After returning from Tokyo, I spent a week concentrating hard on trying to record everything on my blog before I forgot the details of this very precious time. Yes, I recorded things in my journal, but they were somewhat brief.
And then it happened. Vertigo again!
Art had gone on his early morning Saturday run (about a week after we returned from Tokyo) and I woke up with nasty case of vertigo around 3:30 in the morning. I staggered to the bathroom as the world spun around me and spit up thickened saliva. As soon as I was able to, I took a meclizine tablet that was given to me before I left on the trip to Tokyo. I'd had an attack a week prior to our trip and had gone to the ER where they gave me the meclizine.
"Meclizine is an antihistamine that is used to prevent and treat nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness. It may also be used to reduce dizziness and loss of balance (vertigo) caused by inner ear problems."
I suppose this vertigo attack could be from the stress of the travel, mom's falling and hitting her head, time change after returning to Hawaii, writing on my blog...
I don't know.
I was very cautious after this 2nd attack. I was afraid of it coming back.
It was surprising to learn that several friends and relatives had experienced the same thing. I would eventually learn from several blogger friends that they had this awful thing happen to them also.
But it wasn't over. The following Monday night at 11:00, I woke up again with the WORST vertigo EVER! I've written before that I haven't barfed in decades and suddenly here I was barfing again. Luckily, this time Art was with me and able to help me to the bathroom because I couldn't possibly have gotten there on my own. He was shocked to see me empty everything that could possibly have been inside of me into a plastic bowl. I tried to swallow a meclizine tablet, but it got barfed up. I think it was the 3rd time that there was nothing in me to barf up and the meclizine stayed put.
After two hours at the sink, Art was able to get the wheelchair (that we have for mom in emergencies) and take me to bed to lie down again.
I contacted my doctor the following morning and he's having me go to an ENT and to have an MRI.
Friends and relatives have advised me to:
* not jerk my head
* go to a physical therapist
* take hydration solutions like Liquid IV or Nuun tablets for replenishing electrolytes
* turn the air conditioner on in a darkened room
* avoid flashing lights,
* sleep on an inclined pillow so my head is at a 45 degree angle
*ETC.
That last vertigo episode was on July 10th. I'm writing this on July 20th. I have my fingers crossed that it will go away soon. I know it's not over. I feel it at the edges of my consciousness.
Then I read that meclizine needs to be taken cautiously and not more than 5 days. What?!? 😲 The doctor gave me a prescription for 10 days. I have no idea what to believe. However, I am being cautious. I was ready to take it every day for the rest of my life. I guess I won't.
I'll just keep my fingers crossed and hope that it goes away eventually as it did for all my friends and relatives who have struggled with this like I am.
I hope.
POSTSCRIPT 1: (July 27th):
I was at the dentist a couple of days ago and told the hygienist how sorry I was that I had to cancel my last appointment 2 weeks ago, She said she experienced the same thing but it was when she was in her early 20s. She suffered from it for a whole year. She even had to cancel a class she was taking in college. She says she still worries that it could come back.
I have learned that the computer doesn't seem to bother me as much as watching TV or doing a ZOOM call. I think it has something to do with control. Since I'm controlling what I do on the computer, it's more or less OK if I don't overdo it. But watching TV too long or a ZOOM call too long can start to make me feel nauseous. Maybe it's the movement?
I've read online that 30% of women in their later years will experience this vertigo. Men do too, but not as much. I know Art certainly had it about 16 years ago.
Have you ever suffered through this?
POSTSCRIPT 2: (July 31st): Good grief! It happened again this past Saturday night. Art says it was worse than the last episode. This is scary. I’m scheduled for tests in mid August. Friends have told me that these attacks do eventually stop. I hope so. People have mentioned vertigo to me before, but like Art says, you don’t know just how awful it is until you experience it yourself.
Sigh….
Never have I experienced dizziness like that. After I started taking a thyroid medicine it has gone away. I hope you get some answers very soon.
