Vertigo

[Catchya]

I posted on here for the first time nearly a month ago about a brain injury I sustained 15 months ago. I have had some lovely informative replies and realised that my symptoms could be so much worse hearing some stories on here and I am lucky, however I am struggling mentally and physically. I wanted to ask anyone out there about vertigo. This seems to be getting worse for me. It’s constant at the moment. I suffer from very bad hay fever and wondering if this could be making my vertigo worse and whether or not anyone has encountered the same problem? It used to be 2 steps forward and one back in my recovery but I don’t even feel that at the moment. Very frustrated, had hoped to be back to some kind of work but that still seems so far off...

[cat3]

Catchya, Can you describe your symptoms ? e.g. do your surroundings spin if you tip your head backwards or turn over too quickly in bed ?

I ask because there are different types of vertigo ; mine was BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Postural Vertigo) and an ENT specialist performed the Brandt Daroff maneuver on me a couple of years ago (took around 20 mins) and, after many years of BPPV it actually worked.

Other types of vertigo can be treated with antihistamines, or with antibiotics where there's infection.

I still have a severe balance issue as a result of my BI, but that isn't 'postural'. It's apparently caused by poor intercommunication between brain and legs resulting from the brain injury.

Cat x

[Catchya in reply to cat3]

Hi Cat3

Thank you for your reply. No my surrounds don’t spin I have a spinning inside and a pulsating feeling. But if I turn my head or move quickly it’s worse. A neurologist and neuro physio tested me for BPPV but it isn’t that. Too much technology seems to make it worse along with anxiety/stress. I used to have bouts of it but now it’s permanently there. This is why I’m wondering if it’s pollen. I have an ENT appt in August just have to try all avenues I guess.

[HungryHufflepuff]

Haufever is often dismissed as trivial or a minor affliction but can have quite devastating effects on your health as well as having its own symptoms.

I have dizziness and light headed Ness and also ridiculous vertigo. For about two days I had some pills for vertigo but they interacted with others. The vertigo can be quite debilitating at times

[Catchya in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Hi

Yes at the moment it is quite debilitating. The tablets work but you can’t take them for to long as they have the reverse affect.

[sospan]

Hi,

One of the things people find with a head injury, is that when you get something routine, cough, cold, hay fever it seems much worse than before you were injured.

Your change in vertigo could be something as simple as slight inflamation inside the year throwing your balance off. It is still worth getting it checked by a GP whom may decide to refer you to an Ear Nose and Throat clinic.

Hopefully the worst of the hay fever will be by mid july, so only a few weeks to go !

[Catchya]

Hi

Thank you. Yes I’m seeing an ENT clinic in August it was this month but due to Covid it was moved back. It’s just so frustrating!

[Angostura]

Hiya, so sorry to hear your vertigo is making life difficult. Have you been offered or have you explored neuro physiotherapy? Anxiety, and God knows there’s enough around at the moment, can have a direct effect on the vestibular system because the vestibular Area of the brain Is plugged directly into the areas of the brain which deals with anxiety. And an otologist examination would be able to see if you sustained vestibular damage, Which was the case with me. I was put on amitriptyline and duloxetine and have a neuro OT who helps me identify early symptoms and pace myself accordingly. But the dizziness levels still fluctuate, I can have two reasonably good weeks and then two pretty bad ones, but they are not as extreme as they used to be. When I get a relapse I just have to Put myself in soothe mode and drop all but the most essential of demands to allow The symptoms to calm down.

I do hope symptoms lift enough to make things manageable for you again, Above all be kind to yourself And don’t try and push through it.

X

[Catchya in reply to Angostura]

Hi there

I started neuro physio before lockdown but at the moment it doesn’t seem to be helping and because of Covid have not been able to go back. Seeing a neuro OT seems as though it could be helpful.

Thank you! x

[Angostura]

Hi Again, does your neuro physio do virtual sessions? I’ve been doing my sessions via FaceTime and they’ve proved almost as good. Good luck with the neuro OT, I found it a bit like having A coach who cheers you along!

X

[Catchya in reply to Angostura]

The neuro physio has shut down due to Covid so not sure when it will be up and running again. Can I ask you what OT would do against the nhs ent appt I have in August? It may be worth forking out the money to see someone sooner I’m at my wits end with this. I have had vertigo sporadically for a long time but never as bad as it is now. I used to have to overdo things to get a bout or to much turning my head for instance out with many people on both sides of me for a period of time.