The Beginning - Part 4: Doctors

My doctor's office was able to work me in for an appointment the very next day. “Wonderful,” I thought! I already felt somewhat relieved that I was about to have some light shed on this mysterious experience. Thursday came, by which time I was starting to feel a bit less like I was living in a fun house, though I was still dizzy and my stomach continued to be disagreeable. I still wasn’t eating much, but at least I wasn’t throwing anything up either.

When Nick came home from work, we hopped in the car. I was a tad anxious about the car ride, worried that the motion might trigger another puke-fest all over the floor of my nice Thunderbird. But we made it to the doctors’ office without an incident and Nick and I sat patiently in the waiting room, eager to find out what the devil was going on.

When the doctor came into the exam room he reviewed my symptoms and did a quick physical exam while I detailed the last four days. "Is it possible you're pregnant," he then asked?

Truth be told, that was one of the first things that crossed my mind too. However I assured him it was unlikely as I had already taken two pregnancy tests at home with negative results and hadn't missed any periods. He agreed pregnancy was unlikely and threw out a few other ideas....inner ear disturbance, some kind of virus, possible B-12 deficiency. He drew some blood, said he would run some tests and get back to me.

A week later, the results were in. Everything was normal. He went on to explain that "sometimes these things happen and they tend to resolve themselves, I really wouldn't worry about it". That sounded like a very pacifying way of saying "I don't know" to me. But, he's the medical professional. Surely he wouldn't send me on my way if there was truly something to be concerned about. And I was starting to feel better. Maybe I really shouldn't worry about it.

A week passed. While the vertigo seemed to have subsided and I felt decent enough to return to work, I was still constantly dizzy and felt mildly nauseated most of the time. I was also unusually tired. Something was just not right. I decided to get a second opinion and made an appointment with another doctor in our neighborhood, opting for a woman this time in hopes of a bit more consideration.

After hearing my account of the last couple weeks, Dr. McLady* believed it likely I was having a silent migraine, which is a migraine without the headache. I hadn't heard of this before, but she assured me they were quite common and can sometimes be accompanied by the symptoms I had been experiencing. She also assured me this was very easily treatable and recommended a course of low-dose Valium to be taken consistently for two weeks.

Well this was certainly a step ahead of Dr.Don't Worry About It and sounded like it could be progress. I started the treatment and two weeks later....(drum roll please)....I was feeling exactly the same. The only change I noticed was the increase in my frustration.

When I explained this at my follow up visit, Dr. McLady admitted she wasn't sure what was going on, but referred me to an otolaryngologist (ENT) who specialized in dizziness. I was growing weary at this point, but supposed this guy was worth a try. Third time's a charm, perhaps?

When I called to schedule an appointment with Dr. Dizzy*, I was informed his soonest opening was in a month. A month?? I had already spent a month getting nowhere and I was none too keen on waiting another. The receptionist explained that Dr. Dizzy came highly recommended and assured me that he was worth the wait. I supposed if this guy really was the Gregory House of otolaryngology then it was probably in my best interest to see him. Feeling slightly defeated, I scheduled the appointment for the last week in April.

*Names have been changed to protect the imperceptive.