Well, not sure if it's just a positional thing or not--sure hoping so. I've had two nights (actually wee hours of the morning) when awake--when I felt like the room was moving slightly--I can see (a bit) in the bedroom due to a nightlight. I was turned on my right side--positioned my head a bit and suddenly saw the closet and chest seemed to move slowly---of course, those of you who suffer from 'vertigo' know what I mean when I say--I just said--'no, please'!! I relaxed and then turned slowly onto my back. Felt a bit nauseated, so took a Valium (I keep it on the nightstand, just in case) and relaxed and fell asleep. Woke to feeling very lightheaded (not new for me though) and very nauseated and just really 'down' the rest of the day. Another occurrence whil sitting in my chair. Brief, but 'there'! Feeling shaky and so 'down lately' anyway due to the vestibular issues that I deal with daily. So, I know it could be BPV--I had that years ago--but much more obvious than this time. I took a Valium this morning too-just to be safe! My Neuro-ent recommends this as treatment if any such thing occurs. Of course I take Xanax anyway to deal with the anxiety of the daily stuff--so I am spacing the dose of it about 4 hours from the Valium--which so far is on one a day (2 mg.) and Xanax is 1/2 a lowest dose and I take two in a day total! I found the site Vestibular.org and it describes what many of us deal with daily--due to balance (vestibular issues) and it describes us to a 'tee'! Only vestibular rehab helps most of us--and I did that but didn't do it 3 to 5 mos. as suggested on this site. I was given exercises to do at home--and did for awhile. But stopped. Do intend to start them again. Anyway, after being 'vertigo free' for 4 years, following 'shunt surgery', this has me concerned and I am just 'sounding off' and needing support and any input anyone has. Thanks for listening--as you always do!
If it is BPPV, that will be good news, because that is so treatable with the Epley Maneuver. If this continues, since its been so long you might want to see a physical therapist to do the Epley Maneuver and make sure you have the correct side for it. I also wonder if it could be Migraine Associated Vertigo. Especially when we have a tendency to vestibular issues I think migraines can go there. I don't know how old you are, but women can get "migraine-y" as they get into menopause. I would be especially suspicious of that if you are near the ovulation or menstruation part of your cycle.
Way past the menopause cycle! In my upper 70's! I have done the Epley Maneuver--so do know how to do it and if I get this again, will try it. I tried a medication just recently for Vestibular Migraine but it caused much distress-memory issues and irritability--and anxiety--so had to discontinue. I'm hoping it's just due to the stress I've been under with day to day dizziness and adjusting to a new hearing aid--which, again I had adjusted today. I'm home now and listening to 'real things' not sure it's right even yet! Bummer!! So, we'll see. I appreciate the suggestions--thanks
I don't know if it's of any help yanks girl but my Mum recently had new hearing aids fitted and in the weeks afterwards experienced a few episodes of vertigo! I thought noooooooo, please don't let her have to experience this, let me spin instead! She felt it was something to do with the hearing aid as she said her ears had been ringing on and off since wearing them. When she rang the hospital they told her that sometimes this can happen with the new type of hearing aids and that it takes a little while for the brain to adjust. She decided to go straight back to her older non digital hearing aids (though they assured her the vertigo would only be temporary) and touch wood she hasn't spun since. This may be of no relevance to you at all, but either way I hope the horrible symptoms soon pass that you've been experiencing of late.
Keefer, thank you so much--you may be right. I have been trying the newer hearing aid and my old one--switching back and forth. And even today, after having it adjusted yesterday--I have 'felt 'awful'! Since I've worn on for two years in this ear I'm now trying a new one in--and it was digital too, I don't think it's the digital part but probably has something to do with the brain/ear trying to adjust to it. thanks for the input. I knew adjusting was really 'driving me crazy' but didn't put the part about the 'feeling like vertigo might be coming on, as part of it'! I'll see how I do in the next few days after I get adjusted--and probably have to have it adjusted yet again, because something isn't right! I will update when I do. Again--thanks for your thoughts--I think you are 'on to something'!
Another upsetting episode today, not going on! I woke up and decided to put my old hearing aid back in--it's only 2 years old. The hearing aid person--who is a very experienced one, set both the new and the old hearing aids to the same levels. I tried all day Tues and Wed. using the new one--and my voice and others sounded so unnatural and I couldn't really enjoy any type of program on TV--no matter what volume I set it on or the hearing aid on. So, this morning--I put the old one back in. Right away my own voice sounded so close to my natural voice---I could understand my husband when he talked without asking over and over --'What??' And I watched the news, etc. on TV for a long time while eating breakfast. Then after a couple of hours, my head began to feel 'alot' of pressure and a louder tinnitus going on. Since then--and it's been 3 hours now--my voice sounds unnatural and the TV and hubby's voice too! I'm so lightheaded, and have a louder tinnitus going on too. I was all set to return the new hearing aid and stick with this older one because it was so good this morning. I really feel like something is now affecting my right side (good ear side) and that is what's going on. So to say I'm discouraged, is an understatement. The hearing is just so poor in sound and quality right now after such a good 3 hours this morning. Has anyone else had this happen to them? I know Keefer said his Mom had a problem and the brain was adjusting--and I think that makes sense, but since mine was 'so good' this morning, I don't understand this at all. Need to rest--really 'down' right now!
