Vertigo?
 

I hope someone here can help! Have any of you had problems with vertigo? It came on suddenly. I woke up one morning and was literally bouncing off the walls. I have it every morning, but it's gone by nighttime -- just in time to go to bed and have it start all over again in the morning. It's like being very drunk, without the good part. I lie on the bed and the room spins.

I haven't been to the doctor, because friends I know who have had it said their doctors didn't do anything to help it. They say it's caused by crystals in the inner ear, and I just have to wait for the crystals to settle back down to wherever they go.

Yes, I tried sleeping sitting up, but I just fall over and wake up dizzy and with a stiff neck. Yes, I tried Dramamine. Dramamine helps with the sick tummy feeling, but not so much for the dizzyness.

If you've had vertigo, and you've had success treating it, please let me know.
Dizzy Judy

rx
 

A doctor might be able to prescribe Meclizine. Also I have heard of homeopathic remedies that a friend of mine has used....don't know the name of it.

My wife had it for a few days several years ago, doctors said it usually goes away, in her case it did.

There are different forms tho, U should see a Dr. don't be your own, it can be other issues .

A bit of reading and this

http://images.emedicinehealth.com/im...ar_cutaway.jpg

Hi Judy,
I don't know a thing about vertigo, or any other medical condition, for that matter. But, I would suggest you go to your doctor. Just because your friends didn't get satisfaction, doesn't mean you will have the same outcome. You may not have the same thing they had and/or your doctor may be more knowledgeable or willing to try different treatments. Please don't drive (even the golf cart) until this clears up, which I hope will be soon. Good luck!

My friend had it about 5 years ago and I don't know what was prescribed to help her, but I do recall she was told to severely limit her sodium intake.

I feel your pain, had vertigo a few times over the years, first time I got it, I had no idea what on earth it was. Very scary. Ended up in ER as I didn't know what was going on, vertigo was diagnosed, meds were given and it went away right away. That said, I never go anywhere without my meds when I travel. I was prescribed Meclizine 25mg tabs for the dizziness and Promethazine 25mg tabs for the nausea.

Only had two episodes in past 10 years of vertigo, but I know the symptoms now, so when I get it, I take the Meclizine right away and usually only have to take it for a few days and it has passed by then and I can walk and continue on with life. Most docs say you should take it for a week, but I never felt a need to take it that long. Vertigo can last a week, two weeks and up to a month I hear. Thank goodness, I have never had that long of a bout with it. Doc also told me that there isn't a cure for it, but meds do certainly help till it passes.

I would discuss it with your doctor and see what he/she says since you are having a rather long bout of it. Oh, Meclizine is a really just a super strong antihistimine prescription strength.

I hope it passes soon for you, I know it is not fun when having a bout, can't imagine without meds.

judy, had the same problem, dr sent me to all coast therapy at 13940 hwy 441 building 700, 751-5168. did wonders for me.

Please go to the Doctor Judy.

My daughter had vertigo and they said it was crystals - she went to someone, maybe a chiropractor, not sure but they did movements of her head that did something to the crystals and it worked - involved lying down and sitting up quickly as I remember - I will check with her and check back in to see if you still need information.

My wife uses this for motion sickness / vertigo and it has worked wonders. her doctor advised it is a safe drug without long term side effects...safe to use. We were unable to fly until she started on this medication. Her doctor also advised to use a decongestant which aids in keeping the ear canal free of fluids. Good luck, and don't worry, the fix seems to be simple. ( Love your kitty avitar)

Judy, if it's been more than a couple of day, you're best to go see a Dr.

JMHO!

Bill :)

Have had it. My doctor recommend that before I get up in the morning to lie on my back. Turn your head from side to side and repeat this multiple times. This relieved the dizziness for me and after a few weeks it subsided.

You should go to the doctor. Gracie is right.

I got up from the couch about 8 years ago feeling fine and took a few steps toward the kitchen and suddenly my world started spinning I went to the floor and was also nauseated. Long story short----my wife called 911 thinking I was "stroking out" and I ended up in the ER. The "tests" showed vertigo and My Primary Doctor sent me to an ear/Specialist. They explained it as a min-stroke of the inner ear which the Specialist said there was a good chance it would not happen again. I lost 30% hearing in one ear and coordination came back but not at a 100%. I would strongly suggest that you see a doctor ASAP to get you're situation diagnosed to be certain that vertigo is the problem. I did take medication for a few weeks and it helped. It was scary and lucky another episode has not occurred.

First, I agree that you should check with your doctor.

My mother had vertigo several years ago. She went to the doctor and he moved her head several different ways to move the crystals. He also prescribed Meclizne 12.5 mg that she takes from time to time.

When we were in TV in April, Mom got dizzy on the first day! She only took a few pills with her for the trip. I asked someone at the LS Sales Office where I could find an Urgent Care facility. 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. This little exercise worked for Mom and she was able to enjoy the rest of our visit.

