In the last couple of weeks i have some debilitating episodes where it feels like the room is spinning and i've had to lean on the nearest object, ususally a wall, until it passes.
Yesterday however i had just got out of a friend's car and we were walking down to a supermarket when my legs started losing balance and then i had the sense of everything spinning around my head. Leaning on a wall was not enough. I had to also grab on to a post and couldn't let go.
I didn't get nausea or wanted to be sick but felt very scared. My mate suggested walking back to the car but i couldn't move so he went and got the car. After feeling my way around the car and sitting down for 10 mins i was okay.
I will be visiting my doctor next week but wonder what on earth is causing this? I do get a lot of headaches but this is partially a problem with my nervous system and muscle problems plus i am still getting side effects from taking Gabapentin - dose increased in early June to 1200mg.
The episodes i've had in the past couple of weeks have been minor compared to yesterday's. It makes me scared to go out.
Any ideas would be gratefully received.
It could be a viral inner ear illness like vestibular neuritis.
High doses of Gabapentin do have side effects, Google it, that may answer your query, good luck
Thanks Melody - i'm hoping the doctor on Monday can help with a diagnosis. I'll mention this to him.
Thanks Basia. Have been taking a graduated upwards dose of Gabapentin in 2 weekly upgrades 300mg, then 600mg and 900mg which i started in Nov 15 but the only increase since end of May has been to 1200mg yet these symptoms have only surfaced in the last couple of weeks. I did have a fall head first into a door but that was 2 months ago so concussion is not a possibility.
Odio eso. Dale un par de vueltas. Te sientes raro. Luego o no vuelven. O es una señal de que se está preparando para una gran. Estoy teniendo ese problema ahora. Es aterrador no saber si ha terminado o si va a golpear fuerte. Me hice pruebas. Ahora espero los resultados. Me dijeron hace años que la mayoría de las personas con este problema suelen experimentar al menos un episodio muy grave de vértigo. Después de eso, es posible que los tengas, pero no tan graves. El peor que tuve fue hace unos 8 años o más. Duró 3 días. Pero incluso los episodios menores apestan. Ojalá alguien lo descubriera y nos curara. Es algo tan malo de tener y lidiar con ello. Tuve un terapeuta que me dijo que el vértigo es un síntoma y no se considera una enfermedad. Así que sufriremos hasta que alguien decida que hay suficientes personas sufriendo para finalmente hacer algo al respecto.
Definitely have a brain MRI, You may have had a tia (mini stroke). Also an ultrasound to check blockage of your carotid arteries. (my right carotid went from a normal 40-50 blockage to 70-80 in 14 months).
I've had dizziness and lightheadedness (not really vertigo except for the first occurence) for 3 years. Have been to some of the best ent docs, neurologists, etc. Vestibular rehab and balance physical therapy has helped some.
Could be a inner ear problem
Causing you to have vertigo. I've been like this for 3 weeks. Feeling better but still lightheaded and with my left ear clogged and ringing sensation. It's terrible, I will set up appt for ENT. Any questions, please let me know. Hope you
Feel better!
Thank you all for your valuable input. I also put my experience up on the Gabapentin part of this website. It would seem that it is one of the more unpleasant side effects. Simply says on the leaflet that comes with the meds 'spinning sensation' - well that underates it somewhat. I asked a friend who suffers with Vertigo what her experiences were like as well as a friend who had to come off Gabapentin for this very resaon.
I hadn't put the 2 together but the more you take of this horrible drug the more severe the mild symptoms you had, become. I will be arranging to see the doctor soon after gleaning some more information on how to come off this drug.
Thank you all again, it is most appreciated.
I hear you. I have had episodes like that scary as hell. I know everybody says it s anxiety but I can't help but feel there is more too it. I have had CT scans and MRI everything good. I hate this constant unbalanced dizzy feeling
Maybe it is linked to anxiety Dbmetsfan. I put my post on the Gabapentin forum too and many have suffered with exactly the same symptoms. My feet swelled up in the warmer summer months so the doc did a fasting blood test on me. It came back clear as every test i ever have including MRI's etc always do. One of the side effects of Gabapentin is limb swelling including feet (i only found this out in the last couple of days for feet) yet the doc didn't know this. That's scary in itself.
I'm tired of being used as a guinea pig for chemical drugs with horrible side effects.