Patient Stories

My journey living with a vestibular disorder started in December 2013. Days have not been easy and have been very challenging but I see light at the end of the tunnel.

My first episode with vertigo came in the middle of the night when I went to use the washroom and my head was spinning and I felt like I was bouncing off the walls. I landed face down on the bathroom floor and was helped back into bed by my husband. The next day I thought to myself I must have some sort of the flu and that this would pass. I slowly started to move about my house but always felt “off". Not knowing what was going on I reached out to a local physiotherapist's office and we discussed the possibility that this could be an inner ear and vestibular issue. I didn't know that our inner ear affects our balance and can cause dizziness and so my rollercoaster began.

In January 2014 my local physiotherapist suggested we try the Epley manoeuvre. After the movement, I became so dizzy and nauseated that I was sick to my stomach and she was reluctant to do the manoeuvre again. She coached me through the next few visits and again I always felt "off". I was back in physiotherapist office in August 2015 because I had small symptoms like feeling fatigued, blips in my vision, concentration was poor, lightheadedness, blips in my head, for example, I would get sensations of the starting of dizziness but was able to move my head to get out of a full spin. These small episodes occurred over the course of five years. Each time I was able to manage with life although I was cautious as to how long I could be out at night or how long I could be in a restaurant as noise levels and commotion I couldn't process.

Fast forward to May 2019. I again started to feel "off". I remember driving on a road trip and I had to pull off the road because I started to have blips in my vision and slight dizziness. In bed my head started to spin as I turned my head from side to side, I started to feel off-balance like one leg was shorter than the other and in the mall, I had to sit down because of dizziness. This sent me back to the physiotherapy office and my medical doctor. The physiotherapist talked me through the Epley and told me to come back the next day and if I wanted to do the Epley with her I could or I could try it at home on my own. The next day I did the Epley at home and I had the most vicious attack of vertigo that I have ever had. I did the movement once and I was shaking so badly that my husband suggested we go to the hospital. The ER doctor sent me for a CT scan and the imaging came back fine. I was also referred to an ENT doctor. In the meantime, my family physician also referred me to an ENT who she said: "specializes in dizziness". I waited five months for that appointment and I was sent for an MRI which came back normal and he handed me a piece of paper with a movement to do to help with my dizziness which in fact made my dizziness worse. So after a CT scan and MRI that was normal, I was lost and very upset that nothing showed on these tests because something was still very wrong with how I felt and that I couldn't function in my day-to-day tasks. I couldn't get up in the morning without my head spinning, I couldn't look up at the birds in the trees, I couldn't go out to a restaurant with friends, I couldn't go to church, I couldn't watch TV with my family, I couldn't stay up late, I couldn't reach down and tie my shoes, I couldn't drive, I couldn't look at the lake water while on vacation, I couldn't read a book and I had terrible ear pain and pressure that not even the neurologist could solve. For a year and half, I found myself going to appointments after appointments to no resolve and the mental exhaustion was real.

Finally, in October 2020 I was introduced to Sonia and she helped me get my life back. Through vestibular rehab, Sonia slowly introduced me to techniques and exercises to get me moving again and having the confidence to do the tasks of living. Sonia taught me about the different body systems involved and how we need to get the systems working together to improve balance, improve vision stabilization and doing exercises that provoke dizziness. During the early stages of rehab, the exercises were hard to do because they made me dizzy and uneasy. Week after week, I did the exercises and found that they became easier to do and my dizziness became less and less. The pain in my ear also lessened. Sonia endlessly answered my repeated questions week after week. The mental toll this takes on an individual with a vestibular disorder is so hard. I felt embarrassed, I felt I didn't have control, I felt alone, I felt scared, and I felt afraid many days.  Sonia provided me with great resources to read and videos to watch to help me feel I wasn't alone on this journey. She supported me with finding the triggers in my life that can cause vertigo. I now know that chronic stress is a huge trigger for my vertigo.

Today, my life is back. I have to admit I have worked hard at my rehab and I haven't missed a day of doing my home-prescribed exercises multiple times a day. I'm feeling confident to do all my daily tasks, my housework, I can walk outside and look up at the birds, I'm working out now doing gym exercises and 30 minutes of cardio five times a week. I still have days that I feel a little "off" and the ear pressure comes back but they are becoming less and less and I'm feeling stronger and more confident in all aspects of my life. Vestibular rehab was the only treatment that worked for me and I can't praise Sonia enough. Thank you, thank you!

One day after work in August of 2020, out of nowhere I experienced a violent and non-stop vertigo attack which ended up with me being rushed to the hospital by ambulance. For the entire night the world was spinning to the point that I needed to be sedated. The next day, spinning had stopped but I had zero balance as if I was standing on the edge of a cliff and about to fall. Basically the day before I was jogging and the next day I had to use a walker. After my scans showed no signs of stroke, I was sent to therapy. After months of therapy, I could eventually get my balance back, but my vision was suffering from oscillopsia (bouncing vision) and I had continuous dizziness. 

I saw a few doctors and specialists, all the tests that was needed was done and I was told that I was ok. I was told to see a neurologist and my only option would be antidepressants. 

My therapy had plateaued so I stopped the therapy, but I was still dizzy and the oscillopsia would not get better.

It’s hard explaining to people that you are suffering when you do not look sick. 

It’s hard to explain to people that when I brush my teeth or my hair I get dizzy, when I apply moisturizer on my face I get buzzy. I was worried people and even doctors would think that it’s all in my head. I was being worn out by constant dizziness with every step I took. 

I really thought this is it, I am going to have to live with this. I have always been so energetic, and a cheerful person. This was affecting me and my whole being. I would look at the mirror and could only see my sad eyes. I couldn’t even drive without being anxious when I would see other cars driving on the opposite side.

Then, I met Sonia. My world changed. For real and quickly. 

She is very knowledgeable and eager to help her patients. Vestibular issues are not very well known, much less treated accordingly. She has the latest information; this is her specialty and she seriously wants you to get better.

She assessed me with a series of questions, and put me on some specific exercises. She simplified everything and told me why I get dizzy with every movement. I did what she prescribed religiously. She would check to see if I needed to move to a new and more advanced exercise and I listened to her and did what she’d tell me.

It did not take me long to see results. I am much better. The dizziness is minimal and getting better, and the oscillopsia is reduced drastically too.

Today, I drove by myself, just like before. This is celebratory for me.

Not only is Sonia knowledgeable and passionate about her work, she is kind and understanding. She gave me hope when I did not have much, and I HIGHLY recommend her with any vestibular issues, because she can save you.

I was introduced to Sonia by my previous therapist, following a year of ongoing symptoms from a gym accident in 2019.  I was recovering from a concussion and still experiencing headaches, dizziness, and neck pain.  Simple things like increased heart rate, bending over, night driving, and excessive screen time all aggravated my symptoms.  

When I first started treatment I worried about when or if I’d ever return to normal exercise and activities.  Sonia’s approach was well-rounded and she assigned new exercises every week.  I started to see improvements after a few months, initially in my mobility and eventually in other areas.  I found that Sonia has a great attitude that helped instill confidence, and motivated me to keep progressing.

I now feel substantially recovered.  I’ve resumed activities like swimming, skiing, and running, and continue to do some of the exercises she taught me at home.  I find Sonia to be experienced and knowledgeable,  and am grateful I met her at a time when I was very discouraged about my health and wellbeing.