Does anyone suffer from dizziness?

[pretty polly]

I had labyrinthitis a few months ago and the doctor said it was viral
and it would clear on its own. (It is a condition that affects your
balance and perception of depth.) He gave me some stemetil incase
of nausea, but luckily I haven't suffered with that. Anyway, this was
probably 6 months ago, and ever since then I suffer with dizziness
daily. I did go back to see another doctor, mainly because I was
scared it was perhaps something more dangerous like a brain tumour
or something, but she said that its nothing to worry about and that it
could take a long while for it to clear but it will go eventually. I am
now really fed up with it. Every night when I go to bed as soon as I
lie down and if I turn my head and look to the left (always the left)
then I get dizzy. It soon clears and doesn't bother me during the
night but its really unpleasant. And during the day I cannot look up,
because if I do I get dizzy and feel like I am going to fall over. I
physically couldn't paint my ceiling last month because I thought I
would fall off the ladder! I function pretty much as normal otherwise
but this surely isn't right is it?? I don't like to bug the medical
professionals but do you think I need a 3rd opinion? When I saw the
doctor the second time, it was odd because she made me sit up and
held my head in her hands, and then made me suddenly lie down
and look to the right (which as I said earlier is not the side that I get
a problem with) and of course I didn't get dizzy! And she said, thats
fine, you have nothing to worry about. She didn't even check the
other side - does anyone know if there is a reason for this? Does it
make a difference which way you makes you dizzy?
Would really appreciate some help from you medical buffs???

[babygap5]

The only experience i've had with dizziness is when I had a pinched nerve in my neck. A couple of visits to the chiropractor and that cleared it right up. If you aren't satisfied with the diagnosis that "it will go away" at some point, than you should definately get a 3rd opinion. Insist to the new doctor what the other 2 doctors told you and that you just wanted to confir with a 3rd opinion. Keep us posted on how you are feeling, and if you do go for the 3rd opinion, let us know what the doctor says. I hope you are feeling better real soon.

[*mandi*]

Maybe it has something to do with your inner ear? Im not an expert or anything...but maybe you should get a second opinion...I know if your inner-ear or (cerebellar-vestibular system) is off balance it can cause Dizziness..a feeling of off balance...sometimes nausea and can mimick anxiety symptoms.

[beadgirl]

pretty polly-- I was diagnosed with labyrinthitis about a year ago and the doctor said the same thing... that it would go away on its own... and it did after a few weeks. I was given meclizine and it worked wonders! It took the dizziness right away! Seriously, it will go away on its own...i know thta sounds f'ed up to hear from a doctor but it's true! I always keep my meclizine with me just in case.

[pretty polly]

Thanks Beadgirl - is meclizine an over-the-counter product or does it
have to prescribed? I have never heard of it. Not even sure if it is
available in the UK. Seems if we had something like that over here
then the doc would have prescribed it. Wish it would go away, I just
can't stop worrying that it may be something more
serious....panicking again!!!!

[mistyeyes]

I don't get dizzy, but I often have the sensation of vertigo while I am lying in bed, right before I go to sleep. It's rather odd, but it has never bothered me.

[ontariogirl]

I become dizzy quite a bit lately I usually feel it before my period. Lately it is really getting to me, could be my neck, I don't know. The doctor said that any anti- nauseamedication will help with the dizzys and also allergy medication to.
Makes me laugh because I am a blonde who is dizzy

[tink]

Hey Polly,

I have way too much experience with dizziness unfortunately. I have had severe vertigo for about 5 years, with 3 major bouts. I have positional vertigo, which means the dizzinness is affected by position of my head. I get dizzy while lying on my right side, or looking up. When I move into these positions I get incredibly dizzy. Room starts spinning out of control, and when I get the big episodes, it can last for months. When I am in the in between times, I am just slightly dizzy all the time. This condition is caused by debris that is caught in the inner ear in the small hair like fibers. The debris causes your brain to think that there is motion around you when there really is none. In severe vertigo, it can even cause your eyes to tick back and forth, trying to keep up with the spinning room. The other cause can be swelling in the inner ear. Here is a great website for it, explains way better than I ever could. They also have home execises for treatment if your symptoms are matching this condition.

http://www.tchain.com/otoneurology/d...bppv/bppv.html

I have also found that cutting out caffiene and salt has helped alot. I also started taking powerful vitamins, and that has helped as well.

Let me know if you have any questions!

--Kim

[pretty polly]

Kim.

Just wanted to say thanks so much for the website address. It is
exactly what I have!! Yay! I think?

