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Vertigo!

Posted by bobstokes11 @bobstokes11, Aug 13 6:51am

I have had it for a few months. Only when lying down. Never when upright.
I have tried the PT exercise ( lie down slowly on left side; then right; then on side)) many times but no success.
Any ideas?

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pht1123 | @pht1123 | Aug 25 9:50am
In reply to @savanah10 "Thank you, @pht1123. I have Meniere's and did not know about OTC meds for sudden vertigo..." + (show)
@savanah10

Thank you, @pht1123. I have Meniere's and did not know about OTC meds for sudden vertigo attacks. I will purchase dramamine. I also did not know drinking water is helpful. I will add this to my routine to try to prevent attacks. My ENT prescribed a diuretic (very helpful) and suggested reduced sodium consumption (no more than 1,000 mg - 1,500 mg per day), reduced caffeine consumption(if one drinks caffeine-which I do) reduced alcohol consumption (if one drinks alcohol- which I don't) and activities to reduce stress. I have found the diuretic and his suggestions helpful in preventing attacks. I can often trace attacks to times when I am extremely stressed. At these times I tend to eat salty foods and increase caffeine consumption. I have stopped drinking coffee, but still drink caffeinated teas.

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Glad to hear from you. Good that you can increase your water intake. I also take a diuretic which is helpful, I don't drink caffeine or alcohol, either. It is true that increased stress can bring on the vertigo. Watching sodium is so important. My daughter's friend has severe reactions with vertigo and vomiting if she goes over 500mg of sodium a day. She is even more careful than me! Hope this information is helpful and hope that you continue to improve.

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Marilyn McFarland | @1942marilyne | Aug 25 11:44am
In reply to @savanah10 "Thank you, @pht1123. I have Meniere's and did not know about OTC meds for sudden vertigo..." + (show)
@savanah10

Thank you, @pht1123. I have Meniere's and did not know about OTC meds for sudden vertigo attacks. I will purchase dramamine. I also did not know drinking water is helpful. I will add this to my routine to try to prevent attacks. My ENT prescribed a diuretic (very helpful) and suggested reduced sodium consumption (no more than 1,000 mg - 1,500 mg per day), reduced caffeine consumption(if one drinks caffeine-which I do) reduced alcohol consumption (if one drinks alcohol- which I don't) and activities to reduce stress. I have found the diuretic and his suggestions helpful in preventing attacks. I can often trace attacks to times when I am extremely stressed. At these times I tend to eat salty foods and increase caffeine consumption. I have stopped drinking coffee, but still drink caffeinated teas.

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I use per mayo Rx Hctz 12.5 every am for menieres. Have not used otc Rx

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jmb73 | @jmb73 | Aug 26 7:05am
In reply to @savanah10 "Thank you, @pht1123. I have Meniere's and did not know about OTC meds for sudden vertigo..." + (show)
@savanah10

Thank you, @pht1123. I have Meniere's and did not know about OTC meds for sudden vertigo attacks. I will purchase dramamine. I also did not know drinking water is helpful. I will add this to my routine to try to prevent attacks. My ENT prescribed a diuretic (very helpful) and suggested reduced sodium consumption (no more than 1,000 mg - 1,500 mg per day), reduced caffeine consumption(if one drinks caffeine-which I do) reduced alcohol consumption (if one drinks alcohol- which I don't) and activities to reduce stress. I have found the diuretic and his suggestions helpful in preventing attacks. I can often trace attacks to times when I am extremely stressed. At these times I tend to eat salty foods and increase caffeine consumption. I have stopped drinking coffee, but still drink caffeinated teas.

Jump to this post

The main ingredient in Dramamine is Meclizine. You can purchase it at Amazon and it is so much cheaper. The last time I ordered meclizine, I got 3 bottles of
100 tablets for $12 My Dr. told me to get it from Amazon as he didn't like the extra ingredients in dramamine. It works for me.

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erinchasen | @erinchasen | Aug 26 7:37am

I had my first full-blown vertigo attack over the weekend and it lasted all day, and along with it I had a really bad migraine. I get migraines occasionally and manage them with an OTC remedy that works fine, especially if I take it early to nip the migraine in the bud. But it did not help over the weekend. I've never had vertigo before. I was so nauseous and have not felt so sick in years and years. From what I've read, vertigo is a symptom of something else going on in the body, like inner ear issues, calcium deposits, sinus infection, etc. I've also heard that the exercises can help. I plan to see my doctor and get her advice.

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1 reply
erinchasen | @erinchasen | Aug 26 7:41am

P.S. I forgot to mention that I felt better the next day and give thanks to God for helping me.

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luhn | @luhn | Aug 26 6:20pm

Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences. You've given me a wealth of ideas in how to go about treating this. The first time I ever experienced vertigo it was SO scary. I couldn't move for such a long time; not sure what to do and home alone. I had just started a med and the doctor who put me on it thought maybe I was experiencing a panic attack with the med. She advised I not take it anymore. I have since experienced it again, but did not occur for a couple of years after stopping the medication.

