1. Community
  2. Ears, nose, throat and mouth
  3. Vertigo and Dizziness

Going on 2 weeks - getting over Vertigo

Posted , 5 users are following.

SarahCuda
SarahCuda

I was taken to the ER on Saturday 6/27 with extreme vertigo.  Like drop me to my knees, couldn’t walk, vomiting, couldn’t see Vertigo (eyes were moving back & forth – nystagmus?)   After all that, ER doctor put me on Meclizine.  It did subside the dizziness and I finally have my balance back and can my eyes are basically back to normal.  I just started driving to work again (only 2 miles from where I live and it’s a straight shot)  BUT I still have this light headed feeling and my eyes still feel very tired.  My reaction time is still slow and it’s hard to turn my head and look to the left…..  I also got massive ringing in the my ear, which started on Friday 7/3 and hasn’t gone away.    Is this from the Vertigo and meds?   I’m weening myself off the meds to clear up the “foggy” feeling.   How long do you think it will take until I’m fully recovered or any thoughts on how to get rid of the ringing in the ears??

 

p.s.  I do have my first PT apt this Thursday

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Terry6872737
    Terry6872737 SarahCuda

    Posted

    Normal recovery time in 6 to 8 weeks.  If you have progressed that fast you should continue to see improvement.  The meclazine will cause some of the things that you describe as well.
    • SarahCuda
      SarahCuda Terry6872737

      Posted

      Thank you!!   I've never had this before and when I asked the doctors how long it would take to recover they said "I don't know".....  
  • christine42810
    christine42810 SarahCuda

    Posted

    This is true, the doctors don't know!  Recovery is different for everyone.  Mine has taken nearly 12 months and I am still lightheaded and off balance at times.  I recognised early in the piece that the medical profession is really operating in the dark with this condition. They rule out major stuff like stroke, heat attack or other major causes pretty quickly but pretty much then tell you that you have to live with it until it goes away, "in its own time" as my specialist put it.  Good luck, hope yours goes quickly.
  • lynniebimbom12
    lynniebimbom12 SarahCuda

    Posted

    Hi Sarah,

    Sorry to hear you've joined the "vertigo" club-it's really one you don't want to be a member of believe me.

    I'm glad to hear you are feeling much better. I don't mean to alarm you but don't be too surprised if the dizziness , brain fog, eyesight thingys don't come back some days just as you're feeling in the clear.

    It's like some little gremlin who pops up now and again, smirks waves at you and says " You think I'm gone? Ha ha ! No, I'm still here!!".

    I started with severe vertigo whilst on holiday in Spain. Completely knocked me off my feet at first. I was nauseous but not actually sick but after 3 days, the vertigo ( room spinning) was replaced by dizziness, brain fog and imbalance. My eyesight was blurred (and still is half the time) and I then had the anxiety attacks start. By the end of my holiday things were easing off and I stupidly thought I was on the mend. However within 3 days of flying home it all started again. Two months later I have the odd day where I feel perfectly fine interspersed with that little blighter of a gremlin who pops up and has a good old belly laugh. I have difficulty with walking, particularly outdoors. After a few minutes I feel faint and as if I'm about to keel over ( I don't but think I must look drunk to anyone watching me). Last week I finally got to see the ENT specialist who suspects I have "crystal disease". Is this BPV does anybody know please? I'm now waiting for an appointment with a hospital in Manchester where apparently they will carry out more detailed tests. If the ENT specialist is right then he told me that I will be treated with physiotherapy. My hearing was also tested and I was told that I am moderately deaf in both ears. I have had tinnitus in both ears since this started. Sorry to go on but thought this might be useful to others suffering from similar symptoms.

    Hopefully though , Sarah. You will be one of the lucky ones. I sincerely hope so.

    • Terry6872737
      Terry6872737 lynniebimbom12

      Posted

      With the symptoms that you describe it sounds more like Labrynthitis than BPPV.  BPPV causes spinning vertigo from certain head motions.  The dizziness, nystagmus, disequilibrium, foggy head, etc. are classic symptoms of Labs or Vestibular Neuritis.  BPPV is treated with what is called an Epley manuever.

      Most cases of VN and Labs self resolve in 6 to 8 weeks.  We are the unlucky ones when we have been suffering for months.  Some for years.  Of course there are so many things that can cause these same symptoms so, it is vital to have an accurate diagnosis.

    • SarahCuda
      SarahCuda lynniebimbom12

      Posted

      I just had my first PT appt and they did the epley manauvers on me.  I already feel loads better.   Hopefully I'm on the mend!

      This was definitely a scary situation and I don't want to visit it every again.  Somone can revoke my Vertigo Club Membership   LOL

    • lynniebimbom12
      lynniebimbom12 Terry6872737

      Posted

      Thanks Terrry6872737. I thought it was more likely to be labrynthitis than BPPV because it's with me all of the time in varying degrees but the entire specialist I saw was very dismissive of that idea.He was pretty arrogant mind you!! He told me that.if it was labrynthitis I'd have been vomiting. Although I've felt nauseous on occasions I've never actually vomited. My Gp diagnosed labrynthitis too,said my right ear looked inflamed and that my eardrum looked as if it was pushed inwards. However, the Gp saw me from the start and the ENT after 2 months. ENT said my ears looked fine. He was about to tell me there's nothing wrong because when he did one of the tests I had no vertigo at allbut as soon as he asked me to walk towards him,turning my head from side to side,I fell all over the place. Hopefully the hospital in Manchester I'm being referred to will have more idea.Thanks for your comments. Looks like Sarah's on the mend, so that's good news.
    • lynniebimbom12
      lynniebimbom12

      Posted

      Should day ENT specialist not entire specialist -blasted predictive text!! LOL.
  • workingmom
    workingmom SarahCuda

    Posted

    Keep in mind while there are some similarities in each case, not everyone experiences vertigo the same way. Recovery time varies depending on the type of vertigo and the treatment used. It's possible that the Meclizine is making you feel funny. The drug won't cure or treat actual vertigo. It only reduces the discomfort long enough for the body to sometimes rebalance itself and give you relief from the symptoms in the meantime. However depending on what caused your vertigo in first place will determine your recovery time. Have you seen the doctor for a follow up from your ER visit yet? If not, I would recommend you do. The ringing in the ear could be from an infection or point to the source of your vertigo. If you want to learn more about the different types of vertigo check out VEDA online. They have a section that describes each form. It might help you narrow down the cause when speaking with a doctor. Best of luck!  
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.