I wanted to post this as new--because I thought some might not look at the older post and it may help someone else. I don't know yet if it's going to help me, really. I've taken valium off and on over the last few years after coming down with 'Meniere's'. Really can't say it's helped! But, with this latest ongoing bad head pressure, the musical tinnitus and nausea really bad off and on, I called my neuro-ent and he told me to take 2 a day of the 2 mg. Valium for two weeks only--then to call and let him know how I'm doing. I've had everything from this to Prednisone and subsequent trips to the E.R. from it---due to elevated b/p! I've weaned off Xanax and Klonopin recently--and didn't really relish going back on a Benzo--event he low dose Valium. Today I feel the effects already--I took one tablet yesterday afternoon late--and another this morning before I got up for the day. Really feeling 'sleepy and dizzy' right now. So--we'll see how long I can continue--and if it helps or makes things worse. Just updating. I've also had the 'shunt' surgery' in 2012--and have not had 'vertigo' since then! But the dizziness and nausea comes in long spurts and is really quality of life altering as I've posted many times. Just an update and FYI!
A lot of Menieres people end up with a RX for Xanax or Valium. I hear from my doc that there are two reasons why. 1- For anxiety (duh) since the threat of a looming attack is enough to make any of us anxious. And 2- it serves as a vestibular depressant. To keep the major spells away and to calm things down generally as a sick inner ear wants to send vestibular misinformation to the brain. I still take some Xanax from time to time on a mild dizzy day....and I always carry a dissolvable one in my pocket in a pill case in case of a mega attack. For me clearly once a major attack starts if i get it in my mouth asap the magnitude and the duration of the attack is reduced. I think the key is asking "does it help?" Any drug pretty much is ok with a trial period to see if it fits. Your dose is pretty low. Caution if you get stuck on it....and it becomes long term. Not a good thing. But for now don't be too hard on yourself and you see what works for you. Take care.
Forgot to say...always remember if you are single sided there is a 100% cure with surgery. I too had a shunt and it failed. Then lost my hearing in that ear. Then laby. Got my life back for 15 years!!! Awesome. But oops then got it in my second ear. Being careful with my last ear. Now 100% deaf but that is ok since life goes on. i wonder sometimes why people suffer for a lifetime with single sided MM. Laby....boom....hearing gone but you can't have an attack unless there is vestibular misinformation....other ear compensates....all is better. Last resort measure for sure. But it works.
IMO Valium is one of the benzos given at the beginning. It's still a benzo but I've found no problem at all coming of it after years of taking it. I took it 2X a day. Sometimes I didn't need 2 so I only took one. If you're going into an attack put it under your tongue. If I'm not mistaken it gets into your blood faster. For some reason I don't get good results with Xanax. There's Ativan. I'm taking Klonipin 2X a day. Sometimes I only take it once. Some days not at all. On rare occasion I'll need 2 at one time. That was for a violent vertigo episode. As soon as you take the Valium you should experience a slight improvement because of the vestibular system. Good Luck with this.
I took ativan way way way way back for anxiety related to super ventricular tachycardia .... Seemed after taking one 10 minutes later I was on the floor. Do the benzos really work that well with vertigo attacks? when i went to dr and suggested SERC he countered with benzos... i turned him down.. I go back tomorrow is it good to have some around just in case? Maybe I will ask him for some.
Yeah no kidding scott. I swear I feel Dr's just give you something to mask whatever you think you are feeling and hope whatever you have goes away within a month on it's own. Most times if I have to go back to a DR for a second trip or third for same issue they just PUNT the ball and tell me to go to a specialist.
Well--I am having good and not so good days! Dr. said call in two weeks--I did, N.P. said he said to continue Valium for 'vertigo'==I told her I haven't had that since I had the shunt surgery 4 years ago! She said for the 'dizziness'. I told her it seems to make me more so. He said to contact my internist for my nausea issues. Soooo---I am cutting back to one a day Valium (it isn't really helping and I'm weaning off though it's only been a short time for this round. And then may just take 1/2 Xanax when needed but not like I was for awhile. I've weaned off of it--two months now--and don't want to go thru that again. But the head pressure/ not ear, but head--and the nausea 'sneak up' on me about 3 or 4 times a week and ruin my day. It's daily but not bad always, just the 3 or 4 times (and that's not good). Have to sleep awhile to get relief. Still the musical tinnitus bothering me off and on during the day--anyway--going to enjoy Christmas anyway--because it's Christmas that makes it all bearable--the true meaning of it for me and our family! Hope all of you can find some time and feel up to enjoying it too and praying we all have better health in the New Year. !!