Dizziness & Vertigo Support Group

I remember my ENT telling me that about the neck brace.......however, I don't think they do that now. However, they don't want you to lean back for a day or 2. They said to sleep propped up some....as long as my head didn't go way back. So I used 2 pillows. Had 3 Epleys. Tough stuff.....each one got easier.

Have you had an MRI? Seen a neurologist?

Laura

I have not had an MRI or seen a neurologist. I saw the ENT when I had my first bout of falling down vertigo. I'm kind of a tough-it-out kind of person but I'm feeling so horrible right now that I think my toughness has reached it's limit. The vertigo had started again this past Sunday night when I laid down in bed. Then today I had to go to the dentist for a crown so they had me way back in the chair for 90 minutes and nitrous oxide - when I was done the vertigo was much much worse - I wasn't sure if I could even drive home. That was about 8 hours ago and I'm still feeling it. Blech. This is the 3rd time I've had it since this summer. It seems to usually last a week or so but one time last year it lasted 10 weeks - although it was much milder.

I imagine being in the dentist chair was bad. I know last time I got my hair trimmed, after the lady washed it, she sat me back up so fast (I never thought to say anything beforehand) and I started feeling bad. Lasted 2 days. This stuff is a real pain!

Laura

Hi DORIE,
Your on the right track looking for answers. You should see a Neurologist. Get all the test to rule out nothing seriously wrong. Migraine is a sign of MAV. Meniere's is similar but from what I learned Meniere's cause you to lose your hearing and your vertigo attack are VERY violent resulting in vomiting and lethargic and some have drop attacks. Some meniere's sufferers go through a long symptom free remission. And then get hammered hard.
MAV has the pain with the vertigo. In the inner ears, and of course the migraine. But you dont always get a migraine, instead, dizziness and vertigo. And the dizziness lingers on for a long time! Seems like forever.
Then you have the other dizzy conditions that i think StinkTaurus(sp) can better describe.
Seems like so far you was diagnosed with BPPV. It's sad to learn we can suffer with more than one vestibular dysfunction.

I dont know if anyone told you, try to keep a low sodium diet. That could help a little.
God, I know how much this sucks especially when you have little ones to look after. I wish this would have happened when my kids was adults at least.

Welcome DoryM....Yes I agree with Dizzybabe and you that you need to get back in the Docs office and start putting your foot down. Going on with this for years is so unfair! I would see an ENT, or a neurootologist...make sure they specialize in vertigo issues...call around as many as you can and ask! Get the test done for MAV and Vestibular neuronitis...I always just think that Migraine suffers have MAV.....? MAV sucks and sounds like what you may be going through

Thank you all sooooo much. What does MAV stand for? I have an appt. with my PCP tomorrow afternoon. I'm sure she'll refer me to an ENT. I slept sitting up last night cause the vertigo was so bad.

Yes, they had diagnosed me with BPPV many years ago. But everything I read about BPPV says that the spells of vertigo only last a few minutes. For me, I guess the really horrible moments of feeling like I'm flipping over only last a few minutes but then I'm left with feeling off kilter for hours - also with a feeling of constant motion sickness. UGH. This morning I sat down at my desk and it hit my again hard with the feeling of turning upside down. That's never happened just sitting still before.

My migraines seem to be hormonal from what I can tell. I take Treximet for them when I first start feeling them.

I do get ringing in my ears from time to time.

Thanks so much for all the advice - I really appreciate it. I am only 41 and I feel like I'm falling apart. I am too young for this - I need to get healthy again.

MAV stands for "Migraine Associated Vertigo" A very common demon! Sitting still makes me feel gross too at times. Like when i go to get my nails done..guaranteed to get dizzy. And if I move my head, I will start spinning. Its amazing how I sit there like there is nothing wrong suffering my ass off! hahaha pathetic!!

Oh honey yes! you are young. I'm 33 with three kids under 10 and I feel like an old bitty. I hate it!! I want my life back!

I know how you feel. I am having a day where I feel unbalanced and just not right. I was thinking that I am too young for this. Especially if it gets worse as I get older. I sleep with 2 pillows but can't sleep on either side. I could sleep on my right side til I had the VNG test to see why I was dizzy (tested normal) and now I can't sleep on that side. I feel bad later if I do.

I think MAV is migraine associated vertigo.

Let us know how your PCP appt goes tomorrow.

Laura

Well I saw an ENT today and he seemed somewhat baffled by my symptoms because he said they do not present in a typical fashion. He is sending me for an ENG???? Must go look that up now - I know nothing about it. And he gave me a list of exercises and said to circle the ones that make me feel dizzy and keep doing those specific ones.

A word of advice: have someone drive you to the ENG appt. Maybe even take some crackers and a soda with you for afterwards. I had the VNG in Sept and I took Sprite and saltines in case of nausea. I wasn't too nauseated but I was glad to have something to eat that would help just in case. I don't think I could have driven home. I just didn't feel good afterwards. My test came back OK. Sigh.

Laura