Hello there friends, I have been diagnosed with Meniere's for about 15 years. I have grown used to tinnitus, low frequency hearing loss and periodic dizzy spells. EVERYTHING CHANGED YESTERDAY!!! - I had been having a difficult week (extra strong dizzy spell with way quicker than normal onset 7 days ago, a couple of mild dizzy spells during the week). Yesterday I woke up feeling great and had a great day...UNTIL...I was standing in Lowes and suddenly felt as though a 300# football player had run into my upper back at full speed, hurling me to the concrete floor before I could even attempt to brace myself. I didn't lose consciousness, quickly came to my knees and, with my wife's help, walked out of the store within minutes before they called 911. This was totally new to me in that: - the vertigo was 1,000 time worse than it's ever been. I've had difficulty walking before but this hit me like an irresistible force. - there was no warning (usually I can feel a dizzy spell coming on and it ramps up to a maximum. Throwing up, exhaustion, etc) - it passed quickly ( although I felt a little unstable, sweaty and clammy, the violent, slamming vertigo passed in 2 seconds and although I felt queasy and a little unstable, I improved instead of getting worse, as I usually do) (BTW-today I have just felt a little drained and woozy, like I usually do after a dizzy spell. Also, feel like my eyes keep wanting to squint...No violent attacks.) After researching today, I think that I had a Tumarkin's Otolithic Crisis, or Drop Attack. I will attempt to get into a Dr ASAP but.. HERE'S MY QUESTION - Does that fact that I had this attack yesterday make it more likely that I will have another one soon. The reason that I need input urgently is that I am a Pastor and Sunday's are important days for me. I hate to get sidelined by this, but on the other hand, I really don't want to make a distracting sideshow for 1,000 people. So please, I would really appreciate some input on this issue... - Do these drop attacks tend to come in clusters, or are they randomly spaced like other episodes. - Does that fact that I had one yesterday increase the chances that I will have one tomorrow. Thanks so much for reading this and for any input. Steve More details - I want to be respectful of people's time so I wanted to keep the above message as short as possible. For those of you still reading (thanks!), here's some other background info. I have done the Epley maneuver several times over the last few years when I was having a dizzy spell. I never felt anything while I was doing it and was never sure that it had any effect at all. Last Saturday night (12 hours after the dizzy spell that I had which was unusual in that it was much more severe and without warning...made worse by the fact that I was wading and fishing for steelhead in the middle of a river ), my wife suggested that I try the Epley maneuver before we went to sleep. I didn't feel anything (as normal) until the part where you tuck your head and sit up...OMgosh...I didn't think I was dizzy, I thought I was hallucinating! I had the sensation that I was strapped to a teeter-totter and spun, end for end, at about 2 revolutions per second. It was one of the most frightening experiences of my life. (Until yesterday ) In addition to this...more detail on yesterday's violent CRASH. I was reading a label on on bottle of product in my hand and I think I raised my head to look at another product on an upper shelf, just before the crash. The fact that I had a "first ever" and very violent response to the Epley combined with the fact that the crash happened when I tipped my head from down to up (I think...maybe) made me wonder (after hours on the internet today) if I was having BPPV ("top shelf vertigo"). I had been tested for BPPV (Dix-Hallpike) 4 years ago and it was negative. I can do the "look up and over your shoulder test" today without getting dizzy. After finding out about Tumarkin's falls today (I had no idea), I think that is what my issue is, but still thought I would provide some background info in case it was helpful. TIA
I am sorry you experienced that but I am so glad your wife was there I am fearful of that happening while I am shopping alone.
I don't think that having one drop attack means that you will have another. I used to have them and there was never any warning or consistency. I know it's really scary and wish I could be more help. As far as I know there's really no explanation for them either. Maybe others here will offer more information. I do know that stressing about anything can make you become more symptomatic. I would keep someone close to me who knows what's going on so that you will feel more comfortable. I'm sure your congregation would be understanding of any illness.
BumbleBea when you say you used to have them did you do something to make them stop such as a VNS of Laby? Just curious. Also did you or your doctor ever restrict yourself from driving during the period you were having these drop attacks? Luckily I have never had one just violent vertigo that had waring signs it was coming.
