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Diagnosis of Veritgo

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jeannine53117
jeannine53117

I have had bouts of dizziness for 10 plus years seeming always from head positioning. Never felt the need to see MD for issue as it would last for a 10-15 mins and be gone. Occasionally had un unbalanced feeling for a day or two.  Recently though I have had acute attacks in the morning after arising from bed.  These attacks have been something I have never encounterd, such spinning that I have fallen, nausea and vomiting and dizziness that has lasted 5-6 hours and can not get out of bed without a chance of falling.  I finally went to my MD and was diagnosed with postional vertigo.  Was given an order for vestibular therapy.  I have a 3 week wait for the soonest appointment. Since seeing my MD I have had 3 more severe attacks.  I was prescribed nausea medication so at least that has helped the vomiting and dry heaving.  Even though I do not have the intense spinning everyday, I still feel dizzy, unbalanced and foggy everyday- Any suggetions on what I can do before my therapy appointment?  I am at my wits in with feeling this way- HELP-

 

0 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • Waffalobill
    Waffalobill jeannine53117

    Posted

    I would try calling them see if they can get you in sooner. I have done it and it worked. They get cancellations all the time.
    • jeannine53117
      jeannine53117 Waffalobill

      Posted

      Thank you- I did ask to be put on the cancellation list- no luck so far but have hope everyday.  This is just miserable-
  • eleftherio33095
    eleftherio33095 jeannine53117

    Posted

    If you have been diagnosed with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), then with one positional maneuver by your MD you could most likely have been cured.  You do or did not have to wait this long.  It is difficult to tell you from here what to do, as it depends on which semicircular canal has been affected.

    Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

    Clinical Neurophysiologist

    Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

    • jeannine53117
      jeannine53117 eleftherio33095

      Posted

      Thank for the reply and information. My MD diagnosed as Bi-lateral BPPV.  I can not differentiate a  worse side.  In bed a night the spinning is just as bad when I go from one side to the other. I have been trying to sleep only on my back with 2-3 pillow as well. I sure hope the maneuver is successful. Not sure if you have ever heard of the Foster maneuver? I tired that the other night and it did seem to help, did for both sides. The only other relief I get is to just sleep.
    • eleftherio33095
      eleftherio33095 jeannine53117

      Posted

      It is difficult to do these on your own, especially with bilateral involvement.  It is best to have this done supervised.  You should be significantly better at the first supervised exercise at your next appointment.

      Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

      Clinical Neurophysiologist

      Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

    • Waffalobill
      Waffalobill jeannine53117

      Posted

      Like the doc just posted needs to be supervised. I was told these treatments need to be done correctly ( meneuvers and rehab) or they can make you worse. As lot worse.
  • saccio65311
    saccio65311 jeannine53117

    Posted

    Dear,

    Have you done MRI/EEG?

    Mine condition is same as yours or may be worse.

    I am facing issue from 3-4 months. Always dizziness, nausea but never ommit, can't concentrate on anything because of dizziness, while walking and driving I feel I'll fall but never fallen, also when I sit in chair sometimes I feel I fall but never fallen.

    Medication doesn't help me at all.

    As well I checked my vitamin D level so it was deficiency in my report. I started taking D3 supplement from last 3 weeks but it seems still problem is there.

    Very bad phase of life going on.

    • jeannine53117
      jeannine53117 saccio65311

      Posted

      no testing done as of yet, as I have just been diagnosed, even though I have had it for years just never this severe as what I am experiencing now. I think my insurance would not approve testing until I try the conservative treatment like the vestibular therapy. I am just hoping this will at least help me manage this.  From what I have read there is no cure but you can learn to manage the symtoms when they occur.  The two nausea medications my MD prescribed definitely work for the vomiting and dry heaves but they do not do anything for the spinning, dizziness and fogginess I have. I too am always low Vit D.  I am taking 4000 mg a day and still always test on the low side.  I live in NE OHIO which means not much sun except for maybe 3-4 months in the summer.
  • RPH845
    RPH845 jeannine53117

