LaLa Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 I know this is not related to mental health, but... I'd like to try it and ask - maybe someone knows something about this strange problem:What could be the cause of an almost constant, already 4 days lasting, feeling of wobble (up and down, like on a boat)? (In any position, not only when standing.) No nausea or other symptoms. Could it be due to a damage of the mechanism in the inner ear? Or does it have to be "purely" neurological?I know that we should consult a doc and we plan to, but that will be a problem (...), so before it, I'm trying to search for some ideas... at least to know how much urgent/dangerous it may be.(For those who know me here: It's not me who has this problem. But that doesn't matter. Or; I would rather prefer to have it myself ...) honeys3l1 and beatspjbsgx 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrmaJean Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 It could have something to do with the inner ear and balance. I am definitely not a doctor, though, and would always recommend getting something like that checked out as soon as possible. It may turn out to not be urgent or dangerous, but better to err on the side of caution, I think. I'm sorry you are feeling stress with this concern. I hope the person is okay and feels better soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaLa Posted January 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 Thank you, Beth.I know we need to consult a doc. But the health-care system here where we are now is so "strange" (I would say even horrible, but... I still believe it also has some positives sides), ... (It may take months to see a specialist, the only way is to go to the emergency, where they usually help only with "serious cases", so...) The first step I want to take is to consult my own doc by e-mail - I hope he'll be willing to give an insight...The whole problem appeared about an hour after a long flight with quite strong "turbulences" (wind...) in its end, that's why we're thinking about the inner ear. But who knows... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finding my way Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 I have had vertigo that turned out to be particles in my inner ear that needed to work their way out. There are Physical Therapiststs that know how to do this, but really it was about moving my head through all the angles against gravity as long as I could stomach the dizziness and was in a safe spot where I wouldn't fall. It took a couple weeks to resolve.Other conditions can cause these symptoms, but the kind I had is more common than the dangerous ones...Hope you feel better, LaLa! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaLa Posted January 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 Thanks, F. I've already wrote the question to my doc, but it's nice to hear something that "gives hope", so to say, in advance.There are so many types of problems we have no idea about... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaLa Posted January 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 It's getting worse and he's also got a headache . He decided to see a doc today - I wonder if somebody will have time for him, as here it's such a big deal to find a doc when you need it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrmaJean Posted January 9, 2013 Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 I hope he gets in to the see the doctor today, LaLa. I hope you get some answers. I'm sorry for your upset and distress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaLa Posted January 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 Thanks, Beth...Too many patients today, so no success...'Finding', if you come here again (= read this threat again); I'm just curious how they can find such 'particles' out. By which imaging technique? (I suppose it's not related to this case, as he also has a headache and he doesn't have a vertigo, just feels a constant wobbling. But I'm curious in general.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finding my way Posted January 9, 2013 Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 They considered my other symptoms, or lack of them, to determine that particles were the cause, and I had had a cold recently, which is also a common thing that gets it going.I hope you get answers soon, LaLa! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaLa Posted January 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 So... the doc asked him with surprise: "Does it bother you? Does it pose problems to you at work?" and wondered what's his work and seemed not to understand why it's bothering him. But then she did few simple "examinations" and ended with a lousy attempt to "diagnosis", saying that maybe it's caused by an asymptomatic (= without other symptoms that those he described) sinusitis - maybe viral or allergic (???) - and prescribed him two meds against allergy and we paid 70 $ for them (never knew such meds can be so damned expensive - we're really not used to this...). WTH???!!!Sorry. I'm just angry. Because it really sounds like a bullshit.She said that if it doesn't change in a week, then he should see an ORL.In the meantime, we consulted my doc by e-mail (a GP from my hometown) and he wrote me what he would do in this case. Completely different approach. He suggested some simple examinations and mentioned that it might be due to very different causes, from banal to very severe. But this doc here just acted as if it was almost a nonsense to complain about such symptoms and then ended with some foolishly expensive and strange meds and a week-long waiting.He stayed home today as he felt tired and not well in general and when he e-mailed this info to his boss, she mentioned that his colleague used to have similar problems, in her case, due to a lot of computer work. So he'll try at least to "consult" this colleague...I know that it's great that we haven't got any worse health problems so far, but... even this "little" thing is quite upsetting in the context of this unfamiliar health care system and strange doc's attitudes, ...Taking corticosteroids (!!) without a real need seems bad and dangerous to us. But he even didn't know that those are steroids until he bought them in the pharmacy! ... Yes; there is a little chance that the doc is right. It would be great. But despite the existence of this chance, I'm angry. And a bit scared. