So I got the results of all my medical tests and

[Cleita]

I still don't know much. The best they could come up with is that my MRI showed that I had a couple of minor strokes, which accounts for my inability to balance myself very well. They still have no idea what's causing the vertigo, but I'm getting physical therapy to learn how to control those spells.

So I go to physical therapy now three times a week. I always hated gym in high school so you can imagine this is really traumatic for me. Exercise, ugh! So after three different doctors, I'm where I started, but they did find out that my arteries (probably congenital) are unusually narrow naturally, not from plaque, which is probably why I got the strokes.

So I guess I will have to take this one day at a time. If the physical therapy helps me get my sense of balance back then I'm happy enough. I'm also getting medication for this.

[Why Syzygy]

1. have you

or can you seek the advice of a competent homeopathist? In 1992, I had inexplicable symptoms. No tests, no antibiotics made a difference. Finally one doctor told me I needed a shrink because I was depressed. I had been sick for six months and no one able to tell me why. Yes I was depressed.

My MT recommended homeopathy. I didn't know what that was. But she did wonders. Made me well again.

Just a suggestion. I do hope whatever path you take you feel better.

[Cleita]

2. I have to do what Medicare pays for. I don't think they

pay for homeopathy. The same happened to my husband. They couldn't figure out what was wrong with him until a trip to the emergency room brought forth the symptoms they needed for a diagnosis. I guess I'm going to have to wait for the same.

Incidentally, the neurologist I saw was also an psychiatrist and she tested me for mental symptoms and ruled them out.

[Crowdance]

5. Many homeopaths are MDs, and therefore the visits can be eligible.

The question,in that case, would be whether the MD accepts Medicaid. Homeopathy appointments are longer than the typical, allopathic MD's appointment, so often costlier. It might be worth asking. My family has had great healing from homeopathy.

[rumpel]

3. OMG Strokes -

it's a good thing they found a problem, albeit not the source.

Now you know to be aware of it - and practice prevention.
I ask the universe they will find the source of your vertigo, too.

:hug:

[NuttyFluffers]

4. sending happy thoughts your way, love!

a door may be closing (a level of health take for granted), but there's probably a window being opened up nearby (probably a new insight and appreciation of healthy living).

chin chin, dear! :toast:

[davsand]

6. Did your doc talk to you about Fish Oil or, better yet, Omega Three oils?

Some will, others do not. If they did not talk to you about the role of Omega Three oils (EPA and DHA) in circulatory issues, you may want to ask. I do know that it can thin the blood a bit, and that might present a danger in some types of stokes. DO ask your Docs about it before you start taking it, but it might be worth checking on.

I know that Dr Barry Sears writes a LOT about fish oil and its positive health impacts, as does Dr. Mercola. Both of them urge that you look for the high quality stuff that is free of chemicals (Like PCBs and Mercury.) In fact, Dr. Mercola urges eating walnuts and flax seed for the Omega Oils rather than fish to avoid the toxic stuff found in fish.

Here is one article on the subject:

http://www.mercola.com/2003/jan/8/fish_oil_stroke.htm

Since Kev's heart attack we have both been taking fish oil and CoQ10 every day. His heart Doc knows about it and encourages it for his heart patients who are interested in dietary supplements.

Best of luck, dear one, and feel better soon!


Laura

[Cleita]

7. The two specialists have turned me back to the care of my

primary care provider. They will let her prescribe treatment and I haven't seen her yet. I will ask her about it.

[davsand]

8. Some Docs get really freaked out about dietary supplements.

At least some of mine have, anyhow. I've found that if I ask about them in the context of an article in JAMA or some other mainstream medical journal they typically are a little more receptive. Maybe they get tired of the "snake oil" stuff--I dunno. I've always kind of figured part of it was liability issues--that many docs are worried they'll be sued if anything goes wrong.

I asked my eye doc about it one time, and he actually admitted that malpractice fear probably DOES play a role in how docs talk to patients about non-phamra treatments. He also made the comment that the patients who had educated themselves about their condition had far better outcomes than those who just passively roll with it.

We have to be our own docs, sometimes, I guess...


Laura

[Grateful for Hope]

9. It is hard not to have definitive answers

and, I can't imagine how it feels to go through tests and still not know what the problem is.

