vertigo? any other fellow travelers suffer from it? any tips?
Jul 17th, 2005, 03:28 PM
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vertigo? any other fellow travelers suffer from it? any tips?
I am leaving on a 15 day trip to eastern europe and edinburgh in 2 weeks and am having an episode of vertigo.(2 weeks duration) any one else suffer from this? I am concerned ifit persists or comes back while I am traveling. Any remedies that may have helped would be appreciated. Thanks
Jul 17th, 2005, 04:39 PM
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I have it (especially when DH is driving--maybe has something to do with the way he drives?) and acupuncture has helped and there is a non-perscription medication I take with me (but it makes me groggy)...really got it bad on top of Casa Mila in Barcelona, but would go there again in a heartbeat. A few months ago I went to the top of San Gimiginao and was fine--really--try acupucture.
Jul 17th, 2005, 04:54 PM
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If it is really an episode of vertigo , it will disappear and won't come back just because you are travelling 
Another problem (different one) is the fact of having vertigo simptoms when you are , for example, looking down on a balcony.
I've had both cases. The second one is permanent due to an ear problem in my case. So no medicine, just don't look down
In your case I will ask a doctor. It seems to me 2 weeks are too much time.
Another problem (different one) is the fact of having vertigo simptoms when you are , for example, looking down on a balcony.I've had both cases. The second one is permanent due to an ear problem in my case. So no medicine, just don't look down
In your case I will ask a doctor. It seems to me 2 weeks are too much time.
Jul 17th, 2005, 05:08 PM
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My sympathies, Michelezr. I hope I am correct in assuming that you have been to the doctor and been diagnosed with benign positional vertigo. (If you have not been to the doctor, please go, just to rule out anything more serious.) There are no medications to stop the dizziness, unfortunately. Over the counter medication for motion sickness will help with nausea.
Jul 17th, 2005, 07:53 PM
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I am also assuming that you have been diagnosed with benign positional vertigo or have had enough previous experience with it that you have figured it out yourself. Thus you are aware that it is caused by crystalized particles in the inner ear fluid. Usually they do the "snow globe thing" and settle down by themselves in a few days - but apparently not always.
Last September I tore an article out of the paper about do-it-yourself exercises for BPV and haven't (luckily) had occasion to use it yet. So I just went to the website listed and found you have to subscribe to read this one - or pay $20 for a day of access. There was also supposed to be a video. Now I see that I didn't exactly follow the instructions which say go to neurology.org, then to the July 13 issue, then to "brief communications", then look for the study beginning "self-treatment" and click on "videos". I just went to archives, clicked on the first listed July '04 issue, then contents, then the article - and got the subscription message. So don't know if the video is still there, but you might give it a try. And follow the instructions above, unlike me.
If that doesn't work you might try searching for the study, which was done in Germany. Also could search for the "modified Epley" procedure and a "modified Semont" maneuver that were used in the study. Article said 95% who did the Epely 3X a day until the vertigo stopped for 24 hrs. were symptom free in a week max. The Semont was completely successful in 58%. One neurologist interviewed said most people can learn this from the video or illustrated instructions.
Supposedly some doctors can do a treatment by maneuvering the head (though mine didn't know anything about it) but it doesn't always work with one try. Patients who learn to do it themselves are "more confident because they can manage their vertigo independently" - including while traveling.
Good luck.
Last September I tore an article out of the paper about do-it-yourself exercises for BPV and haven't (luckily) had occasion to use it yet. So I just went to the website listed and found you have to subscribe to read this one - or pay $20 for a day of access. There was also supposed to be a video. Now I see that I didn't exactly follow the instructions which say go to neurology.org, then to the July 13 issue, then to "brief communications", then look for the study beginning "self-treatment" and click on "videos". I just went to archives, clicked on the first listed July '04 issue, then contents, then the article - and got the subscription message. So don't know if the video is still there, but you might give it a try. And follow the instructions above, unlike me.
If that doesn't work you might try searching for the study, which was done in Germany. Also could search for the "modified Epley" procedure and a "modified Semont" maneuver that were used in the study. Article said 95% who did the Epely 3X a day until the vertigo stopped for 24 hrs. were symptom free in a week max. The Semont was completely successful in 58%. One neurologist interviewed said most people can learn this from the video or illustrated instructions.
Supposedly some doctors can do a treatment by maneuvering the head (though mine didn't know anything about it) but it doesn't always work with one try. Patients who learn to do it themselves are "more confident because they can manage their vertigo independently" - including while traveling.
Good luck.
Jul 18th, 2005, 02:57 AM
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See a doctor!
There is also a chance that maneuvering the head can also make the symptons worse -- it did in my case and I couldn't drive a car for 6 weeks. Luckily the last episode only lasted a week -- knock wood.
There is also a chance that maneuvering the head can also make the symptons worse -- it did in my case and I couldn't drive a car for 6 weeks. Luckily the last episode only lasted a week -- knock wood.
Jul 18th, 2005, 03:48 AM
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Michelezr, I have BPV. I was diagnosed over five years ago after having an MRI to rule out MS. We were trying to get pregnant at the time so certain medications were out. My neurologist recommended trying Magnesium supplements and that has really worked for me.
I would seriously recommend seeing a doctor BEFORE you leave. These symptoms could be something else and more serious! Please take care of yourself!
I would seriously recommend seeing a doctor BEFORE you leave. These symptoms could be something else and more serious! Please take care of yourself!
Jul 18th, 2005, 07:39 AM
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I have had occasional episodes of vertigo for the last 6 years. MRI did not show anything abnormal. Doctor told me to have Dramamine on hand. The morning I was to leave for Paris last April, I woke up with it. I took the pill and lied down until it was time for me to get ready to leave home. I dozed on and off for the next 24 hours. If you don't have time to see the doctor before the trip, get this OTC medicine. I don't know what category is my vertigo but I noticed that it happened whe I had a lot of stress and exhaustion.
Jul 18th, 2005, 08:01 AM
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I have to join my voice to the group that recommends to see a doctor. Vertigo may be nothing or it can be a symptom of something serious. Only your doctor and testing can tell. And you may only experience vertigo once and never again. Who knows?
I've had vertigo since I was 26 (I'm now 45) due to Meniere's Syndrome. Haven't had a spell in over 5 years, and I'm hoping that goes on much, much longer! I was also diagnosed with BPV at one time on top of what I have and the doctor did an adjustment - really helped me out, but definitely not something I would recommend as a "self-help" type of thing. (BTW, only certain specialists know how to do this correctly.)
As far as how to do manage this? Just some tips: 1. Keep your sodium intake down (can cause fluid to build up in your ears, increasing pressure and causing the feeling of dizziness), 2. drink lots and lots of fluids to flush out the system, 3. make certain you your sinuses are clear - you might not think you have any allergy or cold symptoms but perhaps you do, a mild decongestant for a few days can tell you rather quickly.
Personally, I would stay away from Meclazzine or its it's relative, Antivert. I was prescribed these medications early on, and they are useless with true vertigo. Why? In order for them to be effective they must "build up" in your system, so you must take them (whether you feel any vertigo or not) over a period of time for them to be effective. They will, over time, make you drowsy. And they really are not all that effective in the end. ENTs and GPs are really big on these medications. Specialists stay away from them. What really works? Very low dosages of Valium or Zanax. Yes, may also make you slightly drowsy, but kills the dizziness sensation by slowing the eye movement. (this is what makes you feel dizzy, not the ear, btw.) Yes, you make need to nap for a 1/2 hour, but when you wake up the dizziness will be gone. And you only need to take it when necessary - not all the time.
When traveling, to avoid getting vertigo, this is what I do. Get a good decongestant before boarding the plane and take a good hour before boarding. You want your sinsuses absolutely clear. Drink lots of W A T E R, and steer clear of alcohol while on the plane. The air in the aircraft is very dry and it dehydrates you far more rapidly than you realize. Keep yourself hydrated. Watch your sodium intake. Granted, you might not be able to monitor the airline food (unless you can request a special meal of low sodium), but watch the "munchies" you might bring on board with you - no heavy sodium stuff.
