I don't have it but have heard of the epley maneuver. I'm sorry if you have it.

enjoying, vertigo is a very complex malady and can be caused by a long list of triggers. Your primary care physician would be the first place to start, as he or she can do a very good job of checking the most obvious causes.

After that, you really would need to see an ENT specialist. Treatment depends upon what's causing the problem.....and sometimes they never know what causes it!

My husband had a very serious case of it about a year ago. He underwent Epley maneuver treatment a few times, cortisone injections in the ear, and several medications. Each helped only a little, just enough for him to be able to drive.

On his own, he began taking magnesium supplements and his symptoms disappeared within a few days, and have not returned. Coincidence? Maybe, but his ENT people sure paid attention to it.

See your doctor.

Additionally, light headedness can be caused by a virus (known here as "vertigo virus"), dehydration, and low blood sugar. Definitely worth seeing a doctor.

I saw a ENT specialist....did the manuever and it was gone....

About 10 years ago DH was having severe vertigo. I only saw one or two episodes (he was gone for work most weeks) and he looked like death warmed over afterward. He was on a long term project in Boston 500 miles away and his coworker's there had seen several episodes. One day he had two episodes at lunch and they insisted he go to the ER. An MRI revealed a brain tumor and he was told to come home and see a neurologist ASAP. The dr here determined he was probably born with the brain tumor (evidently a lot of people have brain tumors and never even know it) and it was not the cause of the vertigo.....thankfully! He put him on anti-seizure medication for epilepsy....Trileptal.

I did not like the neurologist at all so we ended up seeing a vertigo specialist at Johns Hopkins. He determined there was an irritation of a nerve in the inner ear. He adjusted the dosage of the Trileptal. DH remained on it for 6-7 years and never experienced another vertigo episode.

DH decided a few years ago to try to go off the medication. The neurologist agreed to try it and he weaned himself off slowly. He's been off medication for a few years now, but just recently has experienced a few split-second episodes but nothing like before.

Yes, start with your primary care dr who can then send you to the appropriate specialist. The cause of vertigo can be difficult to pinpoint and often times it goes away on its own.

I've experienced this twice. Once was when I was taking Ambien; I 'listed' to one side during my 3 a.m. trips to the bathroom. This spring I had fluid behind both ear drums. (Finally drained on its own, but took two months to do it.)

First off, If this is ongoing or getting worse, you need to consider the ER. If you are puking your guts out and dehydrated, get someone to take you to the ER. You would need an evaluation right now. I am serious about this.

We have all heard or know the horror stories and the mind is a fertile place. So continuing on as if you are having this occasionally and this is NOT an emergency:

Best bet if this keeps happening occasionally is to see an ENT. They might need to refer you to another specialist (a neuroTologist, notice there is a T) who works with diseases of the vestibular system or if you are very lucky, they have one in their group.

Most people don't have critical issues so don't panic just yet. My doctor has a saying: I can't panic until he panics. True vertigo is just horrible, I have had it several times. I have run of the mill dizziness often and I know how to cope with it. There are some medications that can help but they also have sedating side effects.

You didn't mention anything about your hearing. Is it okay or is there a change?

Sometimes there is a diet connection. Some people report being very sensitive to sodium so after eating a chinese meal for instance, they have an attack. There are other triggers though. MSG seems to be a common issue. Journaling your food intake will be helpful.

There are many names for different types of dizziness: BPPV, that's the kind you have while lying in bed rolling over. Epley helps with that. Keep your eyes open and focus on something nearby but not too close.

MAV, Migraine Associated Vertigo. Often described as walking on foam rubber or the rocking of a boat. These can be silent migraines but present with balance or hearing/vision disturbance issues.

Meniere's or atypical meniere's disease. Hearing fluctuation/loss, balance issues, headaches, ringing, roaring, buzzing ear noises, fullness/ bubbles in the ear.

There is even something called AIED, autoimmune ear disease.

Viruses are topics of research with ear disease. Many people diagnosed with these ear problems try either taking L-lysine (virus suppression) or Rx of acyclovir type medications and bioflavonoids.

Allergies! Definite trigger for me.

Migraines, not all are painful. Some are silent (no pain) but other disturbances with vision or balance.

There are many more, it's a very complicated issue which is why you need a specialist. I am fortunate that I have great medical care for this though I wish I didn't need it.

There are tests designed to figure out what is causing the issue. It's rather involved and takes a period of time and money.

I have had many of the injections for sudden hearing loss and they have brought my hearing back.

I have taken magnesium and many other vitamins for years. I watch sodium and try not to overdo it. I challenge my balance system all the time. I have learned how to move my head so to not provoke a dizzy spell. I had adjustments to my neck. I know that if I am especially dizzy, it's probably a migraine coming on. Usually walking into a wall is a clue for me, so I know what to take and go to bed to sleep it off. If it's any help, SOME people report that after a while this problem burns itself out. That may mean their ear doesn't function the way it did before but they are no longer bother by horrible dizziness or worse vertigo. There are surgical options but they are last resort.

