Something scary is happening to me.

[Cleita]

I had a frightening vertigo spell yesterday. It's where the room spins around you like you are being spun in chair. I wasn't able to stand up without feeling like someone was pushing me back on the couch. When it finally subsided I went on line to look up the symptoms. Apparently, these are the symptoms of Meniere's disease.

So it seems like last year when I got shingles and then Bell's Palsy on the right side of my face, it settled in my right ear. I mean it all went away except tinnitus in my right ear and a feeling of being stopped up like went you are in an airplane and the pressure builds up in your ears. I also find myself off balance at times and have taken some falls because of it.

The vertigo though only happened once before. The first time I had already gone to bed and was reading so I didn't pay much attention and just figured I was tired and should just go to sleep. I don't know whether to go to the doctor or not. It seems like it doesn't go away and is a permanent condition. I have told my doctor about the loss of balance and the tinnitus and she doesn't seem to acknowledge that it's anything important. All she says is there is nothing they can do.

I'm worried if I get one of these attacks while driving what would I do? Is there medication to hold off the attacks like for epilepsy? I'm really all alone now with no one to help me very much and I need to be independent to do my shopping and keep my appointments. Has anyone else experienced this?

[LaurenG]

1. Cleita, do you have allergies/sinus infections

This has happened to me throughout my life but has always cleared up when I took a decongestant. I hope that it's as simple as that.

If it happens while you're driving just pull over ASAP. I'm sorry that it's happening, that is scary.:hug:

[Cleita]

2. Yes, I do have sinus, allergies and asthma as well.

Thanks for answering. I do have allergy pills I should take but forget to unless I'm having a hay fever attack.

[rumpel]

27. My allergy Dr sent me

to do all kind of tests and it turned out that all these symptoms were related to my allegies

i hope that's what it is

[TexasLady]

3. my ex husband had very similiar symptoms

and while i truly hope this isnt the case for you, he had a big non cancerous tumor growing with tendonlike thingies all around his middle ear area. They had to do emergency surgery on him because this tumor was one of the biggest theyd seen. He has a 50 50 chance of the thing growing back as well. The tumor eventually had his entire left side of his face paralyzed.

I certainly do hope you find out what is the matter. Let us know because whatever it is, it obviously gives you discomfort and worry. Id go in to the doc's anyway.

[Cleita]

6. OMG what a terrible thing to happen to your husband and

yourself because I know the spouse suffers as much as her husband when they are sick. I'm so happy that you were able to correct it with surgery and send you prayers that it doesn't come back.

[Pathwalker]

4. Is it possible you have an inner ear infection, Cleita?

That would cause balance and vertigo issues. Maybe you should see an eye/nose/ear specialist. If that doesn't help, get a second opinion. Don't let your Doctor's lack of concern stop you from finding out what's wrong - I've learned that the hard way, don't you do that too.
A also have an "Earache Helper" that you put hot water in, pop a lid on, and place it on the sore ear. The warmth can soothe the ache, and if there's water in the ear, cause it to run out. Maybe you can fashion something like that out of a small tupperware/plastic bowl and use that in the meantime. Just make sure the lid's secure.
Please see another doctor - this sounds like something you shouldn't ignore.
:hug: :hug: :hug:

[Cleita]

5. Last year I did have the shingles which attacked my ear and

one side of my face. This is a herpes simplex infection that happens in your later years if you ever had childhood chicken pox, which I did. It never really did go away in that ear. I do believe this is what is causing my balance problems. I have made an appointment with the doctor tomorrow and I will try to get her to send me to an ear specialist. I think you have zeroed in on the problem.

[BlueIris]

7. Sounds like you need an appointment with your GP at least.

If you haven't gone already. You're going to want to figure out what this is.

[Cleita]

11. I have an appointment tomorrow morning.

Wish me luck that it isn't anything permanently debilitating.

[Quakerfriend]

8. Dear Cleita, this must be very scary. The etiology of

this could be any number of things, as you know. I would rec'd that you see an ENT specialist as a first step. They would be best- and far better than a family doc.

May I also rec'd that you enter your specific symptoms here : http://www.abchomeopathy.com/go.php

Though it take about a half an hour, you will be given a list of remedies for your condition. The first remedy being the best and then others that may also help. abchomeopathy has helped me many times in the past!!

In general, the medical community offers very little for those who suffer from vertigo - no matter what the cause may be. It is really a shame because it is often a totally debilitating condition.
This is why I suggest you consider homeopathy.

