feeling dizzy all the time

Hi i'm new here.

I did post this in another area but Amythest said it would be best to post it here.

Ive had Menieres or as my doctor likes to think Vertigo for 3 yrs now but my latest episode has lasted 4 mths now.Normally they have only lasted anything from 3 hrs to a week then nothing again for a few mths but this time it just wont go luckly this time the full blown dizzines only lasted 1 day but now im left with a constant lighthead and buzzing in the ear nothing i do seems to help.

I just wanted to know how long does these dizzy spells tend to last, Is this normal? Im taking pills to stop the dizziness and they seem to keep it at bay but its still there everytime i turn or if i stare at something for to long eg:when im watching tv or talking to someone and the buzzing in my ear sometimes its so loud i feel like im about to loose my mind.

The doctor keeps telling me this is vertigo but after lots of research i think i have menieres.

Sorry if my spelling and writing isnt up to much the computer screen tends to send me funny after a while.

Thanks

 

Welcome mtanaya,

Great have you here... this is the place to get answers. There are alot of people on this site that will help you alot more than I can. I was only dx with Meniere's in May of this year.

I went through vertigo for 16 yrs and every time it came back it was worse. After many doctors for two yrs. my doctor finally sent me to an ENT.
That would be the best place to start... ask your doctor for a referral to an ENT or if you don not need a referral call one directly. That is where you will start to get some answers.

Like I said there are many here who will help you out... they have helped me so much. and this is a very active site, so you will not have to wait long.
Welcome again..... Dave

 

Myanaya welcome to the forum. I can understand how frustrated you must feel. The ringing in my ears has been constant for several years now. It sometimes makes me crazy. The dizzy spells I sometimes have them for weeks at a time but always am greatful that it is not a full blown attack. I wish I could say it gets better but in reality you just get better at dealing with it. I would say you need to go see an ENT for diagnosis not just your normal doctor, my Dr said the same thing for many years. I had to switch to a new DR and he sent me to an ent.

 

Myanaya ~~ yes after the attacks you may feel light headed or off balance feeling.. but i agree with the others you need to see an ENT to get a diagnosis of Meineres... it can mimick many other things that may be going on but you should go and at least try to find out.

This place has been a godsend... and has excellent information on here... everyone is wonderful and so willing to help out or answer any questions you have.

Please make sure to write down all your symptoms.. when they seem to be worse, any triggers, etc before you see the ENT and don't stop until you get some answers.

Welcome to the board and good luck.
GinaMc

 

Welcome Myanaya;

I agree with everyone else. You should go see a specialist.

My symptoms started out like yours. At first the vertigo just lasted for a few hours then for a day or two then I had an attack for 3 weeks and I just never seemed to fully recover from it. That is when the ringing and ear fullness started.

The one thing my doctor told me that I was glad I followed was to stay as active as possible. It is amazing how much your brain can compensate when your balance is off. When the vertigo stopped I started getting out and about as much as I could and little by little day by day I could do more. Some activities like turning my head would make me dizzy too but after a while this also reduced. I still get a little dizzy from some activities but no where near the gut wrenching dizziness I use to get.

I hope this helps.
Gwen

 

Hi

Thanks for all the replies.

I will go and see an ent, Tomorrow im going to see a Chinese herbalist and having acupunture(ill try anything).

What im worried about is before this recent episode i booked a trip to Disney world and bought tix for all the parks(ive been promising the kids this holiday for ages)

Will i be able to cope with all the rides i love rollercoasters but i worried about get the full blown wobbly!

 

mtanaya,
unfortunately for me i have never been able to get on another roller coaster... but... that is me. I don't know how it would be possible if you are feeling dizzy/wobbly or anything of the sort, i would be afraid that it might trigger your symptoms and that would be bad. But... even when i was feeling better I knew to stay away from any carnival rides, roller coasters, etc and my family went to Great America and as hard as it was for me to just sit back and watch everyone else ride the rides... i knew i couldn't. but i was still able to take the trip and enjoy my kids and that was what mattered most to me. It would be terrible if you did go on the rides and started your symptoms up when you are on vacation... just listen to your body and know your limits.

good luck and take care.
GinaMc

 

Hi mtanaya and welcome to forum,

When I first got MM, my vertigo attacks were about twice a week with each attack lasting 15 to 30 minutes. This went on for over a year and then gradually lessened. It took about 4 years for me to get rid of an almost constant light headed, dizzy feeling. Right now I am in remission without any vertigo attacks for almost a year. However, I have had minor bouts of dizziness.

Regarding Disneyland, I think you will find out on your first ride whether it is good for you to go on any more rides. How about getting a grandparent or spouse to take the kids to Disneyland.

Joe

 

Hi and welcome -

Here's more to consider:

http://www.menieres.org/jacki/jackis70.htm

Hang in there.

 

Welcome to the forum. It might help you to find what triggers your symptoms. Start a symptom journal.

Record:
When you eat
What you eat
What meds you take
When you take the meds
Your MM symptoms and changes thru the day (times)
Stress levels
Menstruation

Food allergies are a fairly common trigger for MM especially gluten (wheat & other grains) and dairy. If your symptoms usually get worse after eating the same type of meal then you can try eliminating that food from your diet. If you eliminate an allergen it should give you some relief with in a week or two at the most.

