← Return to 24/7 Dizziness Occipital Stroke and Cerebellar Stroke

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@pek59

I realize this is five years after the posting, but maybe it will mean something to someone.
My husband's cerebellar stroke left him with near constant non-spinning vertigo and head pains. He's disabled to the point of mostly sitting or sleeping. Everything aggravates the symptoms. At 6 mos and 12 mos post-stroke, the vascular/stroke neurologist said the symptoms were beyond what the damage could explain and referred my husband to the psychology dept--without explaining why. I assumed it was for coping strategies and to stave off depression, so I didn't ask, "Why?" Since there is also cognitive/memory damage, we went to a neurologist specializing in memory. She said she couldn't say whether or not it was or could turn into dementia. But, she said she their medical center has a psychologist specializing in FND--functional neurological disorder (what the first dr. didn't explain). When I mentioned the possibility of PPPD (persistent postural perceptual dizziness), she agreed that could be happening. The psychologist said the therapy for FND and PPPD are similar. Treatment includes Rx venlafaxine/Effexor--an SNRI drug typically for anxiety and depression. My husband has no symptoms of those, but the drug helps with FND and PPPD. It's too soon to know how this will play out. The two go rounds with onsite physical therapy in years past (NOT with vertigo specialists) made him so much worse. We're about to try a use-at-home vertigo therapy kit from a specialist, Ashley Contreras/vizstim.com. We found her via VeDA's vertigo summit this year (Vestibular Disorders Assoc--advocacy and education organization). That way we control the pace, to achieve habituation instead of detrimental overstimulation. Weighted blankets do help--get lighter than what is recommended. I learned what ideas to pursue online--over countless hours. The professionals have been of very minimal to no assistance. It's been almost three years. Don't give up! My best wishes to you all.

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Replies to "I realize this is five years after the posting, but maybe it will mean something to..."

My spouse had a stroke and affected his left side of brain.
He has veritgo, and blacks out when he lays back. His memory is affected but his balance while sitting is off and is a fall risk. He will get PT for his vertigo this week , but I feel that this will be on going.