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrmaJean Posted January 11, 2013 Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 I hear your frustration, LaLa. It's always hard when you aren't given any clear answers because the doctor isn't sure what might be wrong. It also can be frustrating and hurtful when it seems that your concerns are being minimized. I'm sorry this happened. One thing I have learned about doctor visits is to always speak up and assert myself as much as I need to in order to be heard. I would also want a doctor who I felt comfortable with. I have switched doctors in the past when I felt he/she was not listening to my concerns. It's tough when you've already spent the cash, though. Sorry about the medication expense. Can you call the doctor's office and express your concerns about the medication? They may be able to switch it for you to one you feel more comfortable with. Maybe you can get a second opinion as well?I hope he feels better soon.Take care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaLa Posted January 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 Thanks, Beth...Actually, I think I wasn't very fair to the doc because of my anger. I suppose she's done what she considered to be the best. I understand that she cannot "know everything". But ... her minimizing of the symptoms and then the lack of "checking out" if there are some more proofs for her hypothesis about the possible diagnosis - that's doesn't seem right even without the influence of anger.Of course we'd prefer to have a doc we'd feel comfortable with. The problem in this country is that... it's very hard to "have your doc" - even many people living here for as long as 20 years don't have "their own" doc. It seems it would be almost useless anyway, because when you want here to see a particular doc, then you have to call and settle an appointment - but this may last even some weeks, as we've been told (and also "experienced in person"). There are too many patients for the "rather few" docs in the area (who would expect this in such a big city?). So we've been told that if we have a problem we'd like to consult "immediately" (or in a few days), the only possibility is the emergency. So we went there. (For the 2nd time. The 1st time, last year, was similarly frustrating, as then the doc said to my husband that his pain (he'd been having for 2 weeks already) was "only subjective" (where did she learned that expression??!! At the medical school???) and that there was nothing wrong with him, which is better than being very ill, of course, but also... leaves you, as a patient, feeling helpless as you still feel the pain. Fortunately, in that case, the pain disappeared after some weeks. But... the experience "didn't give us a nice picture of the emergency docs here"...)One of the problems of the emergency is that you cannot see the same doc twice. So one tells you something one week, then you come the other week (as she told him yesterday to do) and you even cannot complain if the doc was wrong and made you buy and take some medication in vain. One thing that made me angry was the feeling that the doc cannot feel such a responsibility as in the case of a GP or a family doctor which you come to see again.It seems to me that it isn't right to write about this topic on this forum. I should have posted on my private blog only. *sigh* Well, I'll delete it soon, I suppose. I know it's OK to vent my anger here, but I don't think it's right to do it by complaining this way in public. The only "excuse" I have is that I don't mention the city or even state we're in. I don't want to "badmouth". We don't know it here so well that I could give an objective picture of the health care. And we're too uncomfortable with the differences between "here" and "at home", so... it's contributing to my critics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaLa Posted January 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2013 No changes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finding my way Posted January 13, 2013 Report Share Posted January 13, 2013 Does he still have a headache, LaLa? Is it there during the night? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrmaJean Posted January 13, 2013 Report Share Posted January 13, 2013 Does he have any other symptoms? Is it an option to go to a hospital emergency room? I'm not sure how things work for you where you are, or if this is possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaLa Posted January 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2013 The headache got better today. Fortunately, he can sleep. And the wobbling almost goes away if he doesn't move for a long time. Yes, we plan to go back to the emergency. Probably on Tuesday, to see if something changes when he goes to work after 4 days (tomorrow).Thank you for your feedback/comments, they're appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finding my way Posted January 14, 2013 Report Share Posted January 14, 2013 If it is particles, it takes a couple weeks to resolve and you have to move your head to work them through. Of course you do not know if this is your situation right now. I hope you get the care you need soon!