Sorry to hear you're experiencing all of these horrible problems yanksgirl. I've just been googling about your problems and sadly it seems ear pressure, tinnitus, dizziness etc are often all part of getting used to a new hearing aid. I'm assuming you probably know all that anyway, but the articles I read also say that it often takes a good few weeks to adjust to them, and to start with just wearing them for a few hours a day in a quiet room so you can gradually adjust. I was just wondering if perhaps you've been changing too much and too quickly between different hearing aids without your ears /brain being given ample time to adjust??? If that's the case then I imagine it could make any existing symptoms worse as it would probably be quite confusing for the brain! This could make your good ear 'act up' I assume you know about the possible 'occlusion effect' of hearing aids (which I have just been reading about) which can make your ears feel pressured and voices to sound unnatural? Sorry if you already know all of this and I just hope you find some relief soon!
I had heard that when one's own voice was too loud, it meant 'occlusion'. I need to investigate further it seems. I did call the doctor's office because I've had these other symptoms of feeling soooo light headed, nausea and my head feeling like the brain inside was moving--weird--but that's how it used to feel when I had vertigo. So, I was and am fearful that the Meniere's might be spreading to the other ear. I do know it takes adjusting to hearing aids. I wore the new one--first time around for an entire week--never did hear well. Then decided to try the older one--and it worked better--but still not so well. As I said earlier, just got them readjusted (both the same levels) and the new one caused me to hear everything distorted for 2 days. I've never had that trouble before! When I first started wearing an aid in my good ear, it was only a few days when I got to where I could hear really well with it. Then later this morning the awful head pressure, nausea and just feeling awful began and the tinnitus got bad, and I couldn't understand TV, even turned up loud--it had feedback like static with news programs and just normal programs. And, I couldn't understand my husband without him repeating himself--and he was sitting next to me. This alarmed me enough to call the doctor. He had his nurse call me and told me to take 2 Valium daily and then call him in 2 weeks if no improvement and he'd see me. So, we'll see. In the meantime I'll try to stick to one aid and see if any improvement occurs. Thanks again--you have been very helpful.
It's all a bit of a pig isn't it yanksgirl lol. If it was me I would just forget all about the hearing aids for 3 weeks - throw them up against the wall, put them in the microwave for 3 minutes then put them in a box and bury them in the garden They are causing you nothing but stress at the moment, which is probably making your symptoms worse. If after 3 weeks the symptoms you are currently experiencing improve/go away then there's a good chance it's the hearing aids that triggered them, then you can put all your energy in to solving the hearing aid problem. If after 3 weeks your symptoms are the same then it would warrant a different line of investigation. Bit black and white I know, but if it was me I would definitely want to rule out the hearing aids as a cause/trigger, especially as these syptoms started around the same time as the hearing aid problems (if I recall correctly!).
LOL! If I don't wear them 'at all' I really am pretty 'cut off' from the world. So, though I find your suggestion 'tempting' and even funny--I do need to hear--even if it's distorted. Today the older one is not too bad--but not good like yesterday morning. So far my head is not bad either--but it's not noon yet So, am taking it a day at a time--will see how I feel taking this Valium 2 times a day as the doctor ordered. Will let you know how it goes. Thanks for your suggestions. The Microwave one especially--
Yanksgirl, taking valium 2x's a day? That seems too much. Some doctors rather Tranquilize then fix the problem. Maybe Give the hearing aid a break till it subsides Then try again , if it continues tell him when you Return . I wouldn't take valium unless You have vertigo I take every time I come close But it's very addictive takes a while to Get out of your system . feel better
Thanks Lisa--My doctor definitely recommends the Valium for the treatment of vertigo symptoms or I should say to prevent them and/or treat them if they occur. He did surgery on my ear--a shunt surgery in 2012 and no vertigo since then. I have one ear affected with only a bit of hearing left. I wear aids in both ears as a result of Meniere's. I never have taken Valium for long periods. Just when symptoms arose to either quiet them or stop the vertigo--when I had it. He said it was originally started as a treatment for inner ear disorders--in the low dose of 2 grams--and in the 80's was increased to 5 grams to treat anxiety, etc. He is one of the top Meniere's docs in this part of the country--so I do trust him, just don't always agree with him. He has helped me alot--but I still have too many symptoms to be happy with where I am and it concerns me it might be going to the other ear. I see him or talk to him in two weeks after trying the Valium. Will update you then. Thanks for you input--appreciate it.
Glad to see the shunt surgery worked, Are you in the ny area? I ask bc of Your user name (Yanksgirl)if so can you Message me the name of your doctor. I have an excellent dr and top doctor surgeon, but sometimes Think a Mm specialist is the way to Go since this disease is not so common. Thanks so much stay well