October, 2008

I started having severe dizzy spells after a fall over a year ago. With the spells my blood pressure became dangerously high (200/110) but I could not take any of the four types of blood pressure meds becasue they made me dizzier, so fear of stroke added to my anxiety. My job was getting harder to do. I quit socializing and doing anything but going from my job, to the sofa and bed for a year. I was exhausted and in despair. It felt like no-one understood becasue I looked "normal".

I had tried everything: meds, acupuncture, chiropractic, massage and energy healing. Some of these helped but none completely resolved the feeling that I was falling or dying. Fear had taken over my life and the Center was my last hope. I first started specific vertigo exercises at Allina physical therapy which helped and then was referred to the Dizzy and Balance Center by a neurologist. I finally understood that my problem was a unilateral vestibular loss, more likely from a virus, rather than a head injury.

Three weeks ago I finished my physical therapy with the Center. I have not had a dizzy spell since, even with many of the triggers that set the "spells off" before - stress, driving, standing to long etc.

I took time off work to do the therapy, no matter how dizzy I got and I began to feel better and miraculously, after four weeks the spells were gone. I am still in shock and so grateful to have my life back again. I am slowly returning to normal activities and back to work. I am writing this to give others hope that they too will have and end to their suffering.

Thanks to Sara and the center for your help!

~ Diana M.
~ Age 55