Vertigo.... Never ending nightmare!?

Question

Hi, I've had vertigo for the last year and a half & its still as bad as ever... Worse even these last few weeks.
I've had MRI scans (clear thank goodness) and tests & apparently there's nothing wrong with my ears.
I have no meds at the mo & doc sez it'll either go away or I'll get used to it but that could take up to 5 years. Life is becomming very difficult & I feel like no-one believes me! I look drunk most of the time & I'm at my desk at work right now feeling like I'm about to fall off my chair! Anyone else ever feel like this or anyone got any helpful advice? Thanks.

Answer 1

My sympathy, horrible illness. If it's BPPV there is a simple manipulative treatment that worked like magic for my mum. It was a complete cure for 2 years and worked again when it came back.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1323953.stm
Visit the above website and see if your GP will refer you. Most areas will have a consultant.

Answer 2

Slightly on the unconventional side, but it can still help:

Ginger will help with any nausea accompanying the dizziness - so crystallised ginger, ginger biscuits etc... may help - also grated fresh ginger in hot lemon drink.

Find a shop that sells crystals and buy a small tumbled piece of Malachite - it's meant to be good at relieving dizziness and has worked on my boyfriend who has vertigo.

As for other options - get your eyes tested. I have slight astigmatism and this can make me feel very dizzy sometimes unless I'm wearing glasses, especially when I'm tired. Basically because my eyes end up telling me something different to what my ears are telling me. If I leave it too long before I put on my glasses, then it will persist even with my eyes closed, though usually disappears fairly soon after I've either shut my eyes for a while or put on my glasses.

Answer 3

Ugh, there is no reason to prescribe you that. Hospitals tend to go way overboard. You can get vertigo for an inner ear imbalance and not even have an inner ear infection. Did they tell you it was an infection for sure? Either way, there is a pill prescribed for vertigo (my mother and grandmother take it when they have vertigo spells) but I assure you it's not valume! There are also simple exercises you can do when you feel the vertigo. Just google vertigo exercises. You may want to follow up with your regular doc if it really is an inner ear infection so he/she can prescribe the proper meds.

Answer 4

Poor you, that must be awful. Have they ruled out Meniere's Disease?
Have a look on their website, as even if you haven't got it, some of their advice may help with your vertigo.

Answer 5

i cant remember the name but just ask a local pharmiscist and they can direct you to the over the counter drug (which the doctor perscriped anyway) they use for vertigo and also motion sickness bands helped (my mom had it) they may show you pills also but just know it never goes completely away you have temporay relief. Mine are linked to migraines so i dont have it as much because they are treating my migraines. its important you pay attention to the times you ususally have the spells and make sure your not driving around those times PLEASE too dangerous

Answer 6

i have had a similar problem for the last 6 months . my doctor is unsure if it it menieres disease or related to my blood pressure. when i have severe bouts i cannot even lie on the bed without the room spinning and at time i feel like i am on a roller coaster. i have been prescribed prochlorperazine(stemitil) this helps with the dizziness and nausea ask you GP for some. good luck

Answer 7

Have you seen an ENT and a neurologist? There may be something going on in your ear that would not be detectable on an MRI. The ENT can send you for audiological and balance testing. ENTs and neurologists know more about dizziness than any other doctor.

Answer 8

Yes I have it as well, only not just as bad as you, but it still makes you feel crap. Im on tablets for it, they are called Betahistine and they are not bad.