Bindy

I suffered catastrophic vestibular failure in Dec 2012 combined with BPPV due to gentamicin toxicity following surgery. I struggled along for several months before I was fortunate enough to find Samy. Within minutes of meeting him he diagnosed bilateral BPPV, and over two sessions corrected this, he also started me on a course of vestibular rehab therapy to try to improve my balance and various other problems that I had. Over the following months ( which did turn into years as I still see him now!) I saw him regularly and with his fantastic help and support I have improved far more than I ever believed would be possible. On my part I did work hard making sure that I did all the exercises he gave me each visit - (however odd some of them seemed!) as I realised that I had found the one person who truly understood my problem, and had the knowledge, understanding and ability to do something about it. Samy is not only fantastic at what he does, but he is also kind, patient and supportive. As a family, we will never be able to thank him enough for the difference he has made - There is no doubt whatsoever that without his help, so many aspects of my life would be far more difficult and challenging than they are now.
Bindy

West Midlands, 30-Jan-2022

Mrs. G Spilsbury

 
 During the third and an extended bout of extreme dizziness and nausea I visited the GP who diagnosed ‘vertigo’. He gave me a chance to read about the condition on his computer screen so that I could confirm my symptoms, told me that it was ‘not a life-threatening condition’ and concluded that I would ‘learn to live with it’.
I left the surgery with a fact sheet and a repeat prescription for the antihistamine. I was devastated. One month later nothing had changed apart from the medication made me lethargic and I had not learned to live with it. In fact, if anything it had become more difficult to live with because the tinnitus had increased and I had lost all hearing in my left ear and it was compromised in the right ear.
I could not comprehend how I was to live with this – I could not walk in a straight line, I was unable to drive, to hear, to sleep.
I searched for help – I found Samy Selvanayagam at the DizzyCare Clinic.
I left a message on Samy’s website, he answered immediately – he said ‘I can help you’. I made an appointment the very next day and saw Samy the same day. During the first visit, he diagnosed my condition, which was a little more complicated than vertigo! He treated the extreme dizziness immediately with the Epley manoeuvre – the extreme ‘swimming’ dizziness was reduced to mild dizziness and I was able to walk out of his consulting room unaided. After an evening of rest and relaxation, I woke the next morning with no signs of dizziness at all.
Three further appointments, at monthly intervals, allowed Samy to tackle the cause of the tinnitus and loss of hearing. He prescribed a series of exercises to ‘rehabilitate’ my balance and an eating programme to remove possible dietary triggers for the symptoms I had presented. In three months the tinnitus had faded and disappeared and the last improvement was the return of my hearing.
I did not have to learn to live with it – Samy enabled me to be free from it.
I cannot thank him enough. I will be forever grateful for his calm, quiet and knowledgeable approach which filled me with confidence on our very first meeting. I know that if this condition does reappear he will be there to help me – I do not have to live with it.

West Midlands, 30-Jan-2022

Carole H.

Every year on her birthday my mum treated herself to a 1k swim, a 5k walk and a 5k bike ride.
In July of 2019 she started with dizzy spells, over the next 2 years she had scans, tests and numerous consultants visits and nothing could solve the dizziness.
In June 2021it became so bad she couldnt walk without assistance. Thats when Samy came in.
Samy diagnosed vestibular migraine and motion intolerance. He set a list of foods to avoid and week by week a series of exercises.
They were not difficult but were challenging. After 12 weeks mum started to reintroduce the foods she had been avoiding.
It is now September 2021. Was it worth it, absolutely, I have my mum back.
Yes she worked hard at the exercises but Samy gave her the strength and encouragement to carry on.
She has the occasional dizzy spell but just pauses a moment and it passes. I can never thank Samy enough for all he has done. 
 

