Anyone else with vertigo from recurrent herpes simplex 1?
Posted , 12 users are following.
On Valentines day, 2014, I got an illness where I both felt dizzy and then got an eruption on my chest and some small "pox" on face. The eruption looked and felt like shingles, except was getting vertigo. oddly, was also accompynaied by pain on bridge of nose and vertigo would be most likley to occur while sleeping. I'd be sicker in late afternoons. Also headaches. It then recurred frequently over the next year, both the dizziness and vertig and eruption on my chest of a few pox that would usually reabsorb after a few days- turns out its not shingles (herpes zoster) but HSV1 (I got a DNA test which picked this up in my blood). I've seen other claims that chronic vertigo is indeed caused by reactivation of a herpes virus. Incidentlly, antivirals worked, but they upset my gut so badly i had to go off. and each time i went off, the infection with vertigo would just come back. Incidentally, I've been a long time sufferer of vertigo, with episodes in past. but back then, i'd have bad vertigo for 6 weeks, and then be ok except for some balance issues. Now, this has been pretty continuous sfor a while. not every episode is scream out loud vertigo, but in between real vertigo are sensations of swaying, feeling on a boat etc. Its not BPPV. and i'm familiar with other casues of vertigo. I do think once an area is damaged- like vestibujlar system- it them becomes a target of attack from all sorts of things due to its vulnerability- viruses, migraines etc.
0 likes, 13 replies
ben99468 viki02823
Posted
The specialists that I saw said that it is a very low %, like less than 6, who get vertigo again from a virus or bacteria. The Vestibular Nerve damage is simply damage to the nerve, it does not make an environment conducive of a future invasion. Once your body beats the virus, you should have an immunity to it unless you have a compromised immune system. Once the damage is done though, you need to compensate for it to get back to normal.
I too have heard that Vestibular Neuritis can be caused by some kind of Herpes virus, like a cold sore, but I have never had a cold sore or any kind of Herpes that I know of at least, and I have been diagnosed with VN.
I am not a doctor, but I wonder if you might have had BPPV at the same time. Take a look on Google for a doctor at the University of Colorado, Dr. Carol A. Foster M.D. She gives an account of having two kinds of Vertigo and tells about a 1/2 somersault that she devised herself to do to herself that worked for her.
Anyway, I wish you well and hope that you be patient with your recovery.
Ben
gerald164 ben99468
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Terry6872737 gerald164
Posted
ben99468 gerald164
Posted
There is an excellent video on youtube that the doctor herself narates and another person demonstrates in. If you will google "1/2 somersault vertigo" you will see a box with Dr. Carol A. Foster in it and it is entitled Vertigo Treatment At Home. Click on it and watch it. I will send you the actual link in my next post, but it will be held up for a while until they check it out.
To answer your question; Start by sitting or kneeling on your knees, tilt head back,wait, then fall forward until your head is on the floor, then tuck your head under just a little bit more, wait, then turn towards the bad ear, wait, then keeping head turned rise to back level, now you are on all fours, wait, then return to kneeling position, head should be still turned toward the bad ear.
For sure go to the video because the Dr. holds a prop of the ear parts and tells what's going on and gives you the movements and how they affect the crystals. I only wish she would take the prop completely through the somersault move so we could plainly see how it works, because I have a serious impariment to understanding and studying and I feel that it would help me understand it better. If she had a clear plastic tube with colored water in it and contrasting colored crystals in it to show the movement it would been even better, but it's exceptlionally good as is. Remember, she had Meniere's disease and had her Vestibular nerve cut, then went and studied on Vertigo more then had the BPPV attack, so she is really on top of it.
Hope you can get the video soon and see it, it's great.
Ben
viki02823
Posted
so not BPPV but recurrent vertigo and recurrent dizziness with recurrent reactivation of herpes simplex 1 (a persistent virus, not one that humans ever get rid of, which sheds occasionally and can reactivate. usually reactivation gives one cold sores, hence the unusual presentation).
laurence76206 viki02823
Posted
I too think my Dizziness and many other associated symptoms was caused by the Herpes Virus. I had an ulcer on my eye (similar to a cold sore on the lip) in November last year (which I was told this was due to the Herpes Virus), in December I had a massive spinning episode and have felt unwell ever since.
