i had vertigo for 8 years. Worst thing I ever had. Fortunately I never had an attack at work or while driving. Doctor couldn't help, prescribed a drug commonly used for sea sickness, which did help. But as I said, the attacks continued for 8 years and then stopped, never had another one

UU... Any idea what triggered it? Been on a boat or cruise lately?

After my first 7 day cruise, I continued swaying for a couple of months before it eventually subsided. Google search revealed it to be Mal de Debarquement, French for disembarkment illness. Even a half day Casino cruise left me rocking for a couple of days.

Lots of good advice here,but, the best is to get to a Dr and rule out anything more serious.

Good Luck.

Benign Positional Vertigo occurs when the head changes position i.e. looking quickly up or down, or going from reclining to standing or sitting to reclining.

It feels like the room is spinning or a sensation of falling.

One can observe rapid eye movement until the dizziness settles.

Below is a good video of the Epley Manuver
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZgUx9G0uEs[/ame]
Can't get the link to post, it is on U-Tube
How to do the Epley Maneuver by peterjohns84

The Brandt-Doroff exercise may also be beneficial
Here is a link to the explanation
How to Treat Vertigo with Brandt-Daroff Exercises | eHow.com

There's a medical condition called BPPV (you'll have to google this)...I have had it and it has to do with the "balance crystals" in your ears being out of sinc. I went to my primary and she referred me to PT in the Sante Fe Crossing. There is something they can do to re-align them. It's better to be checked though as a doctor will be able to better tell you than a bunch of opinions on this site!

I certainly would go to the doctor. I have had two vertigo episodes. My first one I got up to use the bathroom early one morning, started walking and went in to the wall....laid back down and the room was spinning. The second time I got up one morning, used the bathroom and laid down and everything was spinning. Both times I went to the doctor and was prescribed an antibiotic to clear up fluids in my ear and a decongestant. That worked for me. I remember sitting in the examining room then getting on the table and laying down and telling the doctor..ok, here it comes...my eyes started bouncing and the room was spinning. Just glad the antibiotic worked...took about three days, but it worked.

Wow! You guys are the best! I will definitely go to a doctor, but until then I will try the exercises you recommended. The Dramamine I'm taking is the Meclazine kind - there are 2 kinds of Dramamine - and it does help with the sick tummy, but not so much for the dizziness.

Off to the doctor I go!
Thanks to everyone,
Dizzy Judy

What you describe is benign positional vertigo....most likely diagnosis...good advice to see a doctor to be sure..you didn't mention how long you have had it.
See an ENT....if you want to skip the PCP step....but if more than a few days good to see someone.

The eyes bouncing indicates BPPV....this was told to me by a neurologist that I happened to see for something else. The exercise that others are posting is what took care of it for me. If antibiotics were given...could have been also an infection was going on. I didn't personally have antibiotics---but the motion sickness medication. Hope you get relief as I know 1st hand this isn't fun to have!!!

Yes, vertigo is a very discomforting feeling to say the least. It just appeared out of the blue one morning and only lasted a couple of minutes for about 5 mornings straight and when I would retire for the evening. I seen my doctor and he gave me information on the causes and instructions for the head tilting exercise. I've only had a shorter event since that only lasted one day. It was most assuring to know it wasn't something really serious even though it is bothersome.

I, too have had vertigo.

What I know from experience, and have had confirmed from my Doctor, is that the first episode is usually the longest lasting and the worse in terms of effects. My first tme was as many have described - diblitating, nausesating, and very frightening. Fortunately it does not come on very often. Certain things can trigger it, and some sinus colds can also add to the discomfort.

Please, go see your Doctor. They can prescribe meds to help, Meclazine being one of them.

The head postitioning techniques did not help me. The Dr has no idea what trigger mine. No obvious head trauma, no crystals in the ear, no ear infection.

I suspect that years of sinus issues have contributed as whenever I have a cold it manifests into a sinus probelm.

In the meantme, try to not tip your head very far forward, nor very far backwards as these 2 movements seem to aggravate it the most.

Good luck!...

Jimbo, thanks for the links & for taking the time to post the picture! (I know that's not easy) I've been reading the websites this morning & there is a lot of good information there! Thank you! :wave:

[quote=Sable] It turned out the lady I asked also suffered from vertigo. She told Mom a doctor had advised her to lay down with her head off the edge of the bed -- then turn your head one side for 10 seconds, turn your head the other side for 10 seconds and then down for 10 seconds. Then, do it again. [quote]

To Francie & Sable, I tried that this morning. I think it might have helped. I was able to get out of bed without hitting the wall today! Thanks for the tip!

(I can't figure out the multiquote feature, but it has nothing to do with the vertigo. I couldn't do it before I was dizzy)

Vertigo
 

Hi 07! Nope. I haven't been on a cruise. I think I'm the only Villager who has never been on a cruise -- and after reading of your Mal de Debarquement experience I may never go on one! lol That's fascinating information, though. I've never heard of it, and I'm so sorry you had to go through it! Thanks for the information.
Take care and stay off the boats. :wave:

vertigo
 

I have Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a disorder caused by problems in the inner ear. It lasts only seconds to minutes. Its symptoms are repeated episodes of positional vertigo, that is, of a spinning sensation caused by changes in the position of the head. Nausea sometimes follows with BPPV and it is the most common cause of vertigo symptoms. Within the labyrinth of the inner ear lie collections of small calcium cyrstals are dislodged from their usual position. The crystals fall off and can cause irritation to the fulid contained within the canals and this leads to vertigo.

So when my Vertigo acts up I do the Epley Maneuver by myself. I have been doing it for the past 8 yrs. It is just something I live with. It can be frightening but with practice I get through it.

.

Thanks
 

Thanks to all that have written on this subject. About 3 years ago I had an epsiode and went to the ER. After a day of every test known to man it was determined they did not find anything wrong and it would go away which it did after a couple of days. Two days ago I woke up with it again and went to the Urgent Care. They did a battery of tests and again could not find what was causing it. As of today it has pretty much passed and hopefully it will not come back for another 3 years. I did have the upset stomach and was also given the same prescription as had been mentioned in other notes and it did help.
After reading as much as I can on the subject it could be the ears, dehydration, etc, But it appears to be non serious and totally uncomfortable. :ho: