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

How do I live with Vertigo!!

Posted , 7 users are following.

kathryn1977
kathryn1977

Hi Everyone

I am new to this forum so thought I would introduce myself firstly I am Kathryn, I'm 39 years old from South Wales, married with 3 wonderful children and work as a veterinary care assistant.

Now for my story well, where do I start!!

It started in august this year I was in Blackpool for my sons birthday and I woke up in hotel room the next morning and fell out of bed and was being violently sick, my husband had to drive us all back to Wales and cut short our weekend away. I spent a week bed bound and was so ill. GP DIAGNOSED Labrinthitis and gave me some tablets which to be honest made me feel worse!! I then gradually got better and everything was fine.

9 days ago it came back but this time I had new symptoms with it, had severe headache, pain down my right side of face, blurry vision, and my right side of my body felt heavy and different to the leftop...

I spent 2 days in A & E and had bloods, CT scan, MRI scan and 3 lumber punctures!!! Everything has come back as clear and no problems apart from a small kink in my spine and my thyroid levels are a bit high...

Obviously I am really happy that there is nothing seriously wrong with me but they have said I have vertigo and are going to refer me to a audiology so I can have a hearing test!!!

The doctor has given me tablets but they are anti sickness tablets and I don't even feel sick with it at all.

The way I feel is like I am permanently drunk!! It doesn't ever go away, if I stand up with feet together and close my eyes I fall over. But when I have my eyes open nothing is moving or spinning but my head just feels strange and my eyes feel weird, my hands and finger's feel like I'm doing everything in slow motion if that makes sense.

I don't know how people live with this as I can't work or drive and I have 3 children to look after, my husband luckily has been on his 12 days off but is back in work on Monday. As well as all the symptoms above I feel so ill with it and so tired and have no energy.

Sorry for the big rant but I am just wondering if anyone else has had all this done to them or have the same symptoms.

Thanks for reading. X

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • brenda99755
    brenda99755 kathryn1977

    Posted

    my dear

    I'm in west sussex and have absoutely experienced the veyr same thing.have  shown exercises using eye and balance  stuff.  other people  get some relieif.  good luck - all the best  and perhaps  keep in touch . maybe we  can help each other.

    • kathryn1977
      kathryn1977 brenda99755

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply Brenda, Im struggling as feel so ill and to be told it is just vertigo is really hard to deal with.

      I have such a busy lifestyle with working in a veterinary surgery, 3 children and a husband that works 12 hour shifts days and nights.

      I'm only 39 but haven't been able to move much in 10 days, my children are getting upset seeing me like this, they cant understand what is wrong with me.

      Thank you again so much Brenda x

  • liz11458
    liz11458 kathryn1977

    Posted

    Hi Kathryn when you first get these symptoms it's so frightening what you took for normal is not so. You need to see a specialist ent doctor who will do tests to see whether you have bpv crystals that can become dislodged in your ear canal or a virus that has attacked your vestibular system. If you had a cold flu you may have got an ear infection which can trigger this. Sinus problems too. These are things that need checking. The ent will check to see if your hearing and pressure are ok and see whether your eyes move nystagmus it's called. The message from the vestibular conflicts the brain. The anti sickness drug is to dampen the senses too. You may experience sensation like tingling in your head, throbbing,wave, jerks at night off balance moments these are all symptoms that come with it so don't be afraid.it does take time to heal and you will feel anxiety and panic even depression as we all do so you are not alone. Stay positive work within your limits. Hopefully you won't have this too long. Limit process foods sugar. Salt. Drink plenty of water. Do exercise this does help. It will be difficult. Rest plenty your brain will tired. Take supplements like vit d ginkgo ginger anything to help heal the body. Try not too stress too much that makes it worse. Stay focus when you feel unsteady count to 100 try and take your mind off it. There are vestibular exercise you can do see utube to help.

    we are all here to help you.

    liz

    • kathryn1977
      kathryn1977 liz11458

      Posted

      Hi Liz

      Thank you so much for your reply and all your positive methods and information it will all help me I'm sure.

      It's the fatigue feeling I am having and people not understanding how hard it is to live with as they just think "oh your just a bit dizzy".

      But it is so much more than that with so many different symptoms.

      Thanks again so much. Xx

  • pattichrist
    pattichrist kathryn1977

    Posted

    Hi Katheryn. My name is Patti and I'm a 52 year old woman who had been suffering from the nauseating spinning 24/7 brought on by vertigo.

    I have been to 2 ENT's, a neurologist who claims to specialize in severe cases of vertigo. I've been added to Prayer chains, doused with holy water and had

    "Hands layer on me". NOTHING HAS HELPED. I've had every test MRI, CAT SCANS and the hearing tests. The neurologist suggested I work with a therapist

    where I learned several maneuvers that are supposed to get the "crystal" back in place but nothing worked. I've been on several meds that are all basically

    antihistamines and those down help either.

    I own a family music store that we've had for 37 years and although it's my second favorite place to be I'm having a hard time pretending to feel

    Ok. This vertigo is kicking my ass and like you I'm searching for answers. I also have a 15 year old teenager who is pretty high maintenance with her

    when it comes to her social schedule. Thank god for grandma!

    I just wanted to introduce myself so we can support eachother in our quest to stop the dizziness.

    I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.

    • kathryn1977
      kathryn1977 pattichrist

      Posted

      Hi Patti

      Thank you for your reply and lovely to meet you.

      There are treatments but it doesn't sound like many work or help and medications that I have been given so far dont work..

      All I can do is ask my GP for help and that they are referring me to an audiology maybe they will find something.

      It's horrible to think that I may have to live like this as I don't know how we would cope. I'm sorry that you are also suffering so much and it's so sad that there are so many people with this and we all feel helpless.

      Thanks again and take care

    • betsy70690
      betsy70690 pattichrist

      Posted

      I pass this on to anyone looking for ways to cope. Medicines, like someone said, help a little. I find I have to stay laying down for about an hour to let them in my system. But as silly as it sounds I almost always have cotton in my ears to reduce noises changes and I guess just insulates my ear. The symptoms aren't gone, but it makes some things easier like riding in a car, going to a restaurant, shopping if I dare, being in church where there is loud music played. Just a little idea, but it works.

  • eleftherio33095
    eleftherio33095 kathryn1977

    Posted

    "if I stand up with feet together and close my eyes I fall over".  This means either a vestibular problem or a peripheral nerve problem (polyneuropathy).  When you close your eyes, do you fall in the same direction (left or right), and if so which direction?

    Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

    Clinical Neurophysiologist

    Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

    • kathryn1977
      kathryn1977 eleftherio33095

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply I really appreciate it. If I stand together and close my eyes I fall backwards and if I try and walk in a straight line heel to toe I fall to my right.

      Can I ask you a question please just to see if this has any relevance to my condition at all.

      After I had my lumber puncture my symptoms disappared, my head was clearer and not.fuzzy, the dizzyness stopped etc it.was really bizarre. They have said I have a kink in my spine on my MRI do you think this is a contribute to my vertigo at all.

      Many Thanks

      Kathryn

    • eleftherio33095
      eleftherio33095 kathryn1977

      Posted

      The relief of symptoms after the lumbar puncture is noteworthy.  It is therefore possible that the symptoms may be related to high cerebrospinal fluid pressure, or high fluid pressure in a specific part of the central nervous system.  Did your doctors comment on this change?

      Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

      Clinical Neurophysiologist

      Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

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.