Severe vertigo.....anyone?

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CarolSue

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Dec 16, 2015
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123
Reason
PALS
Diagnosis
01/2016
Country
US
State
Kansas
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Middle America
Just wondering if anyone has had any issues with vertigo? This was so bad i had to fall back onto my bed. Any movement caused to to come back. Jeez...i truly thought i was dying. No way to get into a car so off i go in an ambulance. I described it at the er as a prolonged violent dizzy spell. They tell me it was an episode of severe vertigo. Never had anything like it in my life. ER doc says not related to ALS. Anybody else??? Thank you!
 
Not me. Sounds a bit scary ...
 
I don't believe it's related to ALS, but of course having ALS doesn't mean you can't develop other conditions.

What are they going to do about the vertigo, there are treatments for it to rebalance the ear that are usually very successful.
 
You probably have benign positional vertigo (which is what most cases of vertigo turn out to be.) Unfortunately, I know a lot about vertigo because I was diagnosed with Meniere's disease in 2003 (although I've retained my hearing so I'm skeptical of the diagnosis.) There is a specialist called an neurotologist which is a combo neuro and ENT. I ended up going to one for my diagnosis. All the local doctors thought I either had migraine associated vertigo (because I got migraines) or benign positional (which is most common.) I ended up having an ENG and it showed that I had bilateral damage to my vestibular system with fullness and ringing so the dx was atypical Meniere's. Vertigo is horrible. It's terrifying. I had a six hour episode. At its worst, you vomit and have diarrhea throughout it.

If I were you and this wasn't the first episode, I'd go to a specialist. There are some positional moves that can correct BPPV because it's caused by calcium carbonate pieces floating freely in your ear canal and the postural moves can make them stick to the canal, stopping the spinning.

I still have vertigo episodes and, when I do, I take Meclizine and Valium and wait it out.

If you've ever had severe TMJ or a neck injury, these can also cause vertigo.
 
I had it once several years before any ALS symptoms. It was horrible but went away in three days. I did take meclizine and also did exercises after the first day ( you can find online if you were not told them.) Not sure your physical capabilities if they would be possible - perhaps with help?
 
Like KimT, I suffer from Meniere's disease. This causes periodic, severe vertigo. Nothing stops a Meniere's attack, but Valium and Zofran can help take the edge off.

It is much more likely that BPV is the cause. However, if the vertigo is accompanied by a feeling of fullness in the ear and ringing in that ear, you should consider being evaluated for Meniere's.

Steve
 
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