Vertigo

[thester6474]

I am 27 and have been experiencing Neurological symptoms for a little over three years now.  I started seeing a Neurologist three years ago, actually today, and he has been NO GOOD.  MATTER OF FACT JUST A YEAR AGO HE STARTED TREATING THE MIGRAINES HE KNEW I HAD, FROM DAY ONE.  My first symptoms were numbness and tingling in my extremities that appeared in my left leg, but slowly spread to the rest of my body.  I found out about a year later from my Rheumatologist that it was actually Neuropathy, Restless Leg Syndrome as well as Myoclonus all of which are considered Neurological.  
     stiffness, major fatigue, depression, major headaches, spasticity, spasms, myoclonus, restless leg, tingling in head and extremities, vibration sensations, buzzing sensations when moving head from time to time, anxiety, major cognitive dysfunction, sleeping dysfunctions, inability to feel and recognize touches unless they are visual, muscle weakness – especially in extremities, extra tension in arms and legs with usage, chronic indigestion, walking (I have a gait), constant state of tiredness – inability to complete most tasks – moving or lifting items, exercising, walking, carrying grocery, brushing hair, etc
     To make the situation worse on October 28th I woke up and the room was spinning and has been since.  As soon as my Neurologist's office opened I called and informed them of the fact that I was unable to walk with out running into items or falling completely down.  The nurse told me to lie down immediately and to do nothing until she called back.  When she called back, she told me to either go straight to the ER or come there.  I was told that I was suffering from Vertigo.  Unfortunately he has done no testing, just continued to take me off of medication the last few months, which has not helped.
    My Rheumatologist last month looked in my ear and noticed that my eardrum was swollen remarkably on the right side so decided to send me to my ENT.  He also decided before the appointment to prescribe two weeks of high dose prednisone 4 5mg tablets in the am, and 4 at night as well as two 600 mg antibiotics daily for two weeks.  This helped the eardrum go down as well as the apparent ear infection I had at the time.  The ENT said that it could have made the Vertigo worse, but was not the main cause, and in turn sent me for an MRI with and w/o contrast and well as Vestibular PT.  I had already done the Vestibular PT eval just 6 weeks in advance.
     This time the results were much worse she said, she didn't give me the results from the first time.  This time though when she scored me standing still and doing a few different exercises I scored only 13 out of 24.  When she scored me for gait it was 8 out of 24, so both are pretty poor.  She said that she hasn't seen it get that bad that quickly.   Now I am facing life using a walker, my Vestibular Therapist ordered a walker this past Friday, and is hoping to keep it at just a walker.
    We are unsure as to what is causing the Vertigo, I had several MRIs before years ago searching for MS, as well as a LP, a Evoked Potential and all came back normal.  This MRI came back normal as well.  Everyone seems to think the cause of the Vertigo still is Neurological, just not sure why, I am firing my current Neurologist though.  But cannot get into another one for a few months.
   Any suggestions?



My latest ENG, March 16th, showed an abnormality in my right ear.  My new Neurologist wants to state that this is the cause of the Vertigo.  Keep in mind my very first ENG in November was normal, could this be possible?  My Vertigo actually started in October?

[Londres70]

You should if you can.  Just don't miss getting the MRI.  

Keep us posted.

[thester6474]

Today, I noticed that my face began tingling like crazy...It started about 8:30 and has persisted.  It was a really strange feeling, I am used to the rest of my body tingling, but not my face.  Could this also be a sign of MS?  Should I stop by my Neurologist office on my way to do my MRIs in the morning?  Should this concern me, considering that there is one symptom starting right after another with no relief?  It really scares me.

[Londres70]

Well, please keep us posted.  I feel for you because you are so young.  

[thester6474]

That is definetly my fear, Multiple Sclerosis...Matter of fact, those were the first words out of my doctors (primary care) mouth when I went to see him in February of 2007.  Hence the urgency of him getting me into our local Neurologist's office within two days.  I actually got a copy of my ENG dictated results for my Vestibular Therapist.  She was really wanting a copy on file, since all of the doctors work seem to contradict each other.  But it says that that a right sided caloric weakness of 28% was noted on bithermal testing.  That is a major difference in just three months time from absolutely normal to 28% weakness, and yet, he was sitting around twittling his thumbs..

