posted
I'm having the testing done this Wednesday for the 1st time. I really haven't heard much about it until my new neurologist suggested we do this Inner Ear/Vestibular Study thing.
I'm curious as to what (if anything) they will discover. As far as "therapy" goes, what are they treating and how do they treat it?
The way I understand it, they teach you certain "exercises" to practice at home or something? Am I even close?
terri3boys
Posts: 268 | From Texas | Registered: Aug 2007
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posted
I posted this info in a thread a few weeks ago; it may be helpful here:
"Vestibular rehabilitation was very helpful in getting my 13 year old moving. Experienced extreme dizziness to the point of not being able to walk up and down stairs. Also couldn't walk around the house without holding onto walls and furniture.
After two months of VRT, 3X per week, kid was able to walk a long hospital corridor while juggling a couple of balls. In between sessions, playing games on Nintendo Wii was also very helpful as they require body movement and hand/eye coordination.
The doctor explained to me that once the areas of the brain that guide motor control are damaged, they must be retrained. Make certain that the physical therapist is a specialist in VRT."
In this case the child was 13 and had been playing field hockey, so had good motor skills. The therapist said that age and previous mobility can affect how quickly the retraining will go.
I wish you all success.
Posts: 170 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jun 2008
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Nal
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posted
I did see that post. Did your child go through periods of worsening symptoms while in therapy though?
-------------------- Life is 10% what happens to you, 90% how you respond to it!
-Chuck Swindoll Posts: 1594 | From Colorado | Registered: Jan 2005
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posted
Sorry Nal, I think I misunderstood what you were asking.
There were days, when the dizziness/headache was worse. This was particularly true when each new exercise was added, an increase in the number of repetitions, or increase in duration of an exercise.
The therapist said that you have to keep "pushing the envelope" of the dizziness/disorientation so the body learns to cope. Feeling ill would often last into the following day. To paraphrase a cliche "much pain brings gain".
Over the weeks, my child progressed to the point where it took a lot of complicated motions (more than you see in everyday life) to bring on the dizziness. The time needed to recover became less and less. After a couple of months, could get through normal, every day movements without the dizziness.
I hope this helps. Please let me know if I haven't hit the point or more details are needed.
Posts: 170 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jun 2008
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Nal
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posted
Yes, the theapist gives you exercises to do both in office and at home. They are specific exercises designed to retrain certain functions in the central nervous system and the vestibular system. Each person is different so each person gets different exercises.
Lymepool...thanks. That does help me some. i notice the increase more too when she changes/adds exercises. Its just frustrating at times.
Nancy
-------------------- Life is 10% what happens to you, 90% how you respond to it!
-Chuck Swindoll Posts: 1594 | From Colorado | Registered: Jan 2005
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posted
I hear you on the frustration part. Fighting a TBD seems to be a "two step forward;one step back" situation.
My kid had the VRT before we had diagnosis for Babesia and Bartonella. Started abx treatments in Sept. so three months of therapy so far. When dizziness "herx" began, restarted some of the VRT exercises to maintain the balance and help control the symptom. So the techniques continue to be useful.
Best Wishes on your fight for good health!
Posts: 170 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jun 2008
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Nal
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Thanks. Ive been depressed for days. What a way to feel at Christmas time huh?
-------------------- Life is 10% what happens to you, 90% how you respond to it!
-Chuck Swindoll Posts: 1594 | From Colorado | Registered: Jan 2005
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cactus
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posted
My experience matches Lymepool's child's.
VRT was incredibly unpleasant. And it seemed to take forever, too.
I hope that it gets easier for you, and that you start to see some worthwhile results soon.
-------------------- �Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?� - A.A. Milne Posts: 1987 | From No. VA | Registered: May 2005
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