I didn't do anything to make them stop but I did go on the antivirals. My Dr never restricted me from driving but one time I was driving and I felt that being pushed forward feeling while at a red light and man that was really scary. However it was sometimes necessary to drive kids to school so I took it really slow and stayed away from other cars. It never did happen again in the car. Over the years I think I had six altogether and never in any specific timeframe rather spaced apart. I think if you're in a cycle of spinning you shouldn't drive. It's for your safety as much as everyone else's. Can you imagine say a fender bumper and you say to the Officer, but I have Menieres? They would probably take your license away.
I'm glad the AV's are working for you. I think drop attacks would be the scariest since they come out of nowhere. I never drove when I was feeling off or knew an attack was coming. Luckily the shunt surgery has worked great so far for my left ear and the right ear has not been active.
They are scarey. No warning. As my vomiting vertigo episodes stopped happening ( whether due to managing the syndrome better, lysine, brain adjustments or nerves dying, I have no idea.) and it was just periods of unsteadiness, I began to have drop attacks. If I got away with only some bruises or scrapes, I felt lucky. I don't know how many times it happened to me. 3?5? They sort of transitioned into what I call "shove attacks", a milder form of the same thing that usually caused be to stumble a few steps before I either fell or recovered my balance. Sometimes these gave me a sprained ankle. Then they became what I call "jostle attacks", which didn't cause me to fall, just move about comically. I haven't had anything for a while. Obviously, you shouldn't be doing anything like climbing ladders, replacing a roof or going into an enclosure with a tiger. If you think it would be dangerous ( to yourself or anyone else) to fall, don't choose the activity. Otherwise, I'd give you the advice I got here. Try to live your life. It could happen to you anywhere. Try to do the things you want to do, or are meant to do, as long as you are able. It would be embarrassing if you had a drop attack during worship service, but sometimes seeing is believing. It doesn't hurt for others to know what you're dealing with. If that makes you anxious, have a plan. Having a plan for an emergency always takes away the worry beforehand and the panic afterward. If I were you, I'd probably have the organist/choir director ready with a song to buy you some time to gather your wits and assess the situation. I'd also keep a typed sermon and order of worship in an envelope in the lectern. That way, a deacon, lector or whoever could take over and finish the service. A little preparation, and a little organization, and there will still be a service. You should probably have such a plan in case you were needed to deal with somebody else's emergency, such as an elderly parishioner having a heart attack in the parking lot Sunday morning, or covering for a fellow pastor who was hospitalized or something.
I had about six or seven drop attacks which was very worrying at the time because as you say its like being hit by an express train and you don't know when it will happen. If it makes you feel any better, for me the drop attacks were the beginning of the end of my troubles. Shortly after my last drop attack I started to feel well. The drop attacks were for me the vertigo having it's last salvo and then saying goodbye.
I have had 3 drop attacks in 48 years, the first 2 I had no idea what they were, (they happened years ago and years apart) until I found these forums over a year ago. My last one was in a dental office after the procedure was done for root canal. I had just started taking antivirals. I guess the stress(I am petrified of dental work) and the position I was in during the hour long procedure caused it. I was told to increase my AV dosage under such stress. They are scary and freaky for sure.
I have had 6 drop attacks so far (hopefully no more). 2 were before I was officially diagnosed and at the time I just thought that I tripped or something. No spinning. (4-5 years ago) 1 was at work walking across the parking lot with someone and bam. Majorly scraped up and bleeding heavily but o'k. No spinning at all. (4 yrs ago) 1 was at work sitting at the computer. Pressure in my head increased suddenly and it was a corner desk and I tried to stand to go get my med and everything in my body just liquefied and I went down (luckily the chair was still behind me). Minimal spinning for a few seconds. (3 yrs ago) another at work in front of the computer. No issues or warning. WHAM it felt like someone hit me in the back (I remember actually saying "oh shit") violent spins for a couple of minutes and then done. (3 yrs ago) Last was end of Oct this year and I was sitting at our company potluck. No issues. WHAM I am sideways in my chair almost across my neighbors chair. Violent spin for about a minute. Then "fine" but about 5 minutes later a slow spin attack that lasted about 30 min after med - and major nausea. For me there has been no rhyme or reason - other than if I am walking, I always fall to the right (my good ear). Good luck. Also, for the record, I think that your congregation will understand and it could even be part of a sermon. How many of us judge someone from outward appearance but not know the whole story? Someone seeing us try to walk back to our car/room etc in the midst of an attack would think we were drunks? Some people don't "see" anything wrong with us so judge that we make things up. There is so much judgement in the world of others that it is a good reminder. Also one that while we don't know why God gave us this disease we do know that it wasn't a form of punishment (which would be easy for some to start to believe).
My first drop attack is pretty much the way you described yours. I described it as being hit by a baseball bat from behind. I never knew what hit me. I was knocked out and tore my rotator cuff. For me it was a life altering situation. I continued to have drop attacks along with what I describe as mini spins. I made an appointment at Mass Eye and Ear in Boston with one of the top OTO's in the country. He was very direct stating that drop attacks are life threatening. I share this with you not to scare you but to give you a different point of view from the posts on this topic so far. My OTO said there is no way to tell if you will ever have another one. He also stated there is no way to tell if you are in "burn out." Because I am a very active person I felt as though my life was in danger. With all the other horrible symptoms that go along with meniere's I did not need the worry of if/when I would have another drop attack. I made a decision to end the terror and selected surgery. I know this is not a choice for everyone. For me it turned out to be the best decision I could have made. Please do not take drop attacks lightly, they can lead to a terrible outcome. Please follow up with your doctor this week.
Drop attacks are a game changer as they can kill you and others especially if you are driving. The number one reason many OTO's move quickly to things such as gent, laby, vns.
This is terrifying. I used to get some warning, gradual onset vertigo. These last few months, I've a had a few brief but sudden onset spins, one that did catch my while walking - luckily in my bedroom, and I fell into the side of my bed. My most upsetting sudden onset (and not brief) one happened at work. A staff member had to walk me to my car. (I only drive 5 minutes to home). How do you cope with this Great Unknown? The anxiety, what-ifs, are mounting.
When I had my only drop attack I didn't know what Menieres was. within 3 mo. the vertigo attacks started. after a year I had gent. shot and have had no vertigo or drop since, still have all the symptons- fullness, ringing, balance problems but no drop attack or vertigo, it's been 11 yrs. now
I had two drop attacks some years ago, never again. Spoke to a Dr in the house clinic after the second one, she said many people have one or two and never have one again. I stopped driving for a few years just to be safe. These days the link on the top of my browser page leading me to this page is the last reminder I have MD... Life if 100% back to normal (minus hearing loss in my right ear and tinnitus when I remember to listen for it) Be well Be strong Chances are things will get much better S
I don't know the dose but it was very strong, I was fine for about 20 hours then it hit, if you can imagine the worst attack ever lasting about 48 hours, when it was over my vision to each side was weird, things to the side seam to bounce when my heals hit the ground while walking, this eased over time. the worst effect is my balance but I can live with that, it's not for everyone but I'm glad I did it.
I went through a period where I had several drop attacks. During that time my ear was extremely loud and I knew I was feeling quite "off" or at least more "off" than my usual. I now know that if my ear is crazy loud I'm more susceptible to a drop attack so I'm extra careful during that time.
Hi Overcoming. If it's any comfort to you I've only had one true drop attack in the 16 years I've had MM. It was about a year ago in the parking lot of the grocery store. One moment I was walking to my car and the next I was on the ground scraped up and bleeding with a man standing over me asking if I needed him to call 911 and a woman gathering up all the groceries I had dropped everywhere. Very nice people, both of them, and I was so grateful for their help and concern for me. I have what I call 'mini drops' that throw me sideways but not hard enough to knock me to the ground. I wish you well and I truly hope this one drop attack will be the only one you ever experience. All my best to you, Lulu
This topic brings back some really horrible memories. I had 4 drop attacks with-in 5 months. Each one happened sudden with no warning. The fear of hurting someone else is the final straw that actually lead me to the Laby. Dr Mattox at Emory University said that drop attacks meant that the time had come for the heavy armor. Drop attacks have killed many people and none of us want to hurt anyone else, so my decision was made easier. If you are having these attacks see your Oto Neuro and consider whatever needs to be done, double VNS, Laby, gent. Something will work for you. Good Luck Larry