I’m so sorry. I went through this recently and know how awful it is. It could be simple BPPV, triggered by movement, dehydration, or it could be labyrinthitis, brought on by your cold. Or, it could something else entirely. There are quite a few things that can cause vertigo. Are you having other vestibular symptoms? (ringing in the ear, fullness etc). Headaches? Sensitivity to light? In any case, I do think it is worth it to go get it checked out, especially since you still seem to be feeling the effects.
An otolaryngologist IS an ENT. And in my experience, they all are not created equal. (I learned the hard way after a misdiagnosis!) Look for one who specializes in dizziness if you can. Even better would be to see a neurotologist, if you can find one near you.
If you are still suffering from dizziness, Bonine can help (OTC meclizine). Ativan is also sometimes prescribed for the short term, as well as some other things depending on the cause. But, you really need to see a doctor to determine what is causing yours!
If you have had more than one “pretty violent episodes” then you really should go see an ENT specialist. There is a procedure than can be done where they inject the inner ear with a fluid, which can help dislodge/dissolve crystals that cause the imbalance/vertigo.
Because these episodes can come on without warning, what would you do if one came on while you were driving? Please see a specialist promptly - even if they confirm you should try the Epley, or try the OTC meclizine, you will have started the documentation that you’ve had issues and gotten treatment. If these are not effective and the vertigo continues, you will be closer to the next steps in treatment.
Hugs. Violent episodes are not something to mess with - there is no quality of life living with this. A family member suffered with it and the rest of the family feels completely helpless watching someone suffer. There can be many causes, and what works for some people will not work for others.
I get it quite often if I’ve had a cold or severe allergies. I did go to a doctor the first couple of times it happened, but now I know what to do. I also carry meclizine with me everywhere I go. When I get an attack, the first thing I do is pop the meclizine for a temporary fix. Often, a Zyrtec will get rid of the congestion that settles on my left inner ear (yes, I can even pinpoint which ear by now). I also do the exercises. Once I can move around without being physically sick, I try to move around as much as possible. While staying perfectly still does keep me from being sick, I have found that moving around helps in the long run. A fizzy Diet Coke and some salty tortilla chips help with the nausea a bit. So: meclizine, Zyrtec, Diet Coke, tortilla chips, and exercise for me.
Meniers disease sufferer here… very similar symptoms including day-long attacks of vertigo so powerful even moving my head an inch would cause me to vomit. When it happens, I get into bed, turn down all the lights, and semi-sleep through it. A bit like migraine sufferers do. (My mother also has this.) Lucky for us, these attacks aren’t frequent – I’ve had 3 in the past 5 years. Not much preventative stuff can be done but one thing I noticed I don’t feel good if I move my head way up, as if to look at the ceiling, for example; I believe my last attack occurred after I had my head jerked up for a while while trimming tree branches. So I avoid that position.
Both my mother and I were also offered a prescription for medicinal marijuana, said to alleviate the symptoms once they strike. Neither has as yet tried it, though…
^ @katliamom sorry to hear about those menierres attacks- a friend has this and ent prescribed a diuretic, low salt diet and lipoflavinoids. Curious if your dr suggested this? Also, Valium for acute attacks?
From what I’ve read the vertigo attacks subside in the later stages of menierres so that’s one good thing.
My MDs prescribed the tincture of time and “Antivert” (IIRC) for the nausea. It IS nasty and hard to walk. I avoided driving because it seemed very unsafe. Agree with everyone that hydration is very important, as is rest and getting a good MD to help pinpoint your cause. Certain positions seem to worsen it for many people.
@SouthJerseyChessMom – yes, my mom is on diuretics, and we both eat low salt diets… I will probably do medication if necessary. Both my mom and I keep this in perspective: In the grand scheme of things, one could have far greater problems than very occasional vertigo attacks!
The fact that these episodes are short-lived and happen when you turn in bed (I.e.change position) really favors BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) . I also recommend a visit to an ENT, but try to find one that is an otologist, meaning an otolaryngologist with a specific focus on the ear. He/she can perform the maneuver properly and rule out other, more serious conditions. I like the suggestion of finding an ENT that specializes in dizziness, but sometimes those folks are very booked. And most garden variety general ENTs should be able to diagnose BPPV, but if it was me, I’d go to one at a good hospital.
