So I finally went to see an actual âdizziness-specialistâ (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 âquestionsâ. However he didnât 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 âLET ME FINISHâ. 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 Iâm 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 didnât he would say I was imagining stuff cause he couldnât find anything⌠What a f***g prick; how all these doctors can be so cold and inhumane I donât know.
And his logic was the most flawed Iâve 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!
Really sorry to hear you had such a miserable time with the jerk. You almost leave those appointments feeling like youâve been violated or something. The first âspecialistâ 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 ââ especially ones where he doesnât understand whatâs 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?
Iâm afraid he didnât. 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 âphobicâ dizziness. When I asked him what the fâk I was supposed to do with such a diagnosis, especially given that Iâve already tried the therapy route (which didnât 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 Iâm 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 wasnât 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 âphobicâ 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 thatâs 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 itâs 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 youâre 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 donât know what to do anymore. I am completely and utterly spentâŚ
Hi,
Iâm so sorry to hear that. If he was an ENT it explains a lot - they simply havenât done enough training in dizziness - it isnât their speciality. At the beginning of this ordeal I saw two ENTâs - 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.
Iâm 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 âHeal Your Headache,â that is, if you havenât 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 wonât your doctor prescribe them?
Hi,
Iâm so sorry to hear that. If he was an ENT it explains a lot - they simply havenât done enough training in dizziness - it isnât their speciality. At the beginning of this ordeal I saw two ENTâs - 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.
â End quote
These guys are probably the experts in the country, though - I donât think any of them actually carries the title neuro-otologist, but they all specialize in dizziness and nothing else.
Sorry to hear you had such an awful experience with the dcotor. There is nothing more insulting and patronising than that dismissive âitâs all in your headâ 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 heâd be a bit more supportive!
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 meniereâs, 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 otherâs symptoms and say âexactly, that is exactly how I feelâ. 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 Iâm a teeth grinder and that my EEG results were inconclusive. I asked how to treat anxiety. He said anti-depressants but said that I shouldnât be prescribed any, rather I should âdeal with itâ. At that point he flew out of the exam room and that was the last I ever heard from him. It wasnât 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 wasnât 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 didnât 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.