I got to about day 10 in sep and made progress with my primary symptom which is low back pain. I was able to walk a mile (for me, a big deal) and I had plans to get back to the pool at the fitness center. Now I have severe vertigo and nausea and cannot stay up on my feet for more than 5 minutes or so. I spend most of the day lying down. I saw ENT nurse practitioner yesterday and was diagnosed with a sinus infection; started on antibiotics. Tomorrow I am seeing Ent physician. I know something is wrong with my left ear. Tremendous pressure and muffled hearing. I am so discouraged to have yet another physical problem. I can't do anything and I'm stuck at home dependent on family for shopping and transportation. I am exhausted, depressed, nauseous, and yes, pissed off that one more thing is happening to me. I DONT know how to stand back and not be afraid of this. I dont necessarily think this is tms either. I am actually getting sick of the whole tms thing, though I have to admit my back pain is better.
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Alan has completed the new Pain Recovery Program. To read or share it, use this updated link: https://www.tmswiki.org/forum/painrecovery/
Tennis Tom
Beloved Grand Eagle
It could be TMS on the run--the "SYMPTOM IMPERATIVE"--but as per the recent thread here, see your MD/physician. Is there a TMS physician in your area you could see for an objective dx?
MWsunin12
Beloved Grand Eagle
Stress and fear will make your vertigo worse. I know it's awful, but tell yourself: "I am safe. This will pass quickly." It's frustrating, but breathe and rest. Fear will get your amygdala hypersensitive about checking in on your dizziness. Send yourself the message that this is a temporary bump and will begin getting better and better with each hour.
TT: Per your recent suggestion, I called Dr Z's office and left a message. I'm in Ohio. They asked that u not leave multiple messages so I did not call back and never heard from them. Steve O is here as well. The next closest TMS MD is Dr Schubiner in Michigan which is not that far from me. My problem now is I can hardly get to the bathroom - I literally am holding on to furniture and the walls to walk. Riding for 2-3 hr in the car is not an option at present. When I go to Ent tomorrow I will have to lie down in the back seat and take a bucket with me. It's just constant vertigo and nausea. Thank u for your response.
MWsunin12
Beloved Grand Eagle
You aren't alone in thinking you'll be in the 2%. I think most of TMS is our own "worst case scenario" thinking. Don't project what will have to happen, like the bucket in the back seat. You could wake up tomorrow and have it be over with already. I wish you well.
Gigalos
Beloved Grand Eagle
Just to be clear, Steve is an author, not a MD.
I wish you well, try to keep telling your self that it will be allright and see what the doc has to say. take care
Tennis Tom
Beloved Grand Eagle
You are exhibiting the "T" personality trait of goodism. Call them again! What are they going to do to you, put you in jail for making a call to a doctor's office when you are in desperate of help!?! Unfortunately, doctors offices today may have "gatekeeper" receptionists, who can be on a power trip, insulating docs from the crowds in the waiting room, and docs need them to deal with all the bureaucratic BS required for insurance billing and record keeping, to prevent malpractice suits.
If you can't get to the doc, contact SteveO through his website, he knows Dr. Z, maybe he can get you around the gate keepers, or give you some TMS counseling to get you out of bed. SteveO wrote the book on TMS and he knows it as well as anyone. IF you have TMS, then KNOWLEDGE PENICILLIN is the cure.
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Tennis Tom. I will call again Monday. I saw Ent MD today with high hopes of improvement. He just confirmed the sinus infection, changed the antibiotic, and prescribed antivert for dizziness and nausea, plus a month' s worth of steroids. He doesnt know why I am dizzy and said I have no ear infection. They did a hearing test which showed decreased hearing - this is not a new finding. He said hearing and balance are inner ear issues and go together. Wants to see me in 3 weeks and wants me to follow up with my PCP to make sure nothing else is going on. I will be seeing her Tuesday. It will be a long weekend for sure. If I could just see some improvement, I could get on the right side of this. Very depressed right now.
MWsunin12
Beloved Grand Eagle
@Timbercat Have you had improvement? I hope so.
MWsunin12: hello and thanks for asking! I have some slight improvements. No headache or nausea today. Still quite dizzy today and coming up on 2 weeks of not being able to drive. Saw my PCC and no new tests were recommended. She wanted to see if the meds given by ENT would take effect. I have been able to calm down somewhat and stop thinking about the vertigo...I try to visualize what might be happening in my ear which still has a lot of pressure in it and decreased hearing. So I "feel" rather than think about it. that does keep me calmer. I continue on in sep and look for inspiration around every corner. Thanks again.
