Diagnostic Testing

Besides measuring my dizziness, these tests should help my Neuro observe how well my eyes and inner ear work together, as well as see if specific parts of my inner ear are or are not working correctly.  I'll definitely find out more next week.

Let us know, ok?

Sure thing. The tests were yesterday and one of them made me extremely dizzy/nauseous.  I was hoping the doctor would review my results after the technicians were finished, but I have to wait until Sept 1st for a follow-up.

I've just started a round of tests to find out why I'm having migraines and vertigo and why they are channging in frequency, severity, intensity and type.  Over the last few years I've had 3 mri's (the last also included my ears), a cat scan and an eeg, and on Friday I had a sleep study.  A total waste of time in my opinion, what is yours?  I didn't sleep at all, I felt like I was in a straight jacket and to beat all a cricket was in my room all night chirping away, it had been there since the night before.  I can't find a single reason to have a sleep study for migraines.  I've had migraines my entire life and my first confirmed/diagnosed vertigo was in 1997.  I refused an ENG in January because the DR was pretty sure I'd end up with another bad migraine/vertigo epi so I figured what's the point in causing it????  I'm at an angry stage right now although I suspect my history isn't nearly as bad as yours.  I have pain, tenderness and assorted other weird sensations on the left side of my head and into my left ear and have horrible motion sickness but nobody is connecting any of this together.  ARgh!

Hello Karen,

I hope the testing helps you and your doctor discover why the frequency and severity of your Migraines and Vertigo have changed.

When my new Neuro scheduled a sleep study I felt it might be a waste of time in the beginning. When he expressed concern that I may be missing out on much needed restorative sleep, which might explain waking up with Migraines, as well as low energy, I changed my tune. Plus I appreciated that he was willing to try a non-drug approach to finding the cause of my Migraines.

It was difficult to sleep throughout the study, especially because of all the wiring and knowing that within the first two hours I would be woken up, fitted for the CPAP, then be expected to fall asleep again. The result of Obstructive Sleep Apnea came as a total shock. I had thought for certain that all these years I was getting enough rest.

I think it's important for anyone to have a sleep study if they are waking up with headaches (when I stop breathing througout the night, my brain isn't getting as much oxygen), if they have low energy throughout the day, and especially if they fall asleep easily while trying to read, watch television, or drive, etc.

My angry stages come and go. Chronic pain leaves us feeling so depleated.  And when we get out hopes up, after a certain medication or procedure, only to find it's done nothing to help us, or in some cases has made us worse, it can be a lot for any one person to handle.

You mentioned that no one has pieced your symptoms together, but you also don't want to perform certain tests, which can make finding the answers more difficult. If anger is stifling your progress then allow yourself 15 minutes, an hour, a day, or up to a week to be angry if that's what you need. But after that, let the anger go, and take the next step forward

Hugs,

Jasmine