Vertigo, dizziness and lack of energy

In September of 1993, I was jolted awake when I turned over in bed and the world started spinning. I had no warning and no previous encounters with dizziness. I could not believe what I was experiencing and was extremely scared. I tried to get up but slammed my head into the wall. That's when I realized that with all the spinning I didn't even know where "up" was!

It subsided in about 90 seconds but as soon as I moved it started all over again. The MD at the emergency room said "I've never heard of such a thing" and prescribed anti-vert, a motion sickness type drug. The only thing that did was knock me out. I was told I would get used to it, but over a period of six weeks that never happened. It was either spin, or be knocked out... not a good list of choices.

I found a "regular" chiropractor who said to give her a year, come 2-3 times a week and she would be able to give me relief. I went for the year and got some relief, but it did not eliminate the "hits" as I call them, or make me feel confident in my ability to do anything like drive. Also, the process was painful. I had a tendency to tense up when I knew the "crack" or "pop" was coming. Afterward, I felt bruised and had to ice where the adjustment was made. Then just when it was feeling better, it was time to go back again so it was not a pleasant experience for me. I stopped going after the year.

I walked around with my head held tight and people would always ask me if I had a stiff neck. I'd tell them "no, I just can't move my head or there will be an earthquake inside". If you saw me on the street you'd think I was drunk, staggering while I walked, holding onto the walls and having trouble on stairs and turns. This was no way to live.

I went back to my MD. He diagnosed me with "benign positional vertigo" and said "You know? Many people have this and learn to live with it." Not the answer I was seeking. He appeased my by giving me a referral to an ENT - ear, nose and throat specialist who then referred me to a vestibular therapist. There is a theory that microscopic bone chips in the inner ear cause blockage of the fluids necessary for balance and their displacement via a procedure called canalith repositioning has rumors of success. The procedure involves lying on a table with the head extended over the end. The head is then dropped back and held to the right for 90 seconds, then moved to the left and the body is then brought up to sitting position after which the patient must remain upright for 36 hours, theory being that gravity lures the chips out of the ear canals and fall down to a safer place where they will stay. If you have vertigo, I don't have to tell you how the thought of going through this scared me. The only part that sounded ok was the sitting up for 36 hours. I was doing that already because I was mostly sleeping while sitting up in a chair. However, I was desperate. Over the course of the next months, I had this procedure done 9 times. It did not work.

After that it was on to another doctor for evaluation for surgery to disable the balance system on the side that was giving me trouble. The findings were that both sides seemed to be affected and that surgery might make me worse.

I did the rest of the vestibular therapy and although it allowed me to learn to live with vertigo, it did not get rid of the eerie sensation that I could lose control any moment, the "hits" that would come over me and take every ounce of energy away, or the imbalance felt whenever a simple movement or vibration would trigger it.

I found a new chiropractor with yet another technique. She told me she could not help me and referred me to yet another chiropractor with yet another technique. He saw me for two visits before he told me he could not help me but knew who could. He referred me to a NUCCA chiropractor, Dr. Russell Friedman. Four and a half years after the spinning began I was on my way to the 14th professional. Poor Dr. Friedman. I was not a happy camper. He said he was optimistic but I told him in no uncertain terms that I'd been doing this for over 4 years and everybody I met said that same thing. I'd only be happy with him if he could show me results.

He took films of my head and neck and explained that my atlas (C-1 vertebra) was not only off balance but that it was twisted and he'd work on getting that straightened out. Then, as my body healed, I should begin noticing differences. I said "fine, do it". When he did the correction, I was floored. After going to the other chiropractors I was expecting more twisting and cracking but I hardly felt anything... just a gentle touch right under my ear. Dr. Friedman took more films and showed me how what he did straightened out my head. Then my body started to heal itself. I remember the first day I felt "normal". I left him a voicemail message that I hadn't felt dizzy for two whole hours and I was nearly ecstatic. I think I may have even smiled that day.

That was 12 years ago. I continue to maintain my balance through the use of NUCCA and have noticed many other benefits. I sleep through the night. I now know what "regularity" feels like and it's a good thing. Drugs have side EFFECTS but NUCCA has side BENEFITS. I've become an advocate for NUCCA and many of my friends and acquaintances have benefitted from NUCCA care.

I realize there is not one single cure for everything, but no matter what the symptom, if you think you've tried everything, don't give up. Try NUCCA. It may very well be your answer too.

-Barbara, 61