To Thread - Forum Home

The Mudcat Café TM
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=41271
39 messages

Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness

18 Nov 01 - 02:50 PM (#595196)
Subject: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: tremodt

I need some help with Vertigo or dizzyness I am an older man and i have this I would like any information that may heal with the treatment or manageing this problem,I am taking Meclizene 25 mg but it does not seem to help

thank you all

ro1sin


18 Nov 01 - 03:01 PM (#595200)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: GUEST

With all due respect, I think that asking your Doctor (or several Doctors) will glean you more information than the combined wit of a bunch of folkies.

Get well soon


18 Nov 01 - 03:05 PM (#595202)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: tremodt

yes perhaps the doctor would be better than a bunch of folkies BUT i will bet there are more folkies that have

some experience with this and may know a folkie cure at leats thats what I am hoping, but thanks for your opinion

Ro1sin


18 Nov 01 - 03:11 PM (#595207)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: John MacKenzie

Ro1sin, I,ve always associated vertigo with heights, as opposed to dizziness, which is more generalised. I'm no expert, but I do believe that it's a lot to do with the middle ear, and the eustachian ( spelling? ) tube. Don't take my word for it though, your doctor spent about 7 years training for his job, trust him/her.
Jock


18 Nov 01 - 03:11 PM (#595208)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: GUEST

OK, fair comment, and I wish you well.

However, I would urge caution, in that dizzyness can occur as a symptom of a miriad of complaints, and simply following a 'this worked for me' approach may not be the most helpful, and may even be dangerous.

I really would recommend medical advice.

Take care


18 Nov 01 - 03:19 PM (#595214)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: Mary in Kentucky

I'll have to agree with Guest here. I've had it 5 times in the last year, mildly, thank goodness. It's usually related to a respiratory infection for me. My neurologist doesn't think it's related to my MS, but certainly something I'm watching. If you don't like what your doctor says, ask another, then another, etc. Good luck. This has got to be frustrating. Others have described it to me as like seasickness.


18 Nov 01 - 04:05 PM (#595228)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: Mac Tattie

I first had problems eight years ago. Dizzieness, sickness, heavy sweating and noises in my right ear, recurring every ten to fifteen days. My first visit to the Doc. I was told, "Hey you must just be unlucky". A big help. Definatly see your Doctor sooner than latter to "start the ball roling". I still have problems, in my case it appears to be a form of Meneries desease I still have bouts of dizzieness and nausea every other day but they only last a fiew minutes although I feel I am perminatly "walking a tight rope". Drinking soda water helps during and after sickish periods BUT get help soon. cheers


18 Nov 01 - 05:56 PM (#595266)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: Mike Byers

I've been living with Meneire's for several years, and there are some medications that can help. Definitely go see a doctor: there are tests for Meneire's and for other conditions that can cause vertigo, and the first step is to find out what's causing the problem. Only a doctor can do this, so get yourself to one as soon as you can. And good luck...hang in there!


18 Nov 01 - 06:19 PM (#595274)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: katlaughing

When I had this problem last year it was because a little bone inside my ear had fallen out of place OR was irrirtated by a tiny piece of lint or something else that had travelled deep within my inner ear. My doc had me lie still on my back, while he and others quickly turned me onto my opposite side, so that ear was down and had me lie very still for about 30 minutes, then they quickly turned me the other way. He also put me on meclazine and, while it took a couple of weeks, it did finally clear up. I was very, very careful how I turned over in bed as I didn't want it to happen, again! So far, so good!

I woudl urge you to keep in touch with your doc, though and make sure it is nothing else which might be causing it. If your doc isn't satisfactory, get a second opinion!

kat


18 Nov 01 - 06:26 PM (#595281)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: SINSULL

Mine was related to an inner ear infection. But see a doctor. It could also be low blood pressure and/or a myriad of other problems. Or just plain stress.


