Unless you have dealt with this issue no one really understands including doctors. One day after vacation I woke up dizzy but mostly imbalance. I went to the doctor because I thought it might have been the flight, after round of steroids, sent to ENT had all the battery of tests and was told it was in my head. I was so mad with that ENT. How I worked through all of this Iāll never know but as time went on I managed and although I had bouts I was okay. I was 48 at the time. Fast forward 15years to today I was still concerned because I was tripping around very uncoordinated. My doc sent me to a new neurologist specializing in ENT issues. She took my history and examined me, she performed the Epley Manuever and I had crazy nystagmus, scared the crap out of me. She said she did not expect that response based on what I told her. Apparently my crystals were out of place all this time, I went to vestibular PT. My ear crystals now reset and my brain needs to adjust all over. It sucks and I understand your anxiety, I am also being treated for silent migraines as many of my symptoms fall into that category. I still believe mine started with a virus, taking one day at a time. Iām really working on keeping my anxiety in check.
Hey Deborah, thanks for sharing your experience. Iāve moved your personal story here to keep that Diary focused on the protagonist. 
When the doc did the maneuver your eyes must have did some fancy dancing. Did they do more testing than that? I have vestibular migraines along with PPPD. I have suffered from falls that became more frequent in the past two years. Your symptoms are similar to my earlier episodes. *Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, but I have suffered through VMs for almost 40 years.
I, too, somehow managed to work while suffering pain and the milder dizzinessācould not work when had the vertigo episodes.
I think youāre right with the virus connection. I believe a change in your system can jumpstart, or bring forward something that was previously dormant in your body. I have had them bi-annually for years, got ātheā vaccine, 5 days later they came 3-4 days a week. Fast forward to this Valentineās Day, I have them daily, mild to severe. But, with the new frequency, came constant imbalance more frequent falls, feeling like Iām trying to balance on a water filled planetāthatās where the PPPD comes in. If the physical therapy hasnāt gotten you back to normal for the ear crystals, I would research PPPD and talk to your doctor about it.
I hope you get feeling better soon! As for me, this is my new ānormalā, so I am doing the best I can to come to terms with it.