ENG Test

[patton2177]

Can anyone tell me what the ENG test is like and how caloric part of it affects the person taking it? How long do the these affects usually last? How uncomfortable was it? Would you do it again?

[mom161]

I have had a lot of ear infections in my life. I had ear problems as a kid - had tubes put in and tonsills taken out. Now as an adult, I suffer from several ear infections a year (at least 5 this yr alone). I also have fullness in the ears quite often. The past 2 weeks I have had the fullness in the ears, but is now accompanied by severe dizziness, which I am told is vertigo. Everything spins so quickly that it literally knocks me off my feet. I am learning some things that trigger the dizziness, but it still catches me off guard. I have seen an ENT, and am schedled to get the ENG in a couple of weeks. I am a little nervous about this test also, but if it can tell me what is wrong with me and help me, I am all for it. My Dr. suspects Meniere's, which I am assuming this test will confirm. If it is not Meniere's, will it show anything else or are there other tests that can be done? I am so sick of feeling terrible. It is inerfering with my work and my personal life. I just want to know what is wrong and get rid of it.

[Surya]

I started suffereing from sever vertigo since 6th grade (ie 20 years ago). Since then I used to get sever vertigo once or twice a year, each episode lasting about 2 days.

2 months ago I got another bad case of vertigo and the first week was painful. It lasted for a whole month. After that I have been suffering few times a week.

I went through  MRI, which came out ok. Now I am scheduled for a ENG test on the 18th.

When I first got vertigo, the sourrounding used to spin, now its more of my head. Anyone had any success?

[Rasa]

Barb posted a comment on caloric testing.  I was supposed to do it today myself, but freaked out becuase I have been so sick and throwing up with this dizziness that I had to go to the ER for fluids and electrolyte replacement.  The thought of doing a test where the room would spin and I would be sick all over again was too much and I rescheduled the test.  I was wondering how Barb did?  What was personal your experience?  I can read all about the test and the side effects, but was wondering what it really was like from an individual who took the test.

Thanks

Rasa

[patton2177]

Star Queen,

You have been very helpful. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to this. I really do appreciate it. Thanks again.
Barb

[star queen]

The inner ear is responsible for balance and this is a good test to take in an attempt to find the reason behind your problem.  These tests are designed to "make" you have the symptoms so that the cause can be identified and a treatment planned.  There is a possibility that this test will make you dizzy, more imbalanced, lean to one side, feel like the world is spinning, and make your vision "off" so that depth perception is not correct.  Not everyone has these side effects of the tests, so the doctor is having you bring a driver "just in case".  That is a good thing.  The tests are not painful and the side effects shouldn't last long.  The length of time is highly individual. They can last for a few minutes to a couple of hours.  The tubes in your ears cause several sensations.  You may feel a tickle, hear a loud roar from the water near you inner ear, they may make you cough (a normal reflex) or you may feel like your ears are stopped up like you are under water.  You may hear a buzz, which is the sound of blood moving through the veins in the inner ear: sort of like listening to a sea shell.  Your ears may pop or crackle.  None of these things will hurt you.  You may just feel it is kind of scary because of the "not knowing".  Relax, sing to yourself to keep your mind off the proceedure, or recite a favorite poem to yourself.  It will be over before you know it and you may have the answers you seek.  Good luck

[patton2177]

I have had a problem with imbalance, not dizziness. Sort of a fullness in my head and I feel like if someone bumped into me I would fall over. So far the doctor has done a CT and it was normal. I have to have the ENG June 26th. I have read a little bit about the ENG and was a little fearful of the water thing. They tell you you have to have a driver so I was thinking I would  not be able to walk. The doctors office is on the 6th floor. I have read that it can briefly cause severe vertigo. I just wondered what they meant by "briefly" and thought maybe someone who has had the test could tell me. Thanks
Barb

[star queen]

The electonystagmography test is a test of the vestibular system of the inner for function.  It is considered the "gold standard" test for disorders of the vestibular system of the inner ear.  It is given to people who suffer from dizziness, lack of balance, nystigmus, and ringing in the ear,to name a few.  It is given in 4 steps.  1) is the calibration test.  This test evaluates eye movements.  2) is the tracking test. This evaluates the movement of the eye as it follows a moving target. 3) is the positional test.  This measures dizziness associated with positioning of the head. 4) is the caloric test.  This measures responses to warm and cold in the ear canal.  Since you are asking about the caloric test, I will only cover that part.  The caloric test is a test for nystigmus, which is an involuntary movement of the eye in a jerky, back and forth movement.  A soft tube is inserted into the ear canal of each ear.  Air or water is inserted into the tube two times.  The first is heated to just about body temperature, the other just below body temperature.  This test provokes the eye to move in a nystagmatic manner.  Each ear is tested and compared with each other.  The findings indicated if the problem that is causing the nystigmus is caused from the inner ear, or from a problem with the central nervous system.  The test results identify several disorders.  The test isn't painful.  The time is variable with the person doing the test and your reactions to each test.  Hope this helps

[KevieLover]

Why are you getting this test? Are you dizzy? I don't know much of it but I know what the test is for and the four stages. Tell us how you feel.