Vertigo anyone?

[Citizen T]

Hello, I have had some sort of issue with vertigo for over 5 years, and have had a normal brain MRI as recently as a year ago.   However, of late, my vertigo is changing from occasional positional vertigo (worse when laying down) to vertigo that is relatively mild but constant 24/7 vertigo that makes me feel like I'm rocking on a boat or falling over.  It is worse when sitting still and improves when I get up and walk around.    The way my vertigo is now, it is generally not made worse by position changes, it is made worse by sitting still.    Can anyone say what this may be?  Do I need a new MRI?   I am a 32 yr old male

[victoria_1066]

Have you ever done research on Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)?
In Australia it is treated by specialist physiotherapist.
4 Sessions and I was back in control of my life! Absolutely amazing.
Good luck.

[RadioAstronomyObserver]

  I lost a few stars so I have to chime in here with my usual rants to claim back those stars...

  balance (virtigo) problems are, as both have suggested in one form or other, inner ear problems.  Many with inner ear problems are misdiagnosed as having one problem over another since many inner ear problems are very similar. One regular misdiagnosis ends up being Semicircular Canal Dehiscence.  But then, for all I know, it could very well be nothing more than an ingrown toe nail, I just need more stars... ;-)

[Londres70]

I have similar symptoms.  It all started with positional VERTIGO, to rotational VERTIGO, to a push-pull sensation,  to lastly this rocking/bobbing sensation when I am sitting or still and dysequilibrium when I am walking/moving frequently.  I was diagnosed by a NEUROLOGIST and he stated this was from unresolved labyrinthitis ORIGINATING from my inner ear.  I also had ENT/Vestibular testing that showed something going on with the left ear; the ENT SPECIALIST also agreed the problem was originating from my inner ear.    

So, I think you had something inner ear and are left with the residual of this rocking 24/7.  

My physicians do use the word VERTIGO when I told them I was have the rocking/bobbing sensation.  They considered it a type of vertigo.  So, I would have to disagree with ENTMD.  

My recommendation would be to follow up with a Neurologist specialized in balance disorders and/or an Otoneurologist not a general ENT Specialist unless he/she is specialized in balance disorders.  

[Nancy T]

Could possibly be some version of migraine-associated dizziness. Just one thing to consider. If the ENT cannot help you, consider finding a neurologist who specializes in dizziness.

[ENTMD]

I don't think you need a new MRI.  If you were normal 1 year ago, that would not be my first course of action.

First off, one must wonder whether this is vertigo or dysequilibrium/imbalance.  The former is commonly related to the inner ear, the latter is commonly not.  Vertigo is characterized as intense feelings of spinning, commonly associated with nausea and vomiting, while dysequilibrium or imbalance is characterized as usually a chronic sensation of feeling like one is on a boat, tipping, or listing.  Nausea and vomiting is not typical of this.  

Tests that can help distinguish these include VNG (vestibulonystagmography), CDP (computed dynamic posturography) and rotary chair testing.  An ENT specialist or Neurologist may use these tools to help make this distinction.  

The list of possible things that can cause one to feel the way you do is very, very long.  And speculation is not very useful without more information.