Dizziness & Vertigo Support Group
Dizziness is the sensation of instability. Vertigo refers to dizziness with a sensation of motion. Vertigo is more likely than other types of dizziness to be associated with nausea, vomiting, or double vision, to occur even when lying down, and to feel better with the eyes closed. If you are a frequent sufferer of dizziness or vertigo, join the group and find support.
In about 5 minutes time last Thursday, I went from a busy working mom to a complete invalid. It started after a short 3 mile run,(I had had a cold for a couple of days and finally felt well enough for a short run) I felt a bit dizzy halfway through and walked till I felt better, then ran the rest, felt fine. When I got home and showered I started to feel a bit dizzy again. I sat down to rest for a bit and was hit with sudden and severe nausea and diarriah. I felt like I was dying. I went by EMT to the hospital. I had trouble even explaining to people what was wrong. I couldn't even open my eyes or move without throwing up. They did a CT scan, no tumors and several blood tests. They sent me home with antivert and phenergan. The next two days were a blur. Finally the nausea was gone, but I was still crawling to get to the bathroom and sleeping 20 hours a day. I saw my regular doc who prescribed lorazepam.
Today, a week later, I can stumble to the bathroom, still can't walk, still can't function. I know my family is getting tired of caring for me. My hubby fixes breakfast for me and leaves something for me to eat for lunch. Laundry is building up, the house is a disaster, we need groceries, and I don't even want to think about my job. Is this my life now? Will this ever get better? Does that happen to people where they don't ever get better? I am really scared. I don't want to be a burdon to my family.
Today, a week later, I can stumble to the bathroom, still can't walk, still can't function. I know my family is getting tired of caring for me. My hubby fixes breakfast for me and leaves something for me to eat for lunch. Laundry is building up, the house is a disaster, we need groceries, and I don't even want to think about my job. Is this my life now? Will this ever get better? Does that happen to people where they don't ever get better? I am really scared. I don't want to be a burdon to my family.
deleted_user
I can identify with your situation. In Feb. 2010, I had a similar attack. I too was very frightened. I thought I had slipped into another dimension or something. Didn't know what was really happening. Nor did the doctors. I had loss of balance, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, room spinning sensation, couldn't open my eyes, had no control of bowels or urine. I was given an MRI and told I had Binign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. I was at the hospital about 16 hours, and was later released in the care of my husband. I was placed on Ondansetron, Prednisone, Meclizine, Metoclopramide, and Benadryl. I was also told to do Epley's maneuvers. I literally could not walk. I was so weak. After making it into the house, I too had to crawl to the bathroom just as you did. My husband took a week off from work to care for me. During this time, I could not do anything. It took a whole week before I could open my eyes and try to watch television. And just like you, I wondered if this would ever clear up. After researching info. on BPPV, I began to realize that what I had was too severe to be BPPV, so I made an appointment with another neurologist who said more than likely, what I had was labyrinthitis. He said the residual effects could last from months to even years. After three months of having the vertigo, however, I started feeling better. I could atleast walk again. But it took another six months before I would wander far from the house. I needed a cane to help with my balance. Since the attack of vertigo, I have been to see a therapist because the severity of the labyrinthitis has left me with anxiety. And according to the neurologist, this happens in most patients after a severe vertigo attack. I have not returned to work since Feb. 2010. I want to return, but some days I still don't feel well and any type of stress will easily bring on the vertigo. Each case is different, and I pray that you recover much sooner than I did. Unless there is something else going on, you will start to feel normal again and get back some control over your life. Stay hopeful.
Marah
Thank you so much Jazz! I was starting to think I was going crazy. I know my family is wondering why I am not better yet. I still have the ear ringing, but I am going to try to go without the Lorazapam today to see if maybe I can function a little better. I also thought I might try a benedryl. I figure I can always take the other iif I start to get nauseaus again. I turned my head side to side this am and didn't feel too dizzy. I am still really unsteady on my feet though. I am so sick of this. I know people don't understand, they think I'm just being lazy or something. Since I read your post I have been doing a lot of on line research on labrynthitis and keep thinking, "Well duh!" Why didn't the ER doc see this? I just don't think she saw me as worth the effort. God bless you, hope you are fully recovered soon.
deleted_user
Hi Marah, So sorry you are so sick. I guess we all have a story. Mine started 10 yrs ago. It was awful. Long story short, went to Er, Neuro, ENT, PD, and believed to have Meniers Dx. Had attacks at work, so quit the job. My bad attacks lasted about 6 hrs, but at least not for days.....still have an imbalance feeling but can be tolerated. Medication did nothing for me. From ativan, Meclizine, lozapam, thru everything in the trash. In fact lozapam, made it so I couldn't raise my arms, like I was paralzied. Thru tril and error after 10 yrs I am much better. Not much vertigo anymore, but just an imbalance feeling. I push myself to be active. I go for walks, but take my cell phone with me. I don't think it will ever be like it was before, but this is the new me. I hope you will feel better. thru trial and error you will find what works for you. Keep challenge yourself, that is once the vertigo stops. A person feels like a drunk and that they are dying, but you do keep living.....Everyone is different, so I hope you condition improves soon......my best to you.........
Marah
Thanks Rose, I went without the lorazpam today. I switched to Benedryl. Feel a little better actually. Still not steady on my feet. Am wondering when I can feel somewhat normal again.
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