Dizziness

[lola87]

I have had dizziness for about 7 days.  I went to my doctor and she said I probably have an inner ear virus. I do not have any other symptoms except sometimes I feel pressure in my ears or like they are draining from the inside.  Sometimes during the day I feel okay and then the rest of the day I am dizzy.  I have not had any vertigo just lightheadness and dizziness.  She told me to take Bonine.  Does this work?  How long does something like this last.  I am a very busy Mom and it stops me from doing anything.  I have not been back to work since this started.

Help

[lola87]

I did have intense dizziness for about 4 days.  Of course the anxiety I was feeling made it worse.  I have now been doing as much as I can and trying not to let it get to me but now I feel a lot of fatigue.  I don't understand how I can feel great one minute and then the next I want to just lay down or I feel awful.   It is not as bad as it way but I am already at day 10.   I hope this ends soon.

Thanks for answering me.

[Nancy T]

This will probably go away in a matter of days or weeks. I know that lightheadedness and dizziness are frustrating and make it VERY difficult to concentrate and go about your daily activities. But most people recover fairly quickly, if in fact it was an inner ear virus (vestibular neuritis). Usually, though, that starts with 2-3 days of intense dizziness, which doesn't sound like what happened to you.

If Bonine (which is meclizine, aka Antivert in prescription form, but it's exactly the same as the over-the-counter version in Bonine and Dramamine Less Drowsy Formula) works, go ahead and take it. It helps some people and not others. Sometimes a low dose of Valium or Xanax is prescribed for dizziness if meclizine doesn't help.

An excellent site on dizziness is Dr. Tim Hain's www.dizziness-and-balance.com. Click on the information-for-patients link.

Stay as active as you can without making your symptoms too bad. Activity helps the brain recover faster, as the sensory input from activity (moving your head, body, and eyes) helps it "compensate" for the damage by finding "ways around" it.

If you don't improve within a reasonable period, go see an ENT--if at all possible, find a neuro-otologist (also spelled neurotologist) in your area. These are ENTs with specialized training in the inner ear. See the list at the American Neurotology Society Web site (unfortunately it's not organized by state). The Vestibular Disorders Association site has state or regional lists, though less comprehensive ones.

Best of luck,
Nancy T.