Anyone suffer with Vertigo?

[Doc Holliday]

Contrary to popular belief Vertigo is not a fear of heights. It is a feeling of either being spun round very quickly or the surroundings rotating around you, making you feel dizzy and perhaps nauseous and there are a number of different types most of which affect the inner ear or balance stimulus in the brain.

 

About 18 months ago, when Mrs H & I were on our way to pick up a fella who was going to buy her old car, I had the strangest and most horrible sensation I'd ever experienced. Out of nowhere it felt like my head was being violently shaken. I told Mrs H to stop the car and I got out, asbest I could without falling over. Gradually it subsided and went away after a few minutes. Since then I've experience the odd bout of vertigo (asthat is what I managed to identify it as). I've also had something called BPPV (Benign Paradoxic Positional Vertigo) when you hold you head back and crane it an angle to find that the room starts spinning.

 

The most presistent thing that I've put up with is what I call Image Stabilisation. If I'm walking along then it is very difficult to lock on to something visually. If I need to look at something in detail or read something then I have to be motionless. I just cannot see any detail if I am walking along. To drawa parallel, it would be like looking through a pair of binoculars at the stars or in the far distance without the aid of an image stabilisation button. Sometimes, it would seem that sitting in front of a computer screen can agrevate it.

 

It has been quite embarrasing when going in to someones home and then bumping in to things or having to grab hold of something to steady myself (haven't as yet grab the lady of the house). You can almost see them thinking to themselves "Hashe been on the sauce already?", but a swift explanation as to what it is usually puts most people at ease, although you do get the odd one who thinks it rather funny to think most people would think me as being brahms & liszt. It's also a lot worse in the dark. Daytime, not too much of an issue. Night time, I tend to be all over the place although not as bad now as I was earlier in the year.

 

I've been to see a "specialist" who can't really say what it is or what's caused it, other than a suspected viral infection (from my understanding this is what they say when they don't really have a clue). His physio who specialises in balance rehabilitation has given me some exercises to do for the interim to see if there is any improvement. I have my last session with her on Monday.

 

I was interested to know if anyone else on here has suffered or does suffer with it in some shape or form and how you have dealt with it or how you do deal with it.

 

Doc.

Edited September 17, 2011 by Doc Holliday

[Daveo26]

I do,

I think it all stems from some terible ear infection i had in my teens, I wish i had just gone to the docs but i waited until they were unbearable, Im also deaf in my right ear (which was always the worst infected)

I have experianced all the things you describe, I have months of terrible dizziness at a time and when not dizzy i have limited balance, I can't walk in a straight line with my eyes shut,

I cant look at a bus driving past me with out feeling odd.

I had lots of tests inc. an MRI and was diagnosed with BPPV.

Doc says its unrelated to my deafness and thats down to shooting, even though I always wear hearing protection.

Have you had the epley maneuver?

My symptons seem to fit meniere's disease but doc says no.

Im waiting to go dizzy again and then ill see the specialist again

What medication are you on?

[welsh1]

My dad suffers badly from vertigo, he describes it as the pavement rolling up and down,if he turns to quickly then he loses balance,and the toes of his shoes are always scuffed where he missjdges where he think the ground is and scuffs the toe.

He takes quite a few tablets to maintain his balance and to stop the nausea,I'm not sure what he takes now but I remember taking half of one of his "serc"tablets when I was seasick in a force 8 and within 30 minutes I felt fine and was walking round the deck.

 

You should get your ears checked out,it might be something that can be treated simply like an infection,and if it's vertigo then see your doc they can help.

Good luck.

[twitchynik]

My brother was diagnosed with Meniere's disease which is along the same lines.

 

http://www.earsurgery.org/site/pages/conditions/menieres-syndrome.php

 

Has that been looked at?

[Doc Holliday]

I do,

I think it all stems from some terible ear infection i had in my teens, I wish i had just gone to the docs but i waited until they were unbearable, Im also deaf in my right ear (which was always the worst infected)

I have experianced all the things you describe, I have months of terrible dizziness at a time and when not dizzy i have limited balance, I can't walk in a straight line with my eyes shut,

I cant look at a bus driving past me with out feeling odd.

I had lots of tests inc. an MRI and was diagnosed with BPPV.

Doc says its unrelated to my deafness and thats down to shooting, even though I always wear hearing protection.

Have you had the epley maneuver?

My symptons seem to fit meniere's disease but doc says no.

Im waiting to go dizzy again and then ill see the specialist again

What medication are you on?

