Finally got a diagnoses

[Laura's Babies]

After 6 months of the dizzy/balance stuff and not being able to work, I finally got to see the dizzy/balance specialist yesterday. I had went for a lot of testing in November but had to wait until yesterday for the results. I have Migraine Associated Vertigo (MAV). I had migraines when I was in my 20's for a few years but hadn't had them since. When this vertigo/balance problem first started, I wasn't having headaches then, hadn't even had a mild head ache in years. I only started having really mild headaches several months ago that were there one minute, gone the next. Now I wake up with them in the morning and have them all day and it is easy to tell, they are building into migraines.

Pay attention all you who have migraines now or have had them.. Most people who have MAV have a history of migraines in their past.

When I asked him how this went from vertigo, into dizziness and balance problems, he said it just morphed into that. With vertigo, the feeling is the room spins. With the dizziness it feels like the head spins. I started out with the room spins, now the head spins..What I have to figure out is this... Do the migraines come and make me dizzy or does the dizziness give me the migraines? If it is migraine induced dizziness, a special diet and medication can handle it and I would say soon as I start the medicine, I should know if it is working or not.. stop the headache, stop the dizziness? But if I keep having the dizziness, that means my vestibular system is causing the dizziness and head aches..

I get extremely ill when I go in the stores where there are a lot of lights, that started in October. One night the lights went out in our area and that caused me a major setback, it threw my whole system out of wack and I lost everything I had gained in physical therapy for the previous 6 weeks. This has just kept changing, the longer I am into all this, the more it changes. I do not walk like I am drunk anymore but I do walk rather odd because of the balance issues. Standing still I am swaying this way and that way, constantly adjusting myself so I won't topple over so a day out where I am gone very long, I am exhausted when I get back.. It created a lot more work for those other senses so I have a lot of eye pain and wear out easily. As silly as it sounds, my brain also gets TIRED!

The whole idea of it is this.. Our eyes, ears, brain and body all work together to keep you balanced. My ear is sending mixed messages to my brain so my other senses are working overtime..

I had my second MRI done and got that report yesterday and there appears to be something on that one that was either not seen on the first one or just overlooked by the person who read my MRI film. There appears to be another probable tumor, another possible Meningioma. This doctor said there was no change in either from the last MRI..and while they are on the same side, they are in different areas.

The last thing is today is Dec. 9th... My short term disability runs out on the 11, on the 12th, I go on long term and once on long term, my job is terminated, so Sunday, I will no longer have a job.

[caseysmom]

I am so sorry. Vertigo is the worst feeling, I had a few bouts many years ago, it was really scary. If I thought I might be getting dizzy I would take sinus meds, mine seemed to be related to my sinuses.

[Freedom]

Oh Laura! HUGS to you. Beyond this, I am at a loss what to say, just now.

[Catty1]

Huge hugs...as much as you love being with your kitties, I know that your job is something you truly loved with all your heart, and you were loved by the crew in return.

I hope you can at least visit them, or them you at some point.

Prayers that you feel better soon...and that you have enough to live on. And you have tried and true friends there on that boat...they have your back, if you ever needed anything.

And you have us PTrs.

HUGS. :love::love::love::love:

[Pinot's Mom]

Laura, I'm so sorry about your job, I know how much that means to you. I am glad you have some answers, though, and you have to move on from there. I know that sounds too simple; you'll work things out I'm sure.

Vertigo sucks. I had one LONG bout with it. No one ever found a cause; one day it was there and one day it was not. The drugs they gave me to fix it never worked. It just stopped.

Laura, trust in God's plan, there's always a reason. Bless you; you have many on your side and you're a very strong woman.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Laura, I'm glad to hear that you finally have a diagnosis but I'm sorry to hear that you'll be losing your job soon.:( Hopefully a special diet and meds will be able to help you control the dizziness. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Please take care. (((HUGS)))

[kitten645]

I am so sorry to hear this Laura. We are thinking of you and wishing you all the best. Take care of yourself.
Claudia & Calvin:love:

[Medusa]

That's a lot to take in, Laura. All that info is enough to make me dizzy. I'm sorry about your losing your job but glad that the doctors finally got to the bottom of it all. Prayers are continuing for you. Keep the faythe. :love:

[Bengalz]

Although it is finally good to know what's going on, I wish it was better news. But we all know you are a strong woman and will manage to make the best of the situation. And, you have a wonderful support system - family, friends, PTTalkers :D and of course, all those amazing little furry nurses to keep you smiling :love:

Each chapter in life has a different purpose - you will find yours and make it special.

Good wishes and hugs from Betty and Eve :love:

[Craftlady]

Now your dr's will have a plan of treatment knowing what is causing all your problems. Do as they say, take care of yourself and fur posse :)

[lizbud]

Although it is finally good to know what's going on, I wish it was better news. But we all know you are a strong woman and will manage to make the best of the situation. And, you have a wonderful support system - family, friends, PTTalkers :D and of course, all those amazing little furry nurses to keep you smiling :love:

Each chapter in life has a different purpose - you will find yours and make it special.





I can only echo Bengalz's sentiments & hope that this condition doesn't
linger too long. Is it possible to take a leave of absence from your job instead
of giving it up permanently? You always seemed to really like your job and
all the interesting people you worked with there. I also enjoyed the stories
you used to tell about things that happened on your boat trips.

Prayers that some good solution can be found to help you feel better.

