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Vertigo

The TVClubHouse: General Discussion ARCHIVES: 2006 Mar. ~ 2006 May: Vertigo users admin

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Sewmommy
Member

07-06-2004

Monday, July 11, 2005 - 6:18 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sewmommy a private message Print Post    
Well, I have been dealing with some mild vertigo for the last 9 days. This meaning that even while sitting still I will feel like I just stood up too quickly. It is getting rather annoying to tell you the truth. I finally went to the dr today and she is the one who finally clued me in to it. She told me to get meclizine for the lightheadedness and to go on a low sodium diet to get all the extra salt out of my system.
Now have any of you ever dealt with this non-positional vertigo? Any thing else from a personal experience that can help? How long did you deal with it?
Ok, small whine too, low sodium stinks. I don't add salt to my food, but I have never paid too much attention to how much I was eating. It sure does make food taste good.

Lumbele
Member

07-12-2002

Monday, July 11, 2005 - 6:26 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lumbele a private message Print Post    
Sewmommy, I had vertigo due to a viral ear infection a few months ago. There was nothing they could do for that. Got some pills (sorry, don't remember the name) which didn't help much. Neither did the Gravol (Dramamine in the States, I think), so I stayed in the save horizontal as much as possible or hugged the walls a lot for a good 3 weeks.
Hope Nino sees this, because she has a lot more experience with vertigo than I do.
Sorry, I am no help at all, am I?


Tess
Member

04-13-2001

Monday, July 11, 2005 - 6:57 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Tess a private message Print Post    
Sewmommy, I had it for awhile many years ago and it turned out to be Viral Labrynthitis. There wasn't anything they could do and I couldn't even lift my head from my pillow. It had to do with a viral infection in th inner ear (like Lumbele's) though there was no ear pain.

Now I get it all the time but I've got Menniere's disease. I would check back with your doctor if this persists. The docs never mentioned going low sodium to help the vertigo.

Come to think of it, I don't think I was much help either other than to let you know you're not alone.

Sewmommy
Member

07-06-2004

Monday, July 11, 2005 - 7:17 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sewmommy a private message Print Post    
You know what Tess, knowing that I am not alone in this is a big help. Thank you to you to Lumbele. The dr said I did have some fluid in my ears. But I will definately be calling her back by the end of the week if I don't see any improvement.
Fortunately I am able to function to a somewhat normal degree. I don't think my kids would agree though. We had to cancel a trip to Chicago because I really don't feel comfortable driving that far.

Lumbele
Member

07-12-2002

Monday, July 11, 2005 - 7:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lumbele a private message Print Post    
The way my doctor diagnosed the infection was by having me lie down on the table, grabbing my head on both sides and jerking it back and forth in rapid succession. Helllllllllooooooo!!!! She came thisclose to getting smacked (if I could have found her).
Carnival rides never did to me what that did and I avoid those like the pest! It took a few minutes to get from lying to sitting to standing on my own after that.

For about a month I was too scared to drive. Not because I was always woozy, but because you never knew when it would hit.
Sorry about your cancelled trip, but keeping yourself, your kids and your surroundings safe is more important. Chicago is not going to go anywhere, it'll wait for you to visit another time.

Ddr
Member

08-19-2001

Monday, July 11, 2005 - 8:54 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ddr a private message Print Post    
Lumbele, was she trying to get the "crystals" back in place maybe? My great aunt is suffering from this and she just had a procedure where a specialist puts the "crystals" in your head back in place. I know it sounds bizarre, but it seems to work wonders for some people. Great aunt has been suffering with this for about 4 to 5 months now. As she's 89 years old and lives alone, they had her in the hospital just as a precaution, until she could go live with her son in Texas.

Lumbele
Member

07-12-2002

Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 7:09 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lumbele a private message Print Post    
Nope, Ddr, I don't think so. Her attitude was kinda "I think I know what it is, but let's make sure." and to my reaction: "Yup, that's what it is. If it hasn't gone in about 3-4 weeks, come back."
As for putting things back into place in my head....wellllllllll, not sure there is a specialist for that, just ask Jmm.