 

The Epley maneouvre? Is that the one where you hold your head in certain positions for 30 seconds to a minute to realign the crystals or rocks in the inner ear? I have done that with my GP and it has sorted it temporarily but from what the specialist said it would seem that there is more that one type I'm suffering from. I'm not on medication as I've tried Serc16 and it did nothing for me. I spend about 15 minutes doing balancing techinques n my garage. The strange this is, when the IS thing kicks off, going for a run helps to steady it for me. Bizarre.

[Daveo26]

Thats the epley,

Did nothing for me. Im on some mad tablets its like iv been tranquilized.

I just sleep. I dont know whats worse the dizziness of slurred speech.

Touch wood iv not had a spell for over 12 months and im led to believe its something you can grow out of?

If its not keep it to yourselves i like to think it is

[Pushkin]

This is not a joke what I am about to ask even though it is very basic. Have you had your blood pressure (high or low) checked out? Do you work in a stressful environment or have a stressful lifestyle? The blood pressure can lead to balance problems including "Headrushes" when you feel as if you have just moved ahead or backwards very quickly and you feel as if your balance has gone; often accompanied by feeling quite dizzy. This can be down to either type of blood pressure. If you are a stress nut - anyway - then change your lifestyle because your body is telling you it doesn't enjoy it.

 

I hope things get better for you soon.

 

Pushkin B)

Edited September 17, 2011 by Pushkin

[four-wheel-drive]

The other week just in front of my right ear I had a some pain when I touched it then one evening I got up from my chair to go to bed and my head started to spin and I thought that I was going to end up on the flour but I got to the bedroom and sat on the bed for a few minutes and it was ok this happened two or three times over the next few days and then it disappeared and all is ok now must have been an inner ear infection.

 

I do take medication as I has a slight hart problem some years ago so I checked my blood pressure and all was as it should be so it was not that..

[DSPUK]

I get it as well

 

Started years ago and was painting kitchen wall and as you do rather than move steps you turn your head and try and paint as far away as you can - I felt it coming on dropped brush or roller and got to floor and lay down - Head was spinning like a top and felt sick.- I call it falling down a spinning black hole-- From then on it came and went and then developed a pain in neck - after a few xrays they said it was worn vertibre and the blood vessels to head were being slightly squeezed so less blood to brain --

 

Also while all this was going on got terrific pains in neck - just like someone was sticking a knitting needle into your head just behind ear and then wriggling it around. Voltrol painkillers for years then got high BP so Voltorol doesn't agree with BP tablets so no more of those but touch wood the pain has deminished and so have the dizzy spells although earlier today I had a light head feeling and got patterns in front of my eye's - seem OK now but at my age I really expect it.

 

It's not fun and sympathise with anyone who has it -- At one point I said I would rather have a leg off than keep having these feelings - for some reason it doesn't feel physical like you break a leg it's just your head and you feel bogged off that you feel ok till next funny turn.

 

Dave

[TaxiDriver]

This is not a joke what I am about to ask even though it is very basic. Have you had your blood pressure (high or low) checked out? Do you work in a stressful environment or have a stressful lifestyle? The blood pressure can lead to balance problems including "Headrushes" when you feel as if you have just moved ahead or backwards very quickly and you feel as if your balance has gone; often accompanied by feeling quite dizzy. This can be down to either type of blood pressure. If you are a stress nut - anyway - then change your lifestyle because your body is telling you it doesn't enjoy it.

 

I hope things get better for you soon.

 

Pushkin B)

I read the OP's initial post and blood pressure occurred to me also.

 

About 4 weeks ago I'd been having many of the symptoms described in the OPs' post, and I had it in mind to visit my GP to have my Tramadol & Pregabalin(Lyrica) treatments reviewed/reduced, one evening when feeling particularly effected I went to the out of hours GP service, the Dr I saw suggested my blood pressure was "Dangerously high" and I should be in hospital, so that was my next stop.

I was admitted with a BP of 243/186, next day because of the symptoms displayed I had an MRI and CT brain scan as the concern was that I might have had a minor stroke very recently OR/AND was at serious risk of having one.

 

Now approx 3-4 weeks later having been on meds for my BP its now alot better and most of the symptoms have decreased noticeably.

 

The sudden and violent spinning sensation is bad enough but coupled with the feeling of going end-over-end summersault style has been enough to make me hurl

[ack-ack]

When I'm wading in the surf and I watch the sea running in around me I find that it can be a bit weird. I try not to look as it makes me go well dizzy especially if there's a stiff wind behind it.

