Off Balance & Dizziness

[Lottida]

Just wandering if anyone is having constant issues with off balance/dizziness and if so what meds/things help to resolve?  MD told me yesterday no driving unitl free of dizziness for 48hrs (have never been episode free for the last 5 weeks)........starting to get concerned that my life will always be in a fog since I constantly feel like I had 1 too many alcoholic drinks(haven't had alcohol in months)!!!!

I have taken Dramamine in the past which works, but ENT told me not good to take unless dizziness is so bad that I'm close to vomiting.  Any suggestions on meds or things I can do to make this go away??  ENT started Klonopin, but all that did is knock me out at night to sleep.  So I made the decision to stop taking it 3 days ago........made no difference in my symptoms.  Would appreciate any info that has worked for others in the past!!!!!

BTW thanks to all who post on this forum..........I have learned more here than probably anywhere on the internet!!

[Lottida]

Thanks bamagirl40!!  I actually have appt to see Dr. Scott Soleau on Wednesday of this week.  How extensive is your herniation and do you have CSF flow problem?  Did Dr. Soleau send you for more testing??

[Bamagirl40]

I too have dealt with the same thing you are experiencing.  I can't work, can't drive, and am awaiting surgery, possibly.  My symptoms outweigh everything, if that makes since.  I am not sure if you've seen anyone in LA for it but in Baton Rouge, I have seen Dr. Rahul Mehta at the Hearing and Balance center and found out it's all related to the Chiari and not inner ear problems.  I also have been seeing a Chiari specialist dr. Scott Soleau at the NeuroMedical Center.  He is a very good doctor, but I'm still in the first stages of seeing him.  Good luck and I hope things get better.  

[0224]

Make sure when you have the surgery that they specialize in chiari.  They will tell you that it isn't a guarantee that the symptoms will go away after surgery. The pressure at the base if the head does happen with chiari. I hope things go well with you. Are you having surgery?

[Lottida]

I live in Louisiana and am a registered nurse (Home Health).   Really worried that I may have to make a job change if symptoms don't go away. Don't really feel safe driving this way.  Dizziness is not 24/7, but does occur daily along with constant off balance feeling.  I also have this pulsating wind noise in my right ear that ENT said may never go away.  My dizziness & blurred vision worsen with migraines.  

Also is the constant pressure feeling at base of skull & back of head normal for Chiari??  Muscle tension to posterior neck down to inner shoulder blades also is quite frustrating!!  Thanks for the responses & appreciate any feedback that anyone can provide.  

[selmaS]

  Hi...I never took meds for it once I had my DX of Chiari...yrs ago I was given antivert....but it was no help.....and at the time thought my dizziness was more from another med I was on....

I also noticed mine was coming in cycles so I had flares of vertigo and dizziness as well as pain....and one episode of vertigo lasted 2 weeks...I found as long as I did not turn to my left I felt better ...but to get things on the left side of my desk I had to turn right and get out of my chair and walk to the left side of my desk....this looked ridiculous  and wasted time....but I had to other wise it felt like I could vomit and pass out  and I did not want that to happen at work....

I also did not have immediate relief post op...but it time mine did get better...it is rare that I have an issue anymore....but I am going on being 6 yrs post op.

[0224]

I do have dizziness and balance problems post decompression I'm 4 1/2 months post surgery. It is better than before surgery but is still there. I have never taken meds for it. I'm a dental hygienist so it can be very difficult to work. When I get the symptoms I feel spacey and brain fog. I wish things were better surgery is not a cure. Where do you live?