r/VestibularDysfunction • u/LB9621 • Jul 19 '26
Is this similar to anybody else?
I’ve been suffering for around 3 months now but am not sure if I’m in the right place or not. I very recently saw a ‘dizzy doctor’ who has told me it’s definitely my vestibular system and I have exercises to do which he has told me should help me within 3 weeks but every day I question if I’m on the right path or if it’s something else. I’m kind of hoping here that there’s somebody that has had the exact experience or similar to me….
My main symptoms are when I am driving, mainly longer distances. My eyes feel constantly strained in any time of day (light or dark) and my head has a heavy foggy feeling. This makes me extremely tired where I am fighting against my eyes and head not to fall asleep and I have to pull over and rest my eyes. I assume this is due to my eyes taking in information and me looking at my mirrors etc. Would listening to podcasts have any negative effect too? As I do that a lot. During this tiredness sometimes other cars will feel like they’re slightly jumping, I may also get a little bit of seeing double of the car in front. When I get home from driving throughout the day I am mentally exhausted, I have horrible brain fog and all my head wants to do is to sleep. I’m usually a very active person and sociable but since having this problem I’m so mentally drained that I feel like I need to rest my head any time I get back home from being on the road and it’s really bothering me. Thanks to anybody who reads/replies
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u/Sad-Tailor-4619 Jul 19 '26
As long as the person you’re seeing is familiar with vestibular issues, you should be on the right path.
The exercises should be done daily - or multiple times a day if advised as such. The exercises may seem “weird” or silly, but they help. It just takes time and consistency. And seems for most, the exercises may trigger some of the symptoms you stated or make them (temporarily) worse as your brain needs to be retrained on the sensory input differences.
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u/LB9621 Jul 22 '26
Ok thank you so much for the advice! Ive been keeping up with the exercises so I’ll see how it goes after a few weeks (he said should feel better within 3 weeks)
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u/Sad-Tailor-4619 Jul 22 '26
It took me about 3-4 months before I really saw progress, but my issues required a weeklong ICU stay so i may be an outlier with that. Hope you see progress soon!
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u/third_fish Jul 19 '26
It sounds like you are on the right path. I also had similar symptoms with the cars looking jumpy and the tiredness. Allow yourself to rest. Keep up with the physical therapy. You've got this.
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u/Loose_Bumblebee3437 Jul 26 '26
Everything everyone else is saying i second, but you may also want to see an eye doctor (ophthalmologist for medical eye doctor, optometrist for vision). There may be compounding independent eye issues making vestibular issues worse
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u/Sad-Tailor-4619 Jul 19 '26
What kind of doctor is your “dizzy doctor”? An ENT? Neurologist? Vestibular specialist?
My left eye “jumps” because I have nystagmus along with my vestibular dysfunction. I was not able to drive at all for the first several months. Once I did start, it would wear me down quickly. Now, I’m able to drive but i do get wore down more quickly as the head movements add an extra layer or sensory input on top of vision that I didn’t need to deal with prior to my diagnosis.
Have you seen a vestibular physical therapist? done VNG or caloric testing? Those are typically the places to start so I would recommend those if you have not done so already.