Sewmommy
Member

07-06-2004

Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 7:13 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sewmommy a private message Print Post    
Those "crystals" I think are why the dr said to go on a low sodium diet, Get them under control. She did that jerky thing too, but it just made me lightheaded, not severely dizzy.
So far I can drive around town, speed limit is 30 and we only have 6000 people, but to drive much farther makes me nervous. Its just like you said, Lumbele, I don't know when its going to hit. DD will have to wait a few weeks to go do her bday trip.
I couldn't imagine dealing with this 4-5 months Ddr. How is she doing now? Any improvement?

Ddr
Member

08-19-2001

Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 7:42 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ddr a private message Print Post    
Sewmommy, we are waiting two weeks to call as she didn't want to leave her home and go to Texas. (Apparently that's the amount of time suggested to let her adjust to her new situation, I dunno.) Before she left, she hadn't had any more spells. As we haven't heard from her, we're taking that as a good sign.

After the procedure, she was in a neck brace of some sort and couldn't move her head for 24 or 36 hours. She also had to be retaught how to stand up, lean forward, etc. so she wouldn't knock those crystals out of place again.

I forgot to say last night that they also had restricted her sodium and everything else that has been prescribed for you. They ran the whole series of tests on her from checking her heart to looking for brain tumors.

Lumbele
Member

07-12-2002

Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 8:56 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lumbele a private message Print Post    
Sewmommy, one recommendation.....in order to avoid those spells I instinctively kept my head very still as much as possible....and ended up with a serious case of neck and shoulder pain which ended me at physio, and I am still dealing with remnants.
If you can, try to do neck and shoulder exercises now, while sitting down, of course.

Cndeariso
Member

06-28-2004

Tuesday, October 18, 2005 - 2:56 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Cndeariso a private message Print Post    
i have been having dizzy spells for years until my doctor told me to knock off the caffeine. i have only had 1 or 2 a year since then. i still drink caffeinated tea at restaurants and have the occasional chocolate.

i am able to go on cruises as long as i take meclizine(can be bought without a prescription - Bonine). it also helps to use those accu-pressure wrist bands.

the fact that i am on a diuretic for HBP also helps. and, i pay attention to my salt intake.

Cokegirl
Member

03-08-2004

Friday, October 21, 2005 - 2:26 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Cokegirl a private message Print Post    
I just found this thread and was told by my dr that have Meniere's Disease. I've had problems for about 15 yrs!!! I have all the symptoms- vertigo, hearing problems, tinnitus ( ringing or buzzing in my ear) and a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear.
I have lost almost all of the hearing in my right ear and the buzzing is about to drive me crazy. But the dizziness is the worse. I end up vomitting. And I don't know when it will happen. Scary stuff!!!
My dr. put me on water pills and a low-sodium diet. Its been about 3 weeks and it seems to help. I only had 1 attack since.
Thanks for letting me share with you!


Kiersten_love
Member

08-03-2001

Saturday, December 10, 2005 - 6:47 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kiersten_love a private message Print Post    
This is so bizarre that I found this chat here. I have had vertigo for about 10 or more years now...but the kind that is due to a car accident, and yes I did have cervical surgery where they took out 2 discs. So, since then i suffer from severe migraines, immense pain and this triggers my vertigo, which lasts for about 3-5 days, where i vomit, and well lets say everything in me comes out, not a pretty site, lol.

anyway, aside from that I have in the last year suffered from a different type of vertigo where it only lasts for a second or two, but it lasted for over 3 weeks. I couldn't drive or anything..so i went back to my neurologist, and told him what i have and he said that I have what they call in laymans words...crystals that are out of whack...so now next wednesday i have to be put on a table to check it out, and he told me that i needed someone to be here to take me home..as i may be quite dizzy afterwards. and then on friday i have to go back for a head sonogram...anyone ever have this done before, please let me know..i want to know what its about, please: thanks. :-)

Colordeagua
Member

10-25-2003

Friday, December 16, 2005 - 6:34 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Colordeagua a private message Print Post    
I've got it too -- or used to. For many years, once or twice a year, I would wake up in the morning (before I even opened my eyes) and I was dizzy. Made me nauseous. (I hate nausea.) I'd hug the pot for a while, crawl back into bed and sleep for a few hours. Then I was fine. (Once it did strike in the middle of the day at work. Not fun.) It has been a few years since it's happened. Maybe I outgrew it? Doc said it was inner ear imbalance. No biggie.

