*newbie* How do I use Find Word at Caret for member variables?

Hi,
Find Word at Caret is a great feature but I can't figure out how to use it to find instances of a member variable inside a class.

For example: At the top of a class I have a variable e.g. private $vVar; If I position the caret on the vVar and press cntl+F3 I get '$vVar not found...'. The problem is that the 'select word' has included the $ of $vVar and, of course, all the other occurances if vVar in the class are referrenced as $this->vVar (without the $). Is there a better way to do this? Or can I change something (e.g. is there a regex for 'Select Word at Caret' that I could alter to not use the $ as par tof a word?)

Thanks