Is there an epidemic of vertigo, or just a lot of dizzy broads (or guys) out there? Since I began having vertigo attacks in 2009, I’ve discovered that a good number of people I know also suffer from dizzy spells of one sort or another. Just this week I learned my stepdad, as well as a female friend, are the latest victims. In my circle of friends and family, there are at least ten of us, mostly women. In an online author group I belong to, five out of twenty-four members have been sufferers at one time or another. Symptoms for most of these people are severe enough that they’ve sought medical help to determine the cause, and have run the gamut of tests (ENT, EEG, MRI, etc.). Some were cured. Some (like myself) thought they were cured only to have the vertigo return years later.
Although there has been no definitive diagnose for me, which is usually the case with vertigo, I’ve been treated for BVVP (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo); Meniere’s disease (ruled out by first doctor, but not by the second doctor); pinched nerve in my neck, and a vascular issue. My last doctor told me to give up salt, caffeine, chocolate, and alcohol (everything I love!). Just shoot me. He also suggested a series of antibiotic injections into my inner ear. And if that didn’t do the trick, