vertigo, allergies & pregnancy

[ccortes]

I am 29 weeks pregnant and have been suffering from vertigo for about the last month.  It took forever for the doctors to figure out what was going on with me -- they thought I was dehydrated at first -- and now that they have, they've basically told me just to wait it out.  I was in the ER the other night and they said they think the vertigo is being caused by a viral infection in my inner ear (but aren't sure).  I think I have fluid in my ear from allergies.  Does anyone know of anything safe I can do while pregnant that would help lessen the extreme dizziness I've been having, or make it go away?  I've never had this problem before when I have allergies, and since I'm pregnant it makes me really scared because (1) I never know when it will happen and (2) I'm worried I may fall.  Any suggestions?


This discussion is related to Vertigo from allergies question.

[Victoireh]

I have suffered on and off with vertigo for years, as a result of one bad case of labyrinthitis. I've been given exercises to do that help the brain adapt faster to all of the confusing signals  it's receiving. Here are some you can do:

(1) while sitting, move your head side to side, then stop when looking straight forward and allow the brain to adjust to what it is seeing. Then move your head up and down (look at ceiling then down to your chin). Again stop when you are looking straight ahead. Do this a few times in a row  and repeat it a couple of times per day.

(2) While standing (be careful as you are pregnant), lift one foot off the ground and balance on the other foot. When  you are comfortable, do this now with your eyes closed. If things are off with your balance due to vertigo, you will find this hard to do. Switch legs that you are standing on and repeat the same as before

(3) This one is also tricky to do, so maybe have someone around to help you do it. Walk with one foot in front of the other. Not wide strides, but heal to toe. When comfortable try doing it with your eyes closed. Repeat this a few times and again try to do it a couple of time per day.

The exercises aren't fun to do, but they will help retrain the brain faster. The more you lie still, the longer the process will take. You will have to force yourself to move around regularly. (with rest in between of course). Eventually the vertigo will leave. I find that a lot of stress also exacerbates it for me, so I have to be careful to not push myself to the point of getting vertigo. I do take Gravol, if I do feel a bit light headed/spinny that doesn't seem to go.

[Denise136]

Hi there
I have the same condition and discovered that my vertigo is an allergic reaction to a multi-vitamin supplement that is often prescribed for pregnant women - DS 24.
Hope this helps.