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Vertigo ?? Help!!

Posted , 7 users are following.

chris40596
chris40596

Hi guys, about six weeks ago i had two vertigo attacks on the same day (this was the first time i felt this spinning feeling since I was a kid). First one was while getting out of bed after an afternoon nap and the 2nd was in the evening just sitting down. The following days were quite bad and I had to move slowly when changing position as I would feel like its gonna happen again. I went to a GP and he suggested i do ear syringing as I had excess wax in one ear whilst taking stemetil everyday. I missed a couple of days work and took a week or two off from gym and it seemed to have passed. I don't think I was 100% right but definitely was getting there and it didn't bother me at all (if i recall correctly some days may have been better than others).

After about 3 weeks feeling better it hit me again, first the pain in the ear started coming back and then one evening last week I started spinning again. Since then the pain in the ear was very bad and i went to ENT twice who both also said it was vertigo. He did all the tests were he pushed me down and pulled me up and i didn't feel dizzy at all. He recommended that I start taking Stugeron instead so I have been doing so for about 4 days. Since around that time I have been very tired and not lasting a whole day. When I've had challenges at work I haven't been able to act sharpely its just like im dazed most of the time, you might call it brain fog. Yesterday I also found that I was having trouble remembering a sequence of these events ie how long i had been feeling this and what happened when. Best i can explain, i was confused !!  It seems to have cleared up a bit today but not sure if this is to do with the new pills maybe or the vertigo itself.

Im getting quite frustrated as the ENT specialists are about 60 euro each time and although they checked me and everything I still am none the wiser and after reading online it looks like they should have at least told me whether i have VN / menieres / BPPV / or anything else. THey just told me that I should wait for the MRI which should be in 2/3 months to check what it is and take stugeron for 10 days. Obviously next week if Im still feeling the same im gonna call again to find out what to do next while waiting for MRI. Sorry for the long post.

Do you think I'm panicking too early at this stage seeing that i only had these feelings for two weeks / off for three weeks and now back on for another week ?

Any idea what this could be? I feel very frustrated at the moment because I seem to be getting a lot more information on the forums than from the doctors but at the same time its quite confusing as most of the symptoms show up in many things. Any help is appreciated 

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • kellie12337
    kellie12337 chris40596

    Posted

    Hi there I don't think u are panicking too quickly it is very scary and the feeling of loss of control is the scariest. It takes a long time it seems to get diagnosed since dizziness is caused by so many things. It's not easy diagnosed. Also there aren't a lot of tests to do that will give u an exact diagnosis. It's kind of based on ruling things out and that takes time. I know it is hard to wait and be patient with how u r feeling. Just remember the louder and more persistant u r the faster they will work to get u in. I sometimes call everyday to see if there is an opening that day to try and get in sooner. I have been diagnosed with vestibular nerve damage from what they think was an inner viral infection but I also have tmj which I am being treated for so not sure what is causing my dizziness and lightheadedness. I'm doing physical therapy right now which is helping alot. Good luck to u
  • anne05147
    anne05147 chris40596

    Posted

    Hi Chris, this problem can come and go.  I think once something gets damaged with the balance system, which seems very delicate and finely tuned, the condition is unpredictable.  Hopefully you are over the worst of it and need time for your brain to compensate.  I hope you get a diagnosis and will make a good recovery.  I have/had BPPV and also migraine associated vertigo.  The best advice i got from the consultant was not to get the 2 conditions confused as i thought everything was related to having had BPPV, but it just so happened the 2 came around the same time but the exhaustion i was feeling was due to MAV.  It's complicated.
    • Guest
      Guest anne05147

      Posted

      IT certainly is complicated. Next week will be 10 weeks since I had my first attack. Dr then diagnosed as likely viral Labyrinthitis. I'm no better and assume virus has gone, but damage has been done. My ENT appointment is 10 weeks away ! Dr said try ear drops in affected ear ( have partially deaf and feel a blockage in one ear. After putting drops in for two days, there has been no improvement in my hearing, but my balance has got worse. Drops seem to be a bad idea. Anyone else had any success with ear drops ? 
    • m00nlight1
      m00nlight1 Guest

      Posted

      I was reading in the Labryrinthitis support group on FB that say any liquid in the ear is a big no no, as it makes the diziness worse. They even recommend ear plugs when in the shower to avoid it.
    • Guest
      Guest m00nlight1

      Posted

      Thanks for this. I certainly will avoid in the future.
  • Mary_McAvoy
    Mary_McAvoy chris40596

    Posted

    Hi Chris. Hang in there. Unfortunately You have so much going on that it will take some time to sort through what the real causes are. You are your own best advocate. Don't allow the doctors to put you off or keep you on a back burner. Testing does take time but there are reasonable limits. My issues started with an ear infection that wouldn't go away but wound up being a cyst behind my eardrum. It have been dealing with problems for 7-8 months now and am in physical therapy to help with balance. You can follow my story on the 'Pulsative tinnitus and cholesteotoma" link. The right ENT (and i stress the word right) will help you through this. Don't hesitate to get a new one if the first doesn't feel right. The right audiologist and physical therapist will help you also.  It's great when they all know and respect each other too and work together for your benefit. It didn't have that in the beginning and had to keep searching before it found the right team. Good luck and know that you have us here. If don't know what I would have done without the advice and support I have found here. 
  • chris40596
    chris40596

    Posted

    THanks for all the comments. Only time will tell. Going to see how this week goes and then reassess what I'm going to do. I'm wondering whether cigarettes and alcohol may have triggered this again the 2nd time as in the last two months the only time i drank alcohol and maybe smoked a bit too much was last week (about 24-48 hrs) before these symptoms kicked in again.
  • m00nlight1
    m00nlight1 chris40596

    Posted

    its such an unnerving feeling isn't it? I have only had it for 2 weeks, I can't imagine how some people have had it for so long.

    I'm not much help with the what it could be, as I am very much in the dark like you. Mine is believed to be a tooth infection causing it.. so we will see what happens once that is fixed up.

    Good luck

    • Guest
      Guest m00nlight1

      Posted

      My 12th week.

      Felt really good on waking ( after a good nights sleep), which is unusual for me. Got up early, took dog for a reasonably long walk, then drove into town to do some shopping. Felt strong, legs weren't weak or wobbly and head wasn't foggy. Back for lunch. After which felt very tired, so had an hours nap. When I woke up I was all over the place. Light headed, blurred vision, and staggering about like a drunkard.

      This condition is a real b*stard !

       

  • Mary_McAvoy
    Mary_McAvoy chris40596

    Posted

    Avoid alcohol and try to keep your smoking to a minimum or at least consistent. Any changes to the chemical levels in your body can drastically affect what's happening with your dizziness or the imbalance. 
  • GavinWL
    GavinWL chris40596

    Posted

    HI Chris / all,

    Thought i'd chip in with my experience, if thats ok. PLEASE let me know your thoughts. As you've all probably experienced, a little supportive word here and there can really make the difference.

    I'm a 25 yr old Male, no health issues ever (i smoke maybe 10 a day, but have done for about 4 years). No history of serious health issues in the family (none of my famiy have ever had this happen to them)

    I had Bronchitis for 5 days or so (back in Mid August), which subsided eventually as you would expect.

    2 weeks later, i'm sat watching the TV with my Mrs, and out of nowhere i feel like i'm going to pass out. Really dizzy feeling and super scary. This literally lasted for 2 seconds, and then was gone, completley. This happened maybe 3 or 4 more times that evening, and then for the next week or so afterward. This exclusivley happened to me after 7pm (when i had finished work, and was "relaxed". I wasnt walking, doing any excersise or anything out of the ordianary at all). I actually believe i have these episodes when i'm more tired, or if i've had a hard few days at work (i work in a high pressured sales environment). Basically, this horrible feeling of dizzyness/about to pass out only showed up when i was relaxed at home watching the Tele, or about to fall asleep. At the EXACT moment i was in bed, and ready to fall asleep, it would happen again. The best way i describe it to others is "the feeling when you nearly fall down the stairs, and you're shaken up, but its all over your body, really intense and lasts 3 seconds). I get funny looks.

    Anyway, i went to the doctor after a week or so, and he told me i had labyrinthitis. He gave me a prescription of PROCHLORPERAZINE. This helped, but not really enough to lose my concerns/anxiety about having another episode. and i was/am very concerned about taking antiphychotic medicine 3 times a day at my age.

    A few weeks came and went with not too much trouble. But it has flaired up again. Its scaring my girlfriend quite alot now, because whenever it happens to me, i pretty much dive on her to to gain some stability, but she think i'm having a proper panic attack/heart attack etc. Hope this doesnt sound too over the top, but i can see what she means to be fair. It must be quite hard to just sit there and not be able to do anything to help.

    Note - after my dizzy spells, i do not feel sick, or anything like that, just a bit giddy, and tired. I've never vomited because of it, or had to even run the bathroom.I also just got back form my holiday, and the plane jouney was fine, no troubles being that high up or anything like that.

    For me, the thing i'm most peeved off about, is the fact i now have anxiety about another episode. I have never ever been anxious before, and i now know what people mean when they told me that its a feeling in the pit of your stomach, you cant shift. Of course, what makes it worse is the fact i could have another dizzy spell, literally anytime throughout the day.

    The reason i'm writing this, is because i had an episode whist at work, stood up, talking to a co-worker, not even moving my head or anything. It was quite a bad one, and they had to hold me up to stop me from keeling over. I called the doctor and arranged an rapid access appointment (because at the point its affecting my work life, i need to get it looked at straight away, i cant afford time off as it means i wont hit target!!) The doctor said to stick with it, essentially, which i thought was a bit pointless. He said to come back in a week if it hasnt improved (which it wont) and he will help me with soe excersies to alliviete the discomfort and feeling of impending doom!

    I'm going to go back next week, and ask him for all the tests i can get, because even though he has suggested i have labyrinthitis, i want to make sure its nothing more sinister.

    Sorry to drag on, once i get started on this, i find i cant stop!! My questions are...

    Is there a best way to sleep (positioning), or is it a case of everyone has a different way.

    Is there anything i should/should not eat?

    Am i allowed to force with the Dr a blood test, or further tests, to make sure its nothing else?

    PS - i feel very tired after a bad dizzy spell, for 4-8 hours often. I'm guessing/hoping this is normal?

    Anything you guys have to add, would be really helpful. I'm sick and tired of this, and its only been a couple of months!

    Thanks,

    Gavin

  • Guest
    Guest chris40596

    Posted

    Your symptoms do not seem as though they relate to Labyrinthitis. This is an going feeling of being off balance, feeling of fullness in the head and vision  is effected too. Usually there is impaired hearing in one ear. This is felt 24/7. 
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