Well here it goes my first draft on "a rough guide to labs" and what you can expect to happen when u are going through this condition! Im not really going to go over the symptoms of the condition its really just an overview of what happens to get diagnosed and where to get that diagnosis from!
If you want information on the symptoms and perhaps some of the acronyms i may use in this draft then please visit Emma and Ilias website for the details. Please note that this guide has been written around my personal experience and that of others that i have spoken too - it might vary from case to case but it should give you the general idea! OK so here it goes:
When you first experience the symptoms of labs you will probably go see your GP or family doctor (In some cases you might go into to hospital as it can be extremely frightening)
Your Doctor will normally take a full medical history from you exploring your feelings/symptoms and then will carry out some basic tests some of which will be neurological to rule out more serious problems!
One of the tests normally carried out by the GP is the dix hallpike maneuver in which the doctor will lie you down on the bed and will move your head at a angle to the sitting position (both left and right sides) while monitoring your eyes for abnormal movement (Nystagmytus). In most cases if you have some abnormal movement then there is a good chance that you have Labs or BPPV! Although i have to say sometimes you may not exhibit any signs at all and this should not dishearten you as your doctor will have to use your history to determine if you may be suffering in that case!
At this point the doctor if you are suffering with acute vertigo episodes will perscribe a vestibular suppressant such as Stemetil or Serc (And some other drugs) for a period of a couple of weeks. And in all cases will probally send you home to rest with the reassurance that it will clear up in a couple of weeks.
Point to note: vestibular suppressants can hinder your overall recovery if you have to take them for a long period of time so only take them for the shortest possible time.
In General Labs lasts for around 8 weeks so in most cases you will be feeling back to normal at some point during this timeframe. Oh but what happens if i do not feel right i hear you ask!
Now this is where our research will come in handy for you sufferers who have had labs for 8 weeks or longer! Generally at this point we are going to push the GP past there limits as most will indicate that this condition can not last this long... This is not true it can and it happens. (Im Proof of that) so at this point some Doctors will then ask for you to be referred to an specialist at this point and normally you will be referred to see an ENT consultant. But wait is there someone better to see! (Read On)
So what do you do! Well i would ask to be referred to an audiological physician (Neuro-otology) who are registrar level doctors (Mainly from the ENT field) who have undertaken specialist training in the form of an Audio-vestibular medicine degree(s) (MSc) which provides the specialist skills of dealing with the diagnosis, medical treatment, habituation and rehabilitation of children and adults with disorders of hearing and balance.
One of the specialties covered by these doctors is Neuro-otology:
Neuro-otology includes the investigation and rehabilitation of dizziness and imbalance, with or without concomitant hearing problems, in both adults and children. It also includes the assessment and management of tinnitus and dysacuses. Imbalance can be caused or aggravated by pathology in many different systems. There is good scientific evidence that the majority of these cases will improve with appropriate rehabilitation and other medical management, as indicated in each case. However, the care of dizzy patients who do not have access to an Audiological Physician can be fragmented, with the patient visiting one hospital department after another, and no one doctor taking overall responsibility. The Audiological Physician is trained to assess and manage dizzy patients holistically, ie treating the patient as well as the symptom, and effectively providing a service that is satisfying for both doctor and patient with this common complaint.
So what to expect! Well firstly someone who will understand your condition, and secondly a fairly long wait to see one unfortunately! But when you do finally get an appointment you will initially have a consultation with them where like with the GP they will investigate your medical history and carry out some basic tests after which they will normally send you for comprehensive diagnostic testing which will assist them in determining the cause of your dizziness and identify where the damage to your inner ear is! (I.E Left or Right side Inner Ear) by using various tests such as the ENG (Caloric) etc
After you have had the tests they can now start to formulate a plan to compensate for this inner ear damage and this will normally involve the use of VRT exercises and even the use of a physio! They may also send you for MRI or CT Scanning just to rule out any other neuro-logical problems which sometimes occur. This is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about!
Therefore my recommendation for you longer term sufferers would be to get referred to one of these specialists as
1. They Specialize in our condition.
2. Can provide all of the diagnostic tests required to fully understand your condition.
3. Can Provide you with the necessary programme of VRT to get you on the road to recovery!
Because when you have suffered with uncompensated labyrinthitis the recovery from this condition comes from a structured programme of exercises (VRT) which are established and tailored specifically for you by the Neuro-otologist and physio following your diagnostic testing.
Well i think that just about sums up the processes used in getting a diagnosis and getting on the road to recovery although if anyone has got something to add to this then please do!
Hope this helps!
Categories
vBulletin Message