Letter from Dr Hain

I received the letter from Dr Hain that the audiologist had mentioned I would receive last night. It's really fairly confusing and I'm not sure I understand 90% of it.
It starts with an "impression"
"Spells with a differential diagnosis of seizures in spite of the fact that the EEG is normal, a vesitbular disturbance such as a vesitbular neuritis or neuralgia or BPPV as suggested by exam, and migraine.
Right at the moment, I would suggest that we go through these possibilities one by one. Although your EEG was normal, EEGs are relatively insensitive to mild seizures, and I started you on Trileptal. If this medication is helpful, you will stop haveing spells.
With respect to the possibility of a vestibular problem, I started you on the exercises for BPPV. With respect to the possibility of migraine, we may eventually attempt migraine prophylaxis medication."
There is other information given regarding the hearing tests that were done. One line I don't quite understand, but will do further research about "A vestibular evoked myogenic potential test was done today and revealed a total amplitude of 1309, which is very high, and only 4.4% weakness."
In reference to the goggle test, "Under video Frenzel's goggles, there is a very slightly right-beating spontaneous nystagmus that is unchanged by hyperventilation. It continues to be seen during head positioning while upright and continues to be seen when the neck is vibrated. On positional testing, there is a slight up beating nystagmus on head left and continued right beating nystagmus on head right."
So I have some research to do. If anyone reading this has any ideas, let me know!

Dizziness continues

So I am still having dizziness. Some days are remarkably better than others and I only have 2-3 spells. But other days are still pretty bad and it's every 1-2 hours. I can't find a pattern to distinguish the good days from the bad. On the good days, I've learned to live with the 2-3 spells. But on the bad days (today) the dizziness can be overpowering. I wish we knew what was wrong and could fix it.

Details of Hearing Tests

I don't think I wrote about what hearing tests were done. So for those that are interested...
1) Checked pressure in both ears - some fancy machine
2) Typically hearing test - press a button if you hear the tone
3) Repeat words back said in either ear
4) Lay on table, played ticking noise in headphones, lifted head and turned away from noise, held for 1 minute

I don't really know what any of it is supposed to diagnose, but hopefully we'll hear results soon.

Seizure meds = FAIL

So I took the meds this weekend. Not only did my dizziness not go away, but I got massive headaches. I'm also wondering if Carolyn was affected a little as well, and that's the true reason for her sleep issues the last 2 nights. So I stopped taking them last night. My headaches today are much better. On the one hand, this means I'm not having seizures, which is great! On other, we still don't know what's wrong. Back to the drawing board!
Still remaining:
1) Migraines - I learned this week that one can have migraines without headaches. Interesting.
2) Hearing - still waiting on test results
3) Hormone issues - this did all seem to start when I got horrible cramps 2 weeks prior to my period in Nov. I don't know what to think.

And now to wait until March 31st to hear anything more. Unless Dr Hain calls like the audiologist said he would.

Migraine diet = fail

So I've been following this migraine diet for the week. The dizziness is not gone. Not sure how long I'm supposed to do this before determining it doesn't work.

I will likely start the anti-seizure meds tomorrow. I'm terrified to do so, but I know I must.

My ears have been bothering me the last couple days. Wishful thinking, or perhaps this doctor was on to something with investigating my hearing further.

I don't know anymore. I frustrated that it's been 7 weeks and I have no answers. And it's getting very annoying that I am STILL dizzy! It's been a little better lately, but still happens frequently. And it seems to be stronger lately.

Dizzy Doctor visit #1

Went to Dr Hain today downtown. Luckily, traffic wasn't too horrible. They were pretty close to on time as well, which was nice. Had my weight, height, and bp checked. My bp was pretty low - 98/62 - fairly normal for me.
First Dr Hain checked out my MRI and CTA scans. He confirmed a calcified meningioma. He actually suggested I may not need follow up scans due to the apparent extent of the calcification. He checked my balance - said it's excellent! Then did some basic neuro stuff - touch my nose with my eyes closed, checked reflexes, same as the immediate care doc and first neurologist I saw. Then he put some weird goggles on me to check my eyes. Apparently they jump around, and they're not supposed to. He also said my left ear is not as good as my right.
He then suggested 3 possible causes - seizures, migraines, or hearing problem. So we are investigating all three further.
1) Seizures. The EEG I had done showed nothing, and I told him that. I will have the script filled tomorrow and will do a 3 day trial. If it works, then we've found the problem. If not, we cross it off the list.
2) Migraines. He gave me a list of foods to cut out. Of the foods on the list, I eat chocolate, cheese, and lunch meat. I haven't had lunch meat for a while. I will cut out chocolate and cheese tomorrow.
3) Hearing. I did a bunch of tests at the office. Audiologist said everything looked normal. I will get the official results from Dr Hain in a week or so by phone and letter.

So now, we continue to wait some more. I am to return to Dr Hain in 2 months, I need to call tomorrow to make that appointment.