Vertigo

[wingspar]

From what I’ve learned from experience is that it is caused by an imbalance of fluids in your ears. Usually temporary, at least in my case. Several years ago I got up in the middle of the night to drain and get a drink of water. Something I do every night, but on this particular night as soon as I stood up the entire room started spinning. I tried grabbing at the door frame, but missed and grabbed the lamp on the night stand. Somehow I managed to keep from falling and hitting my head. I landed on the bed. It scared the crud out of me. I went to the Dr the next day, who also has been my Dr since around 1980 and is also an AME. Very convenient. He explained that it was an imbalance of fluid in my ears and most likely temporary, but he said No Flying for Two Weeks. Actually, he did not have to tell me that. I was uncomfortable driving the one mile to the Dr’s office. No way was I going to fly. I can’t remember if I had a follow up visit or not. I waited a good 3 weeks before I flew again. It’s happened a few times since, maybe once every other year or so and never as severe as that first time. That first time lasted for hours and nearly made me sick. The last time only lasted for a few minutes and was no where near as severe as the first time.

He did not send me to a specialist nor did he prescribe anything. I can’t remember the last time I experienced vertigo, but it was very mild lasting only a few minutes. This is just my experience.

[Morgan61]

I'm prone to vertigo when my allergies act up. I just stay off any ladders til it passes.

[DCP]

Have you been prescribed a new BP med recently?
I've been through many and at least one of them, made me dizzy and out of balance.
they can take a week or so, for side-effects to show itself.
Good Luck.

Same thing happen to me. It was a pill that made me pee less. Smaller than a baby aspirin.
Doc said they also lower your blood pressure

[GhostHawk]

My doc told me 7 years ago that as you age the fluid in your inner ear can get stiff.

The worst ones for me were always when I went from standing to laying in bed too quickly.

I'd lay down then WHAM, who swung the world?

I learned over time to sit first, take my time and ease into it and it backed off.
I also learned to trust my eyes and not my balance.

I lost my taste for heights and ladders almost instantly. They used to call me a squirrel, I would climb near any tree. Climbed water towers, a radio tower, etc.

No more. Now I don't even like those glass elevators that go up the outsides of buildings.

Get some help, I think this is one thing that can have many causes.
Take care!

[fivefang]

Scotty, being in the dark is normal, as a SCUBA diver,on a night dive, f you cannot see your bubbles rising, you have nu idea if you are upside down or downside up, for me, if I weld and stop the arc, had best be holding on to something, my 2 cents, Fievefang

[MaryB]

I get it once in awhile from my allergies flaring. Sit up to fast in bed and fall over, or stand to fast first thing in the morning and the fluid sloshes and I better be hanging onto the wall... Good thing it is 3 feet from the edge of my bed! Helps those morning my back is flaring up and I have to climb the wall to get vertical(those with back issues will know what I mean!)

[fivefang]

Five hole,we as divers (scuba) in tropical waters had to watch for EAR infections, we used 1/3 distilled white vinegar,1/3 isopropyl alcohol,1/3 distilled water, for corral cuts we used household Ammonia ,yea, it burned but never got a infection, Fivefang

[Boz330]

This is more common than I thought. I don't take BP medicine so that's not the cause. In fact I don't take anything but a multi vitamin, Saw Palmetto, and low dose aspirin. Doc said I was really lucky that way. Most of my medical issues have been from abusing my body when I was young and thought that I would never make it this far. Right shoulder surgery from too many dislocations and Arthroscopy on my knees in the 90s and both knees replaced 3 years ago.

Bob

Bob

[Yodogsandman]

I went for a foot operation 10 years ago and had a blood test first. I was getting vertigo spells every night in my sleep and sometimes during the day. Never told the doc. After the operation, I got word from the doc that the blood test showed a urinary tract infection and I told the doc of the vertigo. Was prescribed an antibiotic and all was well again.

[Blackwater]

I've been experiencing enough vertigo since my little kidney failure incident, that I am intimidated by putting new light bulbs in sockets when one burns out. It's MUCH more than just a bother! I'm also concerned about falling and breaking my already needing surgery hips!

There's a LOT they don't tell you about getting older, isn't there? But I'm just thankful to still BE here! I'll deal with all the other stuff GLADLY! Helps me keep my perspective straight.

