[nylan8301]

Since last Sunday, I've had chronic dizziness throughout the day. It comes and goes, usually with rest. Since I've missed another day of work (as a sub, I don't have any kind of sick leave...I just don't get paid), my wife told me to call the doctor.

I've gone and gotten tests done over this before with an ENT doctor and a specialist and they found nothing wrong. We think it might allergies, but it's never been proven (and the medication usually doesn't do a darn thing).

I guess I'm just posting this out of frustration and depression.

Nylan

 

[Aimless1]

Might not help but I find that when I feel a spell of vertigo coming on taking antihistimines usually help with the episodes. I know it's too late now, but for the future if you feel a spell coming (yep, you'll know it) then the antihistimines have never failed to help me avert the spells.

Good luck!

 

[krmathis]

Hope you/they find out what's wrong, and that you get well soon.
Best wishes!

 

[Dondoh]

You might try the Epley manuever.

BPPV -- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Or google epley manuever.

GL

 

[Jaska]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nylan8301 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've had chronic dizziness throughout the day. It comes and goes, usually with rest.

Instant web diagnosis = some form of anxiety disorder.

Guess as to what happens = doctor does many tests, prescribes many meds, until finally hitting the jackpot with a random benzodiazepine.

Best advice = don't drive a motor vehicle or worry about anything unnecessarily, and make sure to describe and report your symptoms clearly to your physician.

 

[ken36]

When I stand up fast: Big drop in blood pressure and the brain doesn't get blood as fast as it should.

 

[Jaska]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken36 /img/forum/go_quote.gif When I stand up fast: Big drop in blood pressure and the brain doesn't get blood as fast as it should.

I hope you manage to live with your orthostatic hypotension

I have always had that, and see it as just a normal part of human suffering.

 

[breakfastchef]

Dizziness can be caused by many things that mess with you inner ear balance - allergies, infections, even simple stress can manifest itself in this way. At one time, I was prescribed Ativan, an anti-vertigo medication. I can make you drowsy. An over-the-counter med that works for me with dizziness or nausea is Dramamine, the motion sickness drug. This, too, can make you drowsy.

 

[zotjen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken36 /img/forum/go_quote.gif When I stand up fast: Big drop in blood pressure and the brain doesn't get blood as fast as it should.

This sometimes happens to me too, often when I'm at the gym. I notice it more when I'm suffering from a lack of sleep but I still think it's somehow realted to my recurring tinnitius.

Quote:

Originally Posted by breakfastchef /img/forum/go_quote.gif Dizziness can be caused by many things that mess with you inner ear balance - allergies, infections, even simple stress can manifest itself in this way. At one time, I was prescribed Ativan, an anti-vertigo medication.

I thought Ativan was for anti-anxiety.

 

[Jaska]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zotjen /img/forum/go_quote.gif I thought Ativan was for anti-anxiety.

I think he must have meant Antivert.

 

[redshifter]

I struggled with vertigo for years, and ended up taking xanax which helped (so yes they do give anti-anxiety drugs for dizziness), but the xanax itself became a problem in the end so I would avoid benzodiazepines completely.

I know how you feel. It makes you feel weak and sick, and it can get depressing not being able to DO anything.

Look at the link Dondoh gave you. Try the exercises in there they really work. They retrain your brain to deal with the bad signals your inner ear is sending.

If the vertigo gets really bad, you can ask the doctor scopolamine patch. This is a drug that reduces the pressure on your inner ear, and really works to reduce dizziness. You will feel a little strange but it works when you need relief right away.

 

[breakfastchef]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaska /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think he must have meant Antivert.

Jaska, you are correct. Antivert was the proper name for the drug, not Ativan. Thanks.

 

[Jaska]

Quote:

Originally Posted by breakfastchef /img/forum/go_quote.gif Antivert was the proper name for the drug, not Ativan.

It seems like very often when people suffer from dizziness, they are advised to try taking Antivert as a starting point in the diagnostic process. However, since it really can only be effective in controlling the symptoms of motion sickness, it's probably not a good idea for people to take it when they experience dizziness for unknown/other reasons (this would likely cause the person to feel even worse).

I should clarify also that I by no means would recommend that anyone start experimenting with benzodiazepines. Hopefully the point I tried to make came across correctly in that what I foresee (guess) possibly happening in a case like this is for the health care provider to order tests, prescribe various drugs, etc. via a process of elimination until such point that a benzodiazepine may be found to relieve the symptoms. As was subsequently pointed out, the benzodiazepine boat is probably not a desirable one to board, since they do indeed have side effects and may well even lead to dependence.

And, as I mentioned earlier, the most important thing is to get proper medical care and report symptoms clearly and completely.

 

[fault151]

do you have vertigo? That messes with your ears, which messes with balance.

 

[nylan8301]

Went to the doctors today (good thing they could squeeze me in). I have an inner ear infection (labyrinthitis) and a minor sinus infection. I'm on amoxicillin and a sea-sickness/scopolamine patch (meclizine doesn't do anything for me).

Hoping that this will clear it up in a couple of days.

I tend to get pretty depressed when I'm sick. Thank you to everyone for the support. It makes me feel better. If only I could make up for all the lost money. Oh well...at least I made more last month. It'll even out.

Nylan