First time I got it I thought it must be a brain tumor! (I know, dramatic much? But it is pretty scary when you get a bad attack.) I didn’t realize how many people suffer from it.
I recall trying to study for finals in my 1st semester of law school with a stiff neck so it could barely move it and bad vertigo. Went to the student health center and they said, “Just relax,” and “By the way, wouldn’t you like some birth control pills?” Argh!
I was sure I had brain cancer. I’m always sure I have some terrible disease each time I have a symptom.
But, if you’re lucky and it’s benign positional vertigo, it’s basically, well, benign, and the Epley maneuver or one of the variants will make it go away immediately.
It definitely doesn’t hurt to check it out, but considering the fact that the OP mentioned that the vertigo started immediately after a cold and didn’t just come on suddenly, my first thought is that the two are connected and there is a high likelihood that there is fluid on the middle ear.
Let us know how it turns out. It sounds miserable right now, I hope your symptoms improve soon.
The Epley maneuvers have worked for me, a couple of times about 3 years apart. I was able to google the methods and do it myself at home, saving some trips to the doctor. If there is some other cause that procedure won’t work, but in my book it’s kind of like checking to make sure the device is plugged in before calling the repair service. It’s easy to do and won’t hurt anything, and if it also doesn’t fix anything you can still go to the doctor.
OP here reporting back. Today I finally had some time to re-read this thread carefully and organize my notes. I created a list of possible Vertigo causes, symptoms and treatments – I hope others sufferers find this helpful. Of course, I am not advocating self-diagnosis or self-medication - as mentioned by many posters, these conditions must be diagnosed and treated by a doctor (ENT, preferably specializing in ear disorders and/or dizziness).
BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo)
Epley maneuver
Half Somersault maneuver
Inner ear congestion, bacterial or viral infection
antibiotics
anti-inflammatory - NSAIDs
anti-congestion - sudafed, mucinex etc
lipoflavonoids - improve circulation inside the inner ear
Meniers
diuretics, low salt diet
Valium
Other: allergy, head injury, reaction to medication (e.g. tamiflu), labyrinthitis (vestibular neuritis), neuroma etc
Exercises challenging the vestibular system to speed up the compensation process
Gaze stability exercises
Habituation exercises
Functional retraining
I started doing the Epley maneuver two days ago, and it looks like it’s working (pretty amazing)! Today I could turn my head in bed without major problems. I also did some physical therapy, and my balance test seemed almost normal (though the PT could still detect the bad ear side). I still feel some discomfort, so I will continue doing the maneuver, stay hydrated and may take some NSAIDs since my ears still feel congested. But I am definitely on the right path. Thank you so much again for your collective help and support!
I get mine when I am overtired. Seems about once every year now. I usually feel it coming on, so I start with taking Sudafed asap. Once I get home, I take meclizine and diazepam, then sleep. If I catch it quick and get all the medicines started, the symptoms are minimal and I can still work, do daily activities, although I try to rest as much as possible. If it hits me hard, I have to take a day or 2 off work to sleep.
Many tests have found no cause, but I am fortunate to have a trusting doctor that lets me keep the 2 meds on hand in case I get hit with symptoms.
There are different Dramamines, so read your label to get the medicine you want. The Dramamine in the purple box (the less-drowsy formula) is meclizine; the one in the orange box (original formula) is dimenhydrinate; the one in the green box is “all natural” and is ginger.
I’ve purchase meclizine over the counter at my then family doc’s suggestion when she said to carry it with me at all times. It is slightly less strong than the prescription one so I take more but it is way way cheaper and comes in a large bottle. (I haven’t bought it in a while so don’t know if it is still available in the big OTC bottles).
Like @swimcatsmom I purchase meclizine in a large bottle. I buy it at an independent pharmacy as the large chains don’t carry the bottles only the more costly Bonine or the store brand in the blister packs. The large bottles are much less expensive.