update no. 2

In addition to the below...

I had the strange audiology tests today, of which I won't go into detail, and I only get the results for in 6 weeks, but it was an interesting experience and knocked me round a bit. The reason for this update is that I had a surprise opening to see another neurologist today (I could only see him in May on a regular appointment). He, like my current neurologist, was of the opinion that it is most likely a rare form of migraine but he hasn't come across someone with a similar issue. He affirmed that I am doing all the right things and that my current neurologist is the best in Melbourne for vertigo-related issues. He was the most sympathetic of practitioners that I have seen and basically said to bear with it and due to the episodic nature of my condition it will go away at some point, it's just a matter of when, and trying medication on the hope it will work. There was nothing really new to add but it was good to know that I am doing all I can (and for my mum, who came along, to hear that as well - she's been great and basically knows as much as me about things now).

So unless there's a change in my condition there'll be nothing new for me to say in the next 6 weeks. Thanks all for your concern, and hopefully I'll have better news next time.

Thought I'd write an update for those that are interested: I now do not have a diagnosis for my condition so one could say it is a mystery illness. The current neurologist I am seeing still believes it is likely to be migraine-related, however the previous neurologist who gave me drug treatment in hospital says the drugs would have gotten rid of the episode if it was. There are a lot of grey areas in migraine and epilepsy conditions, and these days it sounds as if a lot of neurological issues that don't fit into other categories are diagnosed as migraine. A few things resonate with me when hearing about why it could be migraine, but there's more that doesn't make sense - one being that it has now been 3 months of constant symptoms in this episode. I'm currently trialling different medications to see what will happen (note lack of optimism for success), and tomorrow i have a variety of balance/hearing tests done, again without any serious thought that anything will show up. Doctors have told me that what I have doesn't fit with any inner ear disorders. Despite having had every test I can think of and trying traditional and alternative medicine (Chinese herbs for migraine cures are particularly hard to swallow), my mum continues to try and think of other avenues to solutions - I'll probably try and see some sort of diagnostician or phsyician at some point for another opinion. Meanwhile i continue to plug along. I'm over it but at the same time I'm OK if I'm relaxed and comfortable, and am still thankful for everything I have in life. My main concern is with work and my inabilty to sufficently care for my family - particularly Kara as she enters the last stage of pregnancy (less than 3 months to go til we meet our daughter), however our mums have been excellent and always make themselves available to help out.

I've found that calling it a mystery illness has made it harder for people I know to understand and deal with what I have, and I have heard a lot of suggestions and opinions on what i have and what to do. I'd probably think the same way if I heard someone I knew was saying they had a mystery illness. Unfortunately hope for a full diagnosis is slim. Whatever I have is uncommon and if a diagnosis is ever fully found it will have to be for a rare condition. It is more likely that it will stay classified as a grey area of migraine, and it will be something i have to learn to deal with. There may be a medication that can in some way control what i have, but my main hope is that it will just go away. I've really appreciated the amount of people who are thinking and praying for me. I'd really like to be better by my sister's wedding on Feb 13 so if you could keep your efforts up that would be great...

Hannah and Mike: Farewell