I went to the ER 2 weeks ago after about 5 days of feeling "off," with headaches &extremely spacey

Posted , 9 users are following.

Then the next morning, I bent over slowly and then everything started spinning insanely fast and I couldn't focus on anything.  My breathing also became labored. 

After 7 hours in the ER, I was diagnosed with Vertigo and told to go to an ENT & a Neurologist.  The ENT wasn't very impressive, told me to do the Canalith Repositioning for a few days (which he did once in his office) and then I should be fine.  My husband has helped me to do the Canalith Repositioning a few times, but after I get up each morning, I'm back at square one, dizzy and kind of confused.

The Neurologist ordered an MRI of my brain (probably because of my memory loss).  He said that he wouldn't address the Vertigo, said that was the ENT's specialty.  

I'm thinking of going to a different ENT, but all I keep doing is spending money on Doctors!  My husband and I are both very worried about my memory problems along with my substituting the wrong words every now and then. 

Once in a while, my breathing is still labored.  I am tired most of the time and sleep at least 3 hours more each night than I have in years.  I can even take naps which I could never do unless I was really sick.   

My dizziness, headaches and nauseousness are better than they were the first week, but I still have such a hard time clearing my head, can't multi-task, have the memory problems and have such fatigue.  

The ENT basically trusted the ER doctor's diagnosis of Vertigo, but I'm wondering if it could be something more.

It's so hard to chase my 9 year old around when I get easily confused and have a hard time staying awakesad

Does anyone have experience with the same symptoms and what helped them get over it or lessen the severity?

 

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Posted

    I do have these symptoms ,but I have severe digestive issues like gastritis,low functioning gallbladder and gallstones. How good is your digestion ?
    • Posted

      I have gastritis, I had my gallbladder removed 20 years ago to stop gallbladder attacks.

      I'm wondering if I just have Vertigo or something else that includes Vertigo.  My symptoms get worse as I get more tired. 

  • Posted

    Vertigo is not a illness, it's a symptom. There's slot if things can cause it. A neurologist is a brain doc. He's gonna look for tumors, signs of stroke, blockages etc. If none are found he won't help you at all. The ENT can order the other testing associated with vertigo problems. They include a VNG,eng,caloric test, etc. This will help determine what's causing the vertigo. There's alot if things it can be. Menieres, silent migraines, etc etc. In most cases a ENT is limited as to what he treats. Very few get into the inner ear or vestibular system. Need to see a neurotologist. He deals with the vestibular system, inner ear, connections to the brain. It's a very drawn out process. It's very hard to diagnose these issues. They have to eliminate everything else first. With some this can take years or even decades. Good luck.

  • Posted

    I would suggest to find an experienced physiotherapist in Epley maneuver, it could be a proper treatment. Good luck.
  • Posted

    Did they give you meclinzine to help with dizziness?  Find a good neuro ent dr and a good neurologist and take it from there.  Neuro ent first.  Call GP and ask them to give you something.  Where do you live 
  • Posted

    Look up Vestibular Neuritis.  If you have seen progress you should gradually get better.  Vestibular Neuritis, VN, usually takes 6 to 8 weeks to resolve.  You should be seeing an ENT that has an interest in inner ear issues.  Most ENTs only treat sinus type issues and cannot help in treating a vestibular issue.  The Canalith Repositioning procedure is for BPPV, which you probably don't have.  Things should continue to get better as you continue about your normal daily routine, or a good ENT may prescribe Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy.  Your symptoms are normal for this condition.  I assume that the MRI was clear.

  • Posted

    My experience was similar and it sure sounds like a problem with your vestibular system. There are exercises that depending on the reason for the problem, may help. The exercises improved my acute symptoms dramatically. Check out the website vestibular.org It is a wealth of data on vestibular symptoms, diagnosis, treatment etc. It took me two years and a couple of MRIs and finally meeting with an ENT Specialist to get a correct diagnosis. I will be getting ear surgery in 10 days to hopefully fix my problem. 

  • Posted

    Waffalobill is spot on- vertigo is a symptom, not a diseases in and of itself. And everything he/she wrote is good advice.

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.