ReplyDeleteLook up the maneuvers that are recommended for vertigo. An ENT told me about them years ago. One day I was exercising on the floor in my living room. Flat on my back, I turned my body to the right and then to the left a couple times and actually felt a sensation in my left ear. Not painful, just like an I nsignficant pop. Never had vertigo again. The inner ear crystals get out of position for some reason and certain body/head movements will reposition them. Don’t know why more doctors don’t know this.
ReplyDeleteNell in the SE US
Hello Nell. Thank you for your comment. I really appreciate it. Yes, I've been doing the Epley Maneuver and it hasn't helped me yet. I forgot to mention that in this blog post. I actually wrote about it before. Thank your reminding me, so I've added a link on this post. I'll try it again right now and hope for that "pop." Several other people mentioned it too and I keep wishing and hoping to hear or feel it.
DeleteMy vertigo has happened twice and both times after big movement such as exercise. Mine is an inner ear thing, perhaps loose ear hair that gets caught. I found that the exercise they give for vertigo works for me. I am sure you are frightened because you do not know when it can happen and it is so severe for you. Hopefully with time the medical professionals will get to the solution!
ReplyDeleteScary indeed and unfamiliar to me. I sometimes get a very temporary head rush if I stand up suddenly from crouching.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you are suffering from vertigo! Based on years of experience and myriad doctors, my take away has been that there are many causes and degrees of vertigo.
ReplyDeleteOne type is positional vertigo, caused by an inner ear condition. It can be addressed with the exercise mentioned above - look up Employ Maneuver for many details.
Another cause is a type of migraine (vertiginous migraine). It is treated with riboflavin (B3), periodic botox injections and lifestyle modifications. This is what I seem to have and my personal regimen has (knock on wood) reduced the frequency and severity of attacks dramatically.
But yes, the fear that it might come back is always lurking. It's a terrible thing. I'm sorry for anyone who has it.
Ceci
Epley maneuver
DeleteNell
thank you, yes, I should have proof read!
DeleteCeci
I have never had it..Margie from Margie's Musings ( not anonymous!)
DeleteHow awful! I hope things are back to normal soon.
ReplyDeleteMy gosh Kay. This sounds perfectly awful! I think the randomness of the bouts would be the worst part...even when you're not dealing with it, there is nervousness that you will be dealing with it again.
ReplyDeleteVertigo originates in the inner ear . It's the inner ear which together with the nerve that goes to the brain, causes also hearing decline, but no research was done on what could possibly prevent these issues. (This kind of research is not profitable to the Big Farma).
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm told it's because the crystals in the ear are out of alignment. I've been doing the Epley Maneuver and so far don't hear popping or any benefit. But I'll keep trying.
DeleteThank goodness you are home.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry, I've had vertigo but infrequently. Seems to happen for me during allergy season and is related to allergies and my ears. Antihistamines work for me. Hope it leaves you soon.
ReplyDeleteDitto above, thank goodness you are home and not overseas when it happened. I hope you are able to figure out a way to treat it. I can't imagine how miserable you must be feeling.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are getting into health care providers. This is dangerous stuff. There may be more to it than just an inner ear problem. A friend had terrible dizzy spells and falling and it took awhile, but the medical people were able to figure it out and fix it. Don't give up the search for the truth. It may not be a quick fix. Make sure you have an advocate with you at these appointments.
ReplyDeleteYep, I've had it twice: when in my young thirties, I was riding a large inner tube being pulled behind a boat. When we hit a wave, we all were bounced off and I hit my head on the water. I was okay, but had vertigo for about 2 days. Meclizine is what the doc prescribed several times a day. The second time was the day before my nursing school graduation when I was 42. I sat on the floor but I kept leaning over. My son fetched the nurse next door who sent me to the ER. Yep, vertigo, because I was dehydrated from taking all of my finals. I ask the doc how he confirmed it. He said when he looks into the eyes of a person with vertigo, the eyes are darting side-to-side a bit. Meclizine was over-the-counter by then (2002) and I took it more than once a day and for several days per docs' order. I managed to walk across the graduation ceremony stage without a problem, but I told my classmates to catch me if I fell. Always go by the doc's order, not Google. Taking it only when/after you have an episode isn't helping. Try it more often, as scheduled; (what does the label say?; what does the doc say?) It's other name is Antivert. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteKay of Musings: Meclizine also goes by Bonine. I wondered about scopolamine patches. I used the meclizine last night but decided to try the scopolamine patches this morning since you just have to put it on and leave it for 3 days as a slow release. Now that you mentioned it, maybe I’d better let my doctor know what I’m doing.
