Back from dizzy doc aka f***g prick

So I finally went to see an actual “dizziness-specialist” (ent), not that my hopes were high but he sure crushed whatever faith I still had in Swedish medical care.

When I walked out I felt like I had been hit by a steamroller. He did some very short examinations, and when nothing showed up (no suprises there) he started asking “questions”. However he didn’t care to let me explain whatever had happened to me during this year, but just rudely talked the usual blabla in my face. Whenever I tried to say something he just kept “LET ME FINISH”. It was so obvious that he already had me neatly placed in his little box (or should I say far too big). As soon as he had done the tests and that the rest was just a waste of time (in his opinion), for he wanted a coffe-break I’m sure. He basically interrupted me all the time, and just forced his diagnosis down my throat. I was in a catch 22 situation, for if I did mention that I had been in contact with an American otoneurotologist that disagreed with him, he would say I was imagining stuff from reading too much, and if I didn’t he would say I was imagining stuff cause he couldn’t find anything… What a f***g prick; how all these doctors can be so cold and inhumane I don’t know.

And his logic was the most flawed I’ve ever seen; and I should know, I study logic for crying out loud.

Wish I had spoken up, but I was just shocked the whole time, and when I realised what was happening I was already out the door. Never again, never again!

Hey Mikael,

Really sorry to hear you had such a miserable time with the jerk. You almost leave those appointments feeling like you’ve been violated or something. The first “specialist” I saw was here in Sydney. He was an otolaryngologist. Very smarmy condescending wanker who had bedside manner that made House seem like a walk in the park. All you can do is not take it personally if you can and realise he is the idiot and probably treats most patients like this –– especially ones where he doesn’t understand what’s going on. Saving face.

Can you go anywhere else? Are there any other Swedish pros? Did the guy come up with anything that even remotely came close to MAV?

Scott 8)

I’m afraid he didn’t. his bullshit of a diagnosis was that maybe I had something like a migraine or something in the beginning (incredibly vague on his part), but that now there was no physical problem and I had “phobic” dizziness. When I asked him what the f’k I was supposed to do with such a diagnosis, especially given that I’ve already tried the therapy route (which didn’t help symptoms at all), that I now am living my life again, studying etc. and no longer wallow in the symptoms (in fact I force myself not to think about it, except when I’m here) he said that he was not interested in my past (therapy), and that he was not a psychiatrist; I asked him why my past wasn’t interesting since I was under the impression that it is allready tried therapies that to some extent determines the next step, he just repeated the same bullshit over again. Like psychiatrists can flourish some fng harry-potter magic wand and lure out the hidden beast that is my apparently “phobic” problem (yet I present no symptoms of any phobia; I go to school, I work, I go out at times, I hang with my friends etc.). So incredibly ad-hoc; In theoretical philophy I study metascience (valid approaches of science), and that was not scientific talk that’s for sure. He argued that because I needed something to help me sleep (a mild antihistamine does it for me), it pointed towards a mental issue. The fact that I am f**ng dizzy and that maybe it’s hard to sleep for 8 hours when the bed is rocking was not important.
Apparently, only with the help of the allmighty ssri-pill and behavioral cognitive therapy (which in my opinion is bullshit if you’re an introspective person, no offence to those who like it) can I be well.

I did take it sort of personal, and will write a really f**ng angry comment on the only swedish dizziness-forum there is; which is hosted by the very same dr evil by the way. And no there is no one else. The only thing left is to call Dr.Hain; but I am a man without healthinsurance, without parents and without money. I don’t know what to do anymore. I am completely and utterly spent…

Ugh, sorry to hear that, for several reasons… :frowning:
Would you mind PM:ing me who it was? I’m pretty sure, but there are three to choose from.

Hi,
I’m so sorry to hear that. If he was an ENT it explains a lot - they simply haven’t done enough training in dizziness - it isn’t their speciality. At the beginning of this ordeal I saw two ENT’s - they both diagnosed me with a psychological problem. One of them was so nasty to me that I walked out of the hospital, sat down on a step and cried my eyes out. It was humiliating, degrading and traumatic. It is only when I saw a neurotology department - and it was a real struggle to get my GP to send me to one - that I was on the road to a proper diagnosis.

I’m sorry about the financial situation. I know how hard it is to deal with this without medical insurance. I was confused from your post as to whether you have talked to Hain already? You mentioned Hain not agreeing with what your doctor was suggesting. Or are you hoping to speak to Hain?

The only suggestion I have is that you try the very extreme elimination diet as suggested by Bucholz in the book ‘Heal Your Headache,’ that is, if you haven’t already. Both Bucholz and Rauch seem to think that if you follow the diet there is a good chance of eliminating symptoms. Obviously this is an approach that requires no drugs or money for healthcare. Are you on any drugs at present? Or without a diagnosis won’t your doctor prescribe them?

H

— Begin quote from “Hannah”

Hi,
I’m so sorry to hear that. If he was an ENT it explains a lot - they simply haven’t done enough training in dizziness - it isn’t their speciality. At the beginning of this ordeal I saw two ENT’s - they both diagnosed me with a psychological problem. One of them was so nasty to me that I walked out of the hospital, sat down on a step and cried my eyes out. It was humiliating, degrading and traumatic. It is only when I saw a neurotology department - and it was a real struggle to get my GP to send me to one - that I was on the road to a proper diagnosis.

— End quote

These guys are probably the experts in the country, though - I don’t think any of them actually carries the title neuro-otologist, but they all specialize in dizziness and nothing else.

Hi Mikael,

Sorry to hear you had such an awful experience with the dcotor. There is nothing more insulting and patronising than that dismissive “it’s all in your head” response. The irony is that if it really were in your head, an experience like you had with this doctor just makes you feel worse - so if the doctor really believed his own rhetoric he’d be a bit more supportive!

Victoria

I am so sorry to hear of your experience at the Dr. I have been going from Dr. to Dr. for a few years. I was diagnosed with meniere’s, neuronitis, etc. But I am not beening seen by a oto-neurologist at Mass Eye and Ear Balance Clinic in Boston, Massachusetts. He is the one who finally diagnosed Migraine Associated Vertigo. He recommended the book Heal Your Headache The 1-2-3 Program by Dr. Buckholz. It was great. You read other’s symptoms and say “exactly, that is exactly how I feel”. It was great to know there are others out there with the same feelings. It does described the elimination diet, and suggests some supplements such as B-2, Magnesium, etc. I suggest you read the book.
I have been dizzy for about 3 years now and this does make it tolerable, but does not eleminate it. But I do feel better.
Good luck.

A little over a year ago I had an appt. with a neuro who thought he was Greg House, Jr. Going into it, I had been diagnosed with eplipesy. This guy took one look at me and after a brief discussion and examination informed me that I had had nothing more than anxiety. The basis for his opinion was that I’m a teeth grinder and that my EEG results were inconclusive. I asked how to treat anxiety. He said anti-depressants but said that I shouldn’t be prescribed any, rather I should “deal with it”. At that point he flew out of the exam room and that was the last I ever heard from him. It wasn’t until I left his office that It dawned upon me why. He asked if a parent had an addiction problem, which I answered in the affirmative. My problem with this guy wasn’t necessarily what he said; I was later diagnosed with migraine but obviously there is no test to confirm such a diagnosis as the doctors are only making assumptions based upon symptoms related. If he really thought it was anxiety and didn’t want to prescribe meds then you would think he would try to point the patient in the direction of a therapist or at least some self help type literature. Good luck to all.