Patient Spotlights

The Vestibular Patient Experience

Vestibular disorders are invisible. You look fine on the outside, but inside you’re struggling with a myriad of debilitating symptoms. It’s easy to feel like you’re alone, and no one understands what you’re going through.

Reading about others who have been in your shoes can validate your experience and give you tips on what to expect and how to deal with it.

You can also share your story to spread hope and increase awareness about what it’s like to live with vestibular dysfunction.

It’s a long story. Problems since childhood but I didn’t have the words and was misdiagnosed. After years of being in no man’s land between psychiatry and neurology I find myself, at 72, understood.

As a child, I didn’t know what to call the visual distortions and got labeled psychotic. For years, I was given drugs for that. They didn’t help, which only confirmed my craziness. That was in

Volunteer Spotlight: Abdellah Lachtab

As a VeDA Ambassador from Morocco, my volunteer journey started after being diagnosed with vestibular nerve dysfunction and partial hearing loss. It was a challenging experience filled with dizziness, tinnitus, and balance issues. But instead

No Longer Waiting for the Next Episode

For years, living with vertigo and balance disruption meant more than just physical symptoms, it meant constant anticipation. Leaning back at the dentist, looking under the couch, tilting my head for eye drops, ordinary movements

Kyle Russell

On April 12, 2025, I woke up and walked down my hallway, slightly swaying to the left. I remember thinking I must not have slept well. By the time I reached the bottom of our

Woke up one morning and the world is now different forever.

One early morning, I woke up from sleeping with a weird feeling. As my head lay on the pillow, I felt like I was spinning. I didn't understand why. I'm lying down, I thought I'd

Volunteer Spotlight: Neil Canham

Facebook's 'memories' feature recently helped me realize that my vestibular issues started in 2008 with hearing issues and vertigo that doctors assumed was labyrinthitis. However, after further episodes over the years and an MRI to

Support Group Leader Spotlight: Karen Wysocki

“Wow – the moms in this group just get it!” That was how I felt after my first support group with the Dizzy Moms Club, and I truly look forward to our meetings each month!

Dizziness is like being under a spell

In September 2024, I felt a little twinge of dizziness after I got out of bed and bent down to pet the dog. I had a few more little warning shots, and then one day

Support Group Spotlight: Red de Apoyo Migraña Vestibular hosted by Carlos Mateo Coria-Sánchez

Recientemente se me diagnosticó con migrañas vestibulares. Mientras todavía aprendo a sobrellevar esta condición, me he dado cuenta de que existe muy poca información y casi ningún grupo de apoyo en español. Adaptarnos a esta

Volunteer Spotlight: Leigh Eliason

My vestibular journey began in 2011 with episodic BPPV. Then, on July 16th 2016, everything changed. I was suddenly faced with numerous new symptoms that were absolutely debilitating. I was really scared and began my

Jennifer Husak

I have been living with Vestibular Migraine Disorder for over 12 years now. It started one day when I woke up and everything around me spun while I sat still. After 5 years of working

Stephanie Sams

As we all know, being diagnosed with a vestibular disorder can come with a handful of mixed emotions and feelings. Relief from finally getting answers, frustration around not being able to do things “like I