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Please Help (3 Years of Severe Vertigo)

Discussion in 'Your Living Room' started by Holly, Jun 5, 2019.

  1. Holly

    Holly New Member

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    Jun 5, 2019
    Fort Worth, Texas
    Hello,

    I have been dealing with this severe vertigo for 3 years after suffering brain trauma from a fall. I have seen countless ENT's, Neurologists, and no one seems to have a clear answer. I am currently on 400mg of Topamax and it seems to give some relief so there is something in the Topamax that works but I am still suffering enough where I am not comfortable enough to drive.

    My "episodes" consist of the room spinning. Not being able to move my head at all or I vomit, ears ringing, and then brain fog afterwards. The day after is almost like a hangover. Horrible fatigue and a whooshing sound in my ears. I have horrible balance all the time and can not walk in the dark at all. I have bruises on my legs at all times from bumping into things from my balance.

    Please help me! I am 24 and just recently married. I CANNOT live like this. I am miserable. I am at my wits end. I do not know what else to do.
     
  2. Cheryl

    Cheryl Active Member

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    May 23, 2014
    Hi Holly.

    Sorry to hear what you have been dealing with.

    You need to see a neurotologist or otolaryngologist.

    A neurotologist is a board-certified otolaryngologist who provides medical and surgical care of patients with diseases that affect the ears, balance system, temporal bone, skull base, and related structures of the head and neck.

    These types of doctors are much more knowledgeable about complicated balance and ear problems than a regular ENT.
     
    • Agree Agree x 3
  3. Dario

    Dario Member

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    Apr 30, 2019
    Melbourne
    Hi Holly,

    Sounds bloody awful. I had a fall about 3 years ago which I think was my journey to being diagnosed with Meniere's also. Have you tried Betahistine? In Australia they are readily prescribed for vertigo and they help me a lot. You do need to take them everyday as they need to be in your system to work properly. I understand that they are not as common if you are in the states. First I was on 16MG called Serc and now I am on 24MG called Setear. The active ingredient is Betahistine dihydrochloride.

    See you how you go - I am very interested. They work a treat for me.

    Good luck, Dario
     
  4. June-

    June- Well-Known Member

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    May 12, 2014
    Where do you live Holly? Maybe someone can recommend a doctor in your area.

    What diagnosis have the doctors given you or rule out so far?
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  5. teesdale

    teesdale Active Member

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    Oct 24, 2014
    Holly, so sorry that you have to deal with this. You are fortunate to have found this site as there are many here who can offer advice - like Cheryl did above. You need to be vigilant and document everything you do. Please try to stay optimistic that you will find relief. Many here have.

    Wishing you good luck in your journey to regain and maintain good health!
     
    • Creative Creative x 1
  6. AnneT

    AnneT Well-Known Member

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    Alberta
    Holly
    How is your hearing? Do you have any ringing in your ears? Any sense of fullness in an ear?
     
  7. David Ash

    David Ash New Member

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    Jun 14, 2019
    Swindon UK
    Holly, sounds like hell you are going through. If you have had a fall and brain trauma has anyone recommended you see a specialist upper cervical chiropractic specialist ( need to look at either Blair or NUCCA technique)
     
  8. Rosa

    Rosa New Member

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    Jul 11, 2019
    Hi Dario,I am from Melbourne also,I done my own research and have just asked my doctor to put me on serc I was on a daly tablet that works like a diuretic the serc is taken up to 3 times a day instead of once I am worried how drowsy I will be taking together with anti nausea tablets,but great to hear you are doing well with it. I am also going to try vitamin B5 and b5
     
  9. Dario

    Dario Member

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    Apr 30, 2019
    Melbourne
    G'day fellow Melbournian :) It's bloody shit isn't it?

    So I am on Setear (1 x 24 MG per day) and it appears to be working for me. I am never 100% but I haven't had any attacks since February so it seems to me that the tablet is managing the symptoms. I am also on the B5 and B6 combo that has been suggested in earlier forums and have cut out as much salt from my diet as possible. I truly hope you find some piece with this. Let me know if you need any more tips from me.
     
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  10. Irishstu

    Irishstu Member

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    Apr 28, 2019
    Hey Dario. I have never heard of setear before....did you try Serc at all before Setear? Wondering if setear may be better?
     
  11. Dario

    Dario Member

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    Apr 30, 2019
    Melbourne
    G'day, When I was diagnosed back in March my doctor wanted to put me on 1 x 24mg tablet per day. Serc doesn't come in 24mg whereas Setear does. They are the exact same thing in terms of Betahistine but with more strength in the single dose if that makes sense.

    What are you on?
     
  12. Irishstu

    Irishstu Member

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    Apr 28, 2019
    On Serc but sometimes wonder if there is a better alternative out there. Also on JON and B5 and B6.
     
  13. Dario

    Dario Member

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    I am also on the B5 & B6 but haven't tried the JON. How much Serc do you take per day? If I ever have a wobblier day than usual I also have Stemetil to rely on but I have only had to take that very rarely - perhaps once a month. Do you still have attacks whilst on Serc?
     
  14. Irishstu

    Irishstu Member

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    Apr 28, 2019
    No attacks while on Serc just dizziness sometimes and constant tinnitus. I take 3x8mg pills evenly spread over the day.
     
  15. Dario

    Dario Member

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    Apr 30, 2019
    Melbourne
    Oh wow and how long have you been on Serc for?
     
  16. Irishstu

    Irishstu Member

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    Apr 28, 2019
    About 2 years now but i also credit JON and B5 & B6 in helping keep the spins away.
     
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