Hi, I am new to this forum, actually any MD forum. I have suffered with this disease since 2009. Vertigo was very random at first, I actually went 6 years between severe, violent vertigo attacks. However I suffered most of the other symptoms during this time.....brain fog, dizzy feeling, tinnitus, anxiety, etc. I took different meds, Serc, nothing really helped. I saw ENTs, specialists and a battery of tests over the years. Then last Feb, 2015 the symptoms got progressively worse and then I had 4 vertigo attacks in a matter of a month. It was hell. During this time I spent hours online researching and began JOH regime in May of 2015, along with 1000 valtrex a day, and sturgeon, vertigoheel, and a bunch of other regular vitamins, and the Serc that took all along. Within a month I was much better. The tinnitus went away after years. The ringing did come back in the fall but was manageable. This lasted until 2 weeks when the brain fog came back and worse tinnitus. Then 3 days ago I walked in house and had a violent vertigo attack fall. I broke my wrist and suffered a bad concussion. To say I was terrified is an understatement. I had to call my ex wife to come take to the hospital. I do not know why this happened when I wa doing well. The only thing different in my regime is lowered the lysine from 3000mg a day to a 1000 2 months ago. I have amped that back up to 4500mg a day, beginning yesterday. I am wondering if I should also be taking more than 1000 mg a day of Valtrex. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Travis Note: I posted message originally on another posting but thought I would send it out as a new thread. I had one suggestion to increase the Valtrex. Thanks
Sorry that you are here but a great place to be for ideas and support. If the full blown vertigo attacks returned ( I have been vertigo free for 7 years ) I would obtain antivirals even if I had to travel. I'm unsure of the dose but sounds a bit low to me. Somebody will come along with the right dosage. Have you considered that you may have MAV or Mav in addition to menieres. All the symptoms you have had were the same as myself. You could spend £10 or whatever the $ equivalent is and purchase Heal Your Headache by David Buchholz. Don't be put off by the title you don't need to have headaches to have migraine and vertigo. For such a small investment you could gain alot
Definitely increase the Valtrex to 3000 mg a day. Then when vertigo is under control try reducing to 2000 mg. If symptoms return go back to 3000 mg and try decreasing again when you feel you can w/o symptoms returning. Do this until you find the lowest dose without symptoms and that will be your maintenance dose. Usually the maintenance dose is 1000 mg but some find they need 2000 mg or 1500 mg. Also during times of stress, fatigue, illness, allergies, anything that weakens your immune system, increase your dose until the situation passes. I have been symptom free except for mild tinnitus for over 3 years being on an antiviral. Good luck and keep us posted.
I agree with jaypr look into MAV aka vestibular migraines (headaches not required) many of us with MM have MAV as well and many people are misdiagnosed with MM when they really have MAV look over these 2 threads when you can that pertain to MAV http://menieres.org/talk/index.php?topic=1356.0 http://menieres.org/talk/index.php?topic=32.0
Travis, you have been given great advice from jaypr and Vicki. If MAV might be an issue for you, consider that what you are eating may be causing you grief. I am in the process of discovering if I have MAV and my doc has suggested staying away from MSG. Sorry you are struggling, but you will find lots of help here. Maggie
Thank you for the comments. I have literally spent hours the last few days looking at old postings on the forum. I find this incredible urge to research on this condition, which is what I did last year before I entered 8 months of remission. I will look at the MAV. I hope to be a contributing member to the forum. Travis
Question for members: Can others stop their violent vertigo attacks by staring at an object 18 inches away from their eyes? It is difficult to concentrate but I can do this typically within 30 seconds. I then am totally wiped and extremely nauseous and need to ly down for many hours without moving my head.
When I'm experiencing severe vertigo I lay in bed on my "good" ear and focus on a door knob or something. I can't close my eyes as that makes it worse so I just stare at an object for as long as possible. Certainly doesnt't stop the vertigo but I think it helps stabilize me.
Do you get a warning the vertigo is going to start Sharon? I do not get any warning....it comes from out of nowhere.
It depends. If I'm having BPPV then no, there is no warning. I spin hard for several seconds and then usually feel off balance and extremely dizzy for a few hours. Other times I will just start feeling extremely lightheaded and dizzy and will know I'm going to have an attack. Fortunately, these attacks are fewer and less severe since I've been on AVs but I'm one who has not gotten the wonderful results from AVs that others enjoy. I still have daily light dizziness, ear fullness and tinnitus. I'm exploring the MAV theory for that presently. There are several very helpful and experienced people on this forum who can and will help you. I am still searching for my answers and am so thankful for this group.
when I used to get vertigo attacks before I started antivirals, I had very clear warning signs, I am not sure everyone does though. A few days before one was coming, My tinnitus would start to get crazy loud, when I walked now and then I would feel like I am on an high speed elevator, hard to explain, but like my body felt like goes up and down but ofc it wasn't it just felt like it. I would be nauseas for a few days before and as I would fall asleep I would feel like I am falling and get those brain zaps. when these would happen I knew what was coming Just thinking about it gives me a shudder
The severe, fast, don't know if I'm up or down spins are usually less than 30 seconds with BPPV but like I said I am then left with the all over dizziness requiring me to remain perfectly still, staring at the wall for up to several hours. Other mm attacks I get severe dizziness but I usually know it's coming. Not days like Vicki explained, but some advance warning. Each of us have some very similar symptoms yet we all seem to react differently as well. I think that's part of why we respond differently to the various treatments.
Instead of focusing on an object try a dar, preferably black, put that over yours so no color shows through. This way you can keep your eyes open until you feel comfortable enough to close them. It's a small thing I offer you but it has helped me. Good luck to you and welcome.
tdoak - first I agree that when active a higher dose of valtrex is better. Also, one thing to mention, I had issues when my prescription was filled (generic) with a different manufacturer. Within a couple of days all my symptoms returned and I fet like vertigo was just around the corner. If you can, maybe check to see if your pharmacy has changed the manufacturer they use for the generic valtrex (assuming of course you are on the generic). And to answer your other question, absolutely not for me. When the vertigo attack hits and the room is spinning, although I stare at the one place to "minimize" the rush to puking, the only thing that shortens the attack is the ativan.
Hi Travis, As you know I am a newbie too. And similar symptoms. One question I have is - have you tried doing The Epley Manoever? I have learnt to do it on my own at home and have been doing it as a preventive measure, almost daily. If you need some tips on how to do it let me know and I can pm them to you. best regards,,,,,,,
Hi Jen, I have tired it over the years but not sure it helped. I did not having a vertical attack when I did it. You mention you do maneuver as a preventative measure....I have not heard of that before. Do you think it can help prevent future attacksZ.
Well I cant say for sure it will help. I do know that when my husband has tried to do the Epley during the attack it becomes worse. But sometimes I find that doing the Epley has given me a few days break. Strangely tonight though I could feel a vertigo attack about to happen, and it was cut short. Probably because I've started the JHN regime?
Jen, Are you saying you and your husband do the Epley for episodes of BPPV or an actual MM vertigo attack?