Extreme vertigo

Thanks Vicki for the clarifications. How long did it take for you to notice you felt horrible on the Valcyclovir?

I am composing quite a long document to take to my MD tomorrow afternoon looking at everything from allergies, fungi and herpes, with links to articles/studies on these things, and onto the vertigo coping drugs like Kolonopin, Xanax and Valium. She prescribed Ativan which doesn't even get mentioned in emergency vertigo medication discussions. I will be well armed

This site is godsend!

Candace, I hope you never have to go back ther again either. On saturday, I started feeling like I might go over the edge and have my first full-on vertigo attack, thought about going to the emergency room because I was so fringing terrified, and when I thought of that, I couldn't imagine a worse place to be in that condition! I can empathize!

 

First, Ativan - I was prescribed ativan to take after the onset of an attack or if I felt the attack was immenent. That is highly addictive and so my doctor had it as a "only if" pill. It is placed under the tongue. With that, my attacks were reduced from 6+ hours down to about 1-2 hrs. So it definitely helped me at least.

I have been taking the generic valtrex for about 6 months now. Within the first 3 weeks I definitely experienced improvement in the ear pressure and ringing. I did not have vertigo - but since that piece doesn't always happen for me....who know if it was because of the antiviral or "just because". BUT until I started the antiviral, I was never blessed with such improvement of the ear fullness and ringing. Those were constant. I only have taken the valtrex so can't compare to any other antiviral.

 

Thanks for sharing your experience about the Ativan nicmger! The prescription says .5 mg daily as needed for vertigo. Says nothing about sublingual and that dosage does nothing at all. How much did you have to take to reduce your vertigo to where you described? Curious. Happy to hear the AV worked for your other symptoms too!!!

 

I am very medication sensitive so what happens to me shouldn't deter you from trying it. I was on acyclovir for many months so my symptoms were under control, but a sinus infection was kicking my butt so at the suggestion of my ent I tired valcyclovir.

Whenever I start a new med I take half the prescribed dose because I get so many reactions.
I took half of the 1000 mg of valcyclovir and within 2 hours I felt extremely, drugged unbalanced and dizzy had to hold onto walls, I couldn't walk straight. I never took it again.

 

to clarify the sinus infection was triggering my MM symptoms...

 

God sounds like it created its own form of MM! Glad you discovered it right away! If I have to come out-of-pocket for these meds, maybe I should request a few days worth then get the full supply! If one creates more problem than it solves, try another. Thanks…again….Vicki!

 

I'm on the same maintenance dose as Vicki.
However, my Oto started me on 3- 400 mg a day and now I take two and an extra if I'm feeling off.

Good luck to you!!

I hear what you're saying about this site! So much useful information and so much more than our Dr.s tell us. Why? Because we have all been there and are here to help and support each each other.

Let us know how that appointment goes on Thursday.

 

Sorry to hear it, Candace. (No pun intended). I've had those really awful, extended episodes of vertigo -- usually following a drop attack. It certainly saps your energy, doesn't it? The only cure for an episode that I've experienced is a heavy dose of injected fentanyl in the ER. It seemed to calm everything down. I got that after a marathon session of spinning and vomiting at work. The boss called an ambulance because I seemed so sick.

Hope things get better for you.

 

The dosage of my ativan is 1mg. My doctor that I had in Seattle who prescribed it was the one who specifically said to put it under the tongue. It gets into the system faster and no threat with simply throwing it back up. Once he prescribed that, My attacks were shortened to 1-2 hrs; which meant reduced by at least 75% which I will take any relief.

Also, for me to get the generic valtrex from the manufacturer that my first prescripion was made by (versus the one used by the mail order which my insurance requires for all ongoing prescriptions) I pay out of pocket for it. Costco was by far the cheapest. At the higher dose it cost me about $90/mo; less now that I typically only take one per day.

 

I have just been diagnosed with Meniere's. I also have horrible vertigo and just got out of hospital. I,m not sure if the valium is working because I just sleep forever. This is only my second ever episode and I need help and info. I saw you had the horrible vertigo and thought maybe you could help....sorry I know you were looking for help. I felt better last night and woke up with the loud ringing of my ear and bad vertigo. I'm scared and so sad. Is it normal to go back and forth for days and weeks?

 

Are you having migrains also? Cluster headaches? U might need sumatriptan succinate to break the cycle of symptoms , endlomic sack decompression may help you, does your hearing fluctuate? You might need to keep a journal to find patterns of triggers and what has been helping and share it with your ent Otto and neuro.

 

Ok will start. This is only the second time Ive had this. A year and a half ago had this on and off for a month. Literally woke up one afternoon and gone. They blamed it on a virius. I was fine until a week ago. I had a sore neck then the ringing in my left ear started again at work. I thought no not again.... I left and was driving home when vertigo hit and I ran off the road. My dr sent me to ER where the dr right away looked at my jumpy eyes and said I think you have MM. I was given valium which made me sleep like twenty hours and I got up feeling hopeful and better! Got up Thursday and fell down. Ringing in my ear was horrible and its like I have a finger in it so I cant hear right but at same time Im so sensitive to louder noise it hurts. I know that sounds weird but thats how it is. I am not so bad with the vertigo today just off balance but the ringing is ALWAYS there. I have heard go to chiropractor, you need meds I am just overwhelmed and I dont want it to be for a month again. Is this good day bad day normal? I feel so much better just talking to someone about this. My work wants to know an exact day of return...not sure they wont let me drive. People around me will say oh good your feeling better than you get vertigo again and they say but I thought you were better? Trying to function as a mom and a person without losing it! Thanks for listening and your advice.

 

A lot of us are sensitive to louder noise. Yes, it is weird how it can literally hurt, but it sure does for me. I believe this is called hyperaccusis. Loud noise can make my ear feel more stuffed, too. But there have been days recently with the improvement of the anti-virals (which I'm pretty new to) that I think that is going away.

Is it the doctor who says you can't drive? If so, maybe he or she can help you come up with a date to give your workplace. That seems hard to be asked that question. All you are going to be able to do is make a guess.

I know it is overwhelming with all these ideas. Keep reading when you can, and use your intellect and intuition together and hopefully you'll get some clarity about the next step. Good wishes!!

 

Yes this sounds like early to mid stage menieries for sure! Find a ear nose throught Dr. And try some meds to suppress some of symptoms , u might need to avoid CATSS caffien alcohol tabbaco sodium refindsugers along with a journal of ups and downs can help Dr employer friend family all understand your truly struggling