[Hardcast416taylor]

About the middle of Oct. I had a bad session of vertigo attack so severe that I had to be in constant hand contact with something to maintain balance. My Dr. determined I had both fluid and an ear infection of the left ear. A scrip for amoxocilin and Antivert pills should take care of it he said. It took 10 days of those meds to get me walking more human and less simian. Doc also put forward a probable cause of the attack could be connected to my heart problems.Robert

[quilbilly]

My closest friend developed vertigo five months ago. It came about when he didn't follow directions on one of those home earwax removal kits and used cool water instead of warm. Effect was almost immediate and he was not able to walk more than a few steps without help for two months. It started going away by itself (normal according to the doctor) then suddenly came back while he was in the kitchen. He doesn't remember falling but woke up with a broken shoulder which kept him in the hospital a few days and then again bed ridden for two more months. He was very depressed so we flew down a few weeks back to visit and get him the heck out of bed. After a few days of taking him on drives in the desert and shooting so get some great photos, he is now really on the mend. His wife was thrilled with the effect of our visit.
The bottom line - have someone nearby when you first start getting back to normal so you won't be injured in a sudden attack. Be patient and keep a smile. Have someone take you out to do something fun at least once a week as you mend to keep from getting depressed.

[leeggen]

Anyone with vertigo sdshould also have the Dr. do an EKG on you as AFIB will have very simular symtoms. Afib is where your heart will beat regular then all of a sudden flutter/quiver instead of beat as normal. You most of the time will not feel the flutter but will get light headed,dizzy and sometimes blackout and wake up with broken hips or shoulder or even ribs, depending on what you hit on the way down. My mother is going through the afib now, she had it hit last yr. and broke her hip when she hit the floor. Not something to ignour it is serious.
CD

[454 shooter]

When it hit me last year I was laying flat on my back under the truck holding on for dear life because the world was spinning. I had to have two people help me walk to the house. I went to the Dr and was told an inner ear problem and given miclozene. I took that for a few days while sitting in a recliner with a five gallon bucket in my lap so I could vomit and not miss the container.
It was three days before I could see straight enough to drive and a few more before I could climb a stepladder. I work construction and install siding and soffit mainly, so ladders are very important to me.
After a few months it totally cleared up. When you are on a ladder and a mild case hits you, just close your eyes, hold on and know that you cannot fall. My first spell I couldn't fall because I was flat on my back, holding the truck but I wasn't so sure. I hope I never have that again.

[Boz330]

Mine isn't that bad. I can still function and have been deer hunting the last few weekends. I have to really concentrate to walk in the dark and climb into the deer stand but it is uncomfortable. The exercises the ENT seem to be helping but very slowly. The effect to me seems like I have had to much to drink. I weave when I walk and have to catch myself occasionally. When I turn my head or body and stop it is like I'm still moving for a second.

Bob

[GOPHER SLAYER]

Several years ago I was greasing my truck when I turned my head slightly to look at a universal joint and the world started to spin. I lay there for some time before I was able to crawl out from under the truck. The drivers side door was open and I managed to crawl to it . I was sitting there with my head on the floor board when my wife came out to tell me I had a phone call otherwise I would probably still be there. I have no idea what caused it other than possibly a pinched nerve in my neck. It comes back to visit me infrequently. I was driving home one day when the road suddenly began to turn upside down. I managed to pull over and splash water on my face and then drive home. I keep a bottle of water in the car at all times. I also keep a light jacket with me. I would advise everyone to do the same. Out here you never know when you may get caught in a traffic jam that can last for hours.

[shooter2]

A couple other thoughts. Anxiety; sometimes a failure to breathe deeply, holding your breath, or simply tension (muscle tension). Dehydration. Hope you find the cause.

[Duckiller]

I take lots of BP medicine,6 heart attacks. My vertigo doesn't seem medicine related. My family practice Dr. said it was because the little gains of whatever that are supposed to go into assigned holes associated with all those weird bones in your don't go into the right holes. Said I could take seasick medicine or shake my head and give the little grains a chance to get in the right holes or live with it and it would gradually go away. I took sea sick pills and lived with it. It has gone away and only briefly comes back. One other thing, get out of bed slowly. First attack was the worse. frustrating and concern until you grt overit. Good luck with your recovery.

[waksupi]

I'd been having vertigo problems, and the doc changed my BP meds this past week. Problem seems to have gone away. On the other hand, he told me my ankle is broken in three places, and I'm going to need plates, screws, pins, whatever. I just hope I can continue to work during the recovery.

[Fergie]

They give you any meclizine for it?

If you are having hearing loss and or tinnitus with it, you need a specialist that know Meniere's Disease well.