MAR 2, 18 .. VERTIGO FINAL UPDATE
Well the time has finally come to call my vertigo issue a wrap. Finally we have an answer.
The answer is : Today’s modern medicine does NOT have the answer to all medical issues.
Today I had my appointment with two neurologists here at the Mayo Clinic Hospital. First with one doctor. After this first consultation and examination, that doctor then consulted (in private) with a second doctor. Lastly the two doctors met with Patti and me.
Both Patti and I agreed, and were happy with, the first doctor’s very thorough examination of me. Basically I was asked a lot of questions (Have you ever had double vision, have you ever had hot / cold flashes, have you ever had numbness in your toes / elsewhere in your legs, and on and on) and then I was checked out for a lot of neurological responses. Can you feel this, can you feel that as they pressed a vibrating tuning fork against parts of my legs / feet. Shut your eyes, put your hands straight out, now (keeping your eyes closed) touch your nose with your right index finger. Now do the same with you left index finger. Walk on you tip toes. Walk on your heels. Walk the tight-rope line, heel-to-toe like a sobriety field test. Keep your head stationary. Follow my finger with your eyes. There were more. You get the idea.
I passed all of these tests.
“We can do more. We can evaluate the blood flow to your brain. IF we find a small blockage we will not do anything. Your MRI brain scan rules out a lot of issues that can and do cause vertigo.”
The second doctor said, “You’re the victim of a drive-by-shooting. You experience a vertigo event and the shooter is gone.”
Translation : No medical professional will be with you when you have one of your very infrequent vertigo events.
Conclusion : From this moment onward into the future, when I have a vertigo event, I will record its day / date / time / length of event / other details as appropriate (I was in bed waking up in the morning, I moved my head to look at the clock to tell the time and the bed and I began to spin).
More than one of you have questioned my ability to drive an automobile.
To date 100% of my vertigo events have occurred :
- In bed.
- First thing in the morning, upon awakening.
- None have lasted longer than 5-minutes.
- I can, and I do, go months with no vertigo events.
The doctors also said that my February 6th incident, where my head fell like a brick onto the kitchen sink faucet and caused my black eye, may NOT have had anything to do with my vertigo.
So? Wait and see. Carefully detail all future events. Be aware of any changes in the type of event. So far 100% of my vertigo events, beginning 12/12/2012 in Lafayette, Louisiana, and continuing to the present, have been in bed, upon awakening, have been spinning events.
Next Thursday the 8th of March I see a general practitioner of internal medicine for a complete and comprehensive work up.
My faith lies 100% with Mayo Clinic. I will not pursue this elsewhere.
Over and Out for now.
Cap and Patti.