Vertigo/balance problems need exercise ideas please!

[fitmom24]

Hi. I have been suffering from an unexplained balance disorder and bouts of vertigo for almost 4 months. During this time it has become increasingly difficult for me to keep up my fitness routine. I am scheduled for more tests this Thursday and hope to find out what is causing these problems. In the meantime, can anyone suggest exercises to elevate the heart rate (burn fat) that won't require much balance? I usually do step and hi/lo but am finding myself falling all over the place. I am able to maintain my upper body because I can do most of it seated or lying down but legs are another story. Trying to do lunges etc. makes me look like I'm drunk and trying to walk a white line. I need my exercise for stress relief and to stay in shape. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

p.s I use Maximum Intensity Strength/Cardio and the Pure Strength series in my routine.

p.p.s. If anyone has suffered these symptoms let me know!

 

[Debra L]

RE: Vertigo/balance problems need exercise ideas please...

My favorite yoga instructor has been dealing with the same issues for about 6 months. She's fine when she does her own practice but has a tough time when teaching or just doing routine activities when there's a lot of sensory input. She's seen a lot of medical specialists without any diagnosis. She is going through menopause, & doing some hormone replacement therapy, which I throw in, in case you're in a similar situation.

If you're on any medication or supplements, do your own research on the side affects. The Mayo Clinic website is very helpful.

For cardio, do you have access to a machine? A used stationary bike, rower, or ski machine wouldn't require much balance or set you back a lot of money.

Have you tried doing squats & lunges while using a balance prop like a weight bar, Body Bar, or even a mop handle? You would only be able to hold a dumbbell in one hand, but if you want more resistance, you could use a weighted vest. Aquajock is the resident authority on weighted vests if that appeals to you.

Hopefully, I've given you at least one useful idea. I've watched my vital, very fit yoga mentor having to sit down during classes because of vertigo & have seen the frustration. Good luck to you.

Debra

 

[dss62467]

I get vertigo occassionally. When it happens, I know there's a problem with my thyroid and get it checked. One thing my doctor told me to do when I get a spell is to "fatigue" it. So if you move your head in a particular way and it makes the room spin, keep moving again in the same way and eventually you will get it to stop. It actually never worked for me, but I figured I'd pass it on.

He also gave me a prescription for anti-vertigo medication. That does help.

 

[Gayle]

Hi fitmom24,

I'm currently going through something similar - feelings of vertigo for 5-10 seconds that come and go, no nausea. I started getting dizzy spells about a week ago, but not to the extent that you describe. Mine seems to come mostly when I go from sitting up to lying on my back and vice-versa, but I also got them when doing some yoga postures this week (side angle pose, to be specific).

It doesn't seem to be bothering me when I do cardio and most strength (no problems going down to do push-ups or squat thrusts), except going down on my back for chest/triceps work.

I had a pretty nasty flu about 3-4 weeks ago that really hit me in the sinuses. I'm thinking that this may be a result of that. WebMD has a brief article on dizzy spells that I looked up yesterday:
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/13/1738_50477.htm

I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow morning.

Do you have access to a stationary bike? That might be a possibility since your upper body would be moving around too much.

Good luck with your tests, and please keep us posted.

 

[fitmom24]

Hi. Thanks for the ideas. I will look into a stationary bike. I'm on a pretty tight budget so hopefully I can find one cheap. I will try using the body bar for balance too. I feel so weak! I had to give up my Yoga practice too.

I have vertigo to the point of throwing up. It lasts at least 1/2 a day at a time. The Antivert they gave me makes me so sleepy. I never know when the vertigo will appear. The balance thing is a problem 24/7. I have had a CT scan of the sinuses and an MRI. I am seeing a new Dr. on Thursday because I didn't feel very comfortable with the one I was seeing. The first Dr. didn't seem to care about getting to the root of the problem. I have four kids and can't continue like this. I feel anxious all of the time because I never know when the vertigo will happen and I look like I'm drunk all of the time. I am not in menopause, in fact I just had my fourth son 6 months ago. I know that sinuses can create vestibular problems but my 1st Dr. said my ear/sinuses were fine. Also, I keep pushing myself to exercise even though my body seems to be rejecting it. For some reason I won't allow myself to stop. That adds to my stress for sure.

Anyway, check in to low blood pressure. I know that can cause lightheadedness when rising etc.

Thanks for your support!

 

[wendymin72]

RE: Vertigo/balance problems need exercise ideas please...

I have had vertigo for many years...since I was a teenager. I suffer from it when my head is in certain positions. For example...I have trouble sitting in a dentist chair, getting my hair washed at the salon and I can not sleep on my back for more than a few minutes. I used to suffer frequent "attacks" in my sleep where I would be awoken from a sound sleep due to a very intense attack of diziness and room spins to the point where I would wake up screaming and sometimes even fall out of my bed before it stopped. Thank goodness those particular attacks have ceased. They were the worst.

I was never prescribed any drugs-didn't even know there were any out there for this! I just have had to deal with it. I have made adjustments in my life like I wash my own hair before going to the salon so that I don't have to get it washed. I have my hygenist sit me up alot more than they usually would to get my teeth cleaned. I had all 4 wisdom teeth pulled when I was 18 and my insurance approved me to have it done in the hospital where I was put under with general anesthesia in order to avoid an occurance of the vertigo while they were performing the surgery...my wisdom teeth were impacted.

I hate it. It makes life difficult but I have learned to adjust. I can tend have pretty bad balance but I never thought to connect the 2. I wonder if my vertigo is the cause??

~Wendy~

I smoked my last cigarette on March 17, 2004 at 10:00 pm!

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EDD: 05/19/05