MRI's, fun fun fun!

[Thomzo]

Oh Ellendra, I hope you get better quickly. I have no advice except, perhaps, to keep a diary of what you eat and what you are doing when the attacks are worst. That might give you a clue. Is it worse when you are hungry or just after you eat? Is it mornings, evenings, all the time or just occasionally?

Lots of positive vibes.

Zoe

[Milims]

I just caught up with this thread - sorry it's taken a while. I do hope things are improving for you. I had real problems with dizziness/vertigo etc in my mid-late teens and then it seemed to wear off. When I was pregnant with my daughter a hormonal imbalace caused me to suffer from tinitus. A few years ago I had labrynthitis - yet another middle ear problem, and they said that if it happened again they would test for Menieres disease - could this be a possibility? Have they tested you? I really hope that they are doing everything to find out whats going on and that you are lots better soon.
Kind and positive thoughts and hugs are sent your way

I just re-read your first post - you said the doc asked you if you were taking any sedatives - did he ask you about other medication? Are you taking any anti-arthritis drugs? Sulphasalazine (sp) can cause labrythitis - so if you are taking anything at all it may be worth checking out. Some medications in combination or if taken with the wrong food stuff or for too long etc can cause problems - somethimes even the docs don't realise this!

[prawncracker]

I too am dizzy .. off work with labyrinthitis for three weeks so far, which is slowly getting better though some days are worse than others

labyrinthitis can happen as a result of inner ear infection (that's what happened to me) or it can just happen. My dad had an attack last year and a colleague turned over in bed and was spinning for weeks with no obvious reason why

prochlorperazine (stemetil) works well (also prescribed for meniere's disease which my grandad had) - steroid nasal sprays, physiotherapy, alexander technique have all been suggested

hope you get a solution

[Green Aura]

I've had a couple of thoughts on this Ellendra

1. Have you got mould growing anywhere around. I can always tell if there's citrus fruit going off in the house because I get dizzy and foggy-brained. With me it's just whatever likes growing on citrus but other moulds could affect people differently.

2. Are you OK with essential oils - a blend of basil, rosemary and lavender may help some of your symptoms, on a hankie to sniff.

[Clara]

2. Are you OK with essential oils - a blend of basil, rosemary and lavender may help some of your symptoms, on a hankie to sniff.

In this situation, given that she doesn't know what's causing it, I'd steer clear of rosemary as it can, rarely, cause seizures (not at all recommended for epileptics).

[Big Al]

I started feeling dizzy last wednesday, went to the doctor, they couldn't find anything wrong, but said to come back if it got worse. Next day it was worse, so I went back, they still couldn't find anything wrong. Yesterday I called them to see what the results of some of the tests were, they were all negative, but because I was even worse the nurse told me to go to the Emergency Room. So I did. They couldn't find anything wrong.

Are we sensing a pattern here?

Today I got hold of my regular Doc. He looked at me and asked what kinds of sedatives I was taking. When I told him I wasn't taking any, I just felt like I was, his jaw dropped and he said "Oh, THAT'S not good!"

I guess I looked as bad as I felt. At any rate, I get to have my head examined! The Doc faxed a request to the hospital for an MRI as soon as possible, said they might even get me in tomorrow or Wednesday, haven't heard specifics yet, and then an appointment with a nuerologist. I'd appreciate any prayers and happy thoughts you folks could send.

(Any typoes are to be blamed on the room spinning)

Big hugs and warm wishes for you winging their way across the pond. I've had mri's and they do tell the whole story but as for the dizzy spels have you got a bad neck?? trapped nerves in the neck causes dizzyness... ask me how i know,lol.

[Ellendra]

Gone way past dizzy now! Feels like I'm drunk, I talk like I'm 3 years old, nobody knows why yet. More tests, no answe3rs. I need an answering machine for my brain, it left, wheeee!

[Jandra]

Hey Ellendra,

This must be so scary!

Some of the things people here have said make sense. Have you tried spending a significant amount of time (like overnight) out of your house in the last few days to see if you improve? It's horrible to be at a strange place when you're feeling that miserable, but it might give a clou. Changes in diet, pesticides sprayed in your neighbourhood, anything like that. Ehm... perhaps you should ask someone else, if you don't trust yourself to remember everything straight...

Did yesterday's tests turn up anything? Can you go to a different hospital for the other tests in stead of having to wait till January? Not sure how that works in the UK.

Wishing you all the best and a speedy recovery,
Jandra

[prawncracker]

It sounds awful Ellendra, I hope you get better soon. the worst thing is thinking this is out of your control and that doctors aren't helping. keep going back to the docs. you don't say if anyone has suggested further tests. You need complete rest and the correct drugs and only a doctor can tell you the right thing to try so persevere and call the doc again. (My inclination is to self diagnose and self prescribe because i can't bear to do nothing when ill but not always a good idea.) You should find out if it is your inner ear causing the problem. My granddad used to appear drunk but he was suffering from meniere's disease. there are drugs, procedures and an operation to treat this.

[Ellendra]

Thank you everyone, it really means a lot to have so many friends here.

The doctors still don't know what it is, my primary doctor has started calling up specialists all over the country on the phone to try and find more things to test for. My arms look like pincushions from all the blood tests.

For a while it actually felt like there was a dead spot in my brain, and it was growing every day. My mom and I did some research online and found a list of herbs that were supposed to help bind to neurotoxins and help flush them out, so she ordered them for me ($200 worth of herbs, and that's only about a 2 week supply), but they're working!! Within the first few days my head was starting to clear. They only keep working as long as I keep taking them, if I stop the drunkeness comes back, but for now I can think and walk like a normal person again!

I hope they figure this thing out soon. Feeling drunk is only fun when you're actually drinking.

[StripyPixieSocks]

Thank you everyone, it really means a lot to have so many friends here.

The doctors still don't know what it is, my primary doctor has started calling up specialists all over the country on the phone to try and find more things to test for. My arms look like pincushions from all the blood tests.

For a while it actually felt like there was a dead spot in my brain, and it was growing every day. My mom and I did some research online and found a list of herbs that were supposed to help bind to neurotoxins and help flush them out, so she ordered them for me ($200 worth of herbs, and that's only about a 2 week supply), but they're working!! Within the first few days my head was starting to clear. They only keep working as long as I keep taking them, if I stop the drunkeness comes back, but for now I can think and walk like a normal person again!

I hope they figure this thing out soon. Feeling drunk is only fun when you're actually drinking.

Glad you're feeling better but blimey it still sounds like they're putting you through the mill... I hope you find a permanent solution soon!

[Clara]

I'm glad you're making some progress, albeit expensive.

Can you find a sympathetic specialist who you can explain to how you feel, what you've done and that it is working. Maybe they can work out what neurotoxins might be present.

Have you had a good think (now that you can!) about what might be causing it? Pesticide/herbicide spraying? Have you brought anything new into your house? Furniture can be covered with all kinds of chemicals. How about your diet? Might be good to go on a detox diet to help the herbs do their job, I know it's expensive, but then so are your herbs, perhaps you could be 100% organic/unprocessed for a while just to give your body a chance to help itself.

I'd be interested to know what herbs you are taking, see if I can source them cheaper for you.

[Graye]

Been thinking of you overnight Ellendra and I have to agree with Clara. What exactly have you been taking for herbs? I would love to know.

Hope you continue to improve anyway!

[Ellendra]

They're Andrographis, Cat's Claw, Sarsparilla, and a rosveritrol/knotweed combo thingy.

The Andrographis is the most expensive one. We order online to try and find the lowest price without losing quality.

[StripyPixieSocks]

Is this the same thing: Pukka Andrographis