Vertigo - has anyone resolved the sudden onset of vertigo

I understand that sodium and alcohol can be factors with vertigo.

Did your ENT specialist mention anything about diet? Or the possibility of Meniere's Disease?

Hi, there are MANY different causes for vertigo. Apparently the ENT ruled out some, such as s disease or tumor.
The inner ear, where balance is determined, sometimes has a problem or becomes damaged (like mine did from a sinus infection 5 yrs ago).
Try looking at Vestibular Disorders Assoc website that can help you narrow down the problem.
vestibular (dot) org

No, the doctor was not insightful at all. It seems to me that some doctors get patients who are on Medicare and since the doctors get reimbursed so little, they spend as little time with the patient (me) as possible. So, he suggested the physical therapy, but suggested no medications (like ear drops, warm ear compresses, etc.), did not review what the PT would be like, and basically said I would just need to live with it. No mention of a follow up appt, no ultrasound, nothing helpful at all. I asked about my tinnitus as well, showed him my list of prescription meds and supplements, asking if any would contribute to my problem, but he just waved it off and left the room. Well, that's enough complaining for me about his complacency. That's why I was asking those in the know within the Mayo Clinic specialty groups. Thank you for your response!

@laughlin1947 when I had vertigo my PCP also gave me that medicine.
When I went to an ENT the first thing he told me was to stop taking it because it makes vertigo worse.
I ended up being tested and diagnosed with Vestibular Neuritis. Physical therapy helped me get rid of it…

I have had bouts of vertigo for several years off and on. The primary reason for mine is migraine headaches. I think stress can bring it on for some folks. I use antivert (meclizine) as well. I have to take it immediately and the maximum prescribed dose for the first few days and then taper off. For me personally, antivert works better than Draminine. There is a Bonine over the counter as well.

Move your head slowly. No bending over or quick movements. Also, elevate your head and do not sleep on the side you have the vertigo on.

A lot of folks have been helped by Chiropractors with vertigo.

A dear friend of mine had vertigo for quite a while and was put on Valium and that helped her tremendously.

Have you been checked for Meniere's Disease by chance? That can go along with vertigo.

Praying you get relief and I am so sorry you are battling this. It is a hard ailment. God Bless You!

Hello @laughlin1947 and welcome to Mayo Connect. I have had episodes of vertigo, labeled BPPV, which are associated with displaced crystals in the inner ear. Mayo link for more information : https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-bppv-dizziness-caused-by-inner-ear-crystals/
There is a series of movements called the Epley maneuver which often helps this condition, though sometimes I haven't been able to tolerate the maneuver. I have a script for Compazine that helps me a little more than meclizine. There is extensive testing to diagnose BPPV, but my doctor didn't suggest that. Since the Epley maneuver can help me, I guess that's a fairly accurate diagnosis. I imagine PT would teach you this maneuver. It is hard to function with vertigo for sure. What has helped you the most so far?

I took everything I could find, lipo flavanoid I think helped me. Your brain will adjust , my dizziness is much better. I’m 5 months into deafness on one side

I'm currently taking meclizine, gingko biloba, occasionally Sudafed (decongestant effect), and high dose taurine (found in energy drinks) which reduces my tinnitus. My dizziness transforms pretty quickly after I get out of bed, from dizziness for a minute or so, to loss of balance with no dizziness after I stand up. I'm pretty sure I have the BPPV thing, but I'm not keen on PT helping much. My dizziness seems to originate in the back of my head, so if I were to shift my head backwards, I'd feel dizzy or just lose balance and fall down. It's weird that 3 weeks ago, for a period of 4 days, I had the most severe loss of balance along with dizziness. 4 days later it was completely gone. Then 4 days later it came back. So, I make sure I sleep on all sides, although I am a typical back sleeper. I get no dizziness when I am reclining for sleep. It's a shame the ENT doctor was not helpful and such a waste of time. Thanks for your response, I will check out the PT maneuvers you mention.

I have found that PT is the only thing that actually fixes my BPPV. There are no magic meds for me. Just be sure you engage a physical therapist who is trained in BPPV and has the equipment to treat it. They can actually see your vertigo using your eye movements, and they can zero in on which side and which canal is affected. Once they have this information, they can treat the condition. When my vertigo first started in 2018, I had episodes frequently. I now only have them occasionally, and it is usually brought on by a sudden head movement or when I sleep. Every time, I get immediate relief from my PT. I have even learned the maneuver myself. Doing it by myself sometimes works and sometimes does not. Whether you use a PT or do it yourself, you must get the crystals back in place or else it will continue to plague you over and over.

I would try the "Epley Maneuver" first to make sure you don't have a calcium crystal in your inner ear. Check out how to do the Epley Maneuver on line by doing a google search. I every now and then get vertigo due to a calcium crystal. The vertigo is usually when I lay down or get up rapidly. If you are getting situational vertigo this is a great remedy. Good luck.