Vertigo

MorpheusMorpheus
in General

I had a vertigo attack late in May. I tried doing the epley maneuver but the spinning was so violent when I tried that I couldn’t complete the maneuver. After a couple of days, I was able to complete the epley but I either didn’t move all of the crystals or they moved into the wrong canal. The spinning wasn’t nearly as bad but I was still having vertigo. I went to the doctor and he sent me a referral to go to physical therapy. I never went to PT because I kept thinking the vertigo would just go away on its own which it didn’t. I finally made an appointment which is in 2 days. After I made the appointment, I tried the epley again and it worked, absolutely no more vertigo. It took me a couple days to get rid of the risidual dizzyness but I was better and so happy. A couple of days later, I was in bed and turned my head quickly to the right and the spinning started again. I was so upset, I had just fixed it and now it was back again. I tried the epley for a few days until it finally worked again. I’m good now, no more dizzyness. I’m probably still going to go to PT and see what they tell me.

Anyway, short story long, has anyone had issues with vertigo? What happened and what did you do for it? I had it once before but I did the epley and I was fine ut this time, I’ve been dealing with it for a month and it been kicking my butt.

Comments

  • Michael4060Michael4060

    I had my first attack of vertigo a couple months ago. Scared the begebbers out of me. Got off the elliptical machine turned my head and instantly felt dizzy. Tried to do crutches and it got worse.
    Went to the doctor who prescribed meds and called my friend who has vertigo off and on for the last several years. He went to PT three times and he/she got the crystals aligned again and he felt great.
    Occasionally has an occurrence but not often. So, maybe keep up with the PT and ask that therapist how to alleviate the symptoms in the future?

  • ksb30ksb30

    Had labrynthitis for a few weeks, recovery took ages and it felt like I was always walking sideways on a roof. Also get migraines wich make me feel dizzy like that. Horrible time in my life i almost lost my job from that!

  • tranquilsoultranquilsoul

    I have suffered from chronic migraines since I was 13z in the past two years they have gotten even worse and have also brought on vertigo I’ve done a combination of PT, dry needling, chiro and Botox to address both issues. Both chiro and Botox have been the most helpful to address the duel issue and have made both my migraine and vertigo less intense and less frequent.

  • ksb30ksb30

    Indeed it took many trips to johns Hopkins headache clinic to get them sorted out. Im so happy im better now!

  • Finnegan2017Finnegan2017

    I suffered with vertigo for a short time a couple of years ago. It left as mysteriously as it came. Sometimes those crystals just get lost is the explanation I got.

  • cuddlefaerycuddlefaery

    I've had extended periods of vertigo since I was a teen for multiple reasons: inner ear dysfunction from chronic infections, chronic migraines including vestibular migraines, and autonomic dysfunction. It can be hard sometimes to differentiate the cause, so we usually try attacking it from all angles.

    PT with a specialist in vertigo helped a lot - not just with teaching the Epley Maneuver, but also in figuring out safer ways to move that don't trigger it as much. There's also certain ways to lay down or rest that can calm it quicker.

    I've found that the OTC anti nausea med meclazine (brand name Bonine) can help both with the nausea and with calming down the spinning.

    When I get vestibular migraines, a lot of the time they are so-called "silent migraines" with no pain, so when other reliefs don't work I'll try my migraine relief med just in case.

    These next options are not fully science-backed, so your results may vary and it's a good idea to check with a doc first before relying on them. However, I'm a firm believer in the power of placebos to "trick" the body into helping itself 🤷🏻‍♀️

    • there's some essential oil mixes that smell lovely, help with the nausea, and sometimes seem to help calm the vertigo itself. A few favorites: Migrastil, VertigoEase, and DiVertigo. I apply them on my temples and behind my ears, careful not to get it in my eyes.
    • sometimes some tricks I use for calming my nervous system during a migraine also work for vertigo: laying down with my legs up and an ice pack on my forehead, or putting hand & feet in hot water with an ice pack on the back of my neck, etc.
    • float tanks seemed to help. Don't know if it was the sensory deprivation, the high magnesium intake from the epsom salts, or something else 🤷🏻‍♀️

    And finally, the biggest help: time. Without any concrete structural issue causing the vertigo, sometimes you just have to wait it out until your body recalibrates. I had to go on disability for 6 months with my last major episode, which sucked but it allowed me to rest, fully take care of myself, and seek help from all the specialists. There were concerns for MS due to other symptoms, but we thankfully ruled that out and believe it was a flare of dysautonomia + migraines, as upping my beta blockers, salt & water intake, and changing my migraine meds eventually seemed to calm it - though by that point it may have just been time 😅

    I wish you luck, answers, relief, and speedy recovery! Vertigo sucks and is debilitating, so make sure you're taking good care of you beyond treating the symptoms.

