Louise said,

<< ust an idea...has this lady ever had repetitive otitis and been treated
 with different antibiotics? She may be suffering from labyrintitis (I
 guess this is the right translation for "labyrintite")..... It is an
 acute or chronic inflammation of the inside ear canal which produces
 intense dizziness, disequilibrium, and nausea. I have seen big, huge,
 tough male patients cry from this terrible dizziness and nausea... >>

I was wondering what might cause disequilibrium -- couldnt' remember the name
of it.  She denied ear PAIN, but I did ask her if anyone had checked her ears
for this.  She thought someone had looked in them, but didn't really remember;
and i suspect it was a cursory glance, if anything.  Your comment about a
family physician is well taken.  Too many specialists only look at their
speciality and not the whole picture....

Will let everyone know the outcome...

Jan