[Imperfection]

This is odd,but i used to be a high rise roofer and part of the job was to walk along the RSJ's when you're fixing roof panels inplace.I did it for several years with no problems and have never ever suffered from vertigo,but eventually found myself getting unsteady on my feet-which is kinda dangerous when working at height is your job.Im not talking full on Mr Grimsdale style tripping up,but enough to make me want to choose another career path.

[Bloke]

I have Vertigo, BPPV and full Meniere's diagnosis. Over about ten years, I had repeated inner ear infections from the age of about 39, during which periods I suffered dizziness and vertigo - a horrible sensation that the room is spinning and you are falling, all at once, coupled with nausea and complete exhaustion after a severe attack. I ended up having to have grommets put into both ears on 3 separate operations, followed by T-tubes (which have lasted 3 years). Back in 2004 I started getting dizzy spells and continuous tinnitus, particularly when in narrow corridors and supermarkets with high shelving(apparently common in early menieres) and then came vertigo attacks again, only this time antibiotics and steroids made no difference. I had all the tests known to man to see if it was being caused by any other illness - all negative, apart from the VNG / ENG tests done by the ENT dept. After 3 months unable to walk far without swaying/falling, my GP told me that I must surrender my driving licence (I hadn't been driving in this state, obviously), and my ENT surgeon told me that the repeated infections had caused permanent damage to the mechanism of my inner ear - worst on the right side and also gave me the meniere's diagnosis. As a community nurse, if I couldn't drive, I couldn't work and if I couldn't stand up for long without falling I definitely couldn't work, and I was advised that I would be dismissed from the NHS on health grounds and eventually got a medical pension.

10 years on, I get continuous tinnitus still, and my hearing has deteriorated to the extent that I need a hearing aid in my right ear, but on the better side, although I still get vertigo, I don't get too nauseous now - I think, like car sickness, you get used to it, also I avoid environments/sudden specific movements which could trigger an episode. Unfortunately, they will not even consider restoring my driving licence till I have been at least a year without a dizzy spell (I still get a 'spin' several times a day!)And over the past three years I have broken my wrist and torn ligaments in both knees when falling - not to mention all the medical hooha when I need to renew my SGC.

 

The vertigo attacks are still the worst part of it all, I get a couple of minutes warning if I am lucky, about ten seconds if I am not, then suddenly it is as if I have been put in a washing machine on spin cycle! It is really a pain, because no-one can see your symptoms ( A doctor can see the eye movements that are typical with meniere's) and you look drunk, and feel a right berk! I even had a stupid social worker give me a lecture when I applied for the renewal of my blue badge, that just because I had vertigo, they wouldn't give the badge out because I was scared of heights :blink: ! I resisted the temptation to bite her head off and pointed out that, contrary to Hollywood films, vertigo is not a fear of heights, and that those without knowledge should refrain from an opinion.

 

 

Hope yours gets better soon, all the best, IanG

Edited September 17, 2011 by Bloke

[VicW]

-

Edited September 18, 2011 by VicW

[fenboy]

I have had a couple of bouts of virtigo in the last year ,the first was last october ,got out of bed opened the curtains and my eyes just would not focus on anything, the room started spinning and I began having another look at yesterdays dinner it would have not been so bad but I had a 700 odd mile drive ahead of me later that day for my annual fishing trip tp france,lucky for me I managed to get in the docs and the tablets he prescribed worked pretty quickly ,though I still felt dog rough.

Had another less severe bout a couple of weeks ago.

[Lister]

In June 2003 I had a cycling accident. I landed on the top of my head The concussion, initially stopped me from being able to talk, I couldn't see for 24 hours. I also dislocated my collar bone, damaged the other shoulder and broke my hand. Anyway, once I'd got over the initial stages of the body damage, I realised I had balance problems. I would often not be able to tell if I was falling backwards or not. When a laid on my bed, if I put my head in a particular position it would feel like I was spinning.

When I went to the doctor I was given pills but they didn't work. I then had the epley. It worked to an extent. I often feel weird carrying boxes down stairs. It did damage my brain. I often can't remember thing I could before. It takes longer to recall things. it's like, I used to be able to go straight into the room with what I want to remember. Now, I have to go through three or four rooms to get there. Sometimes it takes a long time to get there.

[Floating Chamber]

Not the sort of thing to leave on a forum. Loss of balance/vertigo/diabetes has resulted in the loss ( Revocation by Police) of FAC and SGC for two of my mates.

[Bloke]

Not the sort of thing to leave on a forum. Loss of balance/vertigo/diabetes has resulted in the loss ( Revocation by Police) of FAC and SGC for two of my mates.