18 Nov 01 - 07:16 PM (#595308)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: Llanfair

Mine was a virus affecting the inner ear. It is quite common, and usually clears up in two weeks.
Kat, who diagnosed your problem? Have you got perforated eardrums? Surely if it were possible to displace the tiny bones in the ear, rolling you around wouldn't be a way of diagnosing it!!
Cheers, Bron.


18 Nov 01 - 07:30 PM (#595315)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: GUEST

This page may be of use.

If you haven't the time or iclination to read it, the overall jist is: Go see your doctor!


18 Nov 01 - 08:29 PM (#595340)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: katlaughing

Llanfair, it was my regular family doctor and he didn't diagnose it by rolling me around, though with the right doc, that might be fun!**BG** The little bone is called an otolith literally, "ear stone" and as I understand it, it floats in a certain position. The rolling me back and forth was an attempt to get it to fall back into place, if indeed that was the problem. As I said, it could also have been a microscopic bit of fluff or dust which upset it. And, no, I've never had my eardrums pierced.:-)

kat


18 Nov 01 - 08:39 PM (#595343)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: Mark Cohen

kat, m'dear, I'm afraid you may have been taken. First, while it is possible to have a dislocation of the little bones in the ear (malleus, incus, and stapes, a/k/a hammer, anvil, and stirrups) as a result of trauma, the result would be a sudden loss of hearing, not dizziness, and it would be nothing short of miraculous if turning you from one side to the other would put them back into place (an ENT surgeon can do it, though). Second, "lint" cannot get from your ear canal into your inner ear to cause dizziness or balance problems. The fact that your problem cleared up in a couple of weeks means you probably had a viral infection of the inner ear, which gets better on its own without the acrobatics. Based on the information you gave, I would not go back to that "doctor".

I fully concur with the advice to see a (competent) doctor. And if your family doctor seems unsure or says "it's nothing", unless he can give you a specific diagnosis (like a blocked Eustachian tube causing temporary increased pressure in the middle ear), see an ENT surgeon (otolaryngologist). Dizziness (which is a general term for feeling unsteady, lightheaded, or imbalanced) and vertigo (which refers to the specific sensation of spinning, where you feel that your environment is moving around you) are symptoms that have many underlying causes, from a simple cold to a brain tumor. Over-the-counter or folk remedies can be very effective for some of these conditions, but DON'T use them until you know for sure what you are dealing with.

Here's a page from the University of Washington Dept. of Otolaryngology that has lots of useful information.

Aloha,
Mark (M.D.--for credibility purposes)


18 Nov 01 - 08:48 PM (#595347)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: Mark Cohen

Sorry, kat, you posted while I was writing mine...that makes more sense. (That's why I said "based on the information you gave...") My patients don't get otoliths -- they're too young! -- so it's not something I generally think about. See, that's why I said you have go to a competent doctor...not a pediatrician! (That is, of course, unless you happen to be a child or adolescent.)

Aloha,
Mark


18 Nov 01 - 09:12 PM (#595363)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: 53

sometimes high blood pressure can cause those symptoms and that is nothing to fool around with , go with the advice of the others and go have a complete checkup at your doctor, i'm sure with tests he'll find the problem. hop you feel better. BOB


18 Nov 01 - 10:31 PM (#595396)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: GUEST,.garg

Mark don't waste too much time on the giggling kitty; she frequents chiroprators, practices "faith healing" through Mudcat healing circles, and enjoys being a "living voodoo doll" with Chinese needles.

In general, she is desperate.


18 Nov 01 - 10:53 PM (#595405)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: CarolC

I get it from time to time. I've had all kinds of tests. The ENT Dr. said technically it's meniere's because of the symptoms, even though I didn't test positive with any of the miserable tests they did on me. Someone told me that in my case it was probably related to migraines, but with vertigo instead of pain. For me it's usually accompanied by intense sensitivity to any stimulus to my nervous system such as any sounds or any visual stimulus, or any kind of touch.

