Vertigo / Nystagmus
 

I had the most horrific vertigo experience yesterday. I was so close to going to the ER and I still don't feel quite right. Those who know me well know that I vowed to never consciously, willingly enter an ER again after a bad experience, so that is how sick and desperate I felt.:eek:

I was working on the computer and my eyes started to feel weird - like back in 2004 when I had nystagmus. The next thing I knew, I had vertigo so bad that I wasn't sure if I was going to puke or fall over or both. I was so sick and it was so sudden. I literally had to lay down on the floor at work for awhile. I couldn't even sit up because I was spinning. Luckily I was alone at the office.

So, picture me laying on the floor of my office panicked. I laid there and called DH from my cell phone and had him bring me some meclizine. That seemed to calm it down, but I still didn't feel right and I still don't.

This was truly one of the scariest experiences of my life. I have never felt so out of control. I am so grateful that the meclizine helped, but it scared me. I really think it was a combination of my eyes and the CRT computer monitor plus I work under fluorescent lights.

So, should I call the opthalmologist? He was the first one to identify the torsional nystagmus in 2004. I haven't been to see him in probably 3 years - maybe it is time? I am having such an issue going to doctors lately. I just can't seem to get up the nerve to get back on the roller coaster.

Oh my gosh, Holly, that must have been terrifying. Thank goodness you weren't driving.

I had issues with fluorescent lighting from the get go. I had to keep the lights in my office off and just use a desk lamp set a ways away from me. It never failed - anyone that walked into my office would flip on the lights. :mad: I finally put tape over the switch! The CRT would play tricks with my eyes, too. But, I never got vertigo.

I'd call the opthomologist as soon as possible. I'd call the Neuro, too, just so it can be documented on your chart. Not sure what, if anything, the neuro could do, though. I'm glad your DH was available to bring you some meds. It might be a good idea to keep some in your desk from now on...that way you're ready if it hits again.

I'm sorry for the scare you had....sometimes that wipes you out more than the actual symptoms do. I hope you get to feeling better soon.

Sheesh, Holly, how scary. I'm so sorry this happened to you. I only had a vertigo episode once, but it was the worst MS experience I've had., IMO.:eek:

I'm glad Hubby came to the rescue, with your meds.:) ..and I hope this doesn't happen again, anyime soon..:hug:

Vertigo.... stinks. There are more appropriate adjectives to use ... but... feel free to use your imagination with that.

"Severe Vertigo" was my presenting symptom. At least in hindsight it was. I was bed-ridden with it for a month solid.

I was diagnosed with an inner-ear problem by an ENT; who declared it to be Meniere's Disease.

But a few months after that, I developed partial numbness in my hands and feet. The diagnosis was rescinded and then sent off to a neurologist.

After many more months and many, many tests: RRMS was the diagnosis.

I wish well anyone with vertigo. And wish it to disappear quickly!!!

Niko:cool:

Thanks guys!

Well, I've been on the computer most of the day with no real problems like yesterday, it is just making me more tired than ususal. I think that is what it was like before when I was working on the computer with the nystagmus. My eyes feel all worn out.

I tried to get up the guts to call the opth, but didn't do it. I figure that by the time I get there, this will be over so it won't matter anyway!

Glad you are feeling better today, Holly. Remember to eat your apples!

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away: if you throw hard and your aim is accurate." :D

When it hit, did it feel like it floated up one side of your body, and ran down the other side?

Last summer, I was getting vertigo that would just hit me out of the blue. No warning before it hit. It felt like it hit me from the left side most of the time. It would come up my left side, spinning up thru my head and then felt like it went down my right side.

By the time the sensation felt like it was going thru my head, I'd be falling to the floor.

I had 2 weeks of oral prednisone, and it hasnt come back. I never want to experience that vertigo again, because I'll be begging for the steroids again, and I never want to have to take steroids again because of all the nasty side effects. Yuck!

Oh Holly, how scary. What a good hubby you have. Fluorescent lights make me disoriented. I still think you should get this checked out. I'm glad you're feeling better now.

:hug:'s

Holly how are you doing now? I have been having vertigo these last two days..... I don't like it at all.

(((Holly))) I feel for you. As you know, DD16 has been going through bouts of vertigo with nystagmus. It completely immobilzes her. I am glad the meclizine is working for you. The ER dr did tell me that Valium helps as well. It is one of the only drugs that works directly on the vestibular nerve. DD16 had to take both just so she could move and they could examine her in the ER.

I do hope you start feeling better soon. I

Ack, I feel for ya! I had a 7 week bout of severe vertigo 3 years ago with nystagmus (right before sxs started that led to my MS dx, like you). Last year, I had an almost constant, low-level vertigo for several months. BLECH! Hope you're better!

Thanks to everyone!

Twink - Love the quote - I'll have to keep that in mind but my aim is not so hot

Erin - My vertigo started with my eyes. I felt them becoming less able to focus and moving strangely first. Then, my head started spinning. I have had sensations lke you described and my neuro called it oscillopsia and I actually get that from time to time as one of my "normal" symptoms, but for me that is far more fleeting than the vertigo that lasts.