Common triggers:
Sodium
MSG
Stress
Fatigue
Wheat
Dairy

Less common but reported triggers:
Nicotine
Seasonal allergies
Hormones
Alcohol
Caffeine
Other inhalant allergies
Other food allergies
Weather

Good luck, Tracy

 

I couldn't stand 48 hours before a long planned for trip to NY and VA,and after my starting my 2nd steroid coursepack I could stand and turn-24 hours before our plane left. I took valium 3 times a day and continued the steroid coursepack. I enjoyed the trip so much, even though I was very tired. My motto is forge ahead and try. I wouldn't want to try a roller coaster personally, but that is your decision. Some days I just know I can do more than others and go with my gut. I went to Paris last year also not feeling great, but my hubby is very supportive and I have no regrets. Better be not perfectly fine there than at home! Best wishes and let us know how the trip goes. Lisa

 

Hi and welcome to the site. Sounds like you are having a rough time with this. Well you came to the right place. The people here are great.

As for the length of the spells, I think they differ for all of us. I know mine are different every time. Hang in there!!!


Maggie

 

From 1980 until Aug.2004 I would have a Vertigo attack (couldn't walk without help, vomiting, everything spinning) that would last for 6-10 weeks. Had about 15 at least during those 24 years. It wasn't until Aug.2004 that I developed the other typical symptoms of fullness, hearing loss and tinnitus that the ENT said Menieres.

Everyone is different with this disease. I agree with others posts that you need to see an ENT. Good luck to you.

 

Hi folks

I went to see my Chinese herbalist today. He doesnt think i have Menieres he says i am to young (im 30 yrs old).He reckons this is typical signs of an inner ear infection Which has triggered vertigo and tinntus(cant spell) He tells me the reason i have had it so long is because my doctor never gave me antibotics(cant spelllthis either i think i need to go back to school) anyway he reckons he can cure me in 1 mth although not fully because the infection will always be they and will be triggered of again if i get a cold or become ill. so he has given me a 2wk supply of chinese herbal antibotics and 2wk treatment of acupuncture. i am going to try this now considering 3 different doctors have treated me and none of these have helped, only giving me pills to stop the spinning and sickness.

To be honest i dont know if it will work but my faith in doctors isnt great and i am at the point where i will try anything now.

I am just sick to death of this constant lighthead feeling simple things are hard to do i cant think straight, even writing this is hard work. And this buzzing in my ear i dont know whats worse. :-\

 

Welcome to this site. I would suggest seeing a specialist no mateer what the Chinese Herbalist says. Find yourself an neuro-otologist, get MRI's CATSCANS...the works. As a constant dizziness suffererI found the Vestibular Rehabilitaion helped me so much. ANd yes...keep as active as you can. You can go to Disney World and if you can't go on the rides stay in the pool as there are many other recreationl things to do there besides coasters. Let someone else take the kids to the rides if you can.

 

.

 

I don't believe being 30 is too young. What I'm saying is that age may not be a factor for a person with MM. I have been speaking with a girl that has had several problems with MM.. and even has had the VNS (Vestibular Nerve Section) done and she is only 22 now. So please.... go to an ENT and get some tests done, try the herbal thing... that could be good.... stay possitive but make sure to eliminate the obvious by having the tests done first. take care

GinaMc

 

Hi everyone

Im going to see an ENT next wk. And hopefully ill find out just whats wrong with me.

 

Mtanaya,

First, Welcome to the Forum! Second, don't be surprised if the ENT does not find your problem right away. As one post stated earlier, Your best bet is a neuro-otologist. This is a specialist in vestibular issues. Notice the T, not a neurologist they are for spinal and nerve problems. I went to an acupuncturist and got the same answer. “It is not MM it is phlegm. But after weeks of 12- 15 pills 3 times a day and acupuncture treatments this did not help. Later I was DX with a birth defect. I have a single vestibular artery and it is enlarged and pressing on my brain stem. At this point they are saying nothing can be done but maybe some medication will help. This is not to discourage you from your treatments, by all means try all things (with in reason) you may find something helps you that does not help someone else.

Don’t be discouraged! This is a long road and it has lots of twists and turns. You may never find out exactly what is wrong with you, but you may find things that help. Stay as positive as possible. Come here often for advice and when you can, offer help. Don’t worry about your spelling we all have trouble with that. Read all the posts that interest you. Many good writers are here and have little anecdotes or poems to read. Some post short stories. What ever you have you may have all your life and sometimes you just need to concentrate on something else. Like your kids or a trip or just going to the park. Write silly notes. If you are a person of faith then get involved in your Church. Do not let this keep you from life though it may alter what you once knew of life. There are many people here who have traveled the road you are on. The wonder and the hopelessness and the fear and the triumph! Not all days will be good but there will be good days. Look for them…Make them!

God Bless,
Mike

 

Sorry but I didn't have time to read through all the posts. Here's a web site that may help you decide what your dealing with
http://www.tchain.com/otoneurology/disorders/bppv/bppv.html
Rick