 

 

I understand what you say, but in my experience, all my FEO was concerned about was whether I was still able to make my gun safe and place it on the floor if I experienced vertigo/dizziness, once he was satisfied that I was, then he issued my SGC, no restrictions. Obviously, if someone is not able to do that, or becomes confused etc, then with best wishes to your mate, maybe they aren't safe with a gun at this time. If my vertigo/dizziness is bad, I am able to empty my gun and place it on the floor(usually sitting down next to it!) until either the symptoms ease, or I slip it and wobble my way home. I would not like to take that risk if I was shooting on my own or in the fields, I only shoot clays (Because of the mobility problem), so again it could be difficult for a game/solo shooter, or an FAC. It may be worth your mate(s) appealing via the BASC, good luck to them.

[Vince Green]

You say its not height related but it can be. You use two methods of stabilising your body when you are on the ground, your eyes and your ears. If you are up high say on a ladder your eyes don't ayways have anything to register on and your body defaults to your ears for balance. If that is not working(something you may be totally unaware of on the ground) you get a lurching sensation or the spins.

 

Most people with poor or no ear balance compensate more or less perfectly in normal day to day life as long as their eyes can do the work. Its only when they try to do something where the eyes are not getting the information that they need that they falter. Often this is in the form of either disorientation or your brain cuts in with a "panic attack" which is your brain telling you it is not getting the information it requires, making you stop. Even snow can destroy you eye balance, sending you into a minor "white out"

 

It seems illogical at first glance. Put a plank up on bricks six inches off the ground and you can walk along it fine. Take the same plank up ten feet and try it. The only real difference is your eyes can't judge if you are upright or not because the ground is too far below you. Over time, if you did it every day your body may relearn to trust the signals from the ears, thats if there is no underlying medical problem.

 

Balance is a strange thing, it is learned in early childhood but sometimes we don't learn the best way. It can be developed, and it is by people who work at height all the time. Some of the best examples of balance are demonsratated not by scaffolders but by motorcycle racers believe it or not. Their ability to judge how far to lean their bikes into corners at extreme speed demostrates highly attuned spacial awareness.

Edited September 19, 2011 by Vince Green

[Vince Green]

Not the sort of thing to leave on a forum. Loss of balance/vertigo/diabetes has resulted in the loss ( Revocation by Police) of FAC and SGC for two of my mates.

Very true, but we all suffer from vertigo to some extent. I used to get it every Friday night in my younger days.

[hushpower]

i had a case of it some years back,put me on some tablets and soon cleared up ,hear infection the cause of it the quack said.

[Bloke]

You say its not height related but it can be. You use two methods of stabilising your body when you are on the ground, your eyes and your ears.

 

- As well as feedback from your muscles, yes. I have worse vertigo/balance problems in a darkened room or with my eyes shut - one of the tests the Docs put me through, irritating to say the least, considering that I have raced motorcycles and used to work in theatre lighting, dancing about on lighting rigs 50-100 foot up.

 

I take your point, but I never said vertigo isn't height related, just that the word vertigo does not mean a fear of heights. Sure, heights can produce the sensation of vertigo in some, and can also result in a fear of falling, as well as fear of vertigo, but vertigo is a specific physical symptom.

Edited September 19, 2011 by Bloke

[pimpkiller]

I went totally deaf when i was 16 and have had severe balance problems since. Its spot on what people are saying about using you're eyes to balance. I am ok in the day but when night comes i stagger about like a drunk on another note you cant tell which way is up so be careful swimming, i've pretty much drowned 3-4 times, once in about 3ft of water, that was embarrassing

[hushpower]

:

I went totally deaf when i was 16 and have had severe balance problems since. Its spot on what people are saying about using you're eyes to balance. I am ok in the day but when night comes i stagger about like a drunk on another note you cant tell which way is up so be careful swimming, i've pretty much drowned 3-4 times, once in about 3ft of water, that was embarrassing

too many pork pies mate

[darren m]

i went through this , it was bl**dy awlfull ( but only usually when i stood up or got out of the car , driving was fine ) and after weeks of different medication ( which made me feel worse ) i was on the verge of the doctor requesting that i submit my driving licence .

i had previously had her look in my ears , but for some reason she saw nothing , but on the last visit just as i was leaving her surgey feeling absoloutly gutted she said let me just look one more time in your ears.

And thank god she did , there was actually one ear canal imflammed , she was gob smacked she had missed it before , and 3 weeks of antibiotic drops and no driving and i was all better.

 

if you have the symptoms vertigo or if it comes on suddenly , get it checked out and then get a second and even a third opinion