West Midlands, 30-Jan-2022

MG

Since an attack of vertigo 8 years ago, my head did not feel right with difficulty making rapid movements. I did receive medication which did not work. The Dr diagnosed me with BPPV. I also did the Brandt Daroff exercises which I found on the internet. I had been looking for an American trained Vestibular Rehabilitation Specialist, and while searching the internet I found the Dizzy Care Clinic in Codsall. I phoned the clinic and got an appointment very quickly. A comprehensive vestibular assessment was carried out and I was diagnosed with rare Anterior Canal BPPV, Bilateral Vestibular Hypofunction and Convergence Spasm of the eye. Samy gave me immediate treatment for the AC BPPV. By my second appointment my head movements had improved. Further treatment and tests revealed the cure of the AC BPPV. Samy gave me customized Vestibular exercises which I continue to perform and I was discharged after the second visit. I thank Samy for his professional and efficient treatment and I wamly recommend him to anyone with Vestibular problems including 'foggy head'.
 

This is an update on my July 2019 feedback

In June 2019 I had been suffering from Vertigo for the previous ten years. I saw several doctors and I was given medication which did not help. One doctor diagnosed me with BPPV. I found Samy on the internet, visited his Clinic and he diagnosed me more fully with a rare Anterior Canal BPPV, Bilateral Vestibular Hypofunction and Convergence Spasm of the Eye. Since receiving treatment from Samy one year ago I have had no recurring problems with Vertigo/Dizziness. In his letter to my GP, he included a request for an MRI brain Scan. I waited four months to see a consultant and six weeks later I had the scan, the result of which was normal. I am very grateful to have found Samy from whom I received professional treatment which has changed my life enabling me to do the things I was not able to do - particularly dancing. My life has returned to normal since I saw him and I cannot fully express my gratitude to Samy who helps people who are suffering with this awful, stressful, and frightening condition, which the doctors dont seem to understand or know how to treat. I hope he gets his Clinic up and running again soon, because there are people out there who need his help. Thank you again Samy and God bless you.

Leeds, 30-Jan-2022

C. Allen

In January I became dizzy and nauseous. Months later there was no improvement I was struggling to functional at all, let alone manage my young children and job. I saw several specialists who gave me various diagnoses and different medications but nothing helped. The first time I saw Samy in May 2019 was the first time I dared to believe I might recover. His skill and understanding is second to none and in 30 mins he had worked out what was wrong, and more importantly identified exercises I needed to do to improve my symptoms. In 6 sessions I went from struggling to walk, to driving and returning to work. I hate to think what would have happened if Samy hadn’t been recommended to me, but I’m sure I would have lost my job and then possibly my home. I will be forever grateful. Thank you Samy for giving me the tools to get my life back. 

Birmingham, 30-Jan-2022

S Clayton

Re-Dizziness

Over the past few years, I have had dizziness with several episodes of vertigo. I visited my GP a number of times about the dizziness and they said it was labyrinthitis and it would go in a few weeks. Two years ago I had another episode and my GP referred me to an ENT consultant who sent me for an MRI scan and hearing tests. The scan and tests came back clear and they said it was nothing serious. This was good news but I still felt dizzy at times and tried to carry on as usual.

Earlier this year there was a stressful event within the family and that seemed to make the dizziness worse and I felt as if I was veering to one side when walking, but again I tried to just carry on as usual until June, when I had an ear infection in both ears which set off the dizziness quite badly again. During the year I also began to feel very anxious about feeling dizzy and started to avoid socializing and had time off work. I was feeling dizzy whenever I went out to the shops or out for a coffee with a friend and only felt I could go out if my husband was with me. Even at home I felt dizzy when cooking in the kitchen or doing household chores. I stopped doing Pilates which I enjoyed because I felt dizzy. I saw my GP during this time and they offered anti-depressants to help with anxiety which I didn’t really want to start as I didn’t feel that I was depressed although I was very anxious about the dizziness. I did take up mindfulness which helped a little. The GP referred me back to the ENT consultant again.

I had been looking online to try and find some answers to what I was feeling and I came across the Dizzycare Clinic in Codsall and I booked to see Samy. Straight away I felt that he knew what I was talking about and he gave me a list of foods to avoid and strategies to try along with exercises to build up. He gave my some clear ideas of what I had been going through in terms of vestibular migraines and PPPD which I had never heard of before. I felt that I had something I could work on to help myself and that I could take more control of how I was feeling.

