I am presently a 50 year old US citizen and living in Si...

Ears, nose and throat
1

I am presently a 50 year old US citizen and living in Singapore and a about a month ago I had my first episode of dizziness. I thought I was actually dying, suffering from a stroke, or experiencing a chemical reaction to too much MSG. I had a severe spinning sensation; I fell into my husband’s arms and tried hard not to faint. After a day of this feeling I could not stand it anymore. I went to the emergency room. Fortunately Singapore has excellent medical care. I went into the emergency clinic and they immediately referred me to the Neurologist. After some tests he told me I had Benign Postural Vertigo caused by a virus in the middle ear. He explained that I probably had some loose crystals that were causing this problem. He gave me some medication (Merislon) for the dizziness and told me to return if I had more problems. A few weeks passed and I continued to have dizziness. I am a teacher and it was almost impossible to do my job. I went back to the neurologist and he put me through The Semont maneuver. I was so dizzy and frightened that I started crying however, this maneuver seem to help me.

(Sorry but as is our policy, the web address has been removed)

I still have slight episodes of dizziness and will probably go back to the neurologist for more treatment. I do the Brandt-Daroff Exercises every morning and evening and that seems to help.

I imagine my age has something to do with why I have this problem. I also was swimming a lot and I feel that I contracted the virus in the pool. I am wondering if this is a common link. Are most of the other people on this list swimmers? I was also prescribed an anticonvulsant drug, Clonozepam, but I never took it. Was anyone else prescribed any drugs and if so, did it help you? I hope the link I provided helps many of you to learn more. I welcome any other feedback.

Lucy

This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience

2

Hi,

I live in Liverpool UK,and have the same diagnosis as your good self. Suffering from Vertigo a while ago the Doctor put me on the drug Clonozepam and like you it did no good so I didn't continue taking it,and the vertigo cleared up on it's own. I had a very bad attack of vertigo last Saturday and the Doctor gave me different tablets and this time exmained me,(which the other one did not). THis Doctor has given me some new pills and am hoping to fly to Australia a week tomorrow,so plese keep your fingers crossed for me that I will be okay by Monday of next week.

The new drug seems to be working okay up to now.

cheers,

lynne

ps thanks for sharing your experience with me.

3

Similar scary experience to OP. GP signed me off work with suspected Menieres Disease, prescribed Betahistine and refferred me to ENT specialist.

After 10 frustrating and worrying weeks had my appointment and diagnosis of BPV confirmed by Eply manoeuver - not pleasant but a relief to be diagnosed. This initial physio followed by exercises at home have cured my symptoms!

The experience has made me more sympathetic with people and made me realise the very fine line we tread between fitness and ill health.

Good luck to everyone living with vertigo.

4

After doing much research, head maneuvers seems to be one of the only ways to treat or deal with BPV (Benign Positional Vertigo), besides medication. I'm not a big fan of medication so I was excited when my friend's sister found an easy way to perform the head maneuver routines while sleeping comfortably at night. She started using it more than a year ago, and almost immediately her positional vertigo went away and has not recurred even once since. She recommend the SimBalance Pillow System.

I hope others who suffer from ongoing vertigo also find this helpful!