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Vertigo or something else?

Posted , 8 users are following.

michelle_05599
michelle_05599

Hi everyone, iv been suffering from dizziness for 2months now and really can't take anymore 😔, it's got to the point I can't go out on my own ie take children to school, shopping, ect it's really getting me down, in 2 weeks time I'm supposed to be going to Disney land Paris and really don't think I can go, it started in November, but did have the odd episode before, it feels like I'm walking on a sponge and the floor is moving, also when I'm stood still talking to people I feel like I'm in a dream and it's not really happening, and the the dizziness comes I have to stand with my legs apart to feel safe, or if it happens when I'm walking I tend to walk on my tiptoes is anybody else experience this? Would be greatful of some feed back thank you x

2 likes, 35 replies

35 Replies

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  • laurence76206
    laurence76206 michelle_05599

    Posted

    Hi Michelle,

    From what you describe it sounds very much like Vestibular Neuronitis (VN).  Have you been to your GP and if so what did they say?  If not I would get an appointment and ask to be referred to a Neurotologist, they will diagnose exactly what is wrong.  In most cases people will get over this in 6-12 weeks, unfortunately it can be a lot longer for some.  The consultant should refer you to a physiotherapist who specialises in these types of conditions who will then prescribe you with mostly head exercises, this will help you regain your balance (compensate).  The main thing is to try and keep moving as much as possible but of cause try and take plenty of rest also and drink lots of fluids.

    I have had VN for 14 months and am doing regular physio to help compensate for my loss of balance.  I have the symptoms you describe and have felt some improvement but due to picking up viruses have had a bit of a set back. 

    I hope you begin to feel some improvement soon

    Best wishes

    Laurence

    • michelle_05599
      michelle_05599 laurence76206

      Posted

      Thank you for replying, I have been to my gp about 6 times and keep getting given different meds to try (none have worked) he has said vertigo and lab, I'm just wanting to get back to my normal self I'm 32 married with 3 children and my life at the minute is at a stand still, iv experienced anxiety and panick attacks since having this, I feel like I'm always poorly having to tell children I can't do this and that it has totally changed me, x
    • laurence76206
      laurence76206 michelle_05599

      Posted

      Hi Michelle,

      I also experienced anxiety but I have now overcome this as I am so used to feeling off balance it has become the norm!.  I would keep pressing your GP to see a specialist as GP's are mostly just guessing.  The specialist will advise you to come off any medication for the dizziness as this will slow or even stop compensation, they may help in the short term but I never found any that did (and i tried them all at the start).

      They now think I may also be suffering silent migraine which is the reason for my slow recovery from this.  I am sure that once you get to see the right person you will start to recover given the correct physiotherapy.

      All the best 

      Laurence

    • Gilly_flower
      Gilly_flower laurence76206

      Posted

      Hi Lawrence , I was told yesterday that I could be suffering from silent migraine. But would that give you symptons 24 / 7
    • laurence76206
      laurence76206 Gilly_flower

      Posted

      Hi Gilly,

      I am not sure, this is also new to me.  I saw my consultant (Mr Rea) on wednesday as I feel just as dizzy now as when it first started (maybe a small improvment).  I have been doing the VRT for 7 months with no real improvment hence he carried out a procedure to look up my nose for sinus issues and and inflamation, this was all clear.  I have been complaining about weird smells and on occasions like I am looking through a a heat haze, I also get a very stiff neck,. My sleep is generally poor in that I keep waking up through the night and I always seem to feel tense.  Mr Rea told me that this could be migraine as around 40% of VN sufferers will develop migraine. I don't get  headcahes I so assumed it must be silent migarine.  Mr Rea has prescribed a course of tablets which he tells me will help with the dizziness, stiff neck, sleep and migraine.  He also told me to avoid the 6 C's (caffiene, chocolate, cheese, claret, chinese food and citrus). I haven't started taking the tablets yet as I can't get them until Monday, hopefully these  will work.  Like you I do suffer 24/7, I don't know if you have looked at the VEDA website but there is a small video on there of a woman who suffered 24/7 with Migraine (the whole set of symptoms of dizziness etc) and once correctly diagnosed was given medication and the correct VRT and recovered.

      Mr Rea does say I have VN but thinks the migraine is delaying my recovery.

      What are your symptoms?