At first I was still very anxious about feeling dizzy doing the exercises but gradually I felt I could do more without feeling so anxious all the time. Although I still felt dizzy at times I was feeling more relaxed and that I could manage things. Samy also said I should tell friends and family more about how I felt and doing that also helped in making me feel more relaxed about whether I wanted to socialize or do activities. They were all more understanding than I thought which made me feel better. Gradually over the weeks I built up the exercises and was able to go out and do things without feeling so anxious and dizzy all the time. I feel much more confident and although the dizziness is still there at times it is not dominating what I think about and the anxiety I feel is much less, although I know there are some triggers including tiredness, stress and certain foods which I now try and manage more carefully. I have started Pilates again which I am enjoying and I also feel more confident about going out and taking part in social activities.

I am very grateful to Samy for listening and being patient with me when I was feeling anxious about trying new exercises. He gave me the confidence to help myself through the strategies and exercises he taught me. 

Stafford, 30-Jan-2022

Lilian Barnes

My Story
I was diagnosed with BPPV over 20 years ago.I had vertigo on and off for the first 10 years. Had lots of appointments with consultants which I would wait for for months. It was quite a scary and miserable time. At that time I did not know anyone with vertigo.I was given medication and had about 3 manoeuvres nothing seemed to help. Most of the advice I was given as I remember was to be careful of putting my head in positions that would bring it on.
The following 10 years were a lot easier with only a few mild attacks that did not last long. In August I had the worst attack I have ever had. Next day I phoned the doctor to see what was new in the treatment sadly he said things were just the same and offered me an Epley manoeuvre which I refused so he suggested the Brandt-Daroff exercises. It took me about 2 weeks to get the courage to do them.In two seconds it brought on an attack as violent as the first. Spoke to a different doctor she suggested I see a consultant but it would take months.
I searched the internet and luckily found Samy.My first impression of his website was that it was too good to be true. I was very wrong.I got a prompt response and an online (FaceTime) appointment the next day. I had 3 sessions with Samy which he included my husband which was a great help as I was very anxious. He explained very clearly what was happening and diagnosed me very quickly. After my 3rd session, I was feeling a lot better and Samy has given me the confidence to live life to the full without the fear that I could bring an attack on. His treatment, kindness and knowledge was the first class I would definitely recommend him.

Darlington, 30-Jan-2022

Mary H

Samy’s excellent lifestyle advice and course of treatment has given me back my energetic life that I thought I had lost for ever.

Following a left temporal lobe stroke, I became chronically dizzy, with frequent episodes of vertigo and nausea and other neurological symptoms. After six months I was finding it increasingly hard to do anything at all normally.

My GP did not see me personally. During a brief phone call he was dismissive of my questions and was only prepared to trial symptom relief medication, which made me worse.

Fortunately, Samy was recommended to me by a friend who had been treated by him. I was given a wonderfully quick response and detailed assessment questionnaires followed by a face to face screen consultation (FaceTime video).

It was such a relief to be told at the first appointment that Samy knew what was wrong and could help me. I had developed chronic vestibular migraine as a result of my stroke, with secondary PPPD.

Within a week of starting drug free lifestyle treatment my constant dizziness and nausea had subsided and I was able to continue with progressive exercises to correct PPPD.

Some of the Lifestyle advice was initially challenging to follow, but so worthwhile that it is now habitual.

I am symptom free and Samy has given me the tools I need to manage migraine attacks when they do occur in the long term.

I am hugely grateful. 

Cheshire, 28-Jan-2022

Prof. Bob Stone

I’ve been suffering with recurring bouts of BPPV for some time now, having had my first attack whilst on holiday in Cyprus 6 to 7 years ago, and then suffering at least twice a year.

Since then the GPs have been palming me off with various medications, initially Stemetil/prochlorperazine and more recently betahistine. These have provided some relief, but have never been that successful in suppressing the symptoms, which have sometimes been quite extreme.

My wife discovered Samy’s dizzy care clinic on Google and we decided to get in touch. An amazingly quick response from Samy himself - the same day in fact - and, in no time at all, we had booked our first online consultation.

After just two additional sessions, a couple of Epley Manoeuvres and a range of simple exercises, my BPPV vanished, and has not returned since. If it does, we feel confident we can undertake the exercises ourselves at home.

I can’t thank Samy enough – BPPV can be quite a debilitating experience, but he has convinced me that there is no need to wait for medication or suffer again in silence.

Droitwich Spa, 28-Jan-2022