In June of 2017, I began experiencing vertigo after an ear ache I had from blowing my nose. I would…read moreget dizzy when I would walk, sit, lay down, and sometimes just by looking at certain things. I had never experienced anything like this and as it wasn't every minute of the day, the spinning was daily. I found an ENT doctor who recommended and referred me to Eric at ATI. Along with medication, I began BPPV treatment at ATI. For 3 months, Eric worked with me to help make the dizziness stop. During that time, I also went through some ear testing and recommendations were made by the ear specialist, but my ENT declined the recommendations of additional ear testing and encouraged me to continue to work with Eric. By September, the vertigo seemed to subside and I was able to return to work. However, after a couple of months, the dizziness slowly returned and after dealing with it for a couple of more months, it was back in full force. So in March of 2018, I returned to my ENT doctor who again, couldn't pin point the problem and sent me back to Eric at ATI. Working with Eric, he showed he truly cared and could see my struggles with doing life. He really wanted to fix the issue and help me get back to work. There was always a temporary relief after my PT sessions, but the spinning and dizziness always came back. Sometimes it seemed it was from movement and sometimes certain sounds would cause it. After 3 or 4 months, I wasn't getting any better and was more frustrated than ever. With the medical bills stacking up, I would still continue to see Eric 3 times a week for relief but again, it was only temporary. It had been almost a year of dealing with this and by that point, I had had x-rays, an MRI, a CT Scan, Ear testing, medication, saw an allergist, the ENT, my primary doctor, a pulmonary doctor, and even a few chiropractors and nothing worked or could tell me what was wrong. Eric and I even discussed other homeopathic options but I was just too exhausted to try anything else. The financial burdens this placed on our family was so draining and I was tired of discussing the whole thing. It seemed like Eric was the only professional who really cared and who wanted to see me get better. His PT sessions provided me my only relief and working with him gave me hope that the spinning would one day stop. By this time, I would usually cry at each appointment because I was so upset I wasn't getting better like I did before. I feel like this really weighed on Eric and with his expertise and sympathy, he truly wanted to find a way to get this fixed. With my belief in God and many prayers from our church, friends, and family, God led Eric to a meeting that would change my life. From what I recall, Eric was asked to attend a business meeting or luncheon last minute with a colleague. At that event, Dr. Shawn Stevens spoke and shared his expertise in patients who deal with vertigo. Dr. Steven's is a specialty ENT doctor and one of six in the state of Arizona who specializes in Otolaryngology. Eric took the time to talk to him afterwards and share my story. Dr. Steven's said he would take my case and help figure out what was causing the spinning. Eric connected us and my first appointment was set. Dr. Steven's reviewed my records and immediately saw that I was recommended for additional ear testing. He believed this would show the problem and he immediately knew that this was the cause. I also had to have another MRI along with the new ear tests and after those, Dr. Steven's was able to determine that I was suffering from a Perilymph Fistula in my middle ear. This is why there was temporary relief when I would see Eric but why it didn't go away. On August 3rd, 2018, I finally had ear surgery. Dr. Steven's was able to see that not only did I have the opening (fistula) in my middle ear, but I had also damaged the stape area from blowing my nose that day back in June of 2017. He was able to repair both area's that day and by the next day, the vertigo, spinning, and dizziness was gone for good. I have been vertigo free ever since! As I've shared this story with so many, I always give God the glory because he led me to Eric at ATI and if it wasn't for Eric, I might still be suffering from this issue. Eric is my hero and I will never forget how much he cared and how he found Dr. Steven's for me. Thank you, ATI and God bless you all.