As I awaited my appointment with the balance specialist, I had begun to feel a little better. I hadn’t had a full blown vertigo attack since August, and I seemed a little less wobbly. I was still very tired and the pain was pretty bad. I had started to consider restarting the Neurontin, but I really hate taking meds. I wasn’t taking any Tylenol either, because of the possible “rebound headaches” although I had not seen any improvement after stopping the Tylenol. So, the pain was pretty awful, but I was really trying to convince myself that I was going to be better and return to work for my October date. I was considering canceling the appointment with the balance specialist, but decided to keep it anyway.

Appointment with the Balance specialist. He noticed that the left side of my face was swollen, and as I gave him the history of my condition, he started to ask about lesions, blisters, skin sensitivity, itching. “No” to the lesions or blisters, but “yes” to the sensitivity and itching. He told me that I had been suffering from Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. My brain said “See! I told you so!” And my heart sank.

My husband had also read a little about it, and he was obviously unsettled by the news. This neuro-otologist explained how RHS was cause by VZV and how it was possible that the herpetic lesions never erupted through the surface or other scenarios as to why the other doctors missed the diagnosis. Fortunately, treatment for BP and RHS is the same. Then came the bad news about how RHS affects balance and the presence of post herpetic neuralgia, and the prognosis.

He was encouraged by the fact that the vertigo attacks had become less frequent and that I was feeling better in that aspect. His exams concluded current vestibular damage, but he felt that I was a good candidate for continued improvement. He also felt that the Neurontin probably had little to do with the vertigo episodes, and that I could resume the Neurontin if I wanted. He said that he could not predict what was going to happen with the PHN, but was also hopeful for it to subside, especially since I had been given antiviral meds so quickly after the onset. The plan was to see how things progress and I decided that I would probably return to work and “give it a try.” The doc said that if I felt that I couldn’t work, that he would extend my leave. He indicated that it was very probable that my recovery was still “months” away.

My husband and I left the appointment, a bit down about the RHS, but I was still convinced I should go back to work on 10/08/04.