Describe an attack

Betahistine is not available in the US. I had. for some time, a feeling that my ears were screwed on too tight. The one day I noticed almost no hearing in my left ear. Once I got to see an ENT I was immediately put on dyazide which brought my hearing back rather rapidly. Since then it was rough for a while. I had hearing sensitivity, the feeling of balloons having been blown up in my ears, nausea, sudden episodes of vertigo (fortunately very short) and sudden falls without warning. On top of that were the headaches from hell and the needle stabbing sensations in my head. I particularly hated the feeling that someone was trying to pry open a skull suture line with a pry bar. Two years down the line and I am much better. Still have the hearing sensitivity, my vertigo is mostly side slips in my head, still have the ear balloons and the occasional headache and my balance is still not so great.. I feel like dyazide works better that betahistine. From reading what other people say about it you sometimes have to really increase the dosage to get the response you need. You still have to cut out salt in your diet. I did that by really cutting down on processed foods. I just have to keep myself hydrated and wear sunscreen when I go out or cover up as it makes you sensitive to the sun. Hope you start doing better.

Hi Chris,

I have what I call "brain zaps". I used to call them head rushes until I started googling and found the other term pops up with the symptoms. I'm not sure if it's the same thing you're experiencing but they go 50/50 for me. 50% of the time I experience this shock feeling and I get a swirl of vertigo that lasts seconds. And the other 50% I could be standing or sitting there and get the spinning, that lasts seconds, without the shock. It tends to happen when I watch TV or stare at a phone or computer too much. But it has happened out of nowhere before. And tends to happen when I'm anxious.

I was just at a friends birthday party a weekend ago, standing in the food line, and one happened; I thought I was going to pass out. Half the time I feel like they're almost over by the time you even realize what's happening. They last seconds. Some stronger than others. I've even had ones that are "strong" where it feels like something hits your head and makes you flinch/jerk like "what the heck was that??". Painless but always with that spinning that lasts a few seconds.

I've had ones so strong that it made me feel as if I was going to faint with tunnel vision and heart racing- again, lasting seconds. There's another woman on here experiencing the same as us and she can't figure hers out either.

My neurologists chalk it up to nothing but it's actually a large inconvenience at times. I'm starting to believe it's the vestibular system resetting itself but I'm definitely not a doctor so who knows. I've read online it's the same thing people who have SSRI withdrawal go through, to an extent. That's where "brain zaps" come from.

I don't usually get a headache with mine brain zaps but I do with full fledged vertigo attacks. I was diagnosed with Menieres and BPPV.

Sorry so long but hope you can relate and this lets you know you're not alone!

It is important you get diagnosed properly with Xray and MRI scans to exclude other possible causes for your symptoms. If MD is confirmed high doses of betahistine are likely to be needed.  I have copied below a reply posted elsewhere in these forums which may be helpful/informative:-

"I have looked at some of your replies and it seems that the common factor is the relatively low dose of betahistine you are taking. Also it needs time to work.

My consultant, having confirmed the diagnosis, and noting that I was not fully controlled tripled my dose from 16mg to 48 mg three times daily, and told me if I remained attack free for 6 months I should then wean myself off.  That strategy worked and I had a full remission period of 21 months.

His advice was also that if the warning signs of MD returning (Ear fullness, unstable tinnitus, dizzy spells) occurred to not wait for a full blown attack but go straight back on the high dose and increase it further if necessary. The reasoning for this is that each major attack is very likely to cause further hearing loss which is not reversible.

I got the warning signs again at the end of July so did as advised. The signs subsided over 2 or 3 days which was good but about 6 weeks later I had a sudden vertigo attack for a couple of minutes which left me feeling unsteady and unwell. I always carry buccastem and took one straight away – fortunately that worked OK. As a result I have increased my dosage to 64mg tds while I wait for a review with the consultant.

This seems to be working OK.

Suggest you ask your consultant to review your dosage. Good luck."

http://sheffieldbalance.co.uk/what-is-visual-vertigo/

And this one

http://www.neuropt.org/docs/vsig-physician-fact-sheets/visual-vertigo-motion-sensitivity.pdf?sfvrsn=2

Hi Chris  those symptoms are pretty much in one form or another what we all get. I use to get that drop feeling like I'd gone to my left was scary use to happen mostly watching a tv or computer screen mostly..sometimes I had it when I was in conversation with someone then I'd get a tingling rush down my arms and legs..think it's the brain not sure which way up we are.. can't watch much tv get really spaced but I've tried lowering the brightness and contrast so can watch it for about an hour max..the tinnitus is like static in my head with a bass wave feeling when I've over done things..sleeping I've done so much of this always tired..then there are nights when you get brain jerks and loud tinnitus and you can't sleep..tried pillows up and down..not sleeping on my left or right..mornings are worse too..takes time to regain yourself and each day you think am I better...it can consume your whole day every day...the fullness in the ear and pain is horrid and do is brain fog..as for medication I found beta histamine didn't help..which I'd started on cinnazine 10months ago this works well for me. Only take it now as and when I need it...I was given a nasal steroid spray as I've got blocked eust tubes and that can cause dizzy too..been on that 4 weeks now after 5 months of having it..they are slightly better but the spray does give you a headache....so yes go for what works for you best....even sitting still you might find you are shaking..this is all part of your vestibular system not working right..I often wonder if most of our conditions are from a virus inflammation then why is steroids not used earlier in the process..or strong anti inflammatory drugs like diclofenic or naproxen...