Please, let us know how things work out for you, Cleita. We'll be sending prayers your way.O8)

[Cleita]

12. Thank you Quakerfriend for the website and your concerns.

I'm feeling a little more optomistic reading the replies on this thread from people who have had this happen to them.

[Coyote_Bandit]

9. Several years ago

I had an experience with sudden hearing loss. I awakened one morning to find myself suddenly and unexpectedly room spinning, wall hugging dizzy. I did not realize I had completely lost the hearing in my right ear until I picked up the phone. Seems I could hear that dial tone with my left ear - but not my right ear.

The doctors scared me to no end. The first thing they tested for was a brain tumor - something which was made worse by the fact that just a few years earlier I had known a young man who had a brain tumor. Then they tested for an acoustic neuronoma - a tumor on the auditory nerve itself. Meanwhile I took a boat load of strong (and expensive) antibiotics and some steroids. MS was among the other possible diagnoses considered.

They did determine that I had damage to my auditory nerve but they never conclusively determined a cause. I begged my doctor to keep my medical file as clean as possible. My official diagnosis reflects viral labythrinthitis. Assuming that diagnosis is correct then I missed viral meningitis by about a millimeter - the distance between the auditory nerve and the meninges. Arguably, my diagnosis was correct. I had had a cold and a cold sore not long before my ear problems began. The virus could easily have traveled through my eustachian tube and attacked my auditory nerve.

My normal voice range hearing began returning within a few days of onset - with the vertigo also resolving itself slowly. Initially, I was very, very tired. All I wanted to do was sleep. My strength and energy began to return after three or four weeks. For about the next year I occasionally had tingling sensations in my ear that I associated with neurological healing. Years before my hearing problems I had been involved in an auto accident and rammed my knee into the dashboard. The nerve endings in that part of my knee were numbed and healed over a period of time to regain full sensation. The sensations in my ear were very similar to those I had experienced earlier in my knee. All of my normal voice range hearing did return, the vertigo went away and I was left with mild intermittent tinnitus (that I can usually associate with fatigue, allergies or illness) and some very high frequency hearing loss.

Since then I have been careful to avoid all ototoxic medications (there are a lot!), diet colas and artificial sweeteners. All of these have been shown to cause hearing problems and to affect the auditory nerve. I can tell a difference when I do ingest these substances for whatever reason.

Earlier this year I had a very mild and brief recurrence of some intermittent vertigo, worsened tinnitus, a stuffy ear and a mild ear ache. It is the only recurrence I have had. I am convinced this particular episode was the result of allergies. I experienced immediate improvement after I started taking Claritin, drinking lots of fluids and taking Muscinex. A few days later I spent about 10 hours on an airplane - without the air pressure changes of several takeoffs and landings having any noticeable or unusual effects.

I have always had mild allergies and as I have aged I have developed new and unpleasant reactions - especially to environmental and chemical pollutants. I can predict ozone and pollution days based on how my head feels and how bad my tinnitus is. No offense, but if you are strongly perfumed I will keep my distance - and take the next elevator. And I avoid all the scents of bed, bath, candle, and perfume retailers.

I'm certainly not a doctor and not at all qualified to render a medical opinion. However, based on my personal experience I would offer the following observations:
(1) Your problem could be that either your shingles or Bell's Palsy virus has attacked your auditory nerve. If the cause is viral then there really isn't much they can do to quickly resolve the issue. However, I understand that, clinically, steroid use when began at the onset of symptoms does promote better and more complete healing of the auditory nerve resulting in less hearing loss and vertigo due to any actual nerve damage you may have. In my case they diagnosed my auditory nerve damage by measuring the speed of the electrical transmission of sound in both my ears and comparing them.
(2) Your problem could be related to environmental or other allergies.
(3) Your problem could be related to the consumption of ototoxic substances or other chemicals or artificial sweeteners.
(4) As you have indicated, vertigo can be dangerous and can threaten your safety and that of those around you. It can also be symptomatic of some very serious medical problems. Based on your post I assume that your doctor is aware of your condition and these are not a concern.

Don't just assume that you have Meniere's disease. Your problems could be something less permanent. You can limit or avoid exposure to allergens - and consumption of various substances that affect the auditory nerve. And if the problem is the result of a virus then you will slowly get better. But if it is viral there really is very little that can be done while the body heals itself.

