What to do about dizziness?

[Fluffysmom]

I've noticed that a lot of us deal with dizziness/vertigo.  I'm wondering if I should do something more about mine.

Yesterday at physical therapy, my PT worked on my neck, which increased my dizziness somewhat, though not as bad as in the past.  She then took me to the gym to try a new exercise to strengthen my gluts, saying that I needed a strong platform in order to keep my neck from being so constantly rigid, tight, guarded, whatever she called it.

She had me stand on a box, put my weight on one leg, and reach behind me with my other leg, tap the floor, bring the foot up without touching the box, and repeating 10 times.  By #9 on the second leg, I totally lost my balance, fell sideways off the box, landed on my left leg (tweaked my bad knee), stumbled across the gym sidestepping until I wrapped both arms around the front of an exercise bicycle.

My wee PT tried to catch me, but I was falling and stumbling; at first she thought I was joking around, she said.  Then she was horrified, and glad that I didn't hurt myself.

My knee now yelps at me with normal walking (my ACL{second replacement} is already loose and thinning), and doesn't help with balance issues any.

My question is what can I do about my dizziness?

A few years ago my otolaryngologist said that he could do a test to see if I had BBPV, but that would just show if moving me around caused my vertigo to be worse.  He gave me some low-dose Xanax to take, which helped very little, if any.  The last time I tried it, it actually seemed to make things worse.

He said that my dizziness was not from my allergies.

I called him after my brain MRI showed all those lesions, and asked if  my dizziness/vertigo could be caused my MS.  He hemmed and hawed, said it was possible, since some people with MS did experience dizziness, but it was difficult to say, since he's not a neurologist, yada yada.

Since we've had discussions here about peripheral as opposed to central vertigo, I'm wondering about tests such as a VNG or others I can't remember now.  None of my neuros have thought my dizziness extreme enough to be of any concern to them, but since it's messing with my life, I'm thinking that maybe I'll bring it up with a little more emphasis at my next appointment with my MS specialist next month.

Or do I see a new otolaryngologist?  Any ideas, suggestions?  

Thanks,

Kathy

[Dizzybrunette721]

I've had dizziness and vertigo off and on for the past 12 years. I have been dx'd w MS, but my new neuro wants to do an ENG/VNG each time I have an episode. I've had two in the past year and I'm currently having another episode, I called her and she wants me to have another test. I just had an ENG/VNG the end of October which showed the dizziness was caused by the Central Nervous System which is consistent with MS
. My symptoms are always the same. I've been treated with high dose steroids for a few of the worst episodes and that has always helped. I saw my Otolaryngologist today and he did not see any reason for me to have another test and just prescribed the steroids. I think I'll just cancel the test. It costs my insurance $500 each time they do the test. It seems silly. I've been having this for years. It's never been an ear problem my symptoms are always the same.

[Octarine]

One more thing about canes and hand fatigue.  An ergonomic handle makes a huge difference for me.  I had to shop around a lot to find one for the right hand and finally got one on the web.

(Most are for the left hand, a supplier told me, because most people prefer to keep their right hand free for carrying things.  But my left foot is less steady than my right, so I prefer a cane on the right, even though my right hand goes numb at the drop of a . . . cane.)

[Lulu54]

Just to add to the discussion about canes -  in the past week or so I was reading about canes (as usual, I don't remember where, sorry!) and learned a bit more how they work for us with MS or other similar disorders that affect our ability to walk-

the sensation of the ground felt by the cane travels through our hand and gives the clues to our brain as to how to step appropriately.  This is a message that is not always clearly relayed by our feet or legs.  All along I thought a cane was for the extra strength in walking and it turns out it is more for the neurological clues that it provides.

I hope this makes sense,
Lulu

[PastorDan]

My cane has been my best friend for several months.  Sometimes I don't really need it, but if I go across the room without it, you can just about bet i'll need it to get back.  It is a lightweight adjustable metal one that I bought at Walgreen's, I think, for maybe 15 to 20 bucks.  And of course, it's basic black.  My wife has one with pink roses printed on it from top to bottom, but that just wouldn't look so good for me stepping up to the pulpit.

[Fluffysmom]

I also feel that my dizziness/balance issues are mild compared to many others I've run across.  Whenever I'm in a flare where the balance issue is worse than usual, I find myself checking out cool looking canes that people are using, or I see in a store.

At this point, I think the only thing that stops me from getting one is the fact that I have a lot of pain in my right forearm, and it fatigues easily when I'm in a flare.  I think that I would bruise people more than my ego right now!  

I'll adjust to one if it becomes necessary; so far my bruises are fairly mild. :o)  I suppose those lightweight hollow metal ones are best for my arm pain, but I've seen some gorgeous hand-carved wooden ones... they cost too much, but it would be art!

The PT that I saw on Friday made a note in my chart about the fall, and she understood how frustrated I was by lack of diagnosis/ treatment, and did some great soft tissue work and listening.

My regular physical therapist (saw her this morning) gave me an alternative exercise to do to replace the one that caused my fall.  She also faxed a note to my PCP regarding my balance issues.  I'll ask my PCP to forward it to my neuro.

Kathy

[Octarine]

It's not that I'm *glad* to hear so many share this dizziness and some of the ways I deal with it, but it is good to know I'm not alone.  I always wonder whether I've posted something obvious or patronizing, especially since my situation is mild compared to many others in this group.

One tip I'll consider is getting that laptop cat!

As for the cane, Fluffysmom, the biggest issue is starting.  It's an ego bruiser, no doubt about it.  It does slow one down.  But that could be a benefit if bumping into walls is an issue.  Just a thought.