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lautwell | @lautwell | Aug 27 8:48am
In reply to @erinchasen "I had my first full-blown vertigo attack over the weekend and it lasted all day, and..." + (show)
@erinchasen

I had my first full-blown vertigo attack over the weekend and it lasted all day, and along with it I had a really bad migraine. I get migraines occasionally and manage them with an OTC remedy that works fine, especially if I take it early to nip the migraine in the bud. But it did not help over the weekend. I've never had vertigo before. I was so nauseous and have not felt so sick in years and years. From what I've read, vertigo is a symptom of something else going on in the body, like inner ear issues, calcium deposits, sinus infection, etc. I've also heard that the exercises can help. I plan to see my doctor and get her advice.

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@erinchasen, my heart goes out to you. I have experienced severe vertigo a number of times over the years with extreme N/V, spinning, light sensitivity…totally incapacitated, sometimes all in less than 2 minutes. Fortunately, I can go 1-4 years without an episode. what I’ve learned:
1. Zofran first, to stop the NV
2. Valium next-rx’d by an ENT who specializes in vertigo and migraines. Previous to this I was prescribed Clonazepam, but my new Dr thinks Valium is a better choice and I agree.
3. Get to a totally dark closet. Pillow, blanket, bucket, meds and a Coke
4. Stay there until recovered enough to sleep in bed the rest of the day. (The next day I can be completely fine.)
5. Ambulance rides to the ER are a nightmare…it’s a ride in a tin can with flashing lights.
6. ER can do very little to help (other than an iv) that I can’t do at home
7. Mine are triggered mostly by weather changes…or by nothing
8. Some vertigo is positional and can be helped by the Epley Manuever. Mine is not.
9. Always carry meds with you
10. Yes, I too thank God for helping me through all these hard experiences in life…and for the meds that help…and for this opportunity to share with others who have suffered this bizarre disorder. Take care!

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2 replies
erinchasen | @erinchasen | Aug 27 8:56am
In reply to @lautwell "@erinchasen, my heart goes out to you. I have experienced severe vertigo a number of times..." + (show)
@lautwell

@erinchasen, my heart goes out to you. I have experienced severe vertigo a number of times over the years with extreme N/V, spinning, light sensitivity…totally incapacitated, sometimes all in less than 2 minutes. Fortunately, I can go 1-4 years without an episode. what I’ve learned:
1. Zofran first, to stop the NV
2. Valium next-rx’d by an ENT who specializes in vertigo and migraines. Previous to this I was prescribed Clonazepam, but my new Dr thinks Valium is a better choice and I agree.
3. Get to a totally dark closet. Pillow, blanket, bucket, meds and a Coke
4. Stay there until recovered enough to sleep in bed the rest of the day. (The next day I can be completely fine.)
5. Ambulance rides to the ER are a nightmare…it’s a ride in a tin can with flashing lights.
6. ER can do very little to help (other than an iv) that I can’t do at home
7. Mine are triggered mostly by weather changes…or by nothing
8. Some vertigo is positional and can be helped by the Epley Manuever. Mine is not.
9. Always carry meds with you
10. Yes, I too thank God for helping me through all these hard experiences in life…and for the meds that help…and for this opportunity to share with others who have suffered this bizarre disorder. Take care!

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@lautwell thank you for your kind and helpful words, they are much appreciated.

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pht1123 | @pht1123 | Aug 28 5:59am

So sorry, everyone, that we have had these shared experiences! I hope that we all learn what is best for us - lots of great ideas! The vertigo and nausea really can be incapacitating. Luckily, my vertigo happens mostly during the night, when I get up to use the restroom and then need to get back in bed and reposition. The vertigo - even in the darkened room - is terrible and hoping that it will not happen every night, but at least during the day, I am mostly nauseated without the vertigo. Good luck and feel better to all!!

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samcal9977zz | @samcal9977zz | Aug 28 11:07am

I had a big vertigo blow out in 2014. Horrible. Couldn't even open my eyes for a couple of days. Room spinning violently.

Got on meclizine.

Also did those vestibular exercises.

For me, the main thing was an enormous amount of rest. I also did some specific rest for the neck and shoulders.

I stayed in bed 10 - 12 hours a day.

and within a week or two, things calmed down significantly.

ENT said there can be various causes. So, yeah, you really should be professionally assessed by an ENT.

Mayo Clinic on Dizziness:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dizziness/symptoms-causes/syc-20371787
++++

Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (from the Cleveland Clinic)
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/15298-vestibular-rehabilitation
++++

from Web MD

4 Vertigo Maneuvers: Epley, Semont, Foster, and Brandt- ...
https://www.webmd.com/brain/home-remedies-vertigo
++++

Epley Maneuver - from the Cleveland Clinic

Canalith Repositioning Procedure (another name for the Epley Maneuver)
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17930-canalith-repositioning-procedure-crp
very sorry about the difficulties.

Take care now.

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