Sending my best your way....

[Cleita]

13. Thanking you for your input. Your experiences are making me

feel much better about this. I'm happy you came through this with a somewhat positive outcome.

[NMDemDist2]

10. I get those symtoms in the summer when I haven't drank enough water

are you staying hydrated?

[Cleita]

14. I think I'm keeping myself hydrated. I do spend a lot of time out

of doors gardening, but I keep bottled water with me to replace what I lose in prespiration. However, maybe I need to moniter myself more closely. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Dora]

15. Have you seen an otlaryngologist/ENT?

My mother (also alone) had some terrible bouts with vertigo. Her MD just shrugged it off, gave her an antibiotic, told her to wait it out. He did give her meds to help with the nausea, but also said there was nothing they could do. She finally went to see an Ear/Nose/Throat doctor for a second opinion.

She said the ENT treated her with a gadget of some kind, applying it to the side of her head behind her ear. She improved markedly, and hasn't had any recurrences. I don't remember that he actually diagnosed her with anything, only that he gave her treatment. This was a great relief, because she too has nobody around to give her help if she needs it.

Walk steady. Keep your hand on something stable all the time. Please be careful on stairs.

:hug:

[Cleita]

17. I won't be able to until I see the GP first.

Most of the specialists in my area won't take a new patient without a referral.

[GardeningGal]

16. I'm happy to hear you're going to the doctor

It's best to get it checked out. One other thing to consider, my niece was having dizziness and she went to the doctor and found it was tinnitus and they related it to the food she was eating. She doesn't cook much so was eating a lot of the frozen prepared meals which contain a lot of sodium. She had to quit those and has not had a problem since. One more possibility to consider.

[Cleita]

18. That might be a cause as I do eat a lot of packaged food.

Often the store puts frozen dinners on sale for 10 for $1 each or $10. I just finished goint through ten days of Banquet. Thanks for all the suggestions. These will help when I talk to my doctor tomorrow.

[MissWaverly]

19. Cleita, stay away from that crap

I used to do the same thing but now I go to the deli counter and get pasta salad, tuna fish
or pieces of meat like salmon, you can afford it if you're buying for 1, and I am not sick
like I used to be. Get yourself some potatos and microwave them and buy a forman grill, I
got 1 at at a yard sale for 3.00 and its great for hamburgers and hot dogs; fast with easy
clean up.

[GardeningGal]

22. I forgot to mention

The reason they gave her for this is that the high sodium amount was causing fluid to build up in her (?) can't remember if it was the eustachian(sp?) tubes or inner ear, but it was something along that line. She also didn't have blood pressure issues.

[MissWaverly]

34. Cleita, I am worried about you!, Hope you are better

Look, I had some problems and was tested for food allergies, nothing showed, but the doctors
said that many people are allergic to things in processed foods and that there is not a test
for that, MSG allergies are real, and many people are allergic to fructose which is corn
sugar and frozen foods also have a high concentration of salt, which is bad, but then there
is the problem with what you are not eating. You need fiber, water found in vegetables and fruits and protein. You can go to the supermarket and try to buy food by the pound, like
from the fruit bar, it's already cleaned and it's cheaper than buying quarts of strawberries
because you are buying smaller quantities.

Best of luck to you.

[PADemD]

20. Tinnitus is a Symptom of Thyroid Disease

You may be hyperthyroid. Your doctor should also rule out high blood pressure and stroke.

[Cleita]

21. I'll bring up the thyroid to her.

I know it's not high blood pressure though cause I monitor my BP pretty regularly and it's normal within the 120/80 range. I know it's hard to believe that an old bat like me has the blood pressure of a teenager without taking any meds, but I do. I sort of amaze the medics too. When anything happens like this to me the first thing I do is take my BP.

[u4ic]

23. I used to get dizzy

from dairy - sinus and ear problems, thicker mucus.

I cut out dairy and it helped tremendously. (I also have CFS and have had major problems with balance, but cutting out the dairy definitely helped)

Tinnitus can be a result of high blood pressure, from highly salted foods. (it's only a small segment of the population that has a problem with salt and blood pressure, but you could be one)

Good luck with the doctor, Cleita! :hi:

[Cleita]

24. Thanks, but I cut out dairy years ago and use soymilk.

I am also caffeine free. My blood pressure is normal too but as others have pointed out you may have something with the salt. I have been using a lot lately with packaged and frozen foods.

