I've got it. It's not faintness (I don't feel like I'm going to pass out), but like how you feel after you've been spinning around. I assume this is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, caused by little crystals swimming around in my inner ear, and fixed by doing some exercises I've been avoiding. But I though I'd better check with you guys in case there's something else I should be aware of. The world spins when I move my head.

Vertigo, even the "benign" kind, and MG are a really bad combination. Vertigo throws you off balance, and muscle weakness means you can't catch yourself as well. I just fell, harder than my usual graceful slow collapse.

Thanks.

Abby

I was having vertigo symptoms, but it seems to have gone away. Nobody ever could seem to diagnose it.

I'm sorry that you fell. That hurts.

I have the vertigo too with the ringing in the ears. It is always at its worst when the fatigue and muscle weakness is bad. They wax and wane together and I always thought they were related to the MG.

kathie

I have vertigo every-time there is a change in my diplopia.

It lasts for a short while and then it is either the diplopia gets better or my brain gets used to it. (hard to tell which).

In fact this was probably my first MG symptom (although at that time it was not recognized as such).

About 2 years prior to my first recognized MG symptom, I had an episode of vertigo at work. The cause was not clear (my ENT examination, cerebellar functions etc. were all completely normal) and within a day or so it resolved on its own.

A few months later I started having episodes of blurred vision. Again, all my tests were completely normal, except for the optemetrician who found a problem and made me glasses with prisms to correct it. But, when I got them I could not understand why he thought I had this problem, because they made my eyesight worse, not better.

In retrospect all those things together were probably mild/transient oracular MG symptoms.

This is also why I say that MG doesn't only confuse us (and our physicians). It also confuses our brain, which constantly tries to compensate for the changing abilities of our muscles, but finds it very hard to keep up with those constant and unpredictable changes.

I have also had that for five years. It's awful when it happens...usually when I am really weak. I just rest it out

Hmm...thanks, everyone. I will pay attention and see if it could be related to a vision problem I'm not noticing. But it seems to be worst when I flip over in bed. I did the Epley maneuver, which is supposed to lock away the floating crystals, if they're the cause of the vertigo. Felt immediately better, though the exercise itself is murder--but we'll see.

As for vertigo and ear ringing, there's Meniere's disease to consider. That was high on my list of possibilities back when my only symptoms were balance troubles.

Abby

It could also be a nasty little virus that's settled in your middle ear. If so, that should completely go away within a few days.

Sounds miserable! Be very careful and humor us and take an escort with you if you do any walking around the house--especially on the stairs!!!

Abby, My Mom had that manipulation done but it was by physical therapists. It does work very well but it won't work on all causes of vertigo.

I always think it's best to have those who are trained try to figure things out. And when it comes to manipulating the neck area, talk to your neuros. They often know very good PT's to help with that!

You're very brave for doing that on your own, Abby! I'm glad you're better.

Annie

Thanks, Annie. I knew I was taking a risk by doing it on my own. But I seem to be prone to "benign paroxysmal positional vertigo." I've had it several times before and know exactly what it feels like. MG is such a complicated, tricky disease that I tend to forget that there are some medical problems that are simple to treat!

Nice to see you back, but when you take a break I think, "Good for her--she knows when she needs to rest."

Abby