But first you need a diagnosis. Please be hopeful and know that you are not alone. Let us know how things are going.

Mine was diagnosed as caused by "rocks in my ears". I do this, to combat an episode: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/tahlequahgardens/KT/exercisepicture.jpg

repeat 5 times per session... and I usually do it once in the morning, and once in the evening... and then I am fine.

Most times I am fine... but when I feel it coming on, I repeat the above for a few days.

Moni

I frequently have to do the epley maneuver to alleviate my dizziness and vertigo. Works every time for me but I get extremely nauseous during the process. My sisters and I all have Menieres disease which contributes.

Definitely something to get checked out by the doctor.

Attacks of vertigo can be caused by onset of Meniere's disease. My father-in-law was afflicted by such. The attack can be severe. Once, he was put into the drunk tank at an airport because of it. He was having hearing loss in the affected ear. A few things were tried with limited success. His doctor told him that the vertigo would diminish as his hearing also diminished, and that is what happened. As he became deaf in that ear, the vertigo went away. However, this disease forced an early retirement before it abated.

Food allergies trigger it for me too. Within twenty minutes I get this full feeling at the nape of my neck with a feeling of being light-headed followed by a pulse through my whole head that is a somewhat uncomfortable feeling. It last from an 1 to 2 hours. It doesn't happen much anymore since I know most of my triggers. I was hoping it would disappear altogether but still rears it's head when I go out to eat or others prepare my food (at times, not always).

I have never heard of the epley maneuver. I do a backbend over a stability ball and can only hold for so long because of the pressure it causes in my head. I was doing it mostly for my spine (which is another story but almost all cleared). I will look into this one.

Years ago I kept suffering with vertigo and ended up in the ER. No cause could be found and the medication they put me on did nothing to help. I went online and read that Valium will work. I had some, took it, and have not had a problem since.

Linda, do you still take Valium or was that a one time dose?

Years ago, one of my daughters in law, was taken to the ER with Vertigo and after a series of tests, found she had MS.....Vertigo is not to be taken lightly, make sure you get help......

Rhizo, I do still take the generic valium at times, but as a muscle relaxer or on those insomnia nights. Haven't had the vertigo in many years thank goodness. It was originally prescribed for me when I was in a complete body cast (twice) following reconstruction hip surgeries so I could sleep.

It is also possible that tightness in the neck/shoulder area from degenerative disks pressing on nerves can cause the vertigo.

Lyme disease and/or its co-infections can also cause vertigo. Following a tick bite this past spring, I woke up in the middle of the night with vertigo. Such a horrible feeling.

Years ago I had a bout with vertigo from job-related stress. I was given a large project I didn't feel capable of handling, and it triggered an episode.

I've had vertigo for about 20 years and finally discovered that it only happens when I've been lying on my right side. Apparently it's "rocks" in the ear that hit the tympanic membrane when I lie on my right side.

I suffered bouts of vertigo since I was a child, I haven't experienced an episode in 2 years but it sure can be debilitating when it does hit. My Doctor does the epley manouver and I also do the exercises that Moni showed me a few years ago. My vertigo is caused by 3 things, 1 the crystals in my ears and the other a build up of wax and thirdly water in my ears. I am supposed to take a diuretic but I took myself off of them after taking them most of my life. I thought my kidneys might need a break. My Doctor says my ear wax is very thick and won't clear out on its own. Lately my right ear has been feeling clogged so I need to go to my clinic to get the wax cleared out before I suffer from vertigo. I have a prescription for anti vert that I always keep in my purse but only take it when I think I feel dizziness coming on. The pills make me very sleepy and they make my brain feel like it is itchy and it is an itch than cannot be scratched haha Very annoying. I feel sorry for anyone who has to suffer from vertigo

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I had it and it's awful. Mine was caused by my high blood pressure pills. I really think the doctor was over medicating me. I've never had so many dizzy spells and trips to the ER as I've had for the past 2 years. I've been telling the doctor how lightheaded I get after taking those pills. So he stopped one and kept me on the other. Well, a little of the veritgo left but not completely, plus my ankles were still swelling up. Finally after have my heart started to race like crazy and my pressure over 210, I went back to ER. They admitted me and gave me a stress test, but they also checked my heart and kidneys. Everything came back good, even my blood work. Now the doctor on call started me on some kind of heart pill that will reduce my heart rate in case it started racing again. So far I'm just taking that pill plus my nexium and I will say I'm almost 98% better. No vertigo, no swelling, no feelings of passing out and no racing heart. I still feel a little panicky at times because I keep waiting for it to start happening again.