[u4ic]

25. Good, you have eliminated

that avenue. :-)

[MorningGlow]

29. If you do find out you have a problem with your thyroid

You should know that soy exacerbates thyroid dysfunction. Just keep that in mind--just in case!

Here's hoping your GP figures it out quickly.

:hug:

[cliss]

26. Cleita, have you considered

basic things like getting enough vitamins, nutrition? I know that when I'm really run down, I can get dizzy..just feel tired, run down. In particular, it seems that when I'm anemic (iron deficient) I start to feel dizzy a lot.

I would try nutrition, as well as medical advice. Here are my favourites:

1) brewer's yeast - mixed in with a glass of milk - yum
2) iron - I get special ferrous oxide, not just in a multi vitamin
3) vitamin C - I get the powdered kind, mix it in to a glass of water - it's much stronger than those huge pills & it goes directly into your blood stream.
4) calcium - love those big horse pills - I take a variety - calcium carbonate, oyster shell. No bone meal though, I'm a vegetarian.

My favorite super-food: right now, I'm on a mega-diet. I've been eating nothing but blackberries. It's really good, I've never felt better. Blackberries are really at the top of the scale in terms of vitamins, fiber, etc.

Try the nutrition approach also, Cleita. Sending you good thoughts.

[cassiepriam]

28. As you can see, there can be many reasons for your symptoms..

Some benign, some not. Go get it checked out by another
physician if you family doc won't help.

Talk to your allergist and an ENT to begin with.

[Ilsa]

30. Cleita, I hope you get some good news today.

One thing to consider: it is also possible to over-hydrate oneself, causing your electrolytes to be diluted. This can cause a nasty dizzy spell. Please remember to drink to your level of thirst, and then maybe a little more if you believe you may not be experiencing thirst normally.

Good luck!

[Cleita]

31. Update.

I saw my Dr. this morning and she set me up with and ear specialist, but he can't see me until a week from Thursday, so to be continued.

Anyway thanks guys for all the valuable imput. It made it much easier for me to talk to my doctor.

[MissWaverly]

33. hang in there, it's either a big deal or nothing serious

so don't get all excited until you definitely know for sure, don't guess at the cards until
they are in your hand (unless you're psychic!)

[NJCher]

32. boggles my mind

The information, knowledge, and wisdom on his forum.

Hope you get rid of those dizzy spells, Cleita.




Cher

[dweller]

35. have you heard of this?

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)?

http://www-surgery.ucsd.edu/ent/PatientInfo/info_bppv.html


there are treatments described that your doctor could perform to check/treat.

peace
dp

[Cleita]

36. Thanks for the post. I haven't heard of that.

I'm scheduled for a hearing test and consultation with an ear specialist next Thursday. When I told the appointment girl that I was having vertigo, she said I had to have a hearing test first. Now I know why.

[dweller]

37. i too have experienced sudden vertigo

recently, sporadically. I read about bppv, saw that it was seen more in over 50 :( and sometimes due to head trauma. I had a large metal saucepot fall on my head several months ago, so it could be a tossup as to cause.

but my symptoms subsided over a few weeks, and until it occurs again, i'm not going to worry. But it was scary with the episodes i had. My first was turning over in bed one early morning, and thought i had spun across the room and actually threw up my arms to protect myself from hitting the wall. Opened my eyes and was just on my other side like i had intended.
Several more when i bent over to reach my feet, again sensation of spinning over and over. I realized each time was when my eyes were closed, and so keep my eyes open with the activity as much as possible, for i guess my sense of sight overcomes the balance issue.

but again, it has subsided, at least for now.

hope you resolve your situation soon.

dp

[Cleita]

38. I know it's such a real situation that you feel it physically as if

it's happening, but it's only a sensation created by your body or mind, whichever is instrumental.

[rumpel]

45. You may want to have your neck checked by a

good chiropractor, just in case.
Misalignments from a sudden trauma type incident could have an effect on your nerves. Happened to me and few visits took care of that.
Vertigo is a scarry feeling.

Just a thought

[Tess49]

41. I have this. Not much fun, because you never know when it is

going to hit. Tilting my head the wrong way seems to bring it on. I keep meclizine with me at all times. Some stashed in my purse, and some in the medicine cabinet. It's cheap and effective. Fortunately, it doesn't happen often.

