Spinning haed

[Bevdave]

Hi all just wondering how did you cope with spinning head or heavy headeness. Im not copying well and if it wasnt for my wife. Well!!How long would i expect to feel like this. Ive been told it may be an inner ear problem. At least i think i know what the problem is. Its been 18 weeks since my accident and im just getting help with it. Dont get me wrong im amazed by the NHS.

[Lulu_Lollipop]

I'm sorry, I don't have any advice, but I hope you are sorted soon. Glad you have the support of your wife. All the best.

[Emeraldgal]

Hi there, I'm 4 years post TBI and I still have the same problem as you. I was speaking to an advisor on Headway and they said because I suffered double vision, they think its visual vertigo causing light-headedness etc, like the way you describe. They recommended a referral to Opthalmology as there is therapy they can do. I find it difficult to go out to busy shopping centres, driving on a motorway etc.

[cat3]

It's still pretty early days Dave, even at 4+months, and not uncommon after brain injury. I suffered with vertigo for many years and after a bleed on the brain it worsened dramatically. My GP referred me to ENT where the doctor performed the 'Brandt-Daroff' procedure to release crystals from the ear canal. It worked well although I still have balance issues minus the dizziness.

I notice from your profile that you were on Sertraline and wonder whether that could be contributing to the heavy headedness. I take a daily SSRi but couldn't tolerate Sertraline owing to loud odd sensations and rattling sounds when turning my head, and which went away on stopping them.

But as treatment is difficult to come by at present you could ask your GP for an anti-sickness medication which is very effective against dizziness. I took Stemetil (Prochlorperazine) for 20 years and was free from vertigo. Sadly, after starting on heart meds which weren't compatible, the Stemetil had to go. But they might help you temporarily if your GP allows.

Good luck with this Dave ; dizziness is horrible to live with. Cat x

[moo196]

Morning,I think Cat has made a good suggestion... Though I think it's the epelay manoeuvre yr Gp or osteopath could perform on you and then suggest you do the brandt daroff exercises 5 times a day to help with this. About 20 minutes needed. Look them up perhaps?

Oh, and the anti seasick wristbands were extremely helpful.... But you must wear them 24 /7

Good luck!

[Pairofboots]

Hi Bevdave, 18 weeks in, I wouldn't contradict Cat or moo. But early days, it is a marathon not a sprint. The vertigo is probably the most problematic symptom.

I would chat with your GP to see what help they can offer. But because this is the standout symptom, and has only occured subsequent to your accident, it may be tied up with other aspects of your accident, and in early days, getting too many specialists involved, all working independently can end up with everyone working at cross purposes.

It is a bit like a who done it mystery, each area have to work through each step to find the villain, so start at neuro, then the next. You will find the answer.

[Shreds]

Whilst my situation may be completely different to yours, when I feel ‘heavy headed’ or not making progress with clerical tasks, I find a lie down for a while can rejuvenate me completely. Stress and anxiety brought on by overthinking situations or conflict are not good and simple ‘chilling out’ helps a lot. Obviously others have more relevant and different situations, so consider carefully what helps you best.

[Painting-girl]

All good advice here. It could be a mixture of things - vertigo can happen independently of a brain injury for example - and can settle on its own (I had it on and off for years before my TBI).

Here's the NHS link nhs.uk/conditions/vertigo/

But to sort your dizziness out, you do need a neurologist who specialises in traumatic brain injuries, to look at everything and refer you to the right people - as Pairofboots says.

(After my TBI, I felt like I was in a badly fitting 'ironman suit' that wasn't working at all well - everything felt clunky and weird.)

Let us know how you get on 🌸