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Post by jennyap on Jun 15, 2016 14:36:08 GMT
Anyone had experience with this?
I had a bad bout of vertigo (& tinnitus) almost exactly 2 years ago. Saw the Dr and got a presumptive diagnosis of an inner ear infection, some anti-nausea meds which didn't help much, and that was that.
Since then I've had I think 3, maybe 4 more episodes, the latest of which I'm currently on day 3 of. It's also the worst since the original, I have coped ok before but having to modify my activities this time - like working from home so I don't have to travel (I'm basically fine as long as I'm sat at my desk!). It could still be worse - I haven't had any falls, and not actually been sick, but I'm definitely unstable and nauseated. And frankly pretty fed up of it.
I know there's not really anything the Dr can do in the short term, but slightly concerned that there is an underlying issue. I'm seeing the Dr next week, but in the meantime wondered if anyone had any experience, ideas, etc to share?
TIA
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Post by gorgeouskid on Jun 15, 2016 14:39:07 GMT
My mom had this and her doctor had her do vestibular exercises. Here's a pdf of some of them: vestibular exercisesYou can also google... |
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Post by whopea on Jun 15, 2016 14:39:55 GMT
I went through this years ago. After much worry and testing, they sent me to an ENT. He suggested that often times these crystals which aid in your balance become dislodged and float into the inner ear. Once they are dislodged, they cause vertigo and all kinds of problems. He performed an adjustment in his office (almost chiropractic but not quite) and not only did that fix it, but I have not had a repeat of it since.
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Post by gar on Jun 15, 2016 14:41:38 GMT
He suggested that often times these crystals which aid in your balance become dislodged and float into the inner ear. Once they are dislodged, they cause vertigo and all kinds of problems. He performed an adjustment in his office (almost chiropractic but not quite) and not only did that fix it, but I have not had a repeat of it since. That's exactly my situation. I hope you get it sorted soon Jenny - it's not fun is it! |
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Post by monklady123 on Jun 15, 2016 14:42:05 GMT
My doctor did those exercises in the office and told me to continue doing them at home. She also prescribed Claritin-D (or its generic equivalent). The "D" is important, just plain Claritin won't do it. The pharmacist said there's something about that ingredient that helps with dizziness. It's also a regulated substance so you'll feel like a druggie when you go buy it.  Anyway, those two things have helped a lot and I haven't had another episode. |
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Post by Zee on Jun 15, 2016 14:42:15 GMT
See an ENT doc to rule out Meniere's disease.
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Post by dulcemama on Jun 15, 2016 15:35:11 GMT
There are a lot of things that could cause this. In my case, my jaw is slightly misaligned and can cause me to go through periods of vertigo. When I was younger, my blood pressure tended to run on the low side and would sometimes cause dizziness/vertigo. I always had to make sure I was drinking plenty of liquids to keep my blood volume up so this wouldn't happen (as much).
So, I would suggest seeing your Dr. to see if you can pinpoint what is causing it for you.
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Post by Basket1lady on Jun 15, 2016 15:45:37 GMT
I would suggest an ENT as well. I had horrible vertigo for about 2 years. It took them 5 months to find an infection in my sphenoid sinuses, which are deep in the brain. The infection had gone into my right inner ear, causing the vertigo.
If sitting is helpful, a chair with side arms may help, too. As may sitting where you can see a wall and having your feet on the floor. All those give your brain signals as to your position. I call it "knowing my place in space." This is important to tell your dr as well. There are different kinds of vertigo caused by different issues.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 23:33:59 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2016 16:08:29 GMT
echo the mieners suggestion tinnitus and vertigo are symptoms Annette |
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Post by Lindarina on Jun 15, 2016 16:12:58 GMT
My mother has Meniere's Disease, which has similar symptoms as you've described.
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nicolep
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,170 
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Post by nicolep on Jun 15, 2016 16:13:05 GMT
So sorry you are going through this! It is miserable and scary!
I have been diagnosed with Vertigo a few years ago. My first episode lasted 13 hours where my head spun so quickly that I vomited repeatedly and hyperventilated. I had someone drive me to the After Hours clinic where they diagnosed me with it and gave me Antivert for any reoccurring spells. I've had 2 spells every year since then. When I was pregnant, I had a bad spell that lasted 4 days. It is an AWFUL experience! Idk what brings it on but sometimes even drying my hair upside down or the side can cause it to start. When mine occurs, I can NEVER turn my head to the right or I will vomit instantly!
