Vertigo

[perr]

Hi all - First post for me I think. Has anyone here suffered a bout of vertigo. Last week I sat up in bed and immediately fell back with a dizzy spell. That spell has stayed with me for 7 days now. Have to hold on to walls and furniture walking. Doc said it was benign vertigo (migratory ear crystals) and gave me exercises (Epley Maneuver) to fix. Still an issue and life-altering (can't drive and I feel nausea a lot). Feels like I'll never regain stability and it's worrisome.

[Blackbird6]

Is it vertigo or labyrinthitis.. I had this some years back at one point while shopping I had to lay on the shop floor I felt so bad..I was given stemetil an anti emetic which really helped with nausea. See your GP again hope you get over it soon 💞💞💞

[perr in reply to Blackbird6]

Thanks for your reply. Probably BPPV since I don't have any hearing loss. Same symptoms though it seems. Sorry to hear about your episode.

[Blackbird6 in reply to perr]

I didn't have any hearing loss either at the time I do hope you get better soon xx

[Izb1]

Hi perr, I suffered with labrynthitis for 4 years it was horrendous, it damaged my right eye and hearing and balance. This stared when I was staying with my daughter in Tenerife, I was sick for hours and everytime I moved the room was swimming. The doctor thought it was from the pool. I was put onto stemetil which knocked me out and serc which helped, think at first you need both. I went to ent and they were the ones who diagnosed labrynthiti and said my sight and hearing would never get better, I have learned to live with this.. I was off work for 5 weeks and felt I went back too early. They put me through the exercises which helped but didnt get rid of it. I had this for 4 years before finally getting back to a sort of normal. I still have bouts of imbalance and if I feel anything coming on I take a Serc straight way. I hope your attack wont be this bad and you get over it quickly but do get some Serc from your gp as this helps. Irene x

[MoyB]

I suffer a lot with vertigo as I have Menieres Disease. I don't have crystals but a friend of mine gets them from time to time and has the Epley Manoeuvre performed by her GP. This seems to do the trick and she is ok for a long time afterwards. Vertigo is horrible and stops you doing a lot of things. With Menieres it's possible to get periods of remission. One of mine lasted 15 years and the latest lasted a year. Unfortunately, the vertigo came back just before we were due to go away on a coach trip in November and we had to cancel.

Do you live alone or do you have someone with you? I have a wonderful husband to support me through the difficult times. Showering and cooking can both be a challenge and you have to be as careful as you can. When I'm at my worst, I find Wiltshire Farm Foods are a godsend as they are a complete meal - no veggies to strain or hot fat to worry about. You can put them in the oven or microwave them. I've always put them in the oven so our meals are ready at the same time so don't know what they're like if you microwave them.

Also, I invested in a three wheeled walker with brakes. With that, I can get to the toilet ok. Hopefully, your vertigo will go as quickly as it arrived but if it carries on, perhaps you should go back to your GP, or at least speak with them. You might be able to have Buccastem to ease the sickness and someone else has mentioned Sercs (Betahistine) which I take regularly three times a day. These can help.

Something else we Menieres sufferers are told is to cut down your salt intake to 2g a day if possible and avoid caffeine. This can make a huge difference. Might be worth giving it a try.

Hope you feel better soon. xx Moy

[perr in reply to MoyB]

Hello May - I do have Sercs and at first all they seemed to do was contribute to nausea but lately I do get some relief from the dizziness with less nausea. The big trigger for severe episodes now seems to happen when I sit up in bed. That was how it all started. My wife has been a wonderful support so thank God for that. I can't imagine being alone with this condition. I am normally so active so this is frustrating along with the discomfort.

[MoyB in reply to perr]

I really hope you get some relief soon. Glad you have your wife for support. Like you, I can't imagine being alone with it but I know many people do have to manage. Try not to let it get you down (easier said than done). Find someone who can do the Epley Manoeuvre correctly and perhaps you'll get it sorted. xx Moy

[Titian8]

I've had BPPV and was off work for months, couldn't drive etc and looked like I was drunk when walking!

One visit to the consultant at the hospital who performed the Epley Manoevre was an instant fix. Perhaps having a doctor, who is experienced in doing this, instead of doing it yourself might be better, as you have to get the positions totally correct together with timings, in order to move the crystals.

[perr in reply to Titian8]

I agree regarding timing and maneuver. I've been looking at the diagram of the labyrinth in our ears that manages motion and balance. So intricate and complex yet it some ways basic engineering. Wonder who designed this ...

[Durcot]

I have vertigo now and then. One person said I wasn't drinking enough water so I drank and drank water and it hasn't come back .

I asked a nurse and she said when that happens see if your blood pressure goes up. So I'm waiting to see.

I also have tinnitus and my ears ring alot at times. That could cause the dizzy spells to.

I have alot of info next time it happens I will see and I will check back.

Till then you take care and learn all you can a out your illness and ask questions.

[perr in reply to Durcot]

Thanks Durcot - I thought I was over it yesterday but after sleeping it came back almost as bad as ever today. I think going horizontal for several hours is probably moving the crystal debris back to where it shouldn't be. I'll keep up the exercises and hopefully wake up one morning dizzy-free.