I have since been Diagnosed with VN by the ENT specialist but am also seeing a Neuroligist and await the outcome of my MRI/MRA scans.
I have seen articles that suggest that the Herpes Virus can cause this type of illness.
I am still fightinjg this condition and am five months in, I have been off work for the past four months but try to keep positive and keep doing the VRT.
best wishes in your recovery.
julie_02763 laurence76206
Posted
Hi Laurence - Julie here
I am new to this discussion and have just logged on to this site. I presented with chronic vertigo about 10 days ago -went to doctor -diagnosed with middle ear infection - had antibiotics -no improvement. Saw a different doctor on Monday who sent me for bloodtests after prescribing Prednisone - which has marginally helped. Results today show I am infected with herpes 1 & 2 and been now prescribed with Famvir which he said will help. About 18 months ago I had a serious corneal ulcer in my eye which took extensive treatment to cure. My doctor now says that there is a connection to the herpes virus with that too. I am alarmed, dismayed and quite frightened as what the future holds as I am an active and fit middle aged woman who has almost never had a days illness in her life. I would be interested to know how you are doing ? Kind regards Julie
laurence76206 julie_02763
Posted
Yes it is an interesting connection, others on the site have also mentioned Herpes virus as being the connection with their dizziness. I was eventually diagnosed with VN along with associated migraine (brought on by the VN). I did mention on numerous occasions the issue I had with the corneal ulcer just prior to waking up dizzy in December 2014. This though, I felt, was ignored by all the consultants/doctors I saw.
I am now doing ok. I was unfortunately dismissed by my previous employer as I was unable to work for over 12 months. I am now working part time and managing life pretty well. Drinking alcohol, going on holiday and out with friends, driving etc. The horrible brain fog and other associated symptoms are pretty much all gone but I still tend to want to go over to the left when walking and still get a bit light headed. I took amytriptiline for nearly a year and this helped considerably especially with the migraine side of things, I am now off this medication but do watch what I eat (especially cheese and red wine as these make me feel worse).
I saw a consultant by the name of Mr Rea and he was excellent, he is one of the top conulstant in England for this type of illness.
Just going back to the Corneal Ulcer, I was told this can reoccur at any time but (touch wood) has not so far. If it does it will be interesting to see if my dizziness is greatly affected.
Anyway, most people will get over the diziness within 3 months, hopefully you will be one of the 85% that do. I hope you get the answers you are looking for.
Take care
Laurence
kim09306 viki02823
Posted
looked up the symptoms and to my surprise herpies could be linked to meniers so am going to get this investigated further, seeing doctor next week
so if i can get rid of the Herpies virus does it mean my Menieres will also disapear
God I hope so
Would not wish what i have on my worst enemy.
susan84872 kim09306
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susan84872 viki02823
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I think that may also be my problem. I've certainly had enough tests to rule other things out. I've had vertigo on and off for 20 years, symptoms like you described and told it was BPV. But recently I was diagnosed with herpes (thanks to my ex husband I guess) SHOCK! Now I am wondering if the episodes of "vertigo symptoms" have co-incided with the symptoms of herpes which probably have been happening for 20 years also. I was symptom free for several months, then all of a sudden my balance was off, ears ringing and I discovered I was having another mild "outbreak". I wonder if anyone else has linked these two?
sarah7670 viki02823
Posted
lucia58849 viki02823
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I have suffered from periodic vertigo outbreaks most likely due to herpes simplex 1... I found out that antiviral remedies work well for me (better within one day!!!). More specifically: L-lysine (1,000 milligrams three times daily), echinacea tea, 1-3 raw garlic cloves/day, mushroom based immune boosting supplements.
If you google natural viral remedies for herpes you will find other options such as: elderberry, calendula, astragalus and licorice root.
On the same note stay away from nuts, oats, coffee and chocolate ... (Again, perform a google search on what foods to avoid for herpes outbreaks)... Those foods indeed flared back up my vertigo when I thought I was better...
Good luck all!