      Best wishes

      Laurence

       

    • Pupsicle
      Pupsicle Gilly_flower

      Posted

      Migraine episodes can last for months or years in some cases, so yes, it is possible.
    • Gilly_flower
      Gilly_flower laurence76206

      Posted

      Hi Lawrence ,, I feel so of balance all the time and very unsteady ,I got a constant feeling of a heavy head and pressure , no real bad headaches , they put it down to bppv at first but now after having the eppley there's no have a terrible feeling when I'm under bright lights , so unsteady , I also feel like I'm walking on a trampoline , or soft ground , I have alway been active but just woke up like this in October. Everything I do is hard , supermarkets , reading , tv etc , been of work now since October , longing to get back but can't X 
    • laurence76206
      laurence76206 Gilly_flower

      Posted

      Hi Gilly,

      I am also off balance 24/7.  I got dizzy on 19th December 2014 and have been dizzy since.  I was diagnosed with VN in February 2015 and started physio in July 2015.  Unfortunately my dizziness hasn't improved and hence my consultant now thinks this is due to migraine (which runs in my family).  I also have problems with bright lights and have the heavy head and pressure.  I get the pressure also across the bridge of my nose and eyes and have the spongy feet feeling.  He still thinks I have VN but that my compensation is being affected by possible migraine.  Mr Rea is one of the top consultants in the couintry for this type of thing.  he will be on TV on Channel 5 on the 31st March.  This will follow a lady who has been dizzy for 60 years!! (I think that's what he said although he may have said 16 years either way it is a long time).  She is now cured so hopefully Mr Rea will get me better.

      I know what it's like being off work for so long (the boredom and frustration).  I was off work for 6 months before eventually being dismissed.  I am lucky in that as I am now in my mid fifties so was able to draw my pension from when I worked for the Post Office but I do eventually want to start working part time again at some point.

      I avoid supermarkets but I went into Next the other day and all the lights and chrome surfaces did my head in and I came out after 20 minutes.

      Anyway, I hope you find some answers.

      Take care

      Laurence

    • Gilly_flower
      Gilly_flower laurence76206

      Posted

      Thankyou Lawrence , I'm 59 , like I said always been busy , I work in a restaurant , and they have a B and B which I run , so early starts , breakfast etc , but can't stand the lightening in the kitchen , and when I do the rooms there is so much bending ,and rushing around , I also have to little granddaughters and I can't look after them at the moment , I do work in a charity shop as well , all stopped , I'm just praying I will be able to get back soon even if I can't do as much as I did before , I find it all so frustrating , as for my GP , I honestly think he doesn't realise how bad this is 
    • michelle_05599
      michelle_05599 Gilly_flower

      Posted

      Morning everyone, woke up at 7 and thought I was OK until I walked down stairs and just like every day it's there the dizziness and off balance, couldn't take my daughter to her gymnastics class AGAIN 😔 also my panic attacks have been quite bad today feel like I can't get a deep enough breath and my heart starts to pound, just like all of you I can't wait to have my life back I'm sick of whinging about it my poor husband that's all he ever hears x
    • Gilly_flower
      Gilly_flower michelle_05599

      Posted

      Hi Michelle , I know how your feeling , I wake and I think I will forget it, but it rears it ugly head every day , I feel for my husband to , because I know he's worried ,I'm trying not to panic , but just can't help it , last night watching telly made fill dizzy last night , even when I'm sat down I feel like I'm moving, I just want this nightmare to stop , or fill a little better , 
  • Gilly_flower
    Gilly_flower michelle_05599

    Posted

    Hi Michelle , I have been suffering with what they think is bppv , (crystals) in the inner ear , have had the eppley manerver , but not working , I to feel like I'm walking on a trampoline , and even sitting I feel like I'm moveing , I've been like this since October , and like you it getting me down , I had a scan last week but no results yet , there now going to send me to a neurologist , ,I also find different lighting affects me , it's hard to explain to people , unless you experienced it I find people don't understand , i hope you feel better soon 
    • michelle_05599
      michelle_05599 Gilly_flower

      Posted

      Hi gilly flower iknow exactly what you mean, I'm worse if it's sunny outside, it's an awful thing to deal with, I'm going back to my gp next week and if my new meds aren't working I'm going to ask to be referd, it's like I could scream at my gp to help me, it feels like nobody is listening, people have life's to get on with and this is just not letting them, I hope you get sorted soon and get back to normal living ☺ xx
  • Gilly_flower
    Gilly_flower michelle_05599

    Posted

    I know exactly what you mean about GP , i want to scream , I was fine until October 12 . I work in a restaurant and they have a B and B , which I run , so very early starts for breakfast etc , and then rooms so physical job , but I love it there , I also have 2 beautiful granddaughters and at the moment can't look after them , I also work in a charity shop , and now I can't do any of this , my GP keeps putting it down to anxiety now , but I agree I'm anxious , but who wouldn't be feeling like this , but he's not listening about the real problem , all he's doe is throw antidepressants at me , I wouldn't wish this on anyone but I would like my doctor to have it for just for a day , fed up with trying to explain to him 
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