Inner ear tests

About 23 years ago, after the big 7.1 earthquake in the San Francisco area, I developed vertigo out of the blue. It was so very disturbing as I felt as if I was falling or turning all the time. If I laid down, I felt as if I was falling off the bed. The doctor told me it was probably stress related and gave me exercises to do while laying on my bed. I did them faithfully for some short amount of time and the vertigo went away. It was the most weird feeling I have ever had. I still wonder if the earthquake had anything to do with my sudden and only case of vertigo. I've not had a recurrence since then, although I am getting my hearing checked this week. I saw an ENT doctor last week and she said everything looks good, except I need to drink more water--between 64-80 oz. per day. I'm chugging water all day now. She was right as I already feel more energy. I do get dizzy now and my balance isnt great so she said that may be from hearing loss. (?) Thats all I have on this subject. Gail B

My son is 20, he has been having dizziness and balance problems for two years , he did some balance therapy and that improved , but dizziness is still there...we went to UCLA....neurologists (4 of them) cannot explain his symptoms...we are at our wits end....don't know what to do anymore...mri and MRA are negative, VNG negative, hearing test...everything negative....any ideas????

Hi Tom @tomsaunders

I am glad to hear that your symptoms of dizziness are much improved. It is a very distressing problem to have. I am sorry to hear that you had a less than desirable visit at Mayo, that is an unusual report, for most patients it is the opposite. But, either way, I'm glad that you are better now.

How long do your doctors believe it will take to resolve the facial issues? Is there any particular therapy to help it, or does it just take time?

Teresa

Hello @dianaglines

I'm sorry to hear that your son has not found any answers to his dizziness/balance problems. It does sound like he has been through a lot of the tests that deal with these types of issues. Are his symptoms daily?

Teresa

Yes, he has daily dizziness

Yes, dizziness is daily

@dianaglines

That is too bad. Is there a possibility for a 2nd opinion?

Teresa

My son had sudden-onset, severe vertigo at about that same age. He woke up one day and was nauseated with the room "spinning" every time he moved. By the end of the day, he looked like death warmed over because he was so dehydrated. We had to carry him out of his apartment into the car for a very unpleasant car ride. Either that evening or the next day, we took him to an ER. They gave him IV fluids and medication for nausea. We got him an appointment at the University of Minnesota with a physical therapist, but it took a few days to get in. Until then, he spent a few days on our couch with his head tilted to one side - the only position that didn't make the room spin. He had to have help walking to the bathroom because he couldn't walk straight. I think he had 2-3 p.t. appointments, and it really helped. He had some tests later to check for a cause, including tilt-table, eye stuff and a brain scan, but they didn't find anything. There was discussion about "crystals" in the ear that can get displaced and need repositioning. They physical therapist was very patient and understanding. This all happened around finals time, but the providers at the U of M and professors were very understanding. I have positional dizziness due at least in part to low blood pressure, which perhaps is hereditary. My brothers have it too - stand up too quickly and get dizzy. Doctors have told me two things - change positions slowly and stay hydrated. This probably isn't very helpful. You're not alone. It's frustrating.

I've had dizziness off and on for years. I have physical therapy and that works for a short time. My ENT thinks I have Menieres Disease in my right ear and my hearing is getting worse. I don't know what can be done. Does anyone else have this problem?

Hi Melissa @abramsm, Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I would like to send a warm welcome to you and also send thanks to you for posting to Mayo Clinic Connect. It's so helpful to know were not alone when the struggle is real.

@dianaglines, has your son had any kind of re-positioning done?

If you're interested, here is an article that I was able to find on the inner ear crystals. http://mayocl.in/2voHUw0

@abramsm, how is your son now?