Vertigo

[livingwith]

Feeling like I’m getting to the end of my rope with this medical misfortune. I’m a 52 year old female and was diagnosed with vertigo in December 2004. Went through several months of symptoms and doctors visits before being diagnosed.
The first episode of this condition put me in a pretty disabling state. I couldn’t drive for nine months and was often times bedridden. I experienced lots of dizziness along w/the room spinning, headaches and diminished vision. After nine m...Read the full article

[SecretRose]

I know what you mean by being at the end of your rope. I'm 16 and I too have vertigo, although mine is always there at a level of 3-4 which is manageable, and then "episodes" are between 5-7 (7's my highest that I'll rate it from a scale of 1-10). I also have ear ringing in both ears that keeps me awake at night and is very bothersome. I usually don't experience headaches or ear pain, like you do though. Have any doctors suggested that this was stemming from possibly a migraine related problem? I know that I've had doctors suggest such to me. Mainly if this is the case or believed to be the case, doctors will prescribe different medications to see if they help. But I see that you tried one, but could not continue trying it due to your work, so I don't think this would be a reasonable possibility...I know that when I was on Elavil for the dizziness, that I was practically a zombie!

I don't know what kinds of tests you've done, but have they tested for Meniere's? which I believe is tested through a Stacked ABR (I've had 2). If you've been to specialists like I have, then you probably have undergone such kinds of tests as well, the latest that they want to try is an EEG.

When my dizziness first started I was able to take Dramamine every four hours and it helped the dizziness subside slightly, but the longer you take it and stay on it, the more you need for the same effects, and eventually you start becoming immune to it. The only thing (besides the Dramamine) that has helped me, is getting Chiropractic adjustments. I know it sounds crazy, but when I'm feeling extra dizzy, I will go and get adjusted and although it does not completely relieve the symptoms, I find that I come out of the episodes faster.

I also know what you mean about the faith, for without God I would be super depressed right now, but with Him, I know that I can make it through and that somehow everything will be okay.
I hope that you will find an answer, and I will keep you in my prayers!

God Bless!!
~Secret Rose

[vertigovexation1]

Hi SecretRose - I appreciate your comment to my post. It's ironic because I originally posted in November and hadn't rec'd any comments until yours today and I just had my first appointment w/the ENT specialist this past Saturday. He checked out my ears, nose & throat and gave me a hearing test. Found out through the hearing test and examining my ears that there is slight middle ear damage, which there really is no medical explanation for, but he definitely says, could cause the symptoms I'm experiencing. He says it sometimes just happens to people over time. Dr says we can deal w/it one or two ways for now. He gave me a list of particular foods to avoid and a series of exercises to perform 3-4 times a day for at least 5 minutes. They are eye, head and shoulder exercises. Also I'm to do different movements while walking and standing still. He says the condition can be reversed over time (not a fast process), another words it will take some patience on my behalf (don't give up easily is my reminder). After doing these things for a couple of months consistently, if there's no change the next course of action would be going to see a physical therapist. Right now, three things give me hope - 1) God is sovereign in my life, 2) I'm now under the specialists care and 3) I'm now communicating in this forum and feel like I have support and understanding from people who share the same or similiar experience, that I too may support and encourage. Since my November post, new elements have shown up as additional symptoms to my vertigo condition. I now have a rushing river type sound along with a high pitch whistle from time to time in my left ear, as well as a very loud reverberation in my left ear, when people around me talk. When it happens it jolts my body as though I'm being electrocuted. I know that sounds strange but that's one way I can describe it that might make it easier to understand. I'm sorry to hear that you're suffering with this condition. The chiropractic adjustments you sometimes receive sounds quite realistic to me. I too have once been under the care of a chiropractor and know what a difference it can make in your overall physical health. A coworker actually suggested that I see one as well for help w/this condition. Thank you SecretRose, for your prayers. I will pray for you as well (it's one of my favorite things to do...praying for others). Stay encouraged and let me know how you're doing as I will do the same.