Pain Pill Addiction and Neuropathy - Looking for Guidance

@birdierobin I know mine was from the gabapentin . I never was that dizzy before and taking a shower was scary in the tub. I stopped it and it hasn't happened since . At one point several years ago I had vestibular problems the ear Dr sent me for testing and this all came back o.k. so he told me just to do the ear exercise I did them for a month and it did the trick . I did have some slight dizziness so started them again once or twice I was fine. Do you have any ear problems? That is the worse feeling . If so I,ll give you the ear exercise they are online. If you think it maybe you ears I would check with a ENT first.

@birdierobin I know mine was from the gabapentin . I never was that dizzy before and taking a shower was scary in the tub. I stopped it and it hasn't happened since . At one point several years ago I had vestibular problems the ear Dr sent me for testing and this all came back o.k. so he told me just to do the ear exercise I did them for a month and it did the trick . I did have some slight dizziness so started them again once or twice I was fine. Do you have any ear problems? That is the worse feeling . If so I,ll give you the ear exercise they are online. If you think it maybe you ears I would check with a ENT first.

PS Lioness I have been to ENT specialists as well same diagnosis nothing

@birdierobin .com, I had severe vertigo and dizziness (not the same) when I first started on the gabapentin. I saw 2 ENT’s who performed the head movements with no improvement. I then found a PT who specialized in vestibular problems and she was always able to help. It depends on who is performing those movements on your head as it depends so much on specific rotations depending on which ear canal is involved. (there are 3) After about 15 mo. the problem resolved like other symptoms from the gabapentin. I will experience vertigo when I take nsaids but it only lasts for 1hr. or so.

@helennicola Did they have you sit up on bed or lying with your head hanging over? This is what I did for a month 2x a day It was tiring but worked

Lioness- I have had a lot of ear testing at a vertigo clinic and I did test positive for the BPPV. After doing the exercises with or without them for three months, it hasn’t helped. I have gave up. The second opinion at Mayo is needed for that too! I’m busy in the tub in the kitchen living room I just hold on to everything and I have fallen several times fortunately I have not been hurt other things I’ve been broke. I fell onto $151 wooden bowl I had sitting on my coffee table and broke it! I did fall down the basement steps but I held onto the railing I hurt my foot for about three months but nothing major. I carry a big Walkingstick very big one that helps me walk when a regular cane does not. Dizzy pills don’t help at all I don’t take any medicine.
I have had months of therapy and I’m currently doing three days a week and Fitness Center for my balance nothing is helping

I did not have my head hanging off the bed but the PT has to try different movements to see which works for you to be able to determine which ear and which canal is the problem. Other wise they are not able to actually do the correct movement to free up the trapped crystals. Complicated but not every ENT is good at this.

@birdierobin I know you may not like the idea, but when I kept falling, I was prescribed a walker. It has kept me from falling. Maybe you could also get the doctor to send someone to your home to do an assessment of what you could do to make your home safer and help you keep from falling. For instance, no throw rugs or coffee tables. I also gave up going stairs. Another thing is to slow down your movements. I was advised by a physical therapist that turning fast, and rising quickly are among some things that can cause falls. I hope these suggestions help in keeping you fall free.