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vertigo

(16 Posts)
hippie Wed 02-Jan-19 10:21:35

I have had 2 vertigo attacks 3 months apart starting with a virus, then I was told I might have an ear infection, gp gave 2 looks in ear and nurse washed it out once, gp then decided it was anxiety …..the anxiety pills gave me diarrhoea nausea and sleepiness so I refused to take them. I've heard that the Epley manoeuvre would help but not advisable for those living alone.

This has been going on for 7 months now - I don't feel safe to drive or leave the house.....gp says I'm becoming a recluse - well what else does she expect! There must be a simple answer to this - the fear of waking up with the world spinning and being sick for 4 hrs is simply terrifying. Any advice please?

Lynne59 Wed 02-Jan-19 10:32:55

If it were me, I'd ask to see a different GP, and to be referred to an Ear, Nose & Throat specialist.

7 months is a long time to have such an unpleasant condition.

EllanVannin Wed 02-Jan-19 10:37:40

Anti-sickness pills ? You would have been given these by prescription for vertigo.
A TIA can leave you feeling dizzy/unbalanced for up to 6 months so would ask for a CT scan just to count that out. Right now, falling is your enemy.

Kalu Wed 02-Jan-19 10:55:47

I would, as a pp suggested, ask to see another gp and request a referral to ENT specialist.

No knowing your medical history, well meaning posters cannot safely advise what treatment may work for you. Sorry it’s not the immediate solution for you but it really is best to seek professional attention.

I wish you all the best in getting this horrible situation dealt with asap.

shysal Wed 02-Jan-19 12:40:18

You might like to read this recent thread on the same subject. I would think that the vertigo has caused the anxiety rather that the other way round, as it is a horrible complaint to deal with.
www.gransnet.com/forums/health/1256006-BVVP?msgid=27004580

SueDonim Wed 02-Jan-19 13:12:51

Do go back to the doctor and ask for more investigations. My sister has also been enduring this and it's utter misery. She's having a brain scan soon because some months back she fainted and thinks she hit her head, so they want to rule out any damage from that.

I've been hospitalised twice with labyrinthitis so I do sympathise with you.

I took propanolol, which possibly is what you took, and also Buccastem anti-nausea tablets. Others have had good results from using Stugeron. You do need some proper investigations, first, though.

holdingontometeeth Wed 02-Jan-19 13:16:25

Look on the bright side of life.
At least your diarrhoea has cleared up.

M0nica Wed 02-Jan-19 16:59:10

Change your GP, either move to another practice or make an appointment with a different GP in your own practice.

GP's currently try and avoid referring patients to consultants if they can avoid it, in order to save money. If you want to see a consultant you have to be really assertive and demand a referral. I speak from experience.

holdingontometeeth Wed 02-Jan-19 19:13:55

hippie I am really sorry that your symptoms appear to be getting more serious, initially an anxious recluse and now this.
As others have suggested, I would consider changing my doctor.

loopyloo Wed 02-Jan-19 19:52:36

You have all my sympathy, it's horrible. Do see another doctor and insist on an ent referral. Don't drink alcohol, but keep well hydrated. Cut down on salt and caffeine. Try to minimize stress. If you can manage it take short walks and increase the exercise. I now have betahistine which I take if I feel I need it.
Wishing you a speedy recovery.

silverlining48 Thu 03-Jan-19 14:38:14

Hippie my sympathy, labyrinthitis is horrible i know. People have it to different degrees. You are not alone.
This subject has been discussed a number of times on GN. I have taken betahistine every day and still do.
There is buccastem for under the tongue when an attack happens and if all else fails there is an injection by GP which will stop the vertigo almost immediately. Think this is stemetil.
I sleep with a bowl to hand just in case you need to be sick as its difficult to walk during an attack. Turn your head slowly whether in bed or not and avoid lying flat.
You need to speak to your GP again. Good luck, it is truly dreadful.

Fennel Thu 03-Jan-19 18:28:11

Very sorry to hear your problem, Hippie. I've had vertigo a few times and it's horrible.
But sorry can't add to the good advice above.
Get better soon x

Sonnyk63 Thu 30-Apr-20 16:34:47

Hi there, I've been suffering from BPPV since 2013 and had to resort to surgery January 2010 to alleviate it. The good news was that the surgery alleviated the spinning massively.

However, I now have a residual, acute condition now , known as PPPD (Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness). A chronic functional disorder of the nervous system, which my GP has never heard of??

As much as the vertigo has subsided, it has now been replaced by constant dizziness.

I'm wondering if it is psychosomatic and I've talked myself into it?

Any advice/thoughts, please?

jeanie99 Sun 03-May-20 02:27:31

A number of years ago my son suffered a Vertigo type problem for about 4 years, he saw a number of consultants and had many tests including a MRI test.
Eventually he was diagnosed with a rare form of migraine.
The medication given solved the problem but slowed down his thinking process which can be a problem with his work. He's now trying to cut down on the medication to see if there is an improvement.
Living life with this on going problem is life changing.

harrigran Sun 03-May-20 11:16:30

Interesting to read about vertigo, DS was complaining of bouts of dizziness this week. He is working 11 hours a day in front of a computer screen, important work as it is writing software for schoolchildren so they can continue their education.
I wondered if he might have a form of migraine.

jeanie99 Mon 04-May-20 00:46:27

harrigran my son also works using three computer screens all day.