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nicolep
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,170
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Post by nicolep on Jun 15, 2016 16:14:50 GMT
It is so interesting to read all of your experiences!
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Post by not2peased on Jun 15, 2016 16:18:32 GMT
I too had the crystals in my ear-it lasted several months unfortunately.
do yours get worse when you move your head a certain way?
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Post by mom2samlibby on Jun 15, 2016 18:34:00 GMT
Mine was caused by low B12 and low iron. I had months of vertigo a couple of years ago. Nothing helped. The doctor couldn't figure it out and the ENTs couldn't figure it out either. They ran so many tests -- MRI, CT, blood work, heart monitors, etc. No answers. I finally gave up and just dealt with it, but started taking B12, folate, and iron for another issue and the vertigo went away!
Vertigo sucks. I hope you figure out the cause of yours.
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snappydog
Full Member
Posts: 171
Sept 11, 2014 22:53:41 GMT
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Post by snappydog on Jun 15, 2016 19:15:46 GMT
My husband had this for years at least a couple times a year. We started keeping track of when the episodes would occur and realized they were strangely after visiting family in New Jersey. We tried to figure out what was different there vs here (in Ohio) and realized that he drinks alcohol there and doesn't here. It was the alcohol that was triggering the vertigo for some reason I'm him. He can drink beer but for some reason hard liquors such as tequila, vodka, etc. gave him vertigo about two day after drinking it and the episodes usually lasted about 2-3 weeks.
No drinking=no recurrent pouts of vertigo in years
Go figure...
Sandy
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Post by scrapnatya on Jun 15, 2016 19:23:43 GMT
When I went through 2 weeks of constant dizziness, I stopped using artificial sweetener (equal) and it never returned.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jun 15, 2016 20:16:53 GMT
I've been dealing with vertigo off and on since Oct of last year. It's maddening! When I went to the doctor, he wanted to know did I feel like I was spinning, or did the room feel like it was spinning. After I looked at him like he was nuts, he explained that if you feel like the room is spinning, it is a sign of Meniere's. Fortunately it felt like I was spinning and not the room.
Mine has been caused by one of the worst allergy seasons I've had in years. He had me take a decongestant, use Nasacort (nasal spray), and do the exercises noted above. It took a few days, but the dizziness subsided. I slacked off the decongestant/nasacort and the dizziness returned last week. Once I started up the meds again, it cleared up.
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Post by 2peaornot2pea on Jun 15, 2016 20:32:45 GMT
A friend of mine had a recent bout of severe vertigo, the room would spin and she would vomit. It was terrible. She had some other symptoms too so was seen right away by her doctor. It was caused by an outbreak of shingles in her ear and brain!  They put her on anti-viral drugs immediately. She still feels 'off' but doesn't have the severe vertigo any longer. |
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CeeScraps
Pearl Clutcher
~~occupied entertaining my brain~~
Posts: 3,894
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Post by CeeScraps on Jun 15, 2016 22:26:20 GMT
Try this....I too have vertigo. This is a dr. who figured out a way for people to deal with the crystals coming loose. It works for me and for my friends that I have recommended it to. VertigoClick the link, then scroll down to the video. |
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Deleted
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Oct 6, 2024 23:33:59 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2016 23:01:49 GMT
See an ENT doc to rule out Meniere's disease. This is what I was going to suggest as well. |
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Post by kath323 on Jun 16, 2016 2:16:33 GMT
I've been dizzy for two years now. I'm pretty confident that they are vesitbular migraines for me, but it's been very difficult to diagnose. I went to a specialist as well and he thinks I had a virus that latched to my inner ear. Vestibuar physical therapy did make a difference and I do the exercises on days that are particularly bad.
To complicate things I have a dehiscence (thinning) of a bone protecting my inner ear. The only way to fix it is surgery, but that requires cracking my skull open and repairing the bone. My surgeon said that can cause even more problems, so the dizziness is here to stay.
Since this happened, I started asking family members. On my paternal side, my grandmother, uncle, aunt, father and many cousins all get/have gotten dizzy for days throughout their lives. We're never sure why, but something's up!
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Post by finally~a~mama on Jun 16, 2016 4:25:33 GMT
I had/have benign positional vertigo. It lasted for nearly 2 months. I have to be careful about not going from a head down position to upright quickly (like while doing my hair) or shaking my head quickly. Both of those things will set off an episode for me.