Kiersten_love
Member

08-03-2001

Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 11:43 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kiersten_love a private message Print Post    
Glad to hear that Color...When i went back to the doctor, i had to tell him that i had to take allergy meds so they had to cancel the tests. LOL, now the dizziness is gone, and I will have to wait till it happens again so I can get those tests done. Oh well, hope it doesn't return like it hasn't returned for you...

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 9:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Ok, I am hot on the trail of information about this topic--for you all--and for Nino--who is having severe problems with it--and no diagnosis or remedy so far.

I will post all related articles here --I will list sources and year of publication. Please treat only as supplemental info--always talk over your concerns with your physician--and don't be afraid to share articles.

Ok, here goes with #1.


Source: Ivanhoe.com (posts info about medical breakthroughs)

Reported August 11, 1999
(telecast)


Therapy For Dizziness


Not long ago Chris Graves couldn't trust himself to drive a car. Dizzy spells caused by an inner ear problem had destroyed his balance and ability to focus.

dizzy1

Chris Graves suffers from dizziness:
"I went to a mall. I went up this long escalator. . . as it moved up, my head started spinning and I thought I was going to fall down and my palms got sweaty. I just held on for life."

Chris was suffering from incurable nerve damage in his right ear. The part of his ear that tells where your eyes are and where your head is in space, was damaged. A unique treatment has put his life back into focus. Therapy is teaching his brain to understand what's happening.

Caren Sizemore, Physical Therapist:
"The brain has to learn that the information they are getting is incorrect and through lots of repetition it learns to ignore the wrong information and just go on with its usual routine."

dizzy2

Therapy has been able to retrain Chris's nerve and has restored his ability to focus and keep his balance. Treating dizziness with physical therapy has only been in practice for the last five years.

Caren Sizemore:
"Generally physicians prescribe medication or rest which generally was not too helpful because we found that it's activity that promotes the healing process and the compensation process."

Chris Graves:
"Things aren't going to be 100%, but things are a lot easier now. I understand how it's happening, why and now I can compensate. I can handle it, in other words."

If you suffer from frequent episodes of dizziness, if the room spins around when you stand up too fast or simply turn around, you may be one of the 76-million Americans who suffer from this type of nerve damage disorder. You should consult your physician.

If you would like more information, please contact:

Virginia Rehab
The Forum
10124 W. Broad Street
Suite J
Glen Allen, VA 23060
(804) 747-8055

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 9:57 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Source: Ivanhoe.com
Reported June 24, 1999 (telecast)


Inner Ear and Vertigo


Dizziness ranks third on the list of complaints heard in emergency rooms. Have you ever been in a mall or grocery store and the room starts spinning uncontrollably around you? Chronic dizziness, vertigo and nausea can destroy a person's life. If you don't know what's causing your dizziness, it can be a very frightening and expensive experience.

Little bits of calcium float in one of Ann Bawley's ear canals. It makes her dizzy.

1

Ann Brawley, Patient:
"Well you can literally go around in circles. Sometimes when I'm really nervous that will bring it on."

2

It's commonly known as vertigo. A sensation or illusion that the world is spinning.

Susan Herdman, Ph.D., PT, University of Miami Dizziness and Balance Center:
"Sort of like being on a carousel when everything is whirling around you. Only it's happening without any apparent reason."

3

Vertigo may only last for a few seconds but patients become weak and it's unpredictable. When a person lies down, gravity pulls on the calcium deposits. The movement causes the spinning. Doctors diagnose the condition by monitoring eye movement. Treatment involves physical therapy. And from start to finish, takes about ten minutes.

Susan Herdman, Ph.D., PT:
"To move the head in a way that will shift the debris through the canal. It moves it out of the canal back into the part of the inner ear where it won't cause the vertigo."

Ann Brawley:
"It's wonderful, I mean you feel like you are normal again, you can do anything."

