Hello, I'm new and came across this site today and it seemed to be going in a direction I need at this time. Also, I am happy to see the activity here, unlike many others. I need help from those who I am sure have been through much the same as I. My story is long but I will try to make it short.

Two years ago I fell from standing 8 ft on a ladder hitting the ground and lunging backward into a loaded metal wheelbarrow striking it just abouve my spinal column, it in turn went a couple of feet. Not until recently did I believe I was knocked unconscious for a short but undetermined time. I did not seek medical attention at the time but was dazed and confused for a period of time. Not until I "failed" vestibular rehab and the therapist told me I had neurological symptoms as well as vestibular symptoms did this become important. Doctors to this point dismissed it completely.

This began two years ago. After 5 months, I practically dropped, without warning with severe vertigo, vomitting, confusion. Over a few days the vertigo and walking problems stayed with me. I did go to the Doctor who treated me with meds and expected it to go away. Well, it didn't. This went on for a while and I was referred to an ENT (small town) who did testing eventually and found nystagmus. He tried a couple of meds and nothing helped. The ENT said it was over his head. Eventually I was sent to a neuro otologist and convinced to have dex shots which did not work. All he wanted to do was more and afterward I starting having serious balance issues as well as walking, more cognitive problems, tinnitus, etc. Up to that time (6 months) I had about 8 more severe episodes taking days to recover. In total probably about twelve episodes. My vision was becoming impaired, congniton was embarrassing and fatigue was horrible not to mentions nasuea and vomitting. I continue with this today. Now, I have added severe balance problems (use cane), pulsing in my ears, chronic fatigue, brain fog and cognition problems as well as some bad sensitivity to noise. I am very limited in computer use, televison and activities (go figure) and anything requiring dexterity and stability. I had a good job as a cost accountant and did very well as a woodturning artist and just for kicks, remodeling. So I went from 60 to 0 quickly.

Eventually I went to a specialist in Nashville who diagnosed me with SCD after (in his words) I failed a vemp test miserably as well as not being able to get a baseline on a posturography. Six months later I was undiagnosed. He sent me to VRT where the issue of head injury was brought up as well as vestibular and this was passed on to the the Doctor. Well, he dismissed this, undiagnosed my SCD after a CT of my temporal bone. In his words he told me he didn't know what was wrong or what to do. Go back home and let your primary take care of you and if I wanted I could come back in six months I could. Well, the primary just grunts when given information.

Now, I'm very desperate. I haven't been able to work in a year not to mention anything else.

Please excuse my long post but I know questions are coming (hope?) My only alternative is Mayo in Jacksonville where I have and appointment but now I am apprehensive about going there.

Thanks in advance,
Mike