Vertigo!

@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!

@lautwell and @samcal9977zz - Thank you for your advice! I just went to the hospital in an ambulance at 2 am this past Monday morning (11/25/24), and it indeed was like riding in a tin can, with too much light inside, along with trying to bend my knees to minimize the strain of the stretcher position on my lower back.

Diagnosed with BPPV years ago, and had an excellent PCP (unfortunately he has retired just a few years ago now) who also later performed the Epley maneuver to great, immediate success.

I will see if I can figure out the Epley directions to do at home - maybe via YouTube (tho I'm not keen on social media so much, but I know there are some good things there if you can identify them).

Thanks to everyone for posting here on this. It is scary, and I did have a migraine later that same Day 1. Problem further last evening (evening of Day 2) with bathroom evacuation; things came out, though it became more strained, but I broke out into the coldest, most drenching, full-body sweat of my life trying to get through it, even had to keep yelling to keep myself going & conscious, (it seemed), just to live through it. If anyone knows what that part is about, do let me know. Fortunately my fiance was there and cold towels to my head and back of my neck helped a bit in the middle of it!! (as did his calm presence)...THAT experience, the 2nd time I can recall that in my life) is extremely daunting in and of itself!!!

Could have been I ate more than I should have on Day 2 since I didn't eat at all on Day 1 (Monday). Interesting too about the salt intake factor, and maybe even caffeine...though I thought the migraine might be due to not having my usual morning iced coffees Monday morning (Day 1).

Well, the ER prescribed meclizine 3x/day, and I'm doing that. About to take a bath for hopeful calm and some relaxation. Do need to increasingly be aware of not falling, even though I feel otherwise to be a young almost 68 year-old!

Best wishes to everyone, esp. with the holidays nearly upon us.

@brandysparks, I too have had 1 episode of middle-of-the-night vertigo, sudden, severe, barely-staying-conscious, heavy cold sweating…and the ‘bathroom evacuation’. So extreme, but since I felt the vertigo I followed my plan (Zofran then Valium, pillow, blanket on closet floor) and I was fine the next morning. My sweet husband knows the drill now and his calm presence is indeed comforting. Definitely be careful with salt!…and stay close to the floor during an episode. Take care, friend.