DeleteAfter seeing your comment, I told my doctor about trying the scopolamine patches. He said to go ahead and see if it will work. And again, he said to get that MRI done. I will. I will.
Deletescop patches go behind your ear, on the skin part just before your hair grows out. They will make you thirsty. I use them when deep sea fishing or riding in a helicopter. Do not put on more than one at a time. Alternate placement: one on one side, then 3 days later, the next on on the other side. Clean and DRY your skin well before applying. Some folks put another piece of surgical tape over the little round patch in order to keep it there. Mark the date on the tape or your calendar. (They are also used in hospice to decrease secretions rattling in one's chest, and throughout their body, so you will be thirsty.) Drink water! They are Rx here, and not cheap if your insurance doesn't cover them. With insurance, it's about $14 for a pack of 4 or 10. I don't do much deep sea fishing or helicopter riding in Kansas. Best not to get them wet. Good luck. Linda in Kansas
DeleteCheck with your doc on the scop patches, which, if they're Rx in Hawaii, you'd be checking with your doc anyway. They can also lower blood pressure a bit. Please get the MRI and check with the doc. They need to be more aggressive in treating your vertigo, but you have to let them know your symptoms. Linda in Kansas
DeleteYou caught my mistake. I cleaned the area with soap and water, but then, I moved the patch 3 times trying to find the perfect place. I did still end up with vertigo when I woke up this morning, but not as bad as before. My daughter and brother told me they clean the area with alcohol. When I change the patch next time, I'll be more careful and I'll take your advice and put it behind my left ear this time. Luckily, we're under Art's military pharmacy services. The doctor told me not to worry about getting more patches because he can just prescribe it. I like using this better for the convenience because you can put it on and forget it. With meclizine, I take it when I feel vertigo coming on and usually that's too late. As always, thank you so much for watching over me. I'm drinking Liquid IV as I speak (or write). :-)
DeleteYep, I forgot to mention after cleaning, that you can use alcohol, but make sure the spot is dry first before placing the patch. You can go a bit lower than under your hairline. It's meant to be over that boney mass (mastoid bone) behind your ear. Try not to move it, just put it on once. When we find them loose or off, we don't reuse them, we get a new patch. If you move your head a lot when sleeping, use a piece of tape over it. What's Liquid IV? Like gatorade? Linda in Kansas
DeleteKay of Musings: Here’s the web address to Liquid IV: https://www.liquid-iv.com/?ip_campaign=9340734852&ip_adgroup=93239618103&ip_ad=657070142346&gad=1&gbraid=0AAAAADlzFY9g8zfrerzjrNl_JFnwzrr1V&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoK2mBhDzARIsADGbjeopOSgZdtkqXCSWdX9zCMrFtsP2B-4hbyVh0yLIq2ZqjC_vNSq74r0aAsTnEALw_wcB
DeleteAnd yes, like Gatorade, I would think. A friend who’s battled vertigo too told me her condition is called Meniere’s Disease. (An inner ear disorder that causes episodes of vertigo (spinning). This sounds like what vertigo is. She says she now has to wear a hearing aid on one ear. My left ear does feel really plugged periodically. Anyway, her doctor recommended she start drinking Liquid IV when she gets hit by vertigo. I’ll go get some tape from the kit I keep for mom.
https://honoluluaunty.com/vertigo/
ReplyDeleteKay of Musings: Oh my gosh! She had it too? She is a friend of mine. That’s the year I got my first attack! Tai chi warm up exercises actually were bad though and I had to stop doing those parts that could trigger vertigo. I guess it could be the crystals in my ear. So far, the Epley Maneuver hasn’t worked.
