I have previously talked about what triggers my dizzy spells: walking up stairs, entering dark rooms, etc. Well I have a new one. Went to a Outback yesterday for a friends birthday party and had to sneeze several times. I went to the men's room and blew my nose, and proceed to loose all balance. I literally came close to falling face down. Terrible dizziness that lasted about three minutes, until I stood up after falling on my knees and got control. Have any of you ever experienced this? It was scary and several people in the restroom looked at me like I was drunk or on drugs. It was as if someone took my legs away and I was falling. Then I had the realization that I have been concentrating too much on the length of vertigo, and not the severity of it. I keep thinking that I am doing so well, not having many long term vertigo spells and then thought of what could have happened if I hit that concrete floor face first or god help me and others, if I were driving. I made a decision yesterday. I took my first dosage of Valtrex and will start the regiment. I am scared but moving forward. I think I did read about "drop attacks." I think this is what I experienced but not sure. A most horrible experience. Strangely, I did not get nauseated, only disoriented. My sister told me that I blow my nose to violently....perhaps this caused it.
Seriously, Jimmy, what you described sounds like you have a perilymph fistula. I posted a link about it awhile back. Were you able to read the article? Have you and your doctor discussed the possibility? I really think it would be worth looking into. It doesn't really sound like you had a drop attack. Drop attacks are not accompanied by vertigo or dizziness. People describe a drop attack as feeling as if you're violently whacked with a two by four and slammed to the ground. Good to hear you've started the Valtrex. If it's Meniere's you're dealing with, it could be your answer. I hope after your episode you were able to compose yourself and rejoin the birthday party. Inner ear disorders have a way of taking the fun out of everything.
I agree with Cheryl. This sounds very much like a PLF or SCD. They can often by repaired, although the success rate is only about 50% (this is largely due to patients not following post-op procedures very well). It's pretty each to test for both of these things. The valtrex might not do anything for you in this case, but it's worth a shot if it's viral related.
I agree with Cheryl that this was probably not a drop attack although they can occur when experiencing vertigo. My one and only drop attack occurred when I was on my hands and knees vomiting into the toilet from violent vertigo. All of the sudden it felt like the center of the earth was trying to suck me right through my bathroom floor. Like gravity or a super magnet. It's hard to explain but you go from upright to flat on your face in less than an instant. Please follow up on the advice here. It sounds like Cheryl and Scott Tom are very confident in the PLF possibility.
Jimmy, that is breakthrough information - Perilymph Fistula can be the root cause in your case (and maybe for some others as well!). "My sister told me that I blow my nose to violently....perhaps this caused it. " - yes I agree with you. Since this is a leak of the fluid, the "hole / fissure" needs to be filled. I would search for the best doctor who can treat Perilymph Fistula. Good luck to you
Yes, I mentioned these illnesses to my Neurotologist, and she keeps coming back with the hydrops diagnosis because of my other symptoms. I did get a diagnosis from her two months ago, of "likely complications from Meniere's disease." That is now the second diagnosis I have had that used the term, "likely Meniere's." Welcome to the twilight zone of unsure diagnoses. It is like I just cannot be placed in any one category since my vertigo incidents have been few and short lived. She told me not to concentrate on the precise definition of the disease, but in controlling the effects. So far, reducing salt, caffeine, diet sodas, and sugar [and of course steroids] have not helped. Hopefully the anti-virals will. I am going to the Emory hearing clinic in September, perhaps they can do something for me and take a different approach. Sometimes I am so amazed that modern medicine seems pretty much helpless when dealing with diseases of the ear.
That is why I would suggest searching experts to treat Perilymph Fistula. I would forget the doctor you've seeing today and seek a Perilymph Fistula expert. It is nothing wrong to seek a second or third opinion especially for the disease of unknown cause like Meniere's. Perilymph Fistula looks like a great imposter and many neurotologist misdiagnoses it to others. Like TMJD, Meniere's have many mimic symptoms to other diseases and that's a part of the difficulty. By the way, just wondering if you have enough sleep when I see the time stamp. Seven to nine hours of sleeping is recommended to heal the body.
This is just my opinion, but that is terrible advice from a doctor. If you can find the cause, why treat the symptoms?? If the cause is PLF, then don't expect any relief from antivirals unless the PLF is being caused by a virus. Try the Tampa Bay Hearing clinic if you're on the east coast. They are really open-minded and excellent.
Btw, if you stick your finger in your ear, create a vacuum, and then "pop" it out, does that do anything? Don't do it to yourself, as that may cause damage. I was just wondering if you had done that before and noticed anything. There is an easy 10-second test for PLF that any ENT should know about. You may not want to do that test at home.
Hiro, I recently retired and stay up pretty late at night, but I do get at least 8 hours of sleep. I don't think it is good for me to go to bed at 5 in the morning at get up at 2pm. It is depressing to miss most of the day. I am going to try and change this. Strangely upon the onset of this illness, I can sleep over 12 hours a night....a huge shift in what I use to get. Scott Tom, I have done many strange things to my ears to get them to work again. I hold my nose and blow for pressure. I stick my finger in my ear, tap the side of my face, rotate my jaw etc. Nothing helps. I know--pretty crazy behavior. My Neurotologist gave me these nasal steroid rinses that require pressurization and then blowing the nose--no effect other than making my sinuses feel good for a while. I can do a good whistle through the hole in my left ear.