[Londres70]

Finally, you are getting somewhere.  From reading all your entries, my guess would be MS.  I would be VERY surprised if all the testing comes back clean/ok.

Keep us posted.  

[thester6474]

They have finally ordered an MRI of my C SPINE and brain w/ and w/o contrast, as well as a fluoroscopy.  On the fluoroscopy, he is ordered them to look for the opening pressure, cell count, differential, glucose, protein, IgG index, Oliogoclonal Bands Serum, and Albumin (looking at the order - have it in two weeks).  He again is searching for MS and anything inflammatory.  Any ideas?

[thester6474]

I do take B-12 injections, my B-12 then was so low, I was told that the tablets would do me no good.  I take the injections once monthly.  However, since the initial check, my b-12 levels have not been checked in years either.  I have been taking the injections for over 3 years now.

[CF44]

First, I'd like to say my heart goes out to you.  Secondly, please find another neuro.  The one you have doesn't care that you're losing precious time.  There are better doctors.  I've recently been diagnosed with central and peripheral vertigo, but not nearly as extreme as yours. I do believe you can and will get better.   Have your B-12 levels been checked? Even if they are not considered low on a blood test, buy some sublingual B-12 and start taking two doses everyday at first, then down to one dose a day.  It may help you feel better. B-12 deficiency can destroy your nervous system.  It's underdiagnosed.  If it's not the problem, it can't hurt you to take more, so there's nothing to lose.  

[Londres70]

I would recommend you ask for a MRI spine series.    

[thester6474]

Actually it has been three years, sorry.

[thester6474]

No I have not had an MRI of my spine in over two years

[Londres70]

WOW.  You are definitely too young for all this.

For starts, get rid of the Neurologists who are doing nothing for you AT ALL.  You might as well be throwing your money out a window that you have wasted on them.  GET ANOTHER OPINION ASAP!   For heaven's sakes you are using a walker at 27.  Sounds like it is something progressive.

I believe everything you are experiencing is ALL NEURO.  Has any of your spine been scanned?  All of this ties together somehow.  Definitely nerve innervation problems.  I am not sure about the ENT/Rheumatologist diagnoses.

Keep us posted.

[thester6474]

Yes they were done with and without contrast.  All of them were normal, without anything showing up on them, exept for the very last one in February.  It showed some punctate areas of t2 hypersensitivities.  I just learned that I have Eighth (Cranial) Nerve Palsy, but this just became a problem in February late March, they are thinking.  So, now we are still wondering what was causing the Vertigo before this.

[Londres70]

All the MRIs of your head/brain?  Secondly, were they done with CONTRAST?  

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Thank you for your question. The Epley maneuver is one of the procedures designed to help patients. It is often performed by a doctor or physiotherapist, but you may also perform this at home to decrease vertigo symptoms. Please consult with your treating doctor in this regard. Hope this helps.

[thester6474]

I have actually been doing Vestibular Therapy since Feb 22, it has helped a little with my standing, I am actually able to stand about 10 seconds longer without falling.  However, it has not helped at all with my walking.  I have seen a Neurologist, it seems as though, I always hit a road block with them.  I know that he was considering an LP, a Lyme Titer and a few other tests, just not sure when he is going to start them.  It has been 6 months now, and has literally ruined almost every aspect of my life, it is a drag.

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Thank you for your question. I can understand your worrying health concern about dizziness and balance disorder (vertigo). Although without being able to examine you it will be quite difficult for us to give you a precise diagnosis here. Since you've had dizziness and balancing problem for so long it is unlikely to go away, but in most of the people it may still slowly improve after few years. It sounds like that you have benign positional vertigo (inner ear disorder) but if you are significantly affected then I would suggest approaching a physiotherapist for treatment, He or She would like to suggest few exercises that may be of help in your condition. These exercises may help in improving vestibular nerve (Nerve involves in balance) function so the condition. In addition, I would suggest getting a neurologist opinion here as well in order to get complete neurological assessment and further approach. Hope this helps.

[thester6474]

According to the report I received, it states that not only is the Vertigo now cause by the inner ear condition, but it is a late effect Of a Cerebrovascular Disease.  Which one, I am not sure of that quite yet?  I am hopefully getting closer to a reason..