viral panel / immunological approach

Stephen,

Interesting re all peripheral. Thanks. I recently had a discussion with Prof Steve Rauch about this: he made an interesting point that "most all other vestibulopathies, both central and peripheral, test abnormalities tend to "cluster", showing all peripheral dysfunction or all central. Migraine does not cluster, but shows "scattered" abnormalities that have some elements of peripheral dysfunction and some elements of central dysfunction. Cases of scattered abnormalities are almost diagnostic of migraine -- or at least highly suggestive. There also seems to be greatly increased test-retest variation rather than consistent findings. Finally, migraineurs are highly intolerant of vestibular function testing --- they are MUCH more likely to have vomiting during the testing and MUCH more likely to have lingering dizziness and vertigo for days (or weeks) after testing than any other dizzy patients."

I had asked a question about the caloric test in particular which sent me right off the rails for weeks in 2003. There's an article here I thought you'd dig reading as well if you haven't already come across it in the database from MedicineToday (2011):

http://www.mvertigo.org/articles/vertigo_and_migraine2011.pdf

There's a good differential dx diagram in there.

LK

 

LK:

This is where I get confused, the hearing loss and the ecog test.
Do people with migraine always have a feeling like there is water in their ear/s?

Stephen, what is considered an abnormal ecog test? Does the readin have to be above .35 or .50 to get a definite positive hydrops reading.

Shea Ear Clinic I believe used a .35 but Hain uses a .50 reading. Big Difference!

 

Glad you posted this,good to know.I only had brief email correspondence with him and no direct experience.That sucks that he offered you little help.

 

Stephen, can you tell us in detail how are you sure that you are not just in remission. not disregarding your treatment, but just curious as to how in your opinion can you diffrentiate between the two.

 

can you explain in detail what low grade activity was going on in your other good ear

 

Can you explain what is meant by "ad hoc" antivirals?

Which prescription antivirals did you take?

How long did you take them for?

What was the dose?

Same questions for "natural" antivirals:

Which "natural" antivirals did you take?

How long did you take them for?

What was the dose?

 

Yeah, what she said...

 

My doctor won't approve the viral panel or immunological tests. I can't get any of the specialists to become interested enough in my blood disorder (HTLV II) to get them to do a complete panel - as you suggest. What's left for someone like me? I don't have the money to go it on my own. Sounds like I'm stuck...

 

Holly;

Try the UW? They are supposed to be top notch and cutting edge!

 

I have exactly the same symptoms in my good ear now, too. :-(

 

Thank you, Stephen. Would you mind being a little more specific?

How long did you take famicyclovir?

What was the dosage?


How long did you take acyclovir?

What was the dosage?


How long did you take immunovir?

What was the dosage?


How long did you take glriccyz(sp?) acid?

What was the dosage?


How long did you take L-Lysine?

What was the dosage?

 

Sounds like you were in "try out" stages on these different medications. That's exactly where most of the people here are at. What, if anything, finally worked? It seems from what you write that you have no definitive information regarding which treatment(s) gave you relief or even that you're in a place where you can give others hope on finding out what best suits them.

I know you've done a lot of work trying to answer all the questions posted at you but I'm still at a loss as to whether or not something you've done has given you relief or that your symptoms have, basically, reduced over time. Everything seems so disjointed or over-analyzed, that it's like trying to read between the lines.

So, though it's been asked many times I'm sure, how can you help me? Is "go to a virologist/immunologist" you're whole spiel?

 

So, again I must apologize for asking a question that I'm sure has been already asked - what is the virus that you found out was causing your symptoms - in a word or two?

 

I suppose Holly's next simple question might be to ask what virus initiates the T cell dysfunction.

 

Hank I know you are not asking me but I would imagine any virus could do that including HIV.

 

You'll find the answer here (cliff's notes version: it was a combination of EBV and HSV1):
http://www.menieres.org/forum/index.php/topic,34587.msg705869.html#msg705869

 

Question for Stephen--If it's a T cell dysfunction, then why doesn't it affect both ears?

 

Human T-lymphotropic virus 2 (HTLV-II) I have this specific virus. It is a T cell dysfunction. Can it be linked through some study or virologist or immunologist that it is the virus that has caused the AIED I have been diagnosed with? (Just an example of what you talk about re; viral or immunity based problems causing Meniere's).

HIV is a specific virus that affects the immune system. There are drugs that specifically target this virus. There are many illnesses associated with HIV. The same thing could be said of HTLV II if (big IF) they would study it like they do HIV but HTLV II is not a killer virus - yet - as far as they know...

Shouldn't there be specific drugs that target the T virus I have? How does going to a virologist etc..., for blood tests help when there are so many immunity based issues already invading my body?


Hey Hank, am I being to simple with my questions? I know what you said wasn't a blast at me but what is it that I'm not getting here? Maybe you can explain it - I understand Hankinese

 

Stephen, Is that your opinion or is that opinion shared by your doctor colleagues too?

 

Stephen, apologies for all the questions but i have a couple more. 1. can you tell us what guided your course of treatment from the virology tests you had and the immunology tests? ie what did not look right in both tests.
2. what drugs were used as treatment for the above ( i presume ) out of kilter tests.
Apologies if you have posted about this previously, i am trying to get my head around all of this. i am an engineer by profession so all this med speak etc is new and confusing to me.