But above all, see your doctor before you leave. You might have something as simple as a slight ear infection that a few days on anti-biotics will take care of before you leave.
Enjoy!
I've had vertigo since I was 26 (I'm now 45) due to Meniere's Syndrome. Haven't had a spell in over 5 years, and I'm hoping that goes on much, much longer! I was also diagnosed with BPV at one time on top of what I have and the doctor did an adjustment - really helped me out, but definitely not something I would recommend as a "self-help" type of thing. (BTW, only certain specialists know how to do this correctly.)
As far as how to do manage this? Just some tips: 1. Keep your sodium intake down (can cause fluid to build up in your ears, increasing pressure and causing the feeling of dizziness), 2. drink lots and lots of fluids to flush out the system, 3. make certain you your sinuses are clear - you might not think you have any allergy or cold symptoms but perhaps you do, a mild decongestant for a few days can tell you rather quickly.
Personally, I would stay away from Meclazzine or its it's relative, Antivert. I was prescribed these medications early on, and they are useless with true vertigo. Why? In order for them to be effective they must "build up" in your system, so you must take them (whether you feel any vertigo or not) over a period of time for them to be effective. They will, over time, make you drowsy. And they really are not all that effective in the end. ENTs and GPs are really big on these medications. Specialists stay away from them. What really works? Very low dosages of Valium or Zanax. Yes, may also make you slightly drowsy, but kills the dizziness sensation by slowing the eye movement. (this is what makes you feel dizzy, not the ear, btw.) Yes, you make need to nap for a 1/2 hour, but when you wake up the dizziness will be gone. And you only need to take it when necessary - not all the time.
When traveling, to avoid getting vertigo, this is what I do. Get a good decongestant before boarding the plane and take a good hour before boarding. You want your sinsuses absolutely clear. Drink lots of W A T E R, and steer clear of alcohol while on the plane. The air in the aircraft is very dry and it dehydrates you far more rapidly than you realize. Keep yourself hydrated. Watch your sodium intake. Granted, you might not be able to monitor the airline food (unless you can request a special meal of low sodium), but watch the "munchies" you might bring on board with you - no heavy sodium stuff.
But above all, see your doctor before you leave. You might have something as simple as a slight ear infection that a few days on anti-biotics will take care of before you leave.
Enjoy!
Jul 18th, 2005, 09:25 AM
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Thankyou all so much for your concern and good thoughts. I have had vertigo in the past few years (but never this long a duration) and have had an MRI which was normal. Never really diagnosed with BPPV- was thought probable but also it seemed related to allergies and/or cervical issues. I have not gone back to the MD yet but will in the next few days.FRom my readings it seems that "vertigo" can come and go. Mine , this time seems to be of the feeling as if you are "swaying" while sitting still as opposed tothe spinning type.
michele
michele
Jul 18th, 2005, 09:37 AM
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Chele60 has done a fabulous job relaying the information that is common with vertigo - particularly the course of treatment most doctors recommend (valium, etc). I decided to ride it out.
Michele, you mentioned cervical issues. My own personal experience with vertigo came AFTER a cervial adjustment at the chiropractor. I'm not saying that it wouldn't have eventually happened on its own since aging has a lot to do with the development of floating particles in the ear contributing to an imbalance, (it is my understanding that the eyes and ears are connected - the test I had measured the movement of the eyes after air was blown into the ear) but the MD was pretty certain it was result of the adjustment. The only other time I had a problem was after an severe head cold.
Good luck to you!
Michele, you mentioned cervical issues. My own personal experience with vertigo came AFTER a cervial adjustment at the chiropractor. I'm not saying that it wouldn't have eventually happened on its own since aging has a lot to do with the development of floating particles in the ear contributing to an imbalance, (it is my understanding that the eyes and ears are connected - the test I had measured the movement of the eyes after air was blown into the ear) but the MD was pretty certain it was result of the adjustment. The only other time I had a problem was after an severe head cold.
Good luck to you!
