Dizzy ... ugh!

Stebby

Stebby

Cathlete
Yesterday morning I snapped my head to the side without thinking, to get my bangs out of my eyes. Well, great. I upset my inner ear equilibrium (dislodged those crystals or whatever they are) and was mildly dizzy for the rest of the day. This morning I'm still dizzy! I hope this doesn't go on for too long. I had to miss my workout yesterday and it looks as if I'll have to miss today's too. It's not terrible (at least I can type on the computer - last time this happened I couldn't even sit up in bed without falling over) but it is annoying.

I need to remember that at my age I can no longer flip my head! Grrrrrrr!

Stebby
 
Is this common for people of a certain age? What age is that, anyway? I've never heard of this, for people at any age. It sounds awful.
 
My mother has this issue and she was in a car accident years ago that caused it. I also have a co-worker who was hit in the head with a volleyball and has the same problem. I'm thinking its mostly injury related. As far as I know, the only way to correct it, is to see an ENT and have them re-position the crystals. My mom has this done once in a while when they get out of whack!
 
My doctor told me that it's most often seen in people over 45 (I'm 48). In my case, she thinks it's related to all the inner ear infections I had as a child, so yeah, I guess that is in the same league as an injury. My husband gets it as well (he used to play football and hockey). It usually doesn't last more than a couple of days. Fortunately, I'm starting to feel better now - just going to take it easy for the rest of the day and hope I can get back to STS tomorrow.

If it ever does get worse, I'm glad to know there are specialists who can fix it!

Stebby
 
I've never heard that this is particularly age related either.

My neighbor has the dizziness spells(she's older), but she was an ice skater in her youth and sustained a lot of falls, so she thinks that's why she is suffering with it. It is completely dibilitating to her at this point in her life. She goes for days without being able to leave the house. :(

She has been diagnosed with Meniere's Disease. Could this be what you have?

I hope you are better soon!
 
Hi JeanneMarie,

My doctor considered Meniere's disease as well - she doesn't think I have this as I don't have any other symptoms (tinnitus, hearing loss, nausea). She didn't send me for any tests though. If it ever progresses beyond an annoyance I will definitely get it looked into further. Your poor neighbour! My best friend's mom also has it and she is also debilitated for days at a time.

Stebby
 
Try physical therapy

Stebby,

Have you tried physical therapy for your crystals/vertigo? I am a PT tech and the therapist I work for specializes in vestibular problems. We work daily with people who experience your problems and experience great outcomes. Many docs don't realize physical therapy can help vestibular problems. Many times they can be solved within a couple of visits! Depending on your insurance, you just need to request a prescription from your doc to try therapy.

Hope you feel better soon.
 
I need any help or advice anyone can give me on this subject. My 14 year old daughter fell on ice 4 years ago and has been so dizzy ever since. She has been on daily meds and is actually now going to see a vertigo specialist. We are have vestibular testing next week. This is so awful! She has missed about 25 days of school this year alone. It gets so bad that she actually needs help when walking. Nothing helps and we are all at our wits end. We have been under the care of a neurologist at Childrens Hospital boston for 4 years and now are seeing this guy at Mass Eye and Ear...ugh. I'd love to hear more about the PT thing.
Thanks
Elena
 
I would also check your heart. When I was pregant with my 2nd child, found out I had a heart murmur. And I am not that tall. I can't do pivots, turns, etc. and forget even burpees, that require sudden up/down movements.
 
My mother had nasty vertigo attacks and we were told this is hereditary. I know some days I can feel a tad off and stumble around. If it gets worse I will definitely take DB1's advice. I wonder if it would have helped my mother.
 
Thanks, DB1, I never knew that PTs dealt with this disorder. I will keep that in mind. It is much easier to get an appointment with a PT than an ENT specialist. At this point, I only have "attacks" once every two years or so, they just last for 1-2 days, and I only get them if I accidentally snap my head around. If it gets worse I will act.

Netsnotes16, yes, in fact I do have a heart murmur. I was born with it - so was my mom, so was her mom. I have never heard of this being related to vertigo though. My mom has never had vertigo in her life and I don't remember my grandmother having any issues either.

Stebby
 
A friend of mine suffers from pretty severe vertigo episodes. She says that the only things that really help her are acupuncture and taping little magnets behind her ears and on her wrists (magnet therapy).
 
another vote for the likihood of it being related to the inner ear crystals getting unsettled due to jerking your head to flip your bangs.... benign positional vertigo. by tipping your head in the proper series of turns the crystals can be repositioned and bye- bye vertigo. It's a very simple maneuver although may need repeating more than once. it's called the Epley maneuver. any primary care physician should be familiar with it but I don't know if all do it or will refer you to someone else.
 
I have been dealing with vertigo for as long as I can remember and it interferes with things that people who don't have it take for granted like going to the dentist, getting my hair washed at the salon, sleeping/laying on my back, being in any type of inverted position, etc. I haven't had one in a long time *knock on wood* but I used to get attacks in my sleep that were so bad that I would throw myself off the bed in an attempt to make it stop. It's an awful out of control feeling that I wouldn't wish on anyone. I asked my doctor about this many years ago and was told there was nothing that could be done but I see things have changed. Perhaps I need to investigate treatment. I would LOVE to not have to worry about this anymore!
 
Traildoggie said:
another vote for the likihood of it being related to the inner ear crystals getting unsettled due to jerking your head to flip your bangs.... benign positional vertigo. by tipping your head in the proper series of turns the crystals can be repositioned and bye- bye vertigo. It's a very simple maneuver although may need repeating more than once. it's called the Epley maneuver. any primary care physician should be familiar with it but I don't know if all do it or will refer you to someone else.
Click to expand...

THANK YOU Traildoggie! I was going nuts trying to remember what my doctor called it. Benign positional vertigo is exactly what she said. I will look up the Epley maneuver. BTW, I am fine now ... had a kind of unpleasant Friday and Saturday, but Sunday I felt great and did both STS Disk #7 and Leaner Legs.

Stebby
 
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