Thanks for the feedback! I should have stated that the ct scan came back as negative, you're right. I just meant it made me feel positive. It was nice to get some good news for a change. The results were mumbled off to me, but the gist was no cranial damage and no damage to my sinus cavity.

My chiropractor is doing weekly assessments right now, but they are getting more and more spaced out each time I go. He knows I am nervous about missing so much time from work and that I need to keep on top of reporting back to my employer about progression/no prgression.

I've been going out in short stints, for lunch, or just the local shopping store, but I find most restaurants too loud and busy at dinner times and the stores too visually irritating at any time. (Yesterday, I discovered that hand driers in Tim Hortons coffee shops were made by the devil. True story!) I feel like a grouch. I just keep wincing and grumbling about every noise made. And then I am exhausted when I get home. So I only attempt one thing each day and in short stints. I'm not a very good dinner date or shopping buddy lately, so I tend to go alone. I can't handle conversations in that chaos and I end up being snappy or ignoring my companions. That's not fair to my friends and family. I spend time with friends at home. It's easier to converse when I can control the environment around me. But that is only occasionally.

My gp definitely seems to feel that this is no big deal and that I should just be back to work and over it. Because I can successfuly stand still with my eyes closed without falling over, I must be okay. He has insisted over the past three visits that there is ABSOLUTELY NO PERFORATION, because he can't see it. He just keeps putting me on antibiotics, saying it is swimmers ear.. And yes, he is who put me on lorazepam to calm me down. But like I said, I have stopped them now. I just take a tylenol ultra when the headaches come around and I have started some breathing/meditation methods to calm me in the evenings. So far, that has really helped me with sleeping. I also find listening to books on tape at low volume help me drift off. I've also invested in a cheap eye cover thing (like the fancy ladies in the movies, lol) I like it, because it lets me sleep in later in the day. I sometimes don't fall asleep until well after midnight and any sort or light or movement has me up at dawn, regardless of how tired I am. It also helps me nap, as, for the same reasons above, I'm not a very good napper. Never have been. Doesn't matter how tired I am.

It was actually my mother who set me up with the chiropractor, who then, suggested I go see an audiologist. The audiologist did a specific ear pressure test and confirmed that my left ear drum is not responding to any stimulus at all. Both the audiologist and the chiropractor are sure that they can see a small perforation on the scar seam on my ear drum (from the tubes I had as a child). My gp assured me "there is no test for ear drums. Audiolosts aren't real doctors. There is no perforation. Here are more antibiotics". I had to insist that he refer me to an ENT before I left the office. I heard him tell the office assistant to make the referral and she said to expect a call for a date and time. That was 5 days ago and I haven't received a confirmed appointment date yet. I know offices are busy but I'm calling the specialist myself this afternoon to see if a referral was actually made. I'm starting to feel skeptical.

I usually don't speak so negatively of my gp. I've had him my entire life (he delivered me) and he's always seemed so supportive an knowledgeable. But this issue is really causing us to have conflict.

My friend, who's husband suffered a major tbi a few years ago, after being hit by a drunk driver, recommended I contact a local physiotherapist who does specific therapies for tbi, so I will also be reaching to him soon to see if he can help me in any way, as well.

I will definitely look into the vitamins. I already take standard vitamins, but I will look into the b12 and folic acid.

I do see improvements. And you're right, they are very gradual. It's frustrating, but also promising. I have to keep reminding myself of that when I get down in the dumps. It's easy to just curl up in a ball and shut everything out, but I know I have to get up and find something to do. I also have to accept that it's a process, no quick fix. (Although I'd really like to know if there is a quicker fix for my eardrum.)

I currently don't own a computer or laptop, so my tablet will have to do. I agree though, the scrolling is a bit jarring for my eyes. Also, I should apologize for all of the spelling errors. I think the autocorrect on this thing is a worse speller than I am!

I'll post another update in a week or so if I have found anymore progress.
Thanks again, for all the feedback. I really do appreciate it.
K.

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