Vertigo - has anyone here had/experienced it ?

[BradLantz]

Two weeks ago today I awoke in total vertigo. I was pretty much incapacitated for 3 days, slowly its gotten better, SLOWLY though. The ENT specialist said it wasn't Menere's, it wasn't neurological but a viral inner ear infection however that's all based on symptom's - a true 100% diagnosis wasn't given.

Anyway, shooting a trad bow is impossible for me right now, and I just wondered if anyone else had ever experienced Vertigo this bad before? If so, how long until recovery where you could shoot again?

ENT specialist said mid-August I should regain 75-80% of normal then months to regain the other 20-25% if ever  :(

[Eric Krewson]

Been there, terrible condition. I was afraid my treestand days were over when I was struck by a very severe case of vertigo. All I had to do is tilt my head and the next thing I knew I was on the floor not knowing which way was up or down and feeling like I was falling through space.

I found an ear, nose and throat specialist in town the had a technician who was trained in performing the Epley maneuver. You can study up on this procedure on the net.

After my first treatment as I was getting in my car to leave the clinic I sneezed violently several times, this undid my treatment and I had to return for a second treatment.

After the second treatment my vertigo was gone. This was ten years ago with no problems since.

I have steered several people to this clinic and all have been symptom free after having the Epley maneuver performed on them.

[longbowman]

Let's see.  It hit me on April 30 one year.  3 weeks in the hospital, 35 lb. weight loss, 4 weeks after it hit my wife could drive me to work and with her help on one side and using a cane I could get to my office where I tried to look over things for an hour before going home.  I spent so much time not doing anything that my muscles atrophied & I had to start back with a 50# bow.  My double vision finally left me in mid July that year and by bowseason I managed to take a buck on the last day with my 80# longbow.  I hope yours isn't like that was because I was later diagnosed with a brain stem stroke which has the same symptoms.

[BradLantz]

I was told I have/had Vestibular Neuritis .... different than what you had Eric Krewson as far as what causes it, very close to how it feels though I imagine  :(

" I hope yours isn't like that was because I was later diagnosed with a brain stem stroke which has the same symptoms. "

longbowman - I'm 40 years old as of July 6th, in pretty good condition with volleyball and flag football leagues and basketball.

I tried to play last night (football) and running routes and catching the ball was incredibly tough for me. I tried to rush the QB and when he made his cuts and I tried to follow, I fell down  :(  ..... its like my mind and body has lost much of the coordination/link that makes them both work together. Almost like I'm relearning coordination and balance and equilibrium ...... I know that sounds silly but its very much real.


*** Vestibular Neuronitis is felt to be caused by a viral infection of the vestibular nerve that runs from the inner ear to the brainstem. It is not known which virus in particular causes this problem, and in fact many different viruses may be capable of infecting the vestibular nerve.


The main symptom of vestibular neuronitis is vertigo, which appears suddenly, often with nausea and vomiting. Vertigo usually lasts for several days or weeks. In rare cases it can take months to go away entirely. Vestibular neuronitis does not lead to loss of hearing. **

The Epley maneuver is a maneuver used to treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)- Within the labyrinth of the inner ear lie collections of calcium crystals known as otoconia. In patients with BPPV, the otoconia are dislodged from their usual position within the utricle and they migrate over time into one of the semicircular canals (the posterior canal is most commonly affected due to its anatomical position). When the head is reoriented relative to gravity, the gravity-dependent movement of the heavier otoconial debris (colloquially "ear rocks") within the affected semicircular canal causes abnormal (pathological) fluid endolymph displacement and a resultant sensation of vertigo. This more common condition is known as canalithiasis.

[T.J.]

I had it and it lasted about 8 weeks. It was really bad when I tilted my head or layed down. Then my whole world went crazy. I was told to keep drinking as much water as you can and wait 8 weeks. That seemed to work and it stayed a way for the most part. Then when I was at denton this past weekend it came back twice but only lasted a few seconds. I don't know if it was elevation or what. Good luck with it.

[waknstak IL]

Brad, I have Meneres. It varies from person to person they say. I went through bouts of vertigo and ringing in the ears for over a year. It was miserable, I have lost 80% of my hearing in that ear now but my vertigo spells have not occured for almost a year now. they lasted anywhere from 2hours to 2 days. I was fortunate that after a while I was able to tell when it was about to happen. All I could do is pop a valium and sleep it off. It's very frustrating. I hope your problem clears up soon.

