Question Title: balance/vision problems

Hi,

I posted recently about an apparent vestibular problem that I have. Could I please refer to the URL http://www.medhelp.org/perl6/neuro/messages/17089.html for the full description of the problem I gave.

Basically I just wanted to ask, have you ever come across a perception problem where a patient finds it difficult to follow moving objects, read while driving, go on rides, play 3d video games etc. In addition to this (which I have had all my life), if I try any of these activities, the following day (usually within 6-24 hours) I become violently dizzy (room spinning vertigo) and am basically helpless for 2-3 days. The symptoms seem to be similar to vestibular neuronitis, but they are induced by these movements my body can't handle rather than by a virus. Is there a condition where this occurs?

I hope you can read my previous post. I just find it very odd that I can induce these vestibular attacks and that they are not viral or bacterial in any way. Could this be caused by a blood clot, lack of blood flow in the brain or a tumor or something similar?

Thanks again. Keep up the good work.

-Adam

Dear Adam:

Usually we get vertigo when our inner ear cannot process the information concerning the perception of our body with the world that our eyes are relaying to the brain. The bad connections occur after a viral illness (most common), too much alcohol (disruption of the electrolyte balance in the inner ear), changes in the little beads that rotate around in the inner ear, etc. Reading your postings again, sounds like neuronitis but we talked about that. It was also mentioned that a growth in the CP angle could give you symptoms like your having, but usually these also give hearing loss and as they progress, other cranial nerve findings. This is something that we as neurologist try and rule out from the beginning. There are several experts in the function of the inner ear at UCLA, Boston (Harvard), Stanford, and the Cleveland Clinic). If this remains a problem, maybe seeing someone at either of these institutions might be a good thing to try. Although benign proxsymal vertigo was ruled out, maybe performing the Eply manoever by your neurologist is a thing to try to help. Just a suggestion. It almost sounds like you have motion sickness that can be induced by certain behaviors. Just thinking out loud, since I think you told me that you tried an antihistamine medication.
Sorry I don't have more insight.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro[P] MD