would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by dmc (Member # 5102) on :
you can download and print the Green Lyme booklet from http://www.lymepa.org Info on alot of the tick diseases it has symptom checklist last few pages.
get list of LLMDs in MA by posting on "seeking doctor" page
best wishes
Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
Here's an article I found explaining ear crystals and what they do, etc.:
"Ear crystals" can only mean benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV. First, let's make sure that you and I are talking about the same thing. Patients with BPPV experience a severe spinning sensation (vertigo) in response to particular changes in head position. The most common complaint is vertigo after rolling over in bed. Quite often, patients have problems only after rolling over in a particular direction. People with BPPV are often intolerant of other head movements, such as looking upward or looking over one shoulder.
Vertigo in BPPV lasts only for several seconds -- never more than one minute, though feeling off-balance may persist for much longer. A person may have several attacks in a short interval (perhaps a week), followed by a remission that may last for months or years.
Usually, an ear, nose and throat doctor (ENT) can make this diagnosis based solely upon the patient's description of symptoms. The ENT can also put the patient through particular positional changes to provoke vertigo, and then observe the patient's eyes. When the patient is feeling vertigo, his or her pupils will bob up and down (vertical nystagmus) or turn in a characteristic manner (torsional, or rotational nystagmus).
BPPV is "benign" in that it does not signify anything life-threatening to the patient (such as a brain tumor). "Paroxysmal" refers to the fact that the episodes are brief and self-limited. The "positional vertigo" aspect of BPPV should be evident from the description above.
So, what on earth are "ear crystals?" The medical term for these is "otolith" or "otoconia." Everyone has otoliths. They are found in two inner-ear organs, the utricle and the saccule, collectively known as the "otolithic organs." These organs are responsible for our ability to sense a gravitational field. In other words, even if you are in a pitch-dark room, submersed in a swimming pool (thus deprived of visual cues and musculoskeletal cues), you will still know which way is up, thanks to your otolithic organs.
The nerve endings in the otolithic organs are embedded in a gelatinous membrane known as an "otolithic membrane." Also embedded in this membrane, like grapes in jello, are the otoconia. They are tiny calcium carbonate/calcite crystals. Their whole purpose is to make that jello as heavy as possible. That way, when you tilt your head in a gravitational field, the otolithic membrane moves accordingly, thus stimulating the nerve endings underneath.
Now we move from hard scientific fact to the realm of theory. Experts theorize that otoliths may become liberated from the membranes and are then free to float through the inner-ear fluid. These free agents are capable of stimulating other parts of the inner ear. In particular, with regard to BPPV, they are thought to most commonly stimulate a structure responsible for our sense of rotational motion. The result is a sense of rotational vertigo.
Fortunately, there is a very simple and virtually risk-free treatment for BPPV. A positional maneuver (known as the Epley maneuver, for the doctor who developed it) allows the otoliths to "settle out" in a region of the inner ear where they will not cause problems. Patients can be taught this maneuver and can practice it at home. If, in fact, your husband's diagnosis of "ear crystals" corresponds to BPPV, then he needs to ask his ENT about the Epley maneuver."
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
Have him tested for Lyme anyway. Preferably by Igenex or a Lyme specific lab. He sounds like
classic lyme to me. And doctor should be aware of cardiac possibilities. Crystals are not questioned
unless there has been head trauma. Inner ear infections will cause the vertigo. Meineres
disease. Since he has symptoms long before this I would say please check for Lyme.
Posted by Leelee (Member # 19112) on :
I would suspect Lyme, unfortunately. If I could offer any advice at all, I would suggest being ruthlessly persistent in considering Lyme and co-infections. It is a disease that confuses doctors all the time and your brother's symptoms are quite serious.
Canlyme.org has an excellent list of symptoms you can print out for your brother.
I do not know anything about ear crystals, but the other symptoms is he is suffering from could indicate Lyme, especially since he recalled a tick bite and subsequent high fever.
Is it possible for him to have an Igenex Western Blot done? Perhaps while he is still in the hospital, even?
I hope he finds an answer to his health problems and that he is able to recover. You are a very kind sister to search for answers for him. I know you are terrified and concerned. I wish you, your brother and your mother all the best in this journey.
Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :
You need to know that Lyme disease is not the only infection you can get from a tick. Even without a rash I would suggest your brother be tested for Rocky Mountain Fever. Other common coinfections are babesia (similar to malaria), Bartonella (similar to cat-scratch fever) and ehrlichia or anaplasma.
Unfortunately the tests for the coinfections are not much better than the Lyme tests and that is why people will suggest you see a LLMD (Lyme literate medical doctor). Many hospital docs and infectious disease docs don't know much about tick-borne infections.
Good luck to your brother.
Bea Seibert
Posted by psano2 (Member # 11711) on :
I don't know about ear crystals, but the description of vertigo that disturbedme gave fit me well, before I was diagnosed.
I was unable to sleep on the side that I was used to, and could only sleep on the other side without getting dizzy.
I never realized that the symptom had a name, and never really mentioned to my LLMD because I had so many other symptoms.
That was a great description, by the way, disturbedme.
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
Ear crystals are related to vertigo.
Medicines such as benadryl, phenergan (sp?) and others
Are often used to control this.
Some physical therapists are trained in movements
Such as to re-align the crystals.
I would first suspect Lyme.
Have him tested via Igenex.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by adirienzo (Member # 19993) on :
Thanks everyone.
Posted by DJP (Member # 5893) on :
My GP told me the dizziness was related to the crystals in the ear theory. However, when I went to the ENT he told me that was old theory and that the newest info shows that it is a latent virus that is in your system and is normal kept in check by your immune system. When your immune system is compromised the virus can overcome it. He gave me an antiviral and it did help along with the antibiotics. He was at UMASS and I can problem find his info, PM me if you want it.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
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DJP,
Glad your ear problem was made better.
However, crystals in the ear can still absolutely be on cause of vertigo for some. Disturbed me, in a post above, describes this well - benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV.
Bacteria and viruses can also be a frequent cause of vertigo. And lyme often causes varies kinds of vertigo and other ear troubles, too.
A simple test can determine if or crystals are the problem and then something called the Epley maneuver can help - if and only if - the crystals are the reason for BPPV.