When I get an attack of it, I usually have to just lie down and sleep until it goes away which it can do in a matter of hours or a few days.

My feeling is that in my case, there is a virus involved, and I have been taking an herb called 'chaparral' which seems to help my body fight some viruses. It does seem to make a difference in the frequency of the attacks.

I don't take the chaparral all the time. I've learned to recognize when I can feel that kind of virus coming on, and I start taking it then, and continue until it feels like the virus is no longer active. I use a tincture that I get at health food stores.


19 Nov 01 - 01:18 AM (#595448)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: alison

I was diagnosed with Meniere's a few years back.... after visiting GPs who sent me to cardiologists, CT scans etc.. and eventually an ENT specialist......

I recommend the ENT approach (after you have seen your GP)... because they can connect electrodes and simulate the dizziness while they monitor you.. to see exactly what is causing it ..........

I was lucky I didn't have to take tablets (except during a bad attack)....... but was recommended to take a low salt diet and plenty of rest... both of which have helped tremendously.

good luck

slainte

alison


19 Nov 01 - 02:10 PM (#595717)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: Mrrzy

Unfun, definitely. I don't get dizzy, I just fall down, but they are looking into that, too. Ro1sin, hope the Dr that prescribed the one drug can help you! Otherwise, I guess, roll around with Katlaughing, that ought to cure what ails you!


19 Nov 01 - 04:29 PM (#595798)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: Amos

Oh, Garg, just shut up!

Kat, the lint in ear syndrome is usually caused by accumulated dust on sheets and blankets -- the great remedy is the washing mosheen! Unless some dustmite hauled it in there!!

A


19 Nov 01 - 09:42 PM (#596022)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: tremodt

First let me say say that i do not regard the people here as folksies

I thank all who have answered my help question and i appreciate all advice

I am in Florida now but am returning to New York on Monday where i will see my regular fam doc

Agai I want to thank sincerely all who have taken their time to help meinformation that i have asked for

Thank you all again for coming to my rescue for all sorts of help

Slan and Cheers

Ro1sin


22 Dec 05 - 11:33 PM (#1633529)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: GUEST,philippe

Hi my name is phil and im 15 i have had extreme dizzieness for about 5 months now and im sick of it. i went to 2 docotrs and there are both stumped they think its an inner ear infection i have had 2 difrent medictaions that dont help.I had head aches with it and sensassion of presure in my head,But advil and tylanle help with that .I have no clue what to do.


23 Dec 05 - 12:31 AM (#1633540)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: Peace

Advil contains ibuprofen which is an anti-inflammatory. That may be releiving some pressure, possibly in your inner ear. Please go back and see an ENT specialist (Ear, Nose, Throat).


23 Dec 05 - 01:16 AM (#1633545)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: Ebbie

I have had two episodes of vertigo, years apart. The first time, for several days in a row, the sensation would slam me back down to a prone position.

The second time, a few weeks ago, was after I had recently read something interesting. I don't remember where I read it but it was a scientific paper of some kind. S/He/They said that, frequently, moving one's head into the vertigo producing position perhaps four times in a row would make it go away. The premise was that the movement would make the bits of something (?) move to a different spot.

Believe it. For me. it worked.


23 Dec 05 - 01:21 AM (#1633547)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: Peace

releiving

Let me try that again.

relieving


23 Dec 05 - 01:23 AM (#1633548)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: Dave Hanson

Why is this in music ? and why do people feel the need to tell the whole world about their problems ?

eric
    It was in the music section because it was started before we had a separate non-music section. I moved it down below the line now. I usually check threads at least once a day and move the ones that need moving.
    -Joe Offer-


23 Dec 05 - 01:27 AM (#1633551)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: Ebbie

What does 'community' mean to you, Eric? As far as I'm concerned, the connections of community are a wondrous phenomenom.