[BradLantz]

waknstak IL    the ENT specialist said I didn't show signs of Menere's because of the symptoms. That said, I failed my hearing test miserably - high pitch sounds I'm severe to profound in my hearing loss ..... how much I've lost recently vs before I have no idea.

T.J.   I hope 2 weeks until I'm fairly normal is realistic ....

[KSdan]

It can be a scarey and miserable malady.  I am a family man with five kids, a busy life, and I have had vertigo problems for 10 years now (started at age 39).  The GOOD NEWS is MOST vertigo is temporary and over time- manageable/curable.  

In my case, I have it about as bad as you can get.  I have a non-typical form of Meniere's Disease (Meniere's is already not typical; so "non-typical "means they do not understand it!).  I have been to Mayo clinic and one of the top vertigo specialists in the country in St. Louis (the doc who teaches all the other docs about it).

To be honest; without a relationship with the living Lord/Creator who took care of me, I don't know how I would have made it!  Anxiety, fear, and depression can all become a part of any disabling malady- especially vertigo stuff.  

I still deal with it, but after many conservative approaches, I finally was forced to use a procedure to kill the balance nerve in my one ear.  It has helped greatly, though I still must deal with it albeit to a much less degree.  My balance has compensated for the loss- but I still lift wts., run/walk short distances, and shoot my bows regularly.  My collegiate-level athletic kids say I look in better shape than most men my age. So. . . you can make it work.

It no doubt did affect my life, and certainly hunting.  I can not walk too far on uneven ground or it sets it off (3D shoots are miserable). . .etc.  But, during these years I have had many friends who understood my limitations.  I can attend shoots and just enjoy the guys.  I limited my hunting to mostly farm-type whitetail hunting.  God has still been good to me as I did take a muley in WY with a rifle and have harvested PY deer almost every year with my trad gear during these difficult years (even out of a tree!).  I hope to find a unique situation to hunt elk and/or bear one of these years.  

Feel free to PM me if you have questions.  I have lived through about every test and procedure in the vertigo world!  My full-time work is helping men get to know the Author of life and hope. (I am even holding a Men's Hunting Gathering in ND this year to hunt and talk about real stuff.)

A couple of pieces of advice: 1) Suffering has a profound way of leading a man to things much deeper and more important.  This gives HOPE. 2)If it persists to a more chronic problem- go beyond the regular ENT and get to a specific specialist for vertigo.  In other words, there are docs out there who are even a step "more specialized" than the ENT.  There can be a big difference in the testing and abilities.      

Hoping for you

Dan in KS

[NorthernCaliforniaHunter]

My friend, you're in my prayers.

Now about viruses, there's not much you can do for them EXCEPT wildcrafted oregano oil (you can find it in capsule form) and olive leaf extract (also in capsule form). Both have incredible anti-viral properties and are safe to consume without side-effects. I have used them to bout several viral infections when nothing else would do.  Ear drops made with garlic, mullein, calendula or marigold, St. John’s wort, lavender, and vitamin E in a base of olive oil have demonstrated antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects.

Best of luck and Godspeed on your recovery!

[Rick_H]

I had it really bad a few years ago ( I got so motion sick I threw up while sitting on my couch !?!) but it has gotten a lot better and is nothing like the other posters have experienced. There's lots of good info in this thread...

[Onehair]

Yes officer I know I was weaving but I have vertigo. It don't work

[BradLantz]

KSdan (PM sent) ...... did it come on one day, without you ever having any problems at all before?

NorthernCaliforniaHunter since they don't know exactly that it IS a virus, or what viral type, its hard for a mecidal physician to "treat" according to the ENT I went to. I don't know right now if the viral is still causing my condition or if its the after affects - and nobody knows, like KSDan said.

Onehari - to the extent I have/had it, I would be arrested for impaired driving. I can't walk a straight line without falling off it, I can't pick something up without an unstable look ..... its unbelievable  :(

[Doc Nock]

Prayers for complete healing and a chance to praise God for what science finds baffling.

Keep the Son in your eyes!