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Severe vertigo ? labyrinthitis
My wife, who is 56, has had left sided BPPV for years which caused episodes of vertigo. In 2000 she was diagnosed with bilateral BPPV. She was given the Epley Manoeuvre but this caused extremely severe vertigo, so severe that she was unable to walk and had to go home by ambulance car. The ENT surgeon had never seen anyone so ill after an Epley. She tried VRT exercises but they did not help. In 2002 she had balance testing and posterior canal plugging to the left side. Since then she has not had any major problems until 7 weeks ago when she woke up with the symptoms of labyrinthitis which are still present today. These include:
SEVERE sensations of constant movement (vertigo) and rotation
Nausea which causes retching but not vomiting
Night sweats, usually 3 times per night
Frequent blinking of the eyes when the vertigo is most severe
Moving images on a TV screen make the vertigo worse
Her GP has prescribed the following (UK drug names):
Betahistine/Serc 16mg three times a day,
Stugeron/Cinnarazine 15mg three times a day
Cyclizine 50mg twice a day
He has also prescribed Buspirone 5mg one a day for anxiety. However, she has only taken one dose as it made her feel much worse - its side effects include sickness and dizziness.
Her GP has made a referral to an ENT specialist, we are waiting for an appointment.
The above medication has not relieved her symptoms, she can’t tolerate this constant severe vertigo, she is DESPERATE for some relief. Is there anything she or I can try to relieve the vertigo?
SEVERE sensations of constant movement (vertigo) and rotation
Nausea which causes retching but not vomiting
Night sweats, usually 3 times per night
Frequent blinking of the eyes when the vertigo is most severe
Moving images on a TV screen make the vertigo worse
Her GP has prescribed the following (UK drug names):
Betahistine/Serc 16mg three times a day,
Stugeron/Cinnarazine 15mg three times a day
Cyclizine 50mg twice a day
He has also prescribed Buspirone 5mg one a day for anxiety. However, she has only taken one dose as it made her feel much worse - its side effects include sickness and dizziness.
Her GP has made a referral to an ENT specialist, we are waiting for an appointment.
The above medication has not relieved her symptoms, she can’t tolerate this constant severe vertigo, she is DESPERATE for some relief. Is there anything she or I can try to relieve the vertigo?
Hi, thank you for your reply which I have shown to my wife who appreciates you taking the trouble. She also has tinnitus but I didn't mention it because compared with the other symptoms it is minor and does not bother her. She hasn't got a problem with her blood pressure, we don't add salt to anything and she has cut caffeine out. She has to sleep propped up by lots of pillows, and if she slips down this provokes vertigo. She can't tilt her head to the side for ear drops for the same reason. She dreads visits to the dentist because they insist on tilting her right back which provokes vertigo. This has been the case for years, nothing to do with this latest flare-up that seems to be labyrinthitis. Best wishes.
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I am surprised that an ENT was not consulted even prior to this point. I have the exact same condition with these differences. Moving from a light to dark area is an additional trigger and I have severe tinnitus which changes prior to an event (from mostly high pitch ringing to additional low frequency noise...like the sound of a helicopter). For me I have had all the medication, VRE, C-Scan, MRI, and every test known. I am consider, highly likely for Meniere's syndrome, which is not really a diagnosis. Additionally, I have been on a low salt, zero caffeine diet and have been given hydrochlorothiazide (water reduction and high blood pressure medication...my BP is moderatley high but now in control). The net result is that I still have episodes but they are less intense, yet just as frequent. I have eliminated all meds except the HCT and cyclizine (which I am taking less frequently) and I have stabilized at what I currently feel is a manageable state. One trick I have learned is to stay focused at long distances when I am in the episode. I hope you and your wife find an answer that fits her. I make sure I still take may daily walks but I just carry a walking stick and always have a mobile phone with me. Good day to you sir.