MS wasn't even on my radar

I do not have MS. That's the best news coming out of my visit to the Hearing and Balance Center. Other items of note:

Fit people usually feel effects of imbalance quickly, and more extremely. I'm flattered, I guess.

Anxiety (which I seem to have in spades) contributes to the dizziness, which then makes the anxiety worse, which would explain the full-on panic attack in the stairwell yesterday. Thanks to my family for watching out for me.

My doctor suspects I suffer from migraines, without the headaches. The "pitching forward" effect can be an indicator of this, and I know I've had an ocular migraine before.

There was another point she made, but my notes are at home. If it's important, I may add it later.

The prognosis? All good, aside from no quick fix. My neurological and central nervous systems are both healthy, and my inner ears are fine. Whatever disturbed my balancing ability has come and gone, but my mind and body have been left unsure of their ability to balance. If I'm still having symptoms in a month, I'm to return and get some rehab, or "balancing therapy."

She says I may get worse before I get better, which is actually a good sign. Like taking off the training wheels for the first time, when you're incredibly wobbly, but on your way to smooth riding. I'm also to return if I have 3 days of spinning, which would indicated loose rocks again.

For now, I'm to return to regular activities and work on resetting my balance system myself. She gave me some pointers, and I think it will work out fine. A month away from work should help immensely. If not directly with the dizziness, at least with the anxiety, which should have a secondary impact.

For those of you who suffer from chronic dizziness, I highly recommend the IHC Hearing and Balance Center in downtown SLC. Amazing doctor, great facility, and I feel confident I will recover.

Again, thanks to family and friends for their wonderful support (sometimes literally!). I love you all and thank you.