Its great to read in detail about something that you think you may
have. I could especially relate to the tipping your head back in a hair
salon - (although I don't do that all that often, but whenever I am in
the shower and rinsing my hair, I always always get it!!!)

And its got some great tips on exercises to get rid of it!! I'll p'raps
have a go, or do you think I should see the doctor again before
trying any self help remedies?

I'll definitely try cutting out caffeine and salt - but thats gonna be
hard because that practically all I live on!!!

Thanks once again.K xx

[tink]

Good, I am happy I could help! You can go back to the Dr's. Just in case it something else. But if it is positional vertigo, there is no real cure for it, so there isnt a whole lot they can do. But they can give you some meds for n* if you get any. I got Meclizine as well. So you might want to go just for that? I try not to take any drugs ever, so I only took a couple when it got really bad. You should try the home exercises. They say there is a 80% rate of them helping alot. Plus it cant hurt. Its just moving your head around and lying down.

Good luck sweetie. Just feels better putting a name to what you have, huh? [img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]

Let me know if you need anything! Im there for you..

--Kim

[pretty polly]

Aww, Kim, thankyou! *big hug*

You are so right about putting a name to it. Positional vertigo -
sounds quite posh doesn't it! I can just hear my husband saying "oh
you've got positional vertigo now have you? You've been on that
bloody website again haven't you?" He's convinced I am a
hyperchondriac - and perhaps to some small degree, but I have been
having this dizziness for nearly 6 months - everyday - and its getting
me down! Do you have it everyday, or does it come and go? My
main concern is that it hasn't gone away for 6 months, literally every
time I lay down or look up I get dizzy! And its horrible... [img]smileys/smilies_06.gif[/img]
I suppose I just needed to be reassured that it wasn't something
more serious - because in my eyes, small things go away -
eventually - yet more serious things don't!!!

Thanks again, Kim.

[tink]

Yeah, sorry to say this.. But I have had it everyday for almost 5 years. Sometimes it is just very slight though. Which is easy to deal with. Giving up caffiene especially really helps though. Its not so bad.. Just go for decaf. The salt is another story though. I am still having a rough time cutting that down.

My ex husband was the same way. He was always laughing that I came up with a "new" thing that was wrong with me. Geez.. I guess you gotta laugh about it a little though, or it can be pretty upsetting.

But dont worry, you will be just fine. It comes and goes. Just pay attention to what positions set it off, and aviod them. I sleep on about 3 pillows when it is bad. Only 1 when it is good.

If you want to chat, my yahoo IM is k_m375.

Take care,
--Kim

[pretty polly]

Kim - I would love to chat but I don't know how? I have an Apple
ibook, and I have never set up any Instant Messenger thingies and I
don't know how to??? Any ideas??

[tink]

Sure.. Here is the link for Yahoo IM.

http://messenger.yahoo.com/

Just follow the prompts to install. I think it isnt any different on a MAC. Give it a try if ya like!

--Kim

[pretty polly]

Hey Kim - I have just created an Instant Messenger account (I
think??)
Anyway my ID is [email protected]
Send me a message and I'll see if I've set it up correctly - probably
not, knowing me - I have no clue when it comes to computer
technology!!!

[tink]

I sent you an IM.. Keep an eye out for it.. Let me know if you dont get anything.

--Kim

[pretty polly]

Kim - as far as i am aware I haven't received anything. Does it come
thru on an e-mail? I've just checked e-mails and there is nothing
there. Darn it, I knew I would make a mess of it!! Blooming
computers and me just don't get on!!
Do i have to be logged into something to receive IM? And how do I
send you one? Listen to me - what a numpty!!!

[tink]

You just have to be logged on to the Yahoo Messenger account. Make sure that you are listed as available on the top of the screen. My message should pop up as soon as you log in.

--Kim

[pretty polly]

I'm having a night mare with this Instant Messenger thing. I set it all
up and now when i log in it says I'v entered the wrong ID or
password, and I'm convinced i haven't!! I'll keep trying, but I can
promise anything...sorry!

[tink]

Hmmm.. Your id would just be winter_worrier is that what you are entering? These things can be tricky. Dont let it stress you out!

--Kim

[kutekim1217]

It sounds like you have BPPV. Check it out on the web. I had it and it is very frustrationg. It still happens once in awhile. The very first time I noticed it I was just waking and turned my head as you did. I knew I was going to be dizzy, I stayed that way till the next morning, Ive had 4 attacks since, but not lastung that long and a few real quick ones.

[beadgirl]

Pretty polly-- Meclizine is not over the counter but from what I understand it's similar to motion sickness pills. Maybe try dramamine of bonine and see if either one of them works! Good luck, girl!