MWsunin12
Beloved Grand Eagle
@Timbercat I think you're wise to see it as TMS. A surprising amount of people have it attached to anxiety and depression, etc.
I've always found distraction to be beneficial. Focus on it only increases it all. Hopefully, your calmness will signal your nervous system to relax. Been there. And, it's not fun, but I know we can all support each other through the most trying issues. Try saying this: "There is absolutely nothing to fear. All is well. I am safe."
I've always found distraction to be beneficial. Focus on it only increases it all. Hopefully, your calmness will signal your nervous system to relax. Been there. And, it's not fun, but I know we can all support each other through the most trying issues. Try saying this: "There is absolutely nothing to fear. All is well. I am safe."
Lou
New Member
Hello Timbercat,
Just thought I'd join in here. I have started having problems with lightheadedness within the last month. Thankfully it has not gotten to the point of dizziness,etc. that you are feeling but is nevertheless causing a lot of extra anxiety, to the point of an all out panic attack a couple of times. I have found that consistently telling myself that "it's TMS (or just a sensation) and won't harm me" is slowly helping to improve things. Deep relaxing breathing also seems to help. Hopefully it will help you as well over time.
I finally decided to try psychotherapy with a TMS therapist. After one session I am already feeling a little better and a lot more hopeful. I am nowhere close to a TMS clinic so I'm doing Skype sessions through Alan Gordon's clinic. I don't know if this is an option for you but if so it might be worth considering.
I sincerely hope you start to feel better very soon. I know it can be very discouraging to have new symptoms show up...I've had a few new problems to deal with too and it can be frustrating and frightening. Good luck! And try to keep smiling. After many years of finding it difficult to even want to laugh (hard to believe but true) I am finding reading humorous books, watching funny internet videos (only clean ones), etc. helping to keep my head above the dark clouds that seem to want to keep me down. Keep trying! And Good luck!
Just thought I'd join in here. I have started having problems with lightheadedness within the last month. Thankfully it has not gotten to the point of dizziness,etc. that you are feeling but is nevertheless causing a lot of extra anxiety, to the point of an all out panic attack a couple of times. I have found that consistently telling myself that "it's TMS (or just a sensation) and won't harm me" is slowly helping to improve things. Deep relaxing breathing also seems to help. Hopefully it will help you as well over time.
I finally decided to try psychotherapy with a TMS therapist. After one session I am already feeling a little better and a lot more hopeful. I am nowhere close to a TMS clinic so I'm doing Skype sessions through Alan Gordon's clinic. I don't know if this is an option for you but if so it might be worth considering.
I sincerely hope you start to feel better very soon. I know it can be very discouraging to have new symptoms show up...I've had a few new problems to deal with too and it can be frustrating and frightening. Good luck! And try to keep smiling. After many years of finding it difficult to even want to laugh (hard to believe but true) I am finding reading humorous books, watching funny internet videos (only clean ones), etc. helping to keep my head above the dark clouds that seem to want to keep me down. Keep trying! And Good luck!
JoeHealingTms
Peer Supporter
Have you cleared everything else with other type of specialists before? Have you been to a neurologist and got a complete head MRI with contrast to check not only your ear but the areas around it and the brain? My experience with doctors (more than 20) , is that each one sells and dont go to far away from their specialty. Maybe you need to evaluate from other angles. Have you also checked your blood pressure, sugar levels, heart,etc????
MWsunin12: I appreciate you checking back with me. I am staying much calmer than I normally would which I attribute to things I am learning on this network. I have to say, this vertigo is actually worse than the pain...I think. It really keeps you from moving forward and maybe that is something I am afraid to do. I am also getting increasing TMJ on the left side - today especially it is starting to hurt to chew. I will keep working - cannot deny the progress I have made. Hope you are doing well on your journey.
Hi Lou: Thank you for your comments and encouragement. Glad to hear you are making some progress. There is a TMS physician in Ohio which is where I live. Skype sessions would also be an option for me. I do think I am going to need some therapy sessions to get out of this. I am definitely not the type to read the books and be able to move forward. I am better this week than last. I wish you well - thanks again.