[davsand]

39. Sounds like your docs are on the right track with a hearing specialist.

A few years ago I had something like what you describe. I was dizzy and actually vomiting with it. At first I actually was afraid I'd gotten pregnant and that it was morning sickness because I felt THAT bad ALL day.

My doc diagnosed an inner ear infection (viral) and told me I just was probably gonna have to ride it out. He did make an appointment with an ENT for me in a couple of weeks in case it didn't get better.

My doc spent a great deal of time explaining to me about the semicircular canals which play a role in balance and sensing motion. His diagnosis was that I had some kind of viral thing going on in that part of my inner ear.

I was put on Anti-vert to help control the vomiting because I felt like I had motion sickness ALL the time by that point. (Whew! Was I EVER stoned on THAT stuff!) In about ten days I was doing fine. Felt normal again.

here is a website with an interesting discussion about inner ear, with some excellent discussion about what it does and how it impacts on health--especially balance and vertigo issues.

http://www-surgery.ucsd.edu/ent/PatientInfo/info_bppv.html

I hope you feel better soon!


Laura

[Cleita]

40. Thanks Davsand! n/t

[Metta]

42. Hey.

Someone I know got up too fast once when she was having her period and fainted, breaking her jaw in three places. It was wired shut for six months and she's still in bad shape.

[NuttyFluffers]

43. got to this late, but hugs and prayers!

imagine me spinning in the opposite direction unwinding your dizziness. :hug:

[Cleita]

44. I never thought of that.

I'll try that the next time it happens although I hope there isn't a next time.

[Cleita]

46. Update.

Went to the ear doctor today and he thinks it's neurological so I'm scheduled for an MRI on Monday, but probably won't know anything until a week from tomorrow.

I guess it's wait and see.

[MissWaverly]

47. Oh, here's hoping for good things for you & patience too

to wait, that's the hardest part, may this week be full of interesting things to keep you
from worrying.

:-)

[Cleita]

48. Another update.

Well Sunday night I had another vertigo attack. I went to see a physical therapist yesterday who evaluated me at great risk for falling because of being off balance, so I must see him three times a week to retrain my nerves or something like that.

My MRI showed nothing but the ear doctor is sending me to a neurologist because he says something isn't right and it's not my inner ear that is problematic.

So to be continued.

[Cleita]

49. Another update.

I saw the neurologist today and she said that I am something of a puzzle but my symptoms are very real. She thinks I might have had some small strokes, as my MRI has some evidence of it, so I have to go through another battery of tests to either confirm or rule out her suspicions.

In the meantime I am doing physical therapy and it seems to be helping. I'm not as unsteady as I was.

[Digit]

50. I wish you continuing improvement

I am glad to hear you are getting steadier.

I have had those attacks happen as I am driving and it is quite disconcerting.
Of course, mine pass, so I can't imagine what is would be like to have that all the time.

Again, wishing you a speedy (and easy) recovery!

[rumpel]

51. Did you have your neck checked?

Since you say - the physical therapy is helping it occurred to me it may be your neck.

I injured my neck when I was 13 and problems did not show up until I was in my late 30's or so. We did a battery of tests and after ruling out everything else, the MRI showed 2 herniated C-5 and C-6 disks in my neck I refused surgery and opted for physical therapy and it helped.
They gave me this traction to hang over the door etc.
Eventually my symptoms went away - and as I was warned it will come back and it does.

But the problem spots and resulting symptoms seem to migrate. The last problem was vertigo -C-2, to the point I was scared to drive - due to money reasons I went to our local chiropractor first and within a week it was gone.


http://www.amerchiro.org/JacaCollSearch.cfm?T1ID=12&T2ID=53&T3ID=27&Action=Results

but be careful of selecting a chiropractor - I hear there are only a few good ones -that have the healing hands

[Cleita]

52. The neurologist has ordered an MRA and some other

tests I'm not familiar with for just that purpose. I will let you all know when I know something.

[u4ic]

53. Cleita,

sending you healing light...I hope that whatever is ailing you is quickly resolved. :hug:

[MissWaverly]

54. sending positive light your way

the best for you, I hope you have continual progress, I remember when my dog had a stroke, with
dogs it's kind of weird, he had use of two legs on one side, so he still wanted to walk but he
thought my job was to prop up the side that could not walk, what an odd pair we made, but he did
regain the use of his legs. He was really a character, I collect Teddy Bears and he had a thing
for them, he would never go near them while I was in the room, but the minute I was gone, boom,
down would go the bears, play time!