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaLa Posted January 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 Thank you, F.! It's very surprising: Two of his few colleagues had (sometimes, even twice, in their lifes) the same or very similar symptoms! Only one of them consulted a doc (as it was long-lasting and sometimes also caused the vertigo) and in her case, it was also caused by those "particles" in the inner ear and the same thing helped her as did to you. So it seems that in his case, it's probably also this kind of problem (it seemed too different from yours, as he has never had vertigo, but in the case of this colleague, it was very, very similar - and they realized that maybe the same problem causes vertigo to those who are more prone to vertigo in general - as those who are seasick and/or suffer from another kind of kinetose).Today, he finally went to see a doc again. This time, she (- another person) was much more careful and posed more questions. However, she also only guessed his diagnose and said it's probably an inflammation (why???) of the labyrinth and she said that it will probably take some months (?!) and go away itself. She refused to send him to ORL, saying that ORL wouldn't help him (??!). But she, at least, sent him to a neurologist - to check if there really is not some kind of neurological problem. And he got an appointment (with a neurol.) in 6 weeks!!! How typical here (so long waiting times)... All this sounds like a crazy comedy to us. (We know that much worse things can happen in hospitals etc., so we are still grateful that we don't have a serious problem, but... it's so strange to hear some things - like "you may have an inflammation of the inner ear, the ORL won't help you" - what's the logic there?) So... we hope that when he'll do what F. (and his colleague) recommended, it will finally help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finding my way Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 Hope that headache disappears, LaLa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaLa Posted January 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 It disappeared (at least for now)! And the last few days, he has already had some periods of time without the wobbling! So maybe it's really getting better... What he needs to do now to get rid of the wobbling is being almost static (not moving) for quite a long time. When he begins to move, it begins again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mscat Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 maybe it is a inner ear problem, however, the first thing that came to mind was dehydration. Glad he will be able to see a neuro, but 6 weeks is a long time to have to wait. I hope it is not anything too serious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finding my way Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 Good point about the dehydration-- hope he is getting enough water. Sure wish you could know if he needs to stay still. As I mentioned, if it is particles, he will need to move his head in order to get better. I understand your wanting to be conservative since you don't really know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaLa Posted January 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 Update:The ORL took him seriously and has been (as the 1st-one, it seems) interested in his real (-not only assumed) diagnosis. He already did some simple tests but plans to "decide" what the problem is only after doing a videonystamogram, for which he has the appointment the 7 February. What's upsetting in this case is that he had to pay $40 for it in advance and it's not refundable even in case if he heals in the meantime and won't come for the examination. Very strange... The only reason that occurred to me (why they force patients to pay in advance etc.) is that they want to prevent people from not coming because of fear: They don't explain them what the examination (videonystamografy) involves and how it is like, so they agree and pay, but then they come home and read about it on the web and find out that it's pretty unpleasant (takes cca 90 minutes and often causes strong nausea etc.), but as they have already payed, they are less prone to resign . Oh, whatever. I hope it will be at least useful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Endlessnight Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 Dear Lala, I'm so sorry you and 'he' especially are going through this. Since it gets worse when he gets up, it's almost certainly something in the inner ear. I had something similar a couple of years ago. I had had it for weeks and I went to doctors and they gave me medication which did no good. Finally I went to a doctor that did the 'right' kind of tests - tests for my inner ear, and he cured it by simply tapping sharply on the side of my head over the inner ear. He said it was water in my ear and by tapping he had moved it. I was fine right after.I hope you can find the help you need as I know how awful it is. Take care. ((((((((hugs)))))))) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaLa Posted January 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 Dear M., thank you for your kind words . I'm sorry you've been through this, too! And I'm surprised that it can be caused also by water! (So many strange things can happen to the human body... ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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