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Suggest Treatment For Chronic Vertigo
Question: The head trauma I suffered from a fender bender last Oct. left me with vertigo. I take meclizine for it as needed. I also had PT and continue to do the protocol at home, however, the dizziness does not seem to go away for good. Now I take meclizine after 3 - 4 hrs. If I don't the dizziness is unbearable. The worst episode when I did not take the meclizine right away, felt like I was sitting on a spinning top rotating at 120 mph. Is this ever going away? What causes it and what else ca I do to prevent the horrible sensation. I am now fearful of driving because I do not feel roadworthy. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I am sorry about the symptoms you are experiencing.
Chronic vertigo is a tough issue to deal with, there are cases when it is related to aging vestibuar changes in which the symptoms persist as vestibular (the ear part dealing with equilibrium) cells diminish with age. When it comes to medication unfortunately there is no other specific medication to work with other than those belonging to the class of meclixine.
The best treatment remains vestibular rehabilitation. I don't know the type of PT you got, it is important to work with someone specialized in vestibular rehabilitation as there are specific exercises (not that pleasant) recommended.
Also sinceit was related with a trauma, a ENT surgeon should be consulted for the possibility of trauma complications like perilymphatic fistula which might need surgery. Also a MRI if not already done should be scheduled for the possibility of stroke or a tumor involving the vestibular nerve.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I am sorry about the symptoms you are experiencing.
Chronic vertigo is a tough issue to deal with, there are cases when it is related to aging vestibuar changes in which the symptoms persist as vestibular (the ear part dealing with equilibrium) cells diminish with age. When it comes to medication unfortunately there is no other specific medication to work with other than those belonging to the class of meclixine.
The best treatment remains vestibular rehabilitation. I don't know the type of PT you got, it is important to work with someone specialized in vestibular rehabilitation as there are specific exercises (not that pleasant) recommended.
Also sinceit was related with a trauma, a ENT surgeon should be consulted for the possibility of trauma complications like perilymphatic fistula which might need surgery. Also a MRI if not already done should be scheduled for the possibility of stroke or a tumor involving the vestibular nerve.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you, Dr. Taka for your response.
I have an appointment to see a neurologist in two weeks and a ENT specialist in 4 weeks.
This is my first experience with vertigo and it is more debilitating than the multiple injuries sustained on the shoulders, bilaterally, stenosis on the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, hip and knees bilaterally and the right ankle from a skiing spill in 1978 and a bad slip and fall outside the corporate gym of my employer in 1997.
In both instances, even with pain, I was still able to drive my car. With the vertigo, even with my eyes focused on the road, the moving vehicles seem to make every visible object within my sight seem to be spinning with me.
I am praying for permanent relief and hope I do not have to adjust to this as my new reality.
Thanks again.
XXXX
I have an appointment to see a neurologist in two weeks and a ENT specialist in 4 weeks.
This is my first experience with vertigo and it is more debilitating than the multiple injuries sustained on the shoulders, bilaterally, stenosis on the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, hip and knees bilaterally and the right ankle from a skiing spill in 1978 and a bad slip and fall outside the corporate gym of my employer in 1997.
In both instances, even with pain, I was still able to drive my car. With the vertigo, even with my eyes focused on the road, the moving vehicles seem to make every visible object within my sight seem to be spinning with me.
I am praying for permanent relief and hope I do not have to adjust to this as my new reality.
Thanks again.
XXXX
Brief Answer:
You're welcome.
Detailed Answer:
I hope you'll get better and be your old self soon.
You're welcome.
Detailed Answer:
I hope you'll get better and be your old self soon.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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