4

The Miami doctors say in 85 percent of the cases, one treatment is all it takes to get rid of the vertigo. Only three out of 100 patients treated suffered from side effects: either the deposits traveled into another canal or treatment caused minor neck pain.

If you would like more information, please contact:

American Academy of Otolaryngology
1 Prince Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
(703) 836-4444

University of Miami Ear Institute
Dizziness and Balance Center
PO Box 016960 (D48)
Miami, Florida 33136
1-800-896-3277

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 10:08 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Source: Ivanhoe.com
Reported: April 22, 2002.



Virtual Relief from Dizziness


SAN DIEGO (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- It's like being seasick miles away from the ocean. People who suffer from chronic dizziness feel that way all the time, but they're getting some high-tech treatment using virtual reality.

1

Pete Farmer tells Ivanhoe, "Everything is telling you, hey, you're spinning, but you know that you're not. Everything continues to move, like this swirl."

Doctors suspect a small stroke two years ago damaged Farmer's balance. Now he lives with chronic dizziness.

Traditional therapy exercises help Farmer regain his balance. Now he's added a new kind of therapy -- keeping his balance in the virtual world of a Seattle TV Studio.

2

Erik Viirre, M.D., Ph.D., uses virtual reality technology to let patients like Farmer practice their balance in another world.

"The people who had the slowed-down virtual world that gradually sped up did significantly better," says Dr. Viirre, a neurologist at the University of California, San Diego.

Pete still has a long recovery and must limit his exposure to visually cluttered areas. But he says the new technology has helped him start reading again.

3

Various medical problems can impair our balance system including brain injuries or damage to the motion sensors in the inner ear.

If you would like more information, please contact:

University of California, San Diego
Medical Center
Patient Referral Line
(800) 926-8273

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 10:26 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Source: Ivanhoe.com
Reported June 24, 1999


Ivanhoe producers interview the best doctors in the world. Sometimes, the subject of their expertise, however, doesn't fall into a typical category like heart, arthritis or women's health. So, we've created this column as a showcase for their work. Check it out. It just might affect you or your family.


Inner Ear And Vertigo Q&A


Ivanhoe Broadcast News Interview Transcript with

herdman

Susan Herdman, Ph.D., PT, University of Miami Dizziness and Balance Center/FL
TOPIC: INNER EAR AND VERTIGO, #840



Explain a little about the inner ear and balance problems.

In the inner ear, there is the hearing portion and the balance portion and the problem is in the balance portion. The structure is totally surrounded by bone and it's about the size of my fingernail, so it's very small. You have one on each side of your head. What happens in this problem is that structures called the canals are filled with fluid and normally detect head movement so when you turn your head and make what we call angular acceleration, you make a head turn, these detect that motion and that information is used to keep your balance and to keep your eyes steady in space. Two structures called the modiolus have in them calcium carbonate crystals. These structures primarily detect the pull of gravity so if you tilt your head they detect that head tilt. If you move in a straight plane they detect that motion. The calcium carbonate crystals are constantly being broken down and regenerated and what can happen sometimes we believe, is that they break off in a larger clump than they should or in some way the crystals end up in one of the canals. When the crystals are in the canal they make that canal sensitive to the pull of gravity. So when the person is sitting upright there is no problem but if the person lies down gravity pulls on those crystals, causes them to move that in turn excites the neurons from the canal and the person feels as if they are spinning. It is fairly brief because once the debris has stopped moving the stimulus goes away, but it's a very potent stimulus.


What is that called when that happens?

The term that describes the presence of debris in the canal is called canal labyrinthitis, which means stones in the canal. The other possibility is there is a structure that is a receptor area called the cupula and that the stones or calcium crystals can adhere there and then it's called cupulolithiasis stones on the cupula. Either one can cause a problem.


Once the debris is in the ear and you know you have that problem what is the treatment?

The idea of the treatments is to move the head in a way that will shift the debris through the canal. It moves it out of the canal back into the part of the inner ear where it won't cause the vertigo. In reality what's involved is having the patient lie down into a certain position, keeping them there for a brief period of time and then changing the head position so that the debris moves until you finally have moved the debris totally through the canal system back into what's called the vestibule, the central area of the inner ear. There are two techniques that can be used. One was developed by a physical therapist in France, and the other was developed by an otolaryngologist in Portland, Oregon. In this country we use the canal lithiasis repositioning maneuver.


How long are treatments?

Treatment takes probably a total of ten minutes from start to finish.


How many times?

This is the fun part, in eighty five percent of the cases one treatment is all that it takes to get rid of the problem. The patient is vertigo free with a single treatment. The other fifteen percent we have to work harder on but it's unusual not to be able to get relief from the problem.


What are some of the symptoms that people should look for?

The primary one is brief periods of vertigo when the person moves his head a certain way. Now it's not during the movement as much as when the head is in a certain position.


Explain what vertigo is.

Vertigo is a sensation or illusion that the world is moving and most commonly is a spinning sensation. Sort of like being on a carousel when everything is whirling around you. Only it's happening without any apparent reason. Along with that people can have some nausea, they can vomit and they often have balance problems as well along with that. Most patients will tell you that they experience it when they lie down at night or when they roll in bed. They wake up in the morning the alarm clock comes on, they turn their head and as they turn the clock off they start to spin. Or they go to a beauty parlor or the dentist and they lie down. Some patients will say they are shopping and they reach up for something above their head and they tilt their head up and that is enough to cause the debris to move and cause them to spin.


How long does that last?

Less than a minute.


What type of reaction do they usually have when that's going on?

People grab hold because it is totally disorienting. They often close their eyes automatically, some of them scream, some of them wave their arms around. But most often you just grab hold and just try to brace yourself waiting for it to stop. It helps a little bit if they know what's happening. Once the disorder has been identified and they understand what's going on it is not as frightening. It is very frightening when you don't know what's going on.

<END OF INTERVIEW>

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 10:33 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Source: Ivanhoe.com
Reported August 11, 1999.


Vertigo Treatment


1

Have you ever felt unsteady and lightheaded for no apparent reason? You could be experiencing vertigo. It's a common disorder affecting 20-percent of the population. Researchers have come up with some simple exercises to cure the dizziness.

2

Carla Sutherland suffers from vertigo:
"Usually what will happen is that everything will start swirling and swirling and a lot of times unless I have somebody there I just fall down."

3

Carla suffers from chronic vertigo, or dizzy spells that strike without warning. It's often caused by an inner ear disorder. For Carla and millions of other vertigo sufferers, relief is in sight. According to researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, a few simple head exercises can cure the dizziness. The idea is to move so fast, you make yourself dizzy. Researchers say the exercises work by tricking the brain into thinking the dizziness is normal and to just ignore it.

Helen Cohen, Ed.D., Occupational Therapist, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston:
"The treatment alleviates the vertigo and in doing so makes it possible for them to go back to driving their car, taking care of the kids, getting dressed, doing all the little routine activities of daily living."

4

The home exercise program should be done daily . Researchers say patients can see results within a month. The program has put Carla back on her feet.

Carla Sutherland:
"The other day it started to happen, and I started doing the exercises as soon as I felt it coming and it stopped. I wish that I'd found them a lot sooner."

Head trauma, viral infections or even high doses of certain antibiotics can trigger a bout of vertigo.

If you would like more information, please contact:

Ron Gilmore
Public Affairs
Baylor College of Medicine
One Baylor Plaza
Houston, TX 77030
(713) 798-4712

Helen Cohen, Ed.D
Assistant Professor
Baylor College of Medicine
One Baylor Plaza
Houston, TX 77030
(713) 798-6336

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 10:37 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Source: Ivanhoe.com
Reported on July 23, 2004.


Steroids for Dizziness?


(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A person who has dizziness, imbalance and nausea could be diagnosed with vestibular neuritis. Vestibular neuritis causes dizziness due to a viral infection of the vestibular nerve. A new study shows steroids could be key to the treatment of vestibular neuritis.

Researchers from Germany conducted a study to see if a steroid drug, antiviral agent, or a combination of the two could improve the outcome of patients with vestibular neuritis.

For the study, 141 patients who were diagnosed with vestibular neuritis were randomly assigned to one of the treatment groups. The treatment groups included the corticosteroid group (that received methylprednisolone, also known as Medrol), the antiviral agent group (that received valacyclovir, also known as Valtrex), a group that received both, and a group that received placebo. Researchers followed up with patients three days after treatment and again 12 months after treatment.

Study authors report 62 percent of the patients on the steroid improved compared to 39 percent in the placebo group, 36 percent in the antiviral group and 59 percent in the combination group. Researchers say the antiviral drug clearly did not improve the outcome in patients with vestibular neuritis despite the assumed viral cause. In fact, the steroid-alone group had better outcomes than the steroid-antiviral combination group.

Researchers conclude methylprednisolone alone significantly improved the extent of recovery of patients with vestibular neuritis.


SOURCE: The New England Journal of Medicine, 2004;351:354-361

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 10:43 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Source: Ivanhoe.com
Reported May 26, 2000.


No More Dizziness


1

Imagine feeling seasick for hours at a time without being on a boat. That's how some patient's describe the feeling of Meniere's disease. Meniere's is an inner ear disease that affects both balance and hearing. Until now, drugs and surgery have been the only treatment options, but a new, minimally invasive technique gives patients a chance to live their lives free of dizziness.

Needlepoint is a peaceful passion for Colette Sears. However, two years ago, surprise attacks of dizziness called vertigo forced her to give up her favorite pastime. "You get violently ill. The room spins. The world spins," says Colette.

It's a common thread Colette shares with others suffering from Meniere's disease.

Herbert Silverstein, M.D., an otologist at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Florida, says, "Meniere's disease is a disease of the inner ear where there's too much pressure in the inner ear. It's like glaucoma of the eye."

A drug called gentamicin can stop the attacks, but it's not easy to administer. "In the past, we have been prevented from doing this because the eardrum prevents any drugs from getting inside the inner ear," says Dr. Silverstein.

2

So Dr. Silverstein developed a device called a MicroWick to safely penetrate the inner ear barrier. "The exciting thing about the MicroWick is that it's a delivery system to allow the patients to treat themselves," he says.

First, a small hole is made in the eardrum, and a tiny plastic collar is inserted. Then, the spongy wick is inserted until it rests on the round window membrane. The medication is injected onto the wick and absorbed into the inner ear.

"They put in three drops three times a day, and that's it. They can fly around the United States. They can do whatever they want," says Dr. Silverstein.

Colette says, "I haven't had any vertigo attacks, and my hearing in the affected ear is also better." Which means Colette can get back to working and driving, and her life no longer has to take a backseat to her disease.

The technique alleviated attacks of Meniere's disease in 80 percent of patients who underwent treatment, and preserved hearing in 95 percent of those individuals. The Microwick also can be used to treat other forms of deafness and autoimmune inner ear disease.

If you would like more information, please contact:

Debbie Casto
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
1700 S. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34239-3555
(941) 917-7777

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 11:07 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Source: Ivanhoe.com
Reported on July 14, 2004



Help for Vertigo


(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Simple exercises performed at home may help patients with vertigo find relief, according to a new study.

Researchers from Germany studied 70 patients who had a form of vertigo caused by loose particles floating in the inner ear canal. Participants reported experiencing episodes of nausea or a feeling of spinning when they moved their heads a certain way. Their vertigo symptoms lasted an average of eight weeks.

Patients were instructed to perform exercises at home three times a day. Half of the participants performed an exercise called the modified Epley’s procedure, while the other half performed the modified Semont maneuver. Both exercises require patients to perform head and body movements to clear particles from the ear canal. The latter requires more extreme whole body movement.

Results show, after one week, 95 percent of patients who performed the modified Epley’s procedure reported no symptoms of vertigo. Nearly 60 percent of those who performed the modified Semont maneuver said they were symptom-free. Researchers say the inner-ear form of vertigo affects about 64 people in every 100,000. It is most common in people over age 50 and occurs twice as often in women.

In an accompanying editorial, Joseph M. Furman, M.D., Ph.D., from the University of Pittsburgh, writes, “It is now widely accepted that BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) is caused by loose particles derived from the utricular macula that are free-floating ... Until recurrences can be prevented, self-treatment for BPPV using particle repositioning is likely to become part of the routine management for this condition.”

SOURCE: Neurology, 2004;63:150-152

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 11:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Well, I saw a most interesting thing recently. I only saw it a minute in my mind's eye, and it took a bit of reflection to figure out what didn't fit in the picture. I saw a person sitting on a curb wearing a bicycle helmet, and she also had a white-tipped cane. And after I thought about it a bit, I realized she probably wasn't a bicycle rider. And I thought what a great idea for somebody suffering from vertigo and falling sometimes. Lightweight helmet that a lot of people wear, and I bet it would do a pretty good job of protection in a fall.

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Friday, January 27, 2006 - 12:19 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
What a great observation, Juju--and a terrific idea.

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Friday, January 27, 2006 - 3:21 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Source: Click2Houston.com
POSTED: 3:44 pm CST November 1, 2004
UPDATED: 3:55 pm CST November 3, 2004

Procedure Cures Vertigo Problems
No Surgery, Medication Needed


HOUSTON -- A Houston doctor is helping patients who suffer from a condition that leaves them feeling as if their world is spinning out of control, Local 2 reported Monday.

Some vertigo sufferers can't walk, drive or even get out of bed. Emily Murphy knows the feeling firsthand. A simple walk would send her world turning around and around.

She had severe vertigo.

"I just couldn't move without vomiting," Murphy said.

It came on quickly a few years ago. She couldn't do anything without the unsettling sensation.

"Have you ever walked in a barrel that's turning? It's a similar feeling," she said.

Murphy had the most common form of vertigo -- a positional problem in her ear was causing the spells.

"Vertigo is the illusion that you're moving -- that you're spinning or falling," said Dr. Helen Cohen.

Cohen is the associate director of the Center for Balance Disorders at Baylor College of Medicine.

"It can be very disorienting and for some, disabling," Cohen said.

She said that tiny particles inside the ears somehow become dislodged for people with positional vertigo.

"They end up in little canals," Cohen said.

A simple mechanical fix can eliminate the problem. The particles can be forced back to where they're supposed to be.

"It's so amazing that something that can make you feel so horrible can be fixed so quickly," Murphy said.

It's done without medication and without surgery.

"It's usually effective within an hour or by the next day. People feel better very quickly," Cohen said.

Murphy said she was cured after just one session.

"We got it fixed in about 15 minutes," she said.

With the help of the National Institutes of Health, Cohen is now studying which head maneuvers work best for different types of vertigo.

Nino
Member

09-20-2004

Saturday, January 28, 2006 - 8:23 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Nino a private message Print Post    
You found some great information, Herckie!

I read the whole thread just now! Thanks for all that research! The ENT says it's not an inner ear issue, so I don't know where to turn now! I'll just hope and pray the vertigo doesn't show up again any time soon! It stole my balance the last time it happened, so I shudder to think what will be stolen from me the next time!!

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 3:05 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Okay, Neeny, let's keep looking. I found this site that diagnoses you electronically, but I have a feeling your 'reader' will not be able to read the information.

Here's a link to the page about diagnosing the causes for your dizziness/vertigo: Electronic Diagnosis

Here is the information, which lists 12 possible types of symptoms:

Dizziness and Vertigo
possible disease diagnosis of Dizziness and Vertigo
# Please select from the boxes below the group of symptoms which most closely reflects your Dizziness and Vertigo symptom.

1
Dizziness and Vertigo symptoms 1
rapid onset of weakness or numbness
headache
clumsiness of arms or legs
rapid onset of speech problems
sudden onset of dizziness or vertigo
sudden visual problems

View Possible Diseases, Tests and Doctor Types


2
Dizziness and Vertigo symptoms 2
family history of migraine headache
dizziness and vertigo
recurrent headaches
headache commonly located frontally or around eye
aura may precede headache

View Possible Diseases, Tests and Doctor Types


3
Dizziness and Vertigo symptoms 3
recent upper respiratory tract infection
dizziness and vertigo
hearing loss
ringing in the ear

View Possible Diseases, Tests and Doctor Types


4
Dizziness and Vertigo symptoms 4
history of head injury
weakness of face on side of injury
hearing loss
dizziness and vertigo
fluid may drain from ear, nose or down throat

View Possible Diseases, Tests and Doctor Types


5
Dizziness and Vertigo symptoms 5
feeling of apprehension, fear or irritability
dizziness
difficulty sleeping
fatigue

View Possible Diseases, Tests and Doctor Types


6
Dizziness and Vertigo symptoms 6
history of medication use: diuretics, anticonvulsants or antibiotics
dizziness and vertigo
symptoms may last several days

View Possible Diseases, Tests and Doctor Types


7
Dizziness and Vertigo symptoms 7
history of ear trauma or infection
dizziness or vertigo produced by movement of the head
symptoms usually last several minutes
nausea and vomiting may occur

View Possible Diseases, Tests and Doctor Types


8
Dizziness and Vertigo symptoms 8
pallor
dizziness and vertigo
irregular heart beat
weakness
symptoms may be produced or worsened by standing

View Possible Diseases, Tests and Doctor Types


9
Dizziness and Vertigo symptoms 9
intermittent attacks of vertigo
hearing loss
nausea and vomiting
sweating

View Possible Diseases, Tests and Doctor Types


10
Dizziness and Vertigo symptoms 10
neck pain
weakness, numbness or pain in arms
dizziness
neck pain or dizziness may be worse when looking up

View Possible Diseases, Tests and Doctor Types


11
Dizziness and Vertigo symptoms 11
earache
loss of hearing in involved ear
discharge from ear
dizziness and vertigo
fever
swollen lymph nodes in neck

View Possible Diseases, Tests and Doctor Types


12
Dizziness and Vertigo symptoms 12
new gradually increasing headache
forgetfulness
weakness or numbness of arm or leg
difficulty speaking
dizziness and vertigo
nausea and vomiting
history of trauma

Once you have chosen the set of symptoms which best describes your symptoms, I will post the appropriate response which follows. Ready?

Kiersten_love
Member

08-03-2001

Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 9:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kiersten_love a private message Print Post    
Herckleperckle, thanks for posting so much info, I had forgotten that I had seen this here. Since before Christmas I suffered from vertigo, it stopped for about 2 weeks and its just been everyday since. I was hospitalized for the 3rd time on Feb22, and today am feeling alittle bit better. This has totally ruined my life, since I can't seem to get it back to normal. My tests proved that i am fine, no tumors no blockage no nothing, though i am happy to hear this, i wish someone would just say hey, we found the problem that is causing my severe vertigo. I just had a full stomach and renal ultrasound to rule anything there that could be causing it. My next step is get call the neurologist and go ahead with the repositioning of the crystals. Not sure if I will be able to do it since I cannot move my neck at all due to cervical surgeries and a herniated disc that is troubling me now for a couple of years. So hopefully I can withstand the pain to go through with it, and they can somehow move my neck. I will let you know what happened. Nino, I feel you, I hope that you and I both get much needed help for this.

Sunshyne4u
Member

06-17-2003

Sunday, March 19, 2006 - 1:08 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sunshyne4u a private message Print Post    
Not sure if I will be able to do it since I cannot move my neck at all due to cervical surgeries and a herniated disc that is troubling me now for a couple of years.

I sure get tired of doctors!! If you have neck problems that are affecting your nerves you probably will have vertigo in some degree.

It is neurological.

Any chance of Lymes Disease?? I found my vertigo was lessened by at least 50% after I did a brutal regime of Antibiotics for a couple of months.

Vertigo is a crummy condition to have. It only gets really bad for short periods...like a fast tequila bedspin!! It is really embarrassing if I am out for dinner and suddenly I yelp as the room spins and I am about to lean/fall out of my chair. LOL

I am going to Herkle's site and diagnose myself now LOL

Sunshyne4u
Member

06-17-2003

Sunday, March 19, 2006 - 1:15 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sunshyne4u a private message Print Post    
Interesting....my results; cervical spongylosis (YES!!) cervical radiculopathy (Yes any pathological condition of the nerve roots and Whiplash (yes!)

My second group of symptoms gave these results; hypoglycemia (yes) cardiac arrythmia (occ'ly) anemia (nope)