23 Dec 05 - 01:34 AM (#1633553)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: Peace

It's in music specifically to piss you off, Eric.


23 Dec 05 - 04:42 AM (#1633610)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: open mike

ringing in the ears is musical is it tinitis>
or rin-tin-tin-itis (that is barking in the ears..or whining)


23 Dec 05 - 09:30 AM (#1633759)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: gnu

Ebbie... sounds like BPV... benign positional vertigo. Yes, there are "movements" which may help. Again, professional assessment and treatment are imperative. Lots of info on the web.


23 Dec 05 - 04:16 PM (#1634065)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: Liz the Squeak

I have BPV, I can't sit in the dentists chair whilst he tilts it back, although I'm fine in planes. I had several attacks of it close together, related to a blood pressure problem, changes in pressure in the brain, which would be relieved by anti inflammatories. Get your doctor to test you out properly. If s/he doesn't co-operate, get a parent or someone to insist on a referral to the Ear/Nose/Throat dept.

LTS


23 Dec 05 - 10:31 PM (#1634315)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: TheBigPinkLad

I have it via occasional ear infections - viral, so like flu there's little one can do except enjoy the ride. It was scary at first, but after being admitted to hospital and told it wasn't a) heart attack b) stroke or c) brain tumour, I said 'bring it on' ... I was told it was vertigo (but I'm too short to get vertigo) and, like flu, it comes and goes.

It's one of the few adventures open to the cowardly. ;o)


24 Dec 05 - 09:52 AM (#1634496)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: Donuel

As long as you have ruled out the heart and brain...
The loops in the inner ear that sense balance are delicate and rely on tiny minerals and even magnetism. If there is the smallest defect that can cause dizziness you will most likely grow out of it.
IF the defect is larger to the point of falling, it takes longer.

get well soon.


24 Dec 05 - 10:50 AM (#1634515)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: Stilly River Sage

My aunt had surgery a few years ago for an Acoustic Neuroma.

Link here to more information.

It is serious, can be fatal. She recommended the "gamma knife" treatment.

I get a sense of dizziness every time I walk through this one section of Sears down at the local mall. That's because the floor moves a little bit and it plays havoc with my sense of balance.

SRS


24 Dec 05 - 12:36 PM (#1634585)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: Ebbie

In Juneau we have many outdoor staircases marching up the hills and across viaducts. I know people who refuse to use them because it frightens them and makes them physically ill. (Well, I know *one* person who goes that far.)


29 Dec 05 - 05:56 PM (#1636931)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: bobad

"I have been taking a herb called 'chaparral'"

Warning re. chaparral posted here http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/2005/2005_135_e.html


29 Dec 05 - 06:19 PM (#1636945)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: CarolC

OTTAWA - Health Canada is warning consumers not to ingest the herb chaparral in the form of loose leaves, teas, capsules or bulk herbal products

It doesn't say anything about taking it in tincture form. Don't know if that was an oversight or if they don't consider the tincture to be a problem.

Unfortunately, the prescription medications that are available as virus supressants are also dangerous for the liver. I wonder why the medical experts consider risk from prescription drugs to be preferable to risk from herbal sources.

At any rate, my liver is very sensitive to many prescription medications, including the viral supressants, which make me very sick, but chaparral tincture has never caused me any problems, and I've been using it for years.


30 Dec 05 - 09:47 AM (#1637340)
Subject: RE: Help: Vertigo or Dizzieness
From: Peter T.

As mentioned above, it is important to separate vertigo (acrophobia) from dizziness. Vertigo is basically psychological -- it is entangled with fears about impulses towards death, and so on.

I advise anyone with that kind of Vertigo to avoid King Kong -- the last 15 minutes will terrify you -- the Empire State building scenes are unbelievably real and deliberately designed to push the fear of heights to the limit.   As someone who suffers from acrophobia, I nearly had a heart attack.

A wonderful film though.

yours,

Peter T.