As far as my gut reaction to your post is concerned, (hope you don't mind, Cleita), I think that the fact that you do not exercise (I am assuming this means walking also?), might have a great deal to do with whatever is ailing you. Do you walk? If not, is this something you can do?

As an aside, I have a friend who has an anyeurism in her aorta. She is only 46 years of age, but, because of this anyeurism, her blood pressure has been sky-high for several years despite the medication she was taking to reduce it.

She started a walking program about a year ago. She does not walk fast, but she does walk far. She also started watching what she was eating (she also hated the fact that she was overweight). She eats salads and meat, and not too many carbs.

Well, the last two checkups she has had showed that her blood pressure is normal, and her cholesteral level is even below normal.

Just a thought here from someone who really admires you, Cleita.

[NJCher]

10. about exercise

Just a thought here from someone who really admires you, Cleita.

And a second steps in here...:)

Know what convinced me about exerise? I heard an interview on NPR with some women doctors who were researchers and specialists in the area of women's heart attacks.

They said women who had had heart attacks were in their program and they had them walking 20-30" a day. As long as they did this, their risk of heart attack was at bay but the doctor commented that on occasion, some of the women would fall off the program. When that happened, her risk level returned in very short order.

It doesn't require that much: 20-30" a day isn't really all that much time and it does make one feel better. The benefits are so significant.




Cher

p.s. I wish the best for your friend, Hope. That's a rough thing to deal with at an age like 46.

[Cleita]

12. I haven't had a heart attack or heart stroke.

I should have been more specific. I'm sorry. One of the tests I had was an ultrasound of my heart and it was quite healthy and normal. The strokes I had were brain attacks. It's when a blockage prevents blood and oxygen from going to the brain and you have a stroke. Mine were so minor at the time that no one, including myself noticed, but the subsequent inability to steady myself and hold on to dishes and things were the result.

[Cleita]

11. I do walk a lot. I have to. I live in the country so it's usually

a fairly long walk just to get around the property, to the mail box and to garden, even just trying to keep things watered and check up on the chickens and all. I think I get more exercise in that sense than most people do. I just hate the gymnastic stuff.

Thanks for your concern. My blood pressure is actually normal and I think this is what is confusing the medics.

[crikkett]

13. about physical therapy...

... I learned how to exercise after leaving home (I was locked in as a teenager to keep me out of trouble.)

After hating it for a while I loved it. It taught me how to know my body and love myself. I gained confidence and weight - muscle weight.

I hope you find a way to think about physical therapy that isn't akin to taking awful medicine or feeling humiliated in gym class.

Good luck!
Crikkett

[cassiepriam]

14. The physical therapy can help a lot.

Some years back I had a balance problem due to an injury
and the physical therapy was very helpful. It was not that difficult. Just simple exercises that they taught me to do at home. It wasn't really like gym class, but very specific exercises designed to retrain the brain and inner ear to work better.

And the PTs are very nice and helpful, they work with you at your
level. (I am a total klutz at the best of times, but with the balance problem on top of that, I warned the PTs they had a challenge on their hands!)

It is pretty amazing, at the beginning I could not do any of the assignments without falling over since my balance was so bad. In a couple of months I could do them all with no problem, and my balance was back to almost normal. (BTW the PTs won't let you fall, they keep a close eye and hand on you. And at home you can work with pillows and next to your bed so if you fall it won't hurt you.)

Good Luck Cleita, I am a big fan of PT now and I hope it can help you.

[MissWaverly]

15. I am thinking about your monitor

do you think that it needs adjusted in any way, made more comfortable, maybe less eye strain.

I know this probably sounds stupid, but my neighbors have a big screen Tv and I always get
vertigo when I am over their place watching it. I don't know why but I do, so I am wondering
if maybe your monitor may be a cause?

:-)

[Quakerfriend]

16. Blessing to you, Cleita. You always seem so strong and

independent. I'm sorry, I did not realize you were still dealing with these spells.

Best of everything to you, dear. Please, keep us posted as to how you do with the PT.

[bliss_eternal]

17. Oh Cleita...

I'm so sorry to hear that you are suffering, and that you aren't getting the answers that you need. I pray that you find out what's going on with you, sooner than later.

I'm sorry physical therapy is such a drag, too.

:hug::grouphug: