My first experience with severe vertigo.
I thought a good way to start out here would be to describe my first experience with severe vertigo. It happened 3 years ago, when I was studying in graduate school.
I was under a great deal of stress, in my job, my relationship and at school — with the added pressure that I now was graduating and needed to find a permanent job. When I think back on it now, it was an incredibly difficult period in my life.
At the time, I was drinking what I would say is an above average amount of alcohol to deal with the stress, smoking too much, not to mention eating poorly and not getting any exercise. My lifestyle had really hit rock bottom, and I was rewarded with an upper respiratory infection that lasted over a month.
I quit smoking during the respiratory infection (I was far too sick to smoke), but kept going to work and started drinking again as soon as I was feeling somewhat better (although I knew I should have gotten back to 100% before drinking again).
After making what I thought was a complete recovery from the respiratory infection, I went through about a week where I was drinking more than usual and consistently not getting enough sleep. On the Friday of that week, I went out for a beer with a friend.
After one sip of my first beer, I started feeling that something was not quite right. I felt like the room was spinning, and that the feeling was getting rapidly worse. My friend quickly paid the tab and we left the pub, but by this time I was barely able to walk.
I went home and the vertigo became much worse — to the point where I couldn’t get up off the bed. My girlfriend at the time called an ambulance, and I went to the hospital, where the doctor told me I had simply been drinking too much that week and to go home.
I went home, and started to feel fine for several hours. Then the second wave of vertigo hit me — and it was worse than the first. I went back to hospital, and was again sent home, since the doctor could find nothing seriously wrong with me.
The third wave of vertigo then hit, and was the worst of all. I didn’t go back to the hospital, since I thought I would simply get sent home again.
This round of vertigo was accompanied by severely blurred vision, vomiting and profuse sweating for around twelve hours (which if anyone experiences, I would highly, highly suggest ensuring that you go back to hospital).
Months later, i had an ear, nose and throat doctor tell me that what I most likely had was vestibular neuritis, which as usual, I’ll give you the Wikipedia definition of:
Vestibular Neuronitis, also called Vestibular neuritis, can be a paroxysmal, single attack of vertigo, a series of attacks, or a persistent condition which diminishes over two weeks. It may be associated with nausea, vomiting, and previous upper respiratory tract infections. It generally has no auditory symptoms, unlike labyrinthitis. Vestibular neuronitis may also be associated with eye nystagmus. It is caused by inflammation of the vestibular nerve, the nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain.
All in all, it was a terrifying experience from which I feel I’ve never fully recovered, and one of the major reasons for this site. I think getting out how I feel about this experience will perhaps provide me with some kind of closure.
28 Comments, Comment or Ping
Tyson
I have had almost an exact duplication of what you had, less any precursor of illness, I too was going through a stressful time, girlfriend, new job…but never was sick. I am a very healthy individual, I eat right and work out right…So…I decided to go out and party 2 days after my girlfriend decided to move out…it was devastating, and I went out and I drank, and drank pretty hard…fell asleep, woke up with what I thought was a headache…tried to just deal with it, it just never went away. My Vertigo was continuous, it never stopped from the time it started till about 4 weeks. My GP thought I had had a stroke or a brain stem tumor because of the duration and severity of the vertigo. After MRI/CT were clear I went to an ENT who said he “thought” I had uncompensated Vestibular Neuritis..but wasn’t sure.. It’s been 5 months now…and still battle this every day, I’m better through BVRT, but I feel I’ll never be the same…I feel your pain brother..
May 22nd, 2008
Vertigo Guy
I’m always sorry to hear that someone else had to go through this horrible experience — as I’ve said before, I wouldn’t wish this experience on anyone. It’s a devastating thing to go through that is hard for anyone who hasn’t experienced it to understand.
Alcohol does seem to play some kind of role in bringing on the illness — I don’t know if it just weakens your immune system so that a virus/bacterium can take hold, or what the exact cause is (I’m not a doctor, of course), but it seems to be a relatively consistent factor in the onset of severe vertigo.
However, don’t lose hope Tyson. I remember for months after the first episode of vertigo, my ENT told me I would be recovered in a few weeks — and then I’d wait months, and not feel any better. The ‘brain fog’ was paralyzing and I felt completely unable to function. I too went through the ‘do I have a brain tumor’ experience, and the same as you, I had an MRI that was negative of any tumors or damage.
However, 3 years later, as bad as I feel some days, I feel a hell of a lot better than I did then. I still can’t push myself too hard — and I need to moderate stressful and demanding activities, get enough sleep, not skip meals, etc.
One thing I would strongly suggest is seeing a neurotologist. They deal with balance and hearing issues all the time, and they are the best equipped to help you (good that you were doing VRT). I’m still hoping they can help me with the issues I’m still going through.
Hang in there — we’ll get through this.
May 22nd, 2008
Tyson
Dude, I’m more active than ever, I work out 6 days a week, run, do stairs, eat like I’m a monk…as crappy as I feel I don’t let it get me down…it’s all in our heads anyway right…fight the Diz mate…
T
May 22nd, 2008
Vertigo Guy
Being active and eating right is a great thing to do — vertigo or not. When I got the vertigo the first time, I was definitely not exercising or eating properly, and I think both of those things didn’t help when I actually got hit with the vertigo.
Good to hear you’re fighting the good fight with this thing.
May 26th, 2008
Hicksy
Hi
Yep an almost identical set of events. The onset came on in three waves (on the same afternoon three years ago). The third attack was severe. EXTREME dizziness, vomiting etc etc. Confined to bed for about a week. The severe dizziness went away after about 3 weeks but ever since everything seems somewhat “askew” (everything is a bit disjointed and sometimes you feel you’re Not quite really there). I have had some more acute dizziness since, most notably when I’ve had a throat infection, cold or flu. However without a doubt tiredness and alcohol have a profound effect on how I feel on a daily basis thus I have knocked bozzing on the head as much as I can. As to exercise one of the accounts above is SO accurate to my experience. I can feel dizzy, go for a run and feel peculiar on the run and then feel great for ages after it. Don’t let the dizziness get you down too much; I did the London Marathon this year as a bit of a challenge and got through it fine. In others’ experience how long do the “after effects” of vestibular nueritus last for? I have heard references to “several years”. Yuk !!!
All the best to all
Hicksy
Nov 6th, 2008
Vertigo Guy
Hicksy,
I want to thank you very much for sharing your story here. It sounds like we’ve been through a very similar ordeal — and after over 3 years, it’s still (unfortunately) a day-to-day problem for me as well.
Exercise certainly helps, and I’ve been trying to keep up with that, as well as eat healthy and refrain from alcohol. Great to hear that you did the London Marathon! That would be tough to do even without any dizziness…
Nov 8th, 2008
Mary
Hi Everyone
I am so glad I came across this site. I just spent 12 hours last evening in the Emerg after 3 days of vertigo…I had a blood work up; urine test; ECG, and CT scan, which all came back negative The ER Doc said I should feel re-assured?…I am told I have an inner ear problem. He gave me Nova-Betahistine and told me to follow up with my GP. I have had previous instances of this before, but never this severe, or this constant…I have only taken one dose of this medication, but it doesn’t seem to be effective.
Question – Suggestions for help? I want to feel normal….very scary and hard to feel safe falling asleep…Can anyone relate?
Mary
Mar 22nd, 2009
Vertigo Guy
Mary — I’m so sorry to hear about your vertigo. I know it’s a horrible experience, and 3 days of it must have been awful.
I know it’s tough to feel reassured right now — but given that all of your tests came back negative, the doctor’s statement about feeling reassured probably stems from the fact that he feels you most likely don’t have anything life-threatening (i.e. brain tumour, that kind of thing).
I know how scary vertigo is — and I know it’s really tough to be alone and to be able to fall asleep. If you’re feeling great deal of anxiety and difficulty sleeping, you may want to ask your GP for an anti-anxiety prescription (something like Lorazepam). Talk to your doctor about your options in this regard if you’re feeling anxious.
And a few suggestions as to what you might want to do for treatment — first off, your GP will be helpful if you need a prescription for anxiety (as I said above), but is usually not so helpful in terms of knowing what’s wrong. I would highly recommend getting a referral to neurotologist (sometimes written ‘neuro-otologist’). They specialize in this area, and can be a much bigger help than a GP or ENT. Also, if they figure there was damage to the inner ear (as opposed to an ongoing condition like Meniere’s), I would highly suggest vestibular rehabilitation treatment (if you have insurance that will pay for it, then I would highly suggest trying it even if they think it’s something like Meniere’s).
I really sincerely hope you feel better soon Mary, and I hope this bit of advice is helpful.
Mar 22nd, 2009
Mary
Hi again Vertigo Guy
I was really touched by the sincerity of your response.You made me feel not alone. Your information and advice is very helpful. I plan to see my G.P. on Tuesday and will ask for a referral to a neurotologist. Something else interesting is that my blood pressure has been extremely low recently. It has always aired on the lower side, but not as much as lately. I discovered after more web surfing that the betahistine prescribed in the ER does help with “dizziness” as it actually lowers blood pressure….It all seems very cyclical…extremely low blood pressure can also cause vertigo! ( this was missed in the hospital ) After feeling really unwell today I stopped taking the betahistine. I am trying to be more brave and feel positive that this will be sorted out…I went to a Yoga class this morning and it helped distract the feeling of ” not being right”
Thanks Again…..hope to stay connected
Mary
Mar 23rd, 2009
Christina
Sorry to hear about everyone’s bad vertigo experiences. I know all to well how you feel. I have been battling severe vertigo for 4 years now. I go to the hospital for them to send me home with a medication called Antivert which is for dizziness. It does help to some degree but not today. I woke up feeling like I was in a washing machine and it had just hit the spin cycle. I began seriously sweating and then vomiting. I have never had this bad of an experience with vertigo before. I have went to the hospital so many times for this and they always send me home I wish they would just do a brain scan already. My family has a big history of brain tumors cancers and neurological issues but because I have no insurance the doctors just push me out the door with a simple cure…Ahhh this is so agrravating. I have 2 small children and the bouts of vertigo get so bad I can’t even get out of bed to care for them, so I have to bother my family to help me. Anyway if anyone knows any other things that might help me please feel free to share.
Apr 6th, 2009
Kristie
To All of my fellow vertigo sufferers,
I just came across your posting. I too suffer from severe vertigo. Mine wasn’t brought on by drinking, extreme illness, or anything like that. I don’t even know exactly what brought mine on. About 5 years ago, I had my first experience with it.
My doctor told me that it was an inner ear disorder that is usually brought on by a head injury, old age or (likely in my case since the others don’t apply) sudden motion of the head. The doctor told me that there were small particles in my inner ear that had come dislodged. In order to get rid of the vertigo, you either have to assimilate to it or, to speed up the process–subject yourself to the following torture (Although it is torture, it does seem to work)….
*
You lay on your back on your bed with your head hanging off the bed. You look to your left and your right, then look straight ahead and sit up quickly. It works best if you have someone pull you up (since you get so dizzy, your body stops cooperating). It’s extreme torture-making you more and more nauseas every time you do it. But it does help the vertigo disappear faster.
My doctor told me it helps the particles in your inner ear go back into place.
*
I have become more in tune over the past few years to what triggers the vertigo. The number one thing that I now avoid is any kind of sudden head movement. I now avoid rollercoasters (twists, turns, upside down). No sudden movements with my head. One of my “attacks” was brought on by spinning with my daughter on one of those little merry-go-rounds at the park. I would advise anyone suffering from this problem to avoid any such sudden head movement.
**
My doctor told me that there is no cure for it. You just have to learn how to live with it and what to avoid. I am much more careful about what I do now. I haven’t had a debilitating episode of vertigo in almost 3 years.
***
Hopefully this helps some of you….
Apr 6th, 2009
Sandy
I am so glad to know that I am not the only one to experience vertigo. I have felt so alone.This has been the most terrifying experience of my life and the first time I have ever had vertigo. I know I have never been one to be able to ride amusement park rides, even as a child, because I would get dizzy and nauseated. I have avoided rides like the plague my whole life, but I never had any experience that could match this. This started the week of my birthday 3 and half weeks ago. My husband and I were just standing in my kitchen talking and laughing and all of a sudden the room started to spin like a merry go round, and I didn’t say anything because I thought well, o.k., this is odd but it will go away in a minute, but then it started to spin faster and faster and I broke out in a horrible sweat and I asked my husband to open the door, I needed some air, but before he could move, I hit the floor and began severely vomiting. He couldn’t even touch me without it making me vomit more and more severely. He called an ambulance since he could not move me. At the E.R. they did do a C.T. Scan and said they found nothing wrong and decided that I had severe vertigo brought on by inner ear infections in both ears. I had not had any problems with my ears as far as pain or anything.They got the vomiting under control with meds. and gave me meclizine for the dizziness. The meclizine did absolutely nothing to stop the spinning but, I have been taking it anyway in hopes it will help. But they sent me home with antibiotics and the meclizine and said I would need someone with me around the clock for a few days and that the dizziness would subside in three or four days and go away completly in a couple of weeks. Well, it did slowly get better and by the second week, It was more of a light headed, jumpy type dizziness. By the third week I was experiencing pain in my right ear and the dizziness was like in a holding pattern, it wasn’t any better or worse,and went to my doctor who decided to start me on another round of antibiotics only stronger this time and was told that if by the time I finish these, the dizziness and pain doesn’t go away then they will make a referral to an E.N.T. Well, I am now in my fourth week and I have three more days of the antibiotics and I still see no difference in that unsteady, light headed jumpy type dizziness. I do have a ringing sensation in my right ear and still a slight pain. I haven’t been able to drive in all this time and my husband takes me to do my shopping but when I do go with him, I feel as though I have lost all my security being away from my familiar surroundings. I cling to my shopping cart for dear life. It is so wonderful to know I am not alone in this. I think I will try the excercise that Kristie suggested of lying on my bed with my head hanging off the edge and see if that will help. One question do you only look to the right and left with your eyes or move your head in those directions? I have seen my chiropractor who said he could help with it but after the adjustment, I didnt see any difference. Please tell me this will go away. I am so use to being active and I can’t stand not being able to function like I did. I have a family depending on me and honestly, I am not the kind of person who likes to be taken care of. I like doing that for everyone else. I am finally able to do a few things around my home such as cooking, and laundry and some mild cleaning that doesn’t require me bending or moving to much, and I am now able to read a book without the words moving. When I focus on just one thing everything seems to stop moving, it is only when I move or look in a different direction that it starts again now.
I never thought I would be so happy to do laundry again……LOL. I am so thankful that I am not experiencing that severe spinning any longer and that it is just mild now but, I so want to be able to drive again and do what I am use to doing. Any and all suggestion will be whole heartedly welcomed. This is truly frightening and I feel as though I will never feel normal again. Thanks to you all for showing me that I am not alone in this. It is so hard to explain this to someone who has never experienced this themselves. They just can’t say anything to help.
Apr 21st, 2009
Justyn
Had Labrynthitis/Vertigo November 2008 I was playing golf, bent down to tee up my next shot when i felt weird!! Happened again and again, so i went home. Got through the door and just started vomiting badly for a couple of hours.Rested and went to the doctors the next morning, who diagnosed Labrynthitis and said it would go within 2-4 weeks.
Its now May 2009 and i am slowly beginning to feel like my old self?
It has been a horrendous 5 months for me and my family, backwards and forwards to the hospital and doctors, feeling anxious, depressed not being able to work.I still feel light headed and get dizzy after excercise, but feel 70% better than i did and hope i am heading in the right direction….
Its horrible unless you have experienced anything like it, people just don’t understand how terrible you feel 24 hours a day..
May 5th, 2009
Laura
Hi Justyn,
I got Labrynthitis in November 2008 also! The day before we were supposed to leave for Disney World I went to eat with a friend and all of a sudden the room started spinning. I was vomiting for a week anytime I tried to get up. I had no idea what was happening to me. I was on the couch for 2 weeks (cancelled our trip of course) and finally went back to work after that but it was slow moving and tough. It IS now May of 2009 and I am better yes, but recovered, no. Anxiety and depression have not helped the situation, only made it worse. And it is true that people just do not understand what you are going through unless they have experienced it. I just thought it was interesting how we got it at the same time and it has been 5 months for both of us and we’re feeling about the same now… i’d say i’m 60%. Some days are really bad some days are better. I hope that in time things will get 100% better for you and me!
Laura
May 8th, 2009
Marilyn Raffensperger
Hi there fellow shipmates,
I’ve spent the past week feeling seasick and wishing I were on a cruise ship instead of trying to sail through life with recurring bouts of vertigo.
My first vertigo attack came out of the blue in 2005. I was trimming my lovely yellow Graham Thomas rose bush. That day I was enjoying the sunshine and the lovely roses. And then I suddenly felt weird, went inside and within 10 minutes the world was spinning so much that if I moved, I vomited…. I won’t carry on with details. I ‘m sure you all have lived through similar events.
The first time I had vertigo, the doctor thought it was a virus. However, when I began having monthly recurrences of a fews days in bed with the world spinnning, the diagnosis became endolymphatic hydrops. I first tried the “wait and see if it goes away approach”. For a season my vertigo DID go away. Sigh. But then it came back with vigour. I then started taking beta-histine. Hang in there Mary, betahistine really helped me a lot, but it took a while for it to start working.
I have to avoid certain activities because the movement can trigger vertigo episodes. No dancing, no gardening, etc. If I’m feeling a bit off colour I also avoid certain kinds of visual environments like busy shopping malls. 2008 was a great year for me; as long as I avoided known troubling activies, I was fine. Last year I was delighted because I was able to garden for short periods. Unfortunately in 2009 my recurring vertigo episodes have come back. I’m trying to finish writing up my doctoral thesis in between recurring bouts of vertigo. This is a challenge.
I am in my late 40s and I think that changing hormones are the main trigger for my vertigo. I hope it will go away when my body completes its hormonal transition. In the meantime, I take beta-histine, avoid caffeine, avoid known movement triggers, and I try to laugh a lot. Vertigo is really an awful experience. And yes, stress can trigger vertigo. And as we all know, having vertigo causes stress. The best antidote to stress is laughter. So I enjoy life as much as possible. I even look for humour amidst the unpleasantness of vertigo. It is kind of funny that a malfunction in the tiniest part of my inner ear is powerful enough to render me helpless.
Sandy, it’s May now, and I sincerely hope that your vertigo has subsised. We had a workman at our house the other day who had had vertigo for six weeks. He had just the one episode. I wish for you that this is your one and only experience of vertigo.
Marilyn
May 17th, 2009
Donna
Hi all
I am just so tired of this “brain fog” as someone discribed it. I am not able to fully concentrate on anything since this started about 4 months ago. I am terrified of fainting somewhere, and sometimes it bothers my driving.
My doctor gave me gravol to start with, ran a whole mess of blood and urine tests, then gave me nova betahistine. I am two days in to that, and right now I feel horrible.
I think that the advice on caffine and alcohol might be something I haven’t tried yet, I do drink a fair amount of coffee and having a beer or glass of wine after work is a habit I know I can break if it stops this vertigo.
I am glad to have found this site, really has helped.
Donna
Jul 24th, 2009
Brianna
Hi Everyone,
Ive been researching and researching this for weeks now and I thought I would finally post and hope to get some feedback! Im sorry to hear that all of you are going through this. It totally sucks.
On June 12, 2009 (about six weeks ago) I was in a two seater sandrail (off roading vehicle, with a structure made of of metal roll bars). Anyway, we were going for a quick ride on the beach and I wasnt wearing a helmet nor a seatbelt (stupid me, I know). We were going about twenty miles an hour when we somehow hit a bump and crashed into the sand, which sent me flying straight up into a metal bar. I did not black out nor did I need stitches despite the blood. I actually felt great. I also fractured my L1 in my back. Four days later I suppose my concussion set in (confusion, disorientation, depression) and along with it came 24/7 Vertigo that has not gone away and not subsided. Actually, it sort of subsided for a week but now its back. I literally feel like I am on a boat every step that I take. Sometimes I feel like the floor is rolling, sometimes dropping out from under me, and sometimes pushing up against me. Fortunately it does not affect me while I sleep (thank god). I had a CT and MRI both of which were fine. All of the Drs. keep saying its “post concussion syndrome” which I believe for most of the symptoms (disorientation, nausea, and confusion) is completely accurate, however, through my research I have found it to be abnormal that my vertigo is not only constant but unsubsiding. I think there is a deeper issue. Does anyone have any ideas. Disagree/Agree? I see that many people get bouts of vertigo, which at the point I am at, would be greatful for.
Sorry that was so long but thank you for reading.
Brianna
Jul 24th, 2009
geraldine
Hi,
If you have a head injury the otoconia (gravity sensors) can be knocked off the otoliths in your ears and the otoliths then miss the weight of them, giving you constant disequilibrium and little relationship with gravity, a feeling that you’re walking on pillows and other drunken- like sensations.
Ear infection and respiratory tract infection can do the same to the otoconia. I have been suffering for nine months with these sensations and VRT – which is the only treatment option – has failed miserably.
Jul 26th, 2009
Brianna
Hi Geraldine,
Did you have a head injury as well? Through my reading I found that when one suffers persistent vertigo as a result of a head injury, it may be not of vestibular origin. Have you talked to your doctors about other possible causes?
Brianna
Jul 27th, 2009
geraldine
Hi Brianna,
I haven’t a head injury, which sometimes causes the otoconia to drop off, but I had a bad ear infection which possibly caused it. I feel as though I’m walking on a swing bridge…
Best wishes,
Geraldine
Jul 27th, 2009
joe
hello there! i am new with this vertigo crap. starting happening when my dad past away in april. living the the city right now, but, my home town is at near kenora, ontario. once i was started heading back to the city. oh yeah! my sister and her husband drove me to winnipeg for my flight, but, we had to stay in a hotel overnight. because, my flight didn’t leave until 8am. when i woke up early, about one hour early. when i open my eyes and started getting up. everything started spining like crazyness, i’ve rush to the bathroom. i said to myself, this can’t be right. i started vomiting, and couldn’t stand up or move. it just got worse when i move. my sister called the ambulance, they were even scare to come in the hotel. they thought, i had H1N1 virus. everyday now, i pretty much have vertigo. it hard to work, but i keep trying to go to work everyday, even when i have vertigo at work. people at work support me with my vertigo. medication i use is nova-betahistine, doesn’t help that much. room still spins, it helps with my vomiting to darn much. just wondering, how to do guys go to work? me, i have to, because, paying my debt.
Sep 16th, 2009
Geraldine
Hi Joe,
It’s really hard to get to work because getting from one place to another is a nightmare – I feel like I’m walking on a trampoline all the time. My MD gave me Propanalol, thinking that I might have migraine variant balance disorder but they just made me pass out in a car park. Every day is total torture and I don’t know the cause – I might as well have had a stroke or have MS, as it’s totally debilitating and ruins your life and for me has not got any better over the course of a year.
Sep 18th, 2009
Jim
Well I guess, I’m an old hand…. I got sick in 1999 – almost exactly 10 years ago!.. Felt what I can only describe as “unusual” for a few days, then came down with a cold/flu, one that went tried to get on with my daily life, but over the following 3 weeks I degenerated into a housebound wobbly mess. For me the visual aspect was the most disturbing (mentally), as my balance sort of functioned ok (as long as I avoided complicated environments etc etc).. After several months battling I was diagnosed with Vestibular Neuronitis, and told to do rehab therapy, the anxiety side became a major issue… Over the following 12 months I improved dramatically, but never recovered, I’d say I got to about 80%, and since then things have been up and down… Sometimes I’ll have periods whereby I feel nearly normal, but long distance travelling, or busy enviroments stir my symptoms up, and periodically I get episodes where my balance get’s really messed up (infact I’m having one of those at the moment, I feel like I’m being pulled downwards to the floor) – however, I’m far better at dealling with it now, but what concerns me, is I’m not sure but I sometimes wonder if I might be worse than a few years ago (I certainly did more a few years back, but I also remember having a lot of very bad days!)… It’s also not clear to me, whether my system periodically get’s overloaded and “forgets” to compensate for the damaged balance system, or whether there is something underlying going on which keeps causing further damage to my system..
Sep 21st, 2009
Jeff
Great site, VertigoGuy. There is strange comfort in numbers and I just read many posts from others who have experienced very similar symptoms to my own. I have had these symptoms since June 30th (3 months ago) and I recall the start date vividly because I had never before experienced dizziness and nausea at the same time. My GP gave me all sorts of horrendous possibilities (brain tumors, cancer, MS, etc.) but blood tests and an MRI ruled out the more serious of these. I was referred to an ENT who diagnosed viral labrynthitis, though all agree there is no way to really confirm this diagnosis since the inner ear is encased in bone. The ENT did say that it could be a neuro issue, and both he and my GP have been stumped by the amount of vomiting I have experienced. This, for me, has been the most challenging symptom. I eventually went to a neurologist who diagnosed vestibular neuritis. I had a series of hearing tests which seemed to confirm this diagnosis, and the treatment is no different – you simply ‘wait it out.’
I have a drugstore worth of pills at home – from antivert to valium and several anti-nausea meds as well. For me, none of them worked well and I’m off all pills at this point. My dizziness is now barely noticeable and I’m trying hard to avoid getting sick, as the neuro advised this will come back with any other illness as the brain will stop compensating for the vestibular injury when other illnesses present themselves.
I dropped coffee and alcohol completely, but have resumed drinking a cup of coffee in the morning again. I throw up nearly every time I attempt alcohol (and I was always a “good drinker,” meaning I probably bordered on alcoholism). I guess it’s a good thing to give up – little good comes from it. The best way I could describe my symptoms is to liken them to being drunk. But not the good drunk feeling – I mean the one when you wish you would have stopped sooner as your body no longer does what you want it to do.
My nausea persists and I’m going to a gastroenterologist tomorrow about that, though I am pretty sure the cause is this vestibular issue. It is way worse in the morning, so I have gained newfound empathy for pregnant women with morning sickness. Wretching on an empty stomach every few days is an awful way to start the day.
Like others, I have found exercise helps. I know I had many days when exercising was out of the question, but as the dizziness subsides, I’m putting on my running shoes again and I feel great after a good run.
I’m amazed at the number of people who have had this. May you all make it through and return to good health.
Oct 1st, 2009
Linda
Great site
I had sudden hearing loss in my left ear Feb28 09 I went to a walk in clinic because my ear was ringing and screaming so bad I couldn’t feel
the left side of my head the Dr. dx sudden hearing and sent me to the ER
for MRI of the brain which thank god was normal the started me on high
doss of steroids and anti viral meds this was on Sat. Monday had an appt. with ENT he confirmed dx by Tues I couldn’t even get put of bed everytime I sat up my body just slammed its self back down.The next
week or so I was so “drunk” all over the place walking totally exhausted
going out of my mind etc. I had all the hearing tests and caloric test
which was the worst thing I have ever been though. It confirmed vestibular damage as well as hearing loss. I decided to see a Neuro ENT He confirmed and helped me understand my condition much more
I have 45 dec. of hearing back I can only hear loud deep noises. The most recent thing that’s happened is when I hear a loud noise I feel like I’m going to fall have almost fallen a few times loud claps of thunder
makes my legs weak so I saw my ent spec. today and he called it drop attacks and said it’s normal with my condition. i start balance P.T next week hope it will help anyone else experience this? It’s frighten
I ‘m scared
have seen him twice.
Oct 13th, 2009
maria
i dont want to think about it . it makes me sick just the word vertigo makes my hairs from my head stand up . i remember the first time i had it i was sleeping turn my head to the other side and that was it i througt i was dieing last me a week . then it came back withing two week did m.r.i on head came back o.k. went to ear and throat dr told me i had pbbv vertigo gave me a paper with exciese to do at home did it for to weeks thanks to the lord my god it is gone i feel great i pray that this vertigo does not come again i have faith in god that it wont come back again i pray for all of you
Oct 13th, 2009
Linda
Well I had my first balance pt found out a lot about myself things I have been guarding like turning my body with my head bending with my head up it seems a lot of my problems are up down amd side to side can’t stand heel to toe with my eyes closed. My right eye does not want to work. A lot of interestng she gave me exercises to do at .I having done them faithfully twice a day and I think it’s helping I don’ know about the drop attacks yet I really just want to stay at home in the peace and quite does anyone have vestibular neuritis with balance issues I don’t have dizzy spells I just can’t walk without feeling like I am falling to the left and my hearing really sucks my good ear picks up sounds from seems like miles away it’s driving me crazy I take valium and it does help but I feel totally left out of this world anyone have my symptoms and suggestions I’m desperate
Oct 17th, 2009
Susie
Hi. Just wanted to share with someone who understands since my whole family and friends think I’m insane now. I had my first attack 3 yrs ago, woke up with the room spinning for several hours. When it finally stopped, I was sort of off balance for a couple weeks. Then it finally passed. Since then I’ve had a couple bouts after reading for long periods but they only lasted a day or so. I always thought it was my eyes, but my eye doc says they’re fine, and glasses are fine, so I dismissed that until now. In Oct. I had an attack, and it has never gone away since. I’ve been to every doctor just like you all, and am told I have an inner ear disorder for which there is no cure. I’ve tried all the meds, which make me lightheaded so I feel even worse. Gingerale sometimes takes the edge off the nausea but doesn’t stop the dizziness. I get pressure in my ears and head, almost a tingling feeling, but no hearing loss. I feel the same as most of you, floor dropping, someone pulling me backward over and over again, a slow churning motion, tilting, depth perception all screwed up. I can’t even take stairs anymore. I heard mention of a condition called heterophoria/hyperphoria recently which describes perfectly all of my symptoms and some of yours as well, but it’s apparently a new breakthrough treatment, so there are only 2 doctors in the country who treat it properly, one in Birmingham, Mich., and one in Reedley, CA. I contacted them both begging for anyone closer to me who treats it, but they’re the only ones. I’m now trying to convince somebody to take me there for the testing and hopefully treatment since Reedley is only 4 hrs from me, but my family and friends think it’s all in my head., and I can’t drive that far on my own anymore. I’m terrified and all alone, and no one will believe me that it’s not a mental condition. I still think it’s my eyes, and the heterophoria/hyperphoria is an eye condition. Has anyone been treated for or heard of this? I’m gonna keep trying to convince someone to take me. Maybe I am just losing my mind.
Jan 26th, 2010
Reply to “My first experience with severe vertigo.”