MSacorn - Yes, good hubby bad lights! Fluroescent lights are my nemesis and have been for a long time. A lot of the time I work in the dark. I really think I need to beg for an LCD monitor, too.:p

Yeahbut - Doing better but eyes are still funny. I hope it doesn't come back as bad as the other day. The only thing I can think of is that I was really tired, so everything was magnified.

Tkrik - I have read about the Valium helping. Interestingly enough, when I had a lot of problems with this a few years back, the neuro put me on Klonipin (also a benzo like Valium) to help with the nystagmus. I hope your DD is doing better. I have had the immobilizing vertigo before and had it last, so I know how bad she feels.

Jowen - You and I must be sisters! When I had this before, it lasted a long time. Not as long as you, but several weeks and then it became more of a low level thing for months until it went away. The first week of it back then, I was crawling around the house because I couldn't really stand up. That led to many tests to determine that it was not vestibular and that it was from the brain which led to more tests for MS. Apparently, the form of nystagmus that I have is pretty specific for being brain related.


It has been about a year and a half since my last IVSM treatment and as much as I hate the stuff, I was longing for some the other day!:eek: I feel all kinds of things creeping in now. This was just the worst one. I still don't feel like I'm back to my normal, but I don't feel as bad as the other day.

I don't see my neuro until October, but I guess I can try to work up the courage to go and get in to see the opth in the mean time. I just hate to have my eyes dilated. He also always acts so sorry for me. He always says there is nothing he can do to fix it because it is brain related. :eek: Makes me feel kind of hopeless!

Hope you are feeling better Holly. I've had bouts of vertigo for years and it is truly a horrible feeling.

Oh, Holly, I so feel for you! It's by far the worst horror I've ever struggled with with this bloody disease.

At 19 I was hospitalized for 6 weeks with profound vertigo and the resulting total dehydration it caused me. It was 6 months before I was back on my feet. I've since had 4-5 major bouts with it. Ugh.

I was undiagnosed and it was the first time I was accused of mental illness (I have since received my demanded letters of apology and admission of not knowing from the 7 surviving of the 13 docs who were baffled by it).

Git yer butt to the opth, woman. You ain't gonna play shy and not go. You really do NOT want me coming back out there, grabbin' you by the back of the neck, and tossing you into the car to take you there--do you? :eek: Don't tempt me. Cuz if you don't and I have to, then I'm going to go visit Brain afterwards and rub your nose in it that you didn't get to go too.

I had trouble for weeks in late 2005 or early 2006 with that. It really bit the big hairy one. Ick.... I remember the nausea, dizziness, etc. that went along with the nystagmus. I haven't had that for a while, but I still wonder when (IF) it'll come back. Feel for you! :hug::hug:

Get checked out, girlie. Just to be sure.

I agree...go see your opthalmologist. If it's coming from your optic nerve being wacky, they can give you IV steroids that might be able to help.

Maybe keep some of the Meclizine at work, that way you are prepared so it won't come back.

And, Cindy, not too bad, only 6 of the Doctors had to be killed.:)
" 7 surviving of the 13 docs "

Check me out! I'm "multi-quoting" - I can't multi-task anymore, so this is pretty good, eh?

Thanks. I am feeling better. This is really the most normal I've felt all week, so maybe it is passing.

I do think vertigo has to be one of the worst MS sx out there. So debilitating. If the meclizine hadn't worked, I would have seriously had to contemplate drastic measures like the ER.

My struggle with vertigo does not sound nearly as bad as yours. 6 weeks:eek::eek:! The worst I ever had it was several years ago and it was only at it's worst for a week or so, but had it for weeks at a low level after that.

IMHO, you have done your time with that sx, so I decree that you shall never again have vertigo!

Oh lord, I do need a ride to the opth, but that doesn't sound too pleasant. Oh, and you are NOT going to visit sister Brain without me!

Thanks. I was actually contemplating asking for IVSM the other day, but now I don't feel as bad. I don't do well with the side effects, but it usually really helps me with my sx.

My neuro is too hard to get into. The opth would be easier, but wouldn't rx the IVSM unless it was optic nerve related. On second thought, the neuro might not rx it either because of the osteopenia. That is why he discontinued the pulse IVSM last year.

Bill - I just about spit coffee across my desk reading your remark to Cindy.

BTW, I'm keeping the meclizine in my purse. I'm armed and ready for a repeat assault.

Holly - Glad to hear you are over the worst of it. Carrying the meclizine around with you may be a good idea.

Multi-quoting can fit the bill. Maybe you can ask if you can substitute that if you go for neuropsych testing again! :)

HA! You don't know JACK about how unpleasant it would be. Worst of all would be the amplified highly evil laughter that the car would emit as I drove away in the direction of Ohio. That would ring in your ears for weeks! So don't try me!

:D