But, you really should check with your doctor!

a friend of mine is occasionally struck with vertigo - one day while at the chiropractor for one thing she mentioned she was in the throes of it! he did a simple adjustment between her neck and shoulders and voila! it was gone! her physician had prescribed rest!!! she now goes straight to the chiro when it attacks!

see your doctor and then see a chiropractor! ;)

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.

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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:

This is not exactly how they manipulated my 94 yo sis in law who was suffering with a bad case of the dizzy's to the point she was throwing up.
The doctor had a therapist come to the house and perform a manuever on her and it worked pretty well! This webvsite is similar to what they did to her..

Semont and Epley Maneuvers to Treat Vertigo

This is what she was diagnosed with BPPV Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

However. it is best to rule out the stuff that is more serious first. That is the reason I think you should just see the doctor, Judy.

And then we can go back to enjoying your dizzy blonde personality...for a brunette.

Aha! Maybe you found the cause, GG? I had highlights (and lowlights) put in my hair for the wedding. Maybe I caught a case of dizzy blonde at the hairdresser? :p

Seriously, I'm surprised at how common this malady is! It seems as if everybody has either had it, or they know somebody who has had it. I'm so glad we have a place where we can share symptoms & remedies for everyone to try -- or tuck them away for future reference.

Again, you all are the most helpful people people, and I thank you very much! :ho:

I have had Vertigo on and off for about 10 years. Last year I had episodes that lasted daily for about 3 months. My general practitioner did a quick test and indicated I had positional Vertigo; namely, the movement of my head and body in a certain direction triggers it. He recommended I see an audiologist. The audiologist confirmed that it was positional Vertigo and indicated crystals (calcium) needed to be rotated out of the ear canal. He did his "magic" on my head and the crystals did move. Now, I had bad nausea and dizziness while he was doing the head movement and for the whole day. But since then I've been pretty good. He also mentioned that if I didn't get relief, there are several physical therapists who are trained for Vertigo that may be of help... I have not had to take that route. Also, my GP indicated I do not need a prescription medication because over-the-counter Bonine is the same dosage and ingredient as the prescription. I carry Bonine with me all the time in case I do get some dizziness... it works very good. Good luck!

Judy i can tell you how i got rid of my vertigo. About4 years ago i woke up one morning and got out of bed. I fell backward back in to the bed with things spinning. That started a month or longer search for a cure. I had a mri, saw 3 or 4 different doctors. Nobodycould do anything for me. Finally i was at the ent doctor and after she scoped my throat and found nothing she sent me to the villages physical therapy bld in the sharon morse bld. I figured it was just another wild goose chase but i went anyway.I was seen by a girl named keri brooks. She knew exactly what i had and how to get rid of it. I dont think she is working there anymore but you can check there to see if keri has mooved to leesburg. Go to google and type in keri brooks physical therapist. You will get a lot of info on a keri brooks that in my mind must be her. Im just guessing she changed jobs. Anyway it took her about a half hour and a few sharp turns of my neck and she got those little balls that were floating in the back of my head back into the pockets they came out of. The girl was an angel and made me cry .She did it so easily and after me spending over a month bouncing from doctor to doctor and getting nothing. So see if you can get hold of keri, judy and make an appt to see her. I bet she fixes you up in one therapy session.Tell her tom sent you. She might remember me. Good luck, Tom

I had very severe vertigo a few years ago. The meclizine did not help me but vertigo exercises which were recommended by a friend did. I would strongly recommend you try them, you can get them on line. I can't remember the name of the exercises but it involved lying on one side and then the other.

YES the eyes bouncing...the therapist had me help her with the positioning of her and she said now when i bend her back watch her eyes watch how they will bounce...
This is exactly her!! and it was wild watching those eyes bounce!!!:shocked:

I was diagnosed with positional vertigo. I cannot lie on my back and turn my head to the right or spinning starts. I also get dizzy when I do a yoga position turning my head to the right. I was glad to learn though, that if I keep my head in that position, the dizziness stops in about 30 seconds. I was told by the doctor to lie on my back and sit up and down quickly. It gave me a terrible feeling though, a feeling of nausea after only a few times. I have just been dealing with it for about 3 years now. I would be interested to hear if anyone has this. I hope this is helpful to you...It is very annoying.

I was diagnosed with positional vertigo. I cannot lie on my back and turn my head to the right or spinning starts. I also get dizzy when I do a yoga position turning my head to the right. I was glad to learn though, that if I keep my head in that position, the dizziness stops in about 30 seconds. I was told by the doctor to lie on my back and sit up and down quickly. It gave me a terrible feeling though, a feeling of nausea after only a few times. I have just been dealing with it for about 3 years now. I would be interested to hear if anyone has this. I hope this is helpful to you...It is very annoying.