  • cuddlefaerycuddlefaery

    @tranquilsoul I'm glad to hear the Botox helped! It's the next stop on my migraine journey, as even with the new CGRP-inhibitors (which still works better for me than triptans and topamax) I'm still having 10+ days of migraine a month. I also have TMJD, so we'll hit the masseter while we're at it. We're just having to wait 6 months on my current regimen to prove to Medicaid that we've exhausted other options.

  • tranquilsoultranquilsoul
    edited June 29

    @cuddlefaery would encourage you to try it I had to go through trying all the family of Triptans along with anti depression and anxiety meds before they would approve the Botox but it’s been a huge help. I do also use peppermint oil on my temple, forehead and neck and have a cold pack compress that I wear to help sleep when I am in pain. I hope you find relief! 💖

  • ElrondishElrondish

    Wtf. I had labyrinthitis or something similar at the start of may. It suuuuuuucked. Took so long to recover from and I’m still not sure I’m 100%

  • mauvefoxmauvefox

    I had a random episode of vertigo a few years ago. Woke up and couldn’t get out of bed. If I sat upright I would immediately throw up and pass out. Family got me to the emergency department. (I had to walk down the stairs and to the car at a 90 degree angle to keep from throwing up and barely made it. Then recline all the way for the drive.)

    They ran all the tests and ultimately it was just those pesky crystals. No history of vertigo or warning signs or injury. They prescribed me Valium to help with the immediate symptoms.

    But honestly I think the thing that started setting it right again was the strain of vomiting over and over again. Something about being wrenched forward and every muscle of your body spasm and clenching ip and all that focused pressure on your head I think mimicked the exercises they wanted me to do anyway. After many, many, many, way too many bouts of that in the course of a few hours, I started to feel a tiny bit better. It still took a few days for me to be back to normal.

    Not sure if that helps with your situation. But I remember how bad that felt and how scary it was and I’m so sorry it’s going on for you.

  • MeltMyWayMeltMyWay
    edited June 30

    I have a brain tumor on nerves 7 and 8 (auditory and balance nerves) I used to have vertigo on a daily basis. So bad that I looked like I was drunk half the time when walking. I would fall over 7 or 8 times a week. I was working had a baby with me and it hit so hard I could do nothing but sit down in the middle of the aisle at the grocery store, baby screaming and pulling items from the shelf. Security was kind enough to get the pharmacist and she brought me these acupuncture bracelets called Sea Bands. They're amazing. I've carried them with me everywhere ever since.

    They tested me and I had lost 50% of my vestibular capabilities on the right side. Shortly after this I had to stop working with kids.
    They sent me for vestibular therapy which helped but what had really saved me was I was working out a ton and always working on balance with my trainer.

    Then I saw a naturopathic doctor and got in a ton of herbs for brain health. After 2 months I stopped falling for the most part. Now it's only in the dark or when I lean back to wash my hair if I move to quickly.

    Last November I took a flight when I was having sinus issues. I had my earphones in listening to music and we had some terrible turbulence. I experienced the worst ear and jaw pain I ever have in my entire life. It took everything in me not to scream out in pain on the flight. The flight attendant was buckled in and looking directly at me and I can't even imagine what she was thinking. After that I started having daily episodes of the spins where others could see my eyes literally spinning in circles. It happened most often when I turned my head to quickly changed positions in bed or cracked my neck (I know horrible habit). I was desperate and couldn't get into the doctor for a while. I had researched and also attempted the epley maneuver. It gave me some relief but it kept happening. I was sent for a brain MRI due to my history but tumor is stable and hasn't changed size. Said it was mostly likely due to the combination of having the acoustic neuroma, sinus issues, pressure cabin change and fact I had my earphones in. It took about 4 months of me redoing the epley maneuver for it to stop completely.

    I hope it vestibular therapy in particular they are sending you to. That would be the most helpful rather than general physical therapy.

    Try out the seaband bracelets they have them in most drugstores and in Amazon. Good luck and I hope it goes away soon.

  • SunsetSnugglesSunsetSnuggles

    Oh man, I'm so terribly sorry for everyone experiencing all of this!! 🫂

    I've only experienced something similar to vertigo once, when suddenly, severely emotionally triggered. I was laying on the couch and had to hold onto the cushion and the back of the couch for dear life. It felt like I was doing death rolls again and again and again.

    I've been triggered before and experienced plenty of things, but that was a new one. Can't imagine how you all got through it, long-term!

    ~ Sunset Snuggles

    🫂 Enthusiast 🏞 Travel Junkie 📷 Shutter Bug

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