    Posted

    Jeannine,

    Vertigo is no fun, as I've suffered from it off and on for more than 13 years, the most recent episode I am now dealing with that has lasted over 3 months. Often vertigo is a result of these little tiny crystals that get stuck in the ear and impact your balance. This can often be solved with certain types of maneuvers, once called the Epley Maneuver that a good physical therapist is trained to do. However, there are a bunch of reasons and causes for vertigo and it can literally ruin your life if not addressed, There is a vestibular disorders website that offers a lot of information and resources. I've had the works done, not cheap if you don't have insurance, as CT scans and MRIs can be very expensive. I'm now at the point where my specialist, Dr. Jacob Hunter at UT Southwestern in Dallas is ordering more tests based on a brain scan that possibly shows a tiny hole in the scull which messes up the balance that the brain reads (this is really simplified). Hence, I'm dizzy all the time. Also the barometric pressure impacts the severity of my vertigo, which is a function of the ear not operating properly. I may also have what's called vestibular migraines without the pain of a headache. Surgery may be an option, and if so, I will lose my hearing in the affected ear. Vertigo has resulted in depression, lack of concentration, inability to completely comprehend verbal information and instructions, as well as grounded me from a very, very active social life, and exercise regimen. I do walk my dogs--slowly and with very solid shoes--and I do a lot of stretching to remain flexible. Vertigo is nothing to fool around with, or experiment with different types of medications that have serious side effects. Get to the very best doctor and specialist you can find. I wish you well and hope you are able to get rid of the spinning.

    • Waffalobill
      Waffalobill RPH845

      Posted

      Hate this disorder. So many things can cause the vertigo and dizziness. I can remember having these symptoms for decades. But just had the bad episodes start about 11 years ago. They finally have reached a point I can't do anything. Vertigo every day. Some mild, some violant. Dizzy 24/7. Was finally sent to a specialist up north who confirmed menieres for sure. Had my second appointment yesterday. He's trying to control the frequency of attacks with diuretics. Remove the fluid, stop the crystals floating etc etc. So far it hasn't worked at all. Yesterday he doubled the dose. Have to contact him in a month to let him know how it's working. If no change may have to try more aggressive treatment. Hearing going down hill. Told me since last app 4 months ago I have lost more hearing in my left ear.

    • jeannine53117
      jeannine53117 RPH845

      Posted

      Thank you for you for your imput- I am hoping the therapist I am going to see will help me.  Awoke again last night with just horrific spinning, took my nausea medicine and slept it off again,  Now just the foggy, slight dizziness with head movement feeling.  Ugh.. another day of work feeling so "out of it". I will definitely continue to seek treatment if the theray does not work-

    • RPH845
      RPH845 Waffalobill

      Posted

      I can totally relate to what you are going through and it is a nightmare. The best place I've found for information and resources is on the Vestibular Disorders Association website. There are specialists, the best are at Johns Hopkins where a lot of the research on this disorder is being conducted. Keep after your doctor to get you some relief, because this is a debilitating disorder that can literally end life as you know it. I can attest to that.

    • RPH845
      RPH845 jeannine53117

      Posted

      Yes, Jeannine it is horrific and you need answers for sure. While I've forced myself to function inspite of the vertigo, working, going back to graduate school, teaching, driving, etc. I do so with great care knowing I could fall, forget my words, or bump into something or someone, like the curbs when I'm driving. Vertigo can be caused by so many different things--mine may possibly be what is called SSCD or Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence which is essentially an opening in the skull by the ear canal. It can be resolved with surgery, which I would like to avoid. Some medications like Klonopine at very low doses have been prescribed by docs, as have anti-anxiety meds like Valium, or anti-histamines. Testing by the right specialist is necessary to rule out a bunch of possibilities. It's taken me 13 years to find the right doc, but I'm on the road. In the meantime, my botox treatments have made a big difference recently in the severity of my dizziness, and even my PT who is treating me noticed the difference in my "spinning" eyes! Good luck. Don't give up.

    • Waffalobill
      Waffalobill RPH845

      Posted

      Finally was sent to a doc specialises in this disorder. Now it's just a matter of figuring out a treatment. They start with diuretics. They move on to procedures like inner ear injections or surgery.

    • RPH845
      RPH845 Waffalobill

      Posted

      Good luck with the specialist, as these docs who understand the various causes for vertigo can really help. Lots of research out and options available, but it is all in who is treating you. Best of luck and hope your hearing improves.

       

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