Vertigo - Never knew it was this horrible!

[ChaChaSlide101]

I've been to the GP this morning (actually the paramedic at the surgery) as for a couple of evening, when in bed, the room has wobbled around me when I've moved.

Last night, I put my head upside down to dry my hair and swiftly toppled to the ground, and couldn't get up for a minute until things stopped swimming.

I've had 'wobbly' and unstill eyes all day today, with a definite feeling of instability.

Paramedic called the duty doctor, and they both agreed it's vertigo, likely a result of a viral infection. Just got to deal with it until it goes away, if it's not gone in a couple of weeks, go back. Thankfully I don't have extreme nausea, just a slight feeling of upset tummy, akin to motion sickness (which I guess it kind of is). No hearing loss, no tinnitus.

Is there anything I can do, other than lay still in a dark room, to help? I've come back in to work, not totally sure I should drive now though so might get a taxi home.

Any advice/experiences? I've been told if it gets any worse than this I should go back.

I had no idea this is what vertigo feels like, and I have so much sympathy for people who live with it long-term!

@Anonycat just wondered if Meniers had been considered for you as I was told one bout of attacks was likely labyrinthitis but more over time would be more likely Meniers.
I have had 3 sets of attacks over 4 years with hearing loss and it's been diagnosed as Meniers. GP referred me to ENT balance clinic.

@feliciabirthgiver oh I feel for you! It's the weirdest thing, out of the blue! I wish you a super quick recovery!

@mizu I hope it resolves quickly, though I've heard a lot of stories like yours where it has taken people months to feel fully 'right' again.

What a weird, weird illness to crop up. I kind of thought I'd have an earache or something to go with it. I can't even tell which side is causing it - I wobble both ways!

I had this at the start of lockdown.
Thank goodness the Epley manoeuvre worked for me.

Thanks, I’ll consider that.

I get this maybe a couple of times a year and found the Epley maneuver to work .Also i take one anti sickness tablet .

I had an attack which lasted for 3 months in 2019. For a long time afterwards I struggled in brightly lit corridors and often had to cling to the walls to make it along them safely. Brightly lit stairwells were another hot spot.

I found stripey carpets really difficult and had to hold onto walls for months after my first bout if vertigo, it was horrible.

@Anonycat Diagnosed as labyrinthitis. My GP did a test involving movement of my eyes, which allowed her to know which ear was affected. I had nausea with it, but anti-sickness drugs helped. I don’t want to depress you but it has recurred several times, though never as badly. Also, my hearing in that ear has gradually gone downhill

You may want to ask your GP for a referral in order to discuss the possibility of Meniere’s. Recurrent labyrinthitis and hearing loss in one ear are flags so best chat with a specialist and get them to test and advise.