DeleteI am so sorry you are having this Kay. My mum had vertigo, sounds very similar to yours. I get a little dizzy when I bend down to pick anything up and am hoping I won't get what mother had. Hope yours goes away quickly.
ReplyDeleteI know first hand how scary at unpleasant this is and my heart goes out to you, Kay
ReplyDeleteYes, it is scary to think that it might come back but eventually you will forget about it. I hope your doctors can help. But ultimately it's mysterious and it seems to go away for years at a time. Sending you my love and aloha
I'm sorry that you are suffering so. I had a bad dizzy spell and a day of more severe instability than usual but I don't think it's vertigo as I never experience nausea.
ReplyDeleteNo one can imagine what Vertigo feels like until you've had it. I thought I was having a stroke it was so bad. Mine hasn't come back again but like everyone who has experienced it, the fear remains.
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara! It's so nice to meet you. And you're right. When my husband got it for a couple of weeks about 20 years ago, I didn't understand just how awful it is. Then again, he wasn't constantly suffering from vomiting and diarrhea at the same time like I've done.
DeleteI worry for you. I will look it up in my arsenal of natural remedies and let you know.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get this resolved, sooner than later.
ReplyDeleteI feel so badly for you! I hope you get over it soon.
ReplyDeleteThat's a very miserable situation. I certainly hope it stops or they can do something to control it.
ReplyDeleteJust thought I should add vertigo is a symptom of Covid and long Covid. I have never seen a disease with such a long list of implications. It is like every single symptom on the face of the earth is thrown into the Covid mash. Hair loss, heart failure, migraine etc etc etc
ReplyDeleteWe did test ourselves when we returned from Tokyo and were negative so we can rule that one out. Phew!
ReplyDeleteThis indeed sounds very scary. I have not had it (yet) and hope I never do! Keep us in the loop so we know how you are doing.
ReplyDeleteVertigo too
ReplyDeleteI suffered fr a month long vertigo attack.
Meds helped .
I had also taken a short trip on a plane.
Fr personal experience
Air pressure fr your trip may have affected your equilibrium.
Bc you recently had an episode it may have made it worse.
Also dehydration
And salt intake may also contributed
I've had vertigo a couple times and it is terrifying and debilitating. AWFUL!! I hope they can figure out a solution. You have lots of great advice here, Kay. Take care!
ReplyDeleteKay, I'm sure all these different responses for your vertigo are a bit much. But I will add my 2 cents worth. I had one attack of severe vertigo as a result of taking an over the counter medication.... (never taken again). It was Mucinex DM. But I hardly take any meds as I tend to get reactions. Now I do have what we call ocular migraines (or vestibular migraine) and had one this morning. It comes with an aura (jagged crescent shaped lines) that disturb (block) your vision. They usually don't last long (maybe 15 minutes) - although sometimes a nagging (not severe) headache hangs on throughout the day. And my cousin has been diagnosed with meniere's disease and she complains of the dizziness and nausea. She stopped using salt... and says it helps??? I really hope your attacks clear up... but really glad you were able to enjoy your vacation in Japan without any problems.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to read about your vertigo attacks.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine had this a few years back and to this day she still has to be careful.
She has special exercises to do and always takes care how she moves her head.
I don't know if the UK's NHS site will be of help to you
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vertigo/
Look after yourself.
All the best Jan
https://thelowcarbdiabetic.blogspot.com/
I had it once, years ago.
ReplyDeleteI had vertigo as you describe periodically. Forcseveral years doctors diagnosed as migraine but no med relieved. Years later when we moved to Arizona I had attack. My dtrs Pediatrician said it was vertigo and mine was caused by eustachian tube in ear not opening to equalize pressure. He told me how to deal with that to prevent. Meanwhile gave me med antivert. Also sinus infection and/or allergic reaction to some pollens/aromas i.e. perfumes could set it off.
ReplyDeleteI learned that Antivert is another name for meclizine which is what I was prescribed too. I tried using a scopolamine patch with my doctor's OK, but I found it gave me side effects of dry mouth and blurred vision. So... I guess I'll go back to meclizine once I think the scopolamine is out of my system.
Delete