of sitting here and feeling this constant moving thru my body and worrying about what this really is. I guess I just don't understand how MAV can cause all these different sensations and anxiety. It makes no sense to me, I am so sure its something much worse and they are just missing it. I don't know how to help myself anymore. All I do is cry and pray this goes away, but it never does, I should be thankful for the few days I feel ok but I can barely remember them when these bad days happen. I wish I could believe it when they say its MAV, but I don't.
Hi patty. You poor soul I feel for you I really do. I don't think there is different neurologist just 1 type and I'm sure a MRI scan should prove nothing serious. Could Defo be worth a try to at least put your mind at rest that it is just MAV.
Hope you manage to see one
The best medical professional to see for what you describe as suffering from is a Neurotologist, as they specialize in inner ear issues. Since you are as close as you are, and I know that is relative since it is still a good distance, I would still recommend the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville.
Patty, t's a NEURO OTOLOGIST you need to see.
Thanks Gillian
I'm seeing a neuro otologist, I just thought neurologist was better since everyone seems to being seeing them. Mine doesn't treat anxiety so I don't know if he uses any other meds besides migraine meds. Odd cause he really didn't offer any meds until i asked him about them. He did send me to VRT maybe he hoped that would do the trick.
Thanks Clair
I had a head CT done in april and they found nothing, which is good, I guess I just keep thinking its something more becasue of the way the dizzness changes, for awhile it was rocking, now it bobbing and falling feelings, feels like i'm on a fair ride when i;m sitting and falling back when I stand or sit. I am guessing its normal for the sensations of dizziness to change over time. Does that sound right to you? I honestly am not sure why it scares me so much, maybe because I'm terrified of having a disease and this really is a disease. Ive alway had general anxiety about health and death, but this is different a bit, it comes on out of nowhere the panic and all I do is try to figure out why i'm so anxious, when really it sounds like the MAV that is causing it. Does this make sense?
Patty I read a study done by the univ. of California and it compared Ménière's disease to the same quality as life as those who with AIDS or cancer, 6 days from death. I know you don't have Ménière's but I know it and MAV are kissing cousins. I've read that suicide is high in cases like ours: those who suffer from vestibular disorders. No one ever talks about the dark aspects of these issues but they're always there, lurking even on our good days. I cry and pray all the time. I've lost faith more times than I'd like to admit. And yet still I go on and so do you. How do we do it? We'll never know. I know we may seem weak but I believe that only the strong can survive this. You are very strong and not alone. I feel the same as you, all the time. Seek a second opinion. Start over. Do what you have to do, for you.
Hi Terry
Thanks for the reply, I am currently seeing a neuor otologist, I guess I just thought everyone is seeing a neurologist so that would be better. I really can't go to Mayo, i wish icould.
Keep a record of the barometric pressure and see if the days that you feel bad relate to changes in the atmospheric pressure. I feel best when ours is around 30 mb. Atmospheric conditions contribute to migraneous activity.
HI Hayhue
You are right, it can get pretty dark at times. what i find odd is that on the days where its not as bad, there is no anxiety at least not until i start to think about it. On the bad days it seems s if there is no hope. but I continue to pray and tried to find some silver lining although its hard on these days. Being afraid all the time and worrying about this all consuming, it seems its the only thing I think about. I'm to the point where I don't even like people asking me how I am because it causes me anxiety to talk about it. Its very hard spending all your time wondering whats is next in all this. I wish i wasnt such a detailed person who looks at every little thing and sensation and gives it so much attention. I do thank you so much for your believing i'm strong enough to wether this. Coz boy there are days where I just don't know.
Just got back fromy primary. They decided while I wait for VNG results I should get a MRI with contrast . Make sure there's not something in there pressing on a nerve or something. Got my orders for rehab to.
Neurotology or neuro-otology is a branch of clinical medicine which studies and treats neurological disorders of the ear. It is a subspecialty of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, and is closely related to otology.
Hi Patty,
I have read many of your letters and feel badly for you. First of all, I don't think you're nuts or a hypochondriac. I do think that you have issues with anxiety however, and that in itself can exacerbate any problem. You have often mentioned your neck/shoulders bothering you. Have you tried chiropractic or seeing an osteopath? Do you ever go for massages or sit in a steam room? Tried yoga? Because your symptoms seem to come and go, it sounds like they may be reactionary to stress. Ever seen an acupuncturist? Are you able to keep yourself on a small dose of Valium or Xanax for awhile to see if it can make a difference? I agree that weather changes can set off some of these problems, and if you are prone to migraines that can too. I have figured out that if I wake up and experience vertigo, if I somewhat hyperextend my neck it will stop it. I only seem to get those spells when my neck/shoulders are sore and tight.
Hope any of this helps. I mentioned before that I still wonder if some of us are dealing with undiagnosed Meniere's. Try and follow the advice for that condition, and remain as calm as you can. Take care!
No A sraight Neurologist deals with things like brain injuries,,tumours,,strokes and all that stuff., you need an otologist as they deal with both the vestibular system and the connection of all,our ap balance mechanisms and messages to brain. a Neurologist does not have that specific training. They dont offer meds so much i find, more physio amd brain retraining etc. They can refer you onto someone else for anxiety etc. if you have a definitive diagnosis of MAV then they may bring in meds too.
When I told my GP I would prefer to be referred to a neuro otologist he wasn't sure what that was, but that's where i got referred. This is the person who is specialist in balance problems related to vertigo.
yes i agree,mthe weather has a definite affect on me. How,do i check it though Terry?
I have both BPPV and MAV (silent migraines) It took me 2 years to get a diagnosis for silent migraines as I was confusing both conditions. I was given meds which helped improve at least 80%. in relation to MAV. I am due to come off the meds as the consultant says my brain should have repaired/retrained itself now so i will gradually withdraw from the meds over the next 3 months.
Hi patty. Yes my symptoms vary just like yours. I think the anxiety for me kicks in more because I don't want to be somewhere like at work and feel like I'm going to fall over, I'd much rather be in my comfort zone. Everyone is different in terms of symptoms n anxiety. I found I worry more about it since I heard of family n friends being diagnosed with illnesses and always think do I have this do I have that. Unless like this group someone is going through the same as you,no-one fully understands how you feel and you can feel like ppl are making their own assumptions rather than asking how you are and if there's anything they can do to make you feel more comfortable.
Yes Anne, Thats right. The hospital,i went to in London, next to Barnadoes in Queen .square,specialises,in all kinds of Neurological problems all the way up,to,paraplegics etc. The dept i was seen i. was specifically called Neuro,Otology and deals,with all areas of the ear middle,ear,,vestibular system, balance problems, even eye related and is quite complex.
correction, not Barnado's,,Gt Ormond Street Hospital,for children.