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Post by nlwilkins on Jun 16, 2016 5:25:11 GMT
I've mentioned this before here, my vertigo was caused by a blood vessel that was looped around the ear's nerve as well as the eye nerve (can't remember what they called those nerves) So not only did I have vertigo, I had difficulty seeing at times. It lasted for over two years, 24/7, never slacking off. It took 18 months or more to determine what was causing it and two years before the surgery date. I had brain surgery where the ENT and the neurologist went in and placed a small piece of teflon betweent the nerves and the blood vessel that was beating on them. But because it had been so long, permenent damage was done and I have slight vertigo all the time. Though my vision now is back and I can drive again.
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Post by gillyp on Jun 16, 2016 10:16:27 GMT
I've had permanent tinnitus for years and suffer from occasional positional vertigo. I find the vertigo goes after a little while anyway but if it's particularly bothering me I do the exercises where you lie with your head on one side then bring it up quickly. I think I will try the half somersault exercise linked above when I next need to.
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Post by houston249 on Jun 16, 2016 11:05:16 GMT
I have had a few problems with this. Landed me in the ER on vacation once. Changes in pressure, allergies and the all mighty cold are the biggest triggers. Mine turned out to be an inner ear/sinus problem. I have always had problems with my sinuses but the vertigo is new.
My doctor said as we age, the fluid in the inner ear gets thicker. I take musinex (to help with thinning of the fluid), sudifed ( to keep the inflamation down) and sometimes an anti-inflamitory such as naproxen or aspirin (for pain and inflamation). This works really, really well for me.
The rest of the information on this thread is wonderful. Thanks everyone!
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Post by jennyap on Jun 16, 2016 12:59:58 GMT
Thanks for all the responses! "Doctor Google" was only really suggesting BPPV or Meniere's Disease, and from what I've read Meniere's seems by far the most likely of the two, but you all have given me hope that are plenty of other options to explore, with potentially much better prognoses. I will definitely be pushing for a referral to an ENT but also following up on your other suggestions too  |
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Post by Susie_Homemaker on Jun 16, 2016 14:03:22 GMT
I have unofficially diagnosed Meniere's and thankfully I can mostly control mine by staying well hydrated.
So my suggestion is this- try to seriously increase the amount of water you're drinking and don't have any caffeine and see if the vertigo gets any better.
I know not everyone's Meniere's can be controlled with their fluid intake but it's worth a shot to see if it helps you. You'll be well hydrated if nothing else!
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Post by anonrefugee on Jun 16, 2016 14:21:58 GMT
I have unofficially diagnosed Meniere's and thankfully I can mostly control mine by staying well hydrated. So my suggestion is this- try to seriously increase the amount of water you're drinking and don't have any caffeine and see if the vertigo gets any better. I know not everyone's Meniere's can be controlled with their fluid intake but it's worth a shot to see if it helps you. You'll be well hydrated if nothing else! I have a long term case of Meniere's and hydration does help. Mine is mostly gone, shows on rare occasions. I can't predict it, but can live without climbing walls or zip lines... OP please go to an ENT, there are so many possibilities. Some have quick treatments. |
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Post by Susie_Homemaker on Jun 16, 2016 14:47:29 GMT
I have a long term case of Meniere's and hydration does help. Mine is mostly gone, shows on rare occasions. So it's mostly gone? How does that happen? How long is 'long term' in your case? I was "diagnosed" a year ago so I'm still mainly learning how to live with this. I didn't know it could 'go away'. Is your hearing reduced? |
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Post by anonrefugee on Jun 16, 2016 16:06:56 GMT
I have a long term case of Meniere's and hydration does help. Mine is mostly gone, shows on rare occasions. So it's mostly gone? How does that happen? How long is 'long term' in your case? I was "diagnosed" a year ago so I'm still mainly learning how to live with this. I didn't know it could 'go away'. Is your hearing reduced? I was told for most people it eventually goes away, although I met a woman who had it over twenty years  She had to be on anxiety meds to cope. The hearing portion was worse for me than vertigo. It made it possible to get a true diagnosis because audiologist could quantify hearing loss during episodes and see it matched Meniere's. IIRC I took prescription meds, mostly for symptoms, for six months. Over time episodes became less frequent until they mostly stopped. It's been 12 years. Most of my hearing has returned. When I feel it starting I take OTC decongestant and load up on drinking water. I feel for you. I look back on that time and realize it was even more stressful and anxiety filled than I recognized. |
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They put her on anti-viral drugs immediately. She still feels 'off' but doesn't have the severe vertigo any longer.
She had to be on anxiety meds to cope.