[Laura's Babies]

I realized there was no hope of saving my job when my ENT threw up his hands in November and said he was at a loss as to what else to do for me. I left that day feeling beaten and crying and I cried all that day. The next morning when I got up and was walking up the hall to make my coffee, I said to myself "You IDIOT! LET GO! LET GOD!" He has always taken care of me before and He will take care of me now so let HIM handle it and that is what I am doing.. Perhaps my time is up on the river because He has better plans for me, something else He wants me to do so I am over having pity parties for myself and looking forwards to what is ahead. I just have to stay afloat for 6 months, then I can officially retire (IF I have to)... then I can get on with whatever He has in his plans for me if I haven't already started with them(?).

I took 1/2 of one of those pills Dr Arriaga gave me last night at bedtime and I woke up this morning without a headache! YEA! I will continue taking them and see if they indeed get rid of the headaches without zonking me out.

I am sure I will cry when I get the official notification the job it terminated but again, I may not. It won't get me down because I have been expecting it and know it is coming and once better, IF i need to, I can do some trip work for other companies like I did before this one hired me....

[lvpets2002]

:) Sending Lots of Prayers & Huggss..

[phesina]

I'm so sorry, Laura.. what a lot of big huge news to handle all at once. And the fact that you have to lose your job, which you've enjoyed and loved so much, made me sad.

But now.. What a great, fighting attitude you are developing! Good for you.. Girl, you ROCK! (like not just rock 'n' roll but also the Plymouth! ;))

Letting go and letting God is good! You will come through all this better and stronger than ever.

I'm glad that they know what is going on with you medically now, so they can develop some treatment plans and get you back on keel.

Meanwhile, let your furry nurses give you their extra special Tender Loving Care now, when you really need it and will blossom with it.

Sending loads of love and prayers and healing energies your way..

:love::love::love::love::love::love:
Pat, Sydney, Poppy, Elmer, Bob, and Sparkler

[Karen]

We love you, and hope everything works out for you. That new medication seems quite promising! You will be in our prayers.

[mrspunkysmom]

Glad you got a diagnosis. Not knowing is a *itch. Hopefully you'll get more clarification soon on the tumor.

So sorry about the job. Praying that the vertigo gets better.

[K9karen]

Oh laura, I'm so sorry. But your post actually shook me up and take notice because I've recently had a severe case of vertigo that lasted all day and made me unable to eat or drink, walk, everything. I've had a MRI for migraines, and thankfully, my brain is still working OK. But I thank you for the vital information.

Although I lost my job due to 9/11 and had to go on disability for my severe spinal problems, I turned into a caretaker for my parents and now my 97 y.o uncle. I think I've found my true calling. Hopefully, after more surgery, I'll be able to work again and may go back to school. It's a thought. Life does deal you ups and downs, but one step UP the ladder after each adversity is a great start.

Please take care of yourself. Health is always the most important thing.

Hugs. :love::love::love:

[Laura's Babies]

K9karen- Keep a close watch on your vertigo! You have migraines, now you know it can induce Migraine Associated Vertigo and there is a treatment for that! Also, do you watch your diet? if you are not sure what to avoid, I will pm you the list if you need it. This has gone on with me since June and I am a perfect example of how bad it can get and how long it can go on! (I am in my 7th month of it!!! :eek:)

I have taken that medicine the doctor gave me for 3 nights now and it has made a world of difference! BIG change in how I am feeling.. I spent the day at Pet Smart yesterday for Adoption Day. For the first time in a long time, the light in the store did not bother me at all, I wasn't constantly fighting to keep my balance and there was absolutely NO nausea at all! For the first time in ages, I feel NORMAL again.... I still live with the fear of the dizziness hitting when I least expect it and still remain cautious of how I move but this is the best I have felt in such a long time!! GOD, It feels SO good to feel good again! Those little pills are MAGIC! (and I HATE taking pills!)

[Catty1]

There ARE good meds out there and good doctors...glad you seem to have both, Laura!

[Randi]

Laura, it is a lot to take in, but it's good you know what's going on and you can take it from there. I know you loved your job and I'm sorry you're losing it, but you will soon get involved in something else.

So glad to hear you're feeling normal again, just hope those magic pills doesn't have any side effects.

Take care! Best wishes and hugs. :love:

[lizbud]

I have taken that medicine the doctor gave me for 3 nights now and it has made a world of difference! BIG change in how I am feeling.. I spent the day at Pet Smart yesterday for Adoption Day. For the first time in a long time, the light in the store did not bother me at all, I wasn't constantly fighting to keep my balance and there was absolutely NO nausea at all! For the first time in ages, I feel NORMAL again.... I still live with the fear of the dizziness hitting when I least expect it and still remain cautious of how I move but this is the best I have felt in such a long time!! GOD, It feels SO good to feel good again! Those little pills are MAGIC! (and I HATE taking pills!)


Laura, can you say what is the name of the medicine? I have experienced
the migraines, but not the vertigo. I'd like to "file away" the RX name for
future use if ever needed. You can PM me if you don't want to include it
in the thread. Thanks.:)

I am so glad you have something that's working for you.

[Laura's Babies]

lizbud-Sure it is Clonazepam.. Another adoption day at Pet Smart and no nausea, the lights still didn't bother me, no off balance and no headaches. Just some mild dizziness... However I am beginning to feel some tightening in my head but it is time for my 1/2 pill...

Yesterday did not wear me out like it usually does spending the day at Pet Smart for adoption day.. This is the first time I have been able to do 2 days in a row and I can't tell you how great that feels!

[krazyaboutkatz]

Laura, I'm so glad to hear that the medication is working for you.:) I hope you continue to feel better and better.:)

[phesina]

Laura, that's such great news that the medication is working so well. I'm so happy for you!