Vertigo

HELP

about 9 1/2 weeks post op I started having vertigo. It started Sunday night when I'd roll over in bed, the room would spin. Nothing on Monday until the middle of the night when it started up again. Tuesday morning I couldn't walk without help. I had a physical scheduled for Thursday but I called the Doctor on Tuesday and he said to take "anti-vert" and he'd see me on Thursday. The anti-vert helps some, but not 100%. On Thursday the doctor checked me out and it's not an inner ear infection. He's requesting authorization for a brain scan. In the meantime, I'm on the medication and fighting the dizziness all the time. I haven't driven since Monday and am feeling like NOW WHAT?!?!?! Wasn't the hysterectomy (and all that time off work) enough?

I bought ginger tea but haven't tried it yet and saw my acupuncturist this morning but that usually takes time to make any noticeable change and I was very dizzy getting up off the table.

On an anti-hysterectomy website I saw a statistic that something like 19% of women experience vertigo after a hysterectomy. Has anyone else had this problem? If so can you PLEASE share any tricks, drugs etc that worked for you?

Hi Kathy!

I have suffered every couple of years with vertigo bouts for maybe fifteen years. when it first starts I hit the benadryl big time. nothing else helps including claritin (for me -- results may vary disclaimer). benadryl two pills every four to six hours. this was all before my hyster. my doc back when i first had it said no one knows why -- and that he had it a year when he was in college. the meclizine helps the symptoms but not the cause.

people think vertigo is fear of heights -- until they have had it! it is torture -- even turning your head while driving makes you feel like you are falling off the planet.

please try the antihistamines, they really helped me! I am so sorry you have to deal with this on top of everything else, prayers for you! lala

lalawoman

Thanks for the quick response. I will definitely try the benadryl.

I had BPPV -- a common vertigo that hits you during middle age. You can google it on WebMD. I didn't have to take any meds. When it hit, I would quickly shake my head (yes, shake it) and it would go away. It lasted off and on for several months and then went away by itself. It is a positional vertigo so I would notice it most often during sex or when I changed position quickly.

Always check with your doctor -- but you may want to see if yours is positionally related next time you get the attack -- especially if you are over 45.

Love2quilt

thanks- I've seen it on the Internet but you're the first person I've "spoken" to who has had it. Lying flat on my back seems to be the worst position to trigger it and today- the first time in a week the vertigo seems to be gone. Hooray!!!

As a southern California did you ever go to Crazy Lady and Friends quilt shop? She used to be in Santa Monica and then moved to the valley somewhere or other.

Hi Kathy -- I haven't -- I'll have to check it out when kids are back to school.

PS My sister who is 2 1/2 years younger than I am just got BPPV this past winter. Isn't it funny how it seems to maybe run in families. I almost always got it on my back when I quickly moved my head or rolled over. If you do get it again, try the quick head shake. Seems the first one of each "episode" lasts longer and is more severe but as you keep moving, they are shorter and dissipate quickly. I'd still check with the doc -- you never know.

Dear librarymaven, I am sure there must be several different kinds of vertigo. the headshake that is helpful to Love2Quilt would make me incredibly nauseous when I have a vertigo spell, so not a universal cure alas...