Just awful head pressure lately and dizzy/nausea filled days. Sounding off!! :(

Just needed to 'sound off' again. For some reason, my head pressure (not ear) but upper portion of my head has such pressure. I am really nauseated, anxious--etc. This can be mild to severe and the past few weeks I have quite a few 'severe' days of it!
Saw my Ent and he asks me to explain it and he said, the 'Valium' really probably won't help this--but I asked him about it so he prescribed it again. He has had me on it off and on back when I had vertigo. Since my shunt surgery, I've tried it occasionally for this but it just does 'no good'! Even Dr. Gacek--in answering my email, said to stop the anti-virals as they weren't helping me. I do believe they help those who still suffer from Vertigo--I don't, since my shunt surgery in 2012. But---It old my ent, I feel 'so close' to vertigo with this that it's nerve wracking--so take Xanax to help with anxiety. He said that was ok if it helps me. My primary prescribes that. Only when I sit back or lie down, does this ease, and sometime have to take a Zofran for nausea--but even that didn't help much yesterday. I dont' 'throw up' just feel like I need to--miserable feeling. Balance is not good, but I manage without a cane, etc. I focus on 'certain points' when walking to keep from wobbling and if I turn quickly it can make me feel off balance. Also, If I just 'touch' something as I walk--or hold my husbands arm/hand, I do fine.
Anyway, I asked about going back to see a Neurologist to see if possibly anything else was going on, and my ent said he would probably give me a 'migraine type' med--as I know I have MAV without the vertigo, and tried meds for that from one in the past. He said any of those meds will just add to my symptoms. So, he said, 'keep doing what you are doing to keep on keeping on, and that is the best you can do--hopefully symptoms will ease from time to time'! No fun--I know you guys understand. Thanks for listening. It does help me to get out--even when I feel badly. Sometimes I just can't if nausea is too bad, but if it's only the dizziness/pressure, I get my mind busy and that helps. Hope you all are finding ways to help with your many issues too.

 

Thanks Nicky--no fun for sure. Did try 1/2 a meclizine this afternoon and slept about 45 mins. Now I just feel 'drugged' but heading out shortly for awhile. Hoping being with people will help--sometimes does, sometimes not. At least the nausea is ok right now.

 

Thanks--helps to know folks here understand!

 

Well, yesterday things eased some and all I dealt with really was the daily head pressure and dizziness that was tolerable. Then we headed out to dinner with friends--and I did ok, and went to their home afterward to play domino's--and I sat where I was turning my head to the left frequently, and right away, I suddenly got this awful feeling like my 'brain was moving' and bad pressure in the left side of my head especially. That is the affected side. My hearing just shut down (I have a hearing aid which enables me to hear but only a slight bit more in that ear) and I felt so shaky when it happened. I thought I was going to have to leave the table. Kept playing and leaned over, told my husband and he said, 'that's why we always come in our own car', and though I know he understands, I sort of felt like it 'gets to him' sometimes. I was a bit edgy having to concentrate--and tried not to let it show and after about 30 mins. I actually began to feel the pressure easing some. Managed to get through the game and enjoyed being with friends. But--the whole thing of finally going and looking forward to it and having that happen sort of 'messed with my mind'! I know folks here understand. This morning I am dizzy--no nausea, so praying it's a good day again. Oh, I forgot to mention---I took 1/2 a meclizine as soon as it happened, even though I knew I'd get very tired--sleepy--but I do think that helped clear it up some. I was really sleepy by the time we got home, and I had time to relax and get to bed. I carry it with me always, but rarely take it--and am so glad I did last night.

 

Thank you, Linda. Yes, this really is difficult to live with. It doesn't show--at least outwardly! I find myself more irritable and have trouble with thought processes when this is really bad. But, by outside, you know what I mean. Folks just think you are having a feeling of lightheadedness and/or walk a bit unsteady and don't realize how quality of life altering this can be. This board allows us to 'share' how we feel and know that folks understand. Thank you for your prayers. And I will pray for you too.

 

Thanks everyone! I know we'd all like to 'not belong to this club'! Certainly not on the 'bucket list' of things 'to do' during our lifetime.
But--since we are dealing with it--knowing others who have this and are carrying on the best they can and sharing any helpful words and even suggestions for treatment that could help--well, that means alot. We'll get thru this--with the love, support and prayers of our friends here and for most of us--hopefully all of us, our friends and family.

 

Jade--I'm 77 and have been dealing with this for 7 years, 4 years ago developed the vertigo--up until then it was hearing loss, dizzy feeling, nausea--then 'wham' came the vertigo. Had the shunt surgery in 2012 and no vertigo but have daily on a scale of 1-10, most days are between a 4 and 8 on the scale of nausea, head pressure and feeling soooo dizzy! Making anxiety a real issue. The good thing is 'no vertigo' but the feeling one has when it's 'about to happen'! Makes doing things you enjoy 'not so enjoyable' and the quality of life seriously hampered! These past few weeks have been a challenge. I feel dizzy a short time after I'm up in the morning, and the nausea comes and goes and I try to keep going--and do-but where sitting back and relaxing used to calm things down for awhile, seems even that isn't helping much. As soon as I'm up and about, it's 'there' again'! Dr. says nothing more to offer, just keep doing whatever I'm doing to deal with it. Do hope you get some relief and that vertigo doesn't happen to you. I take Xanax for the anxiety. Even wonder if it adds to my symptoms but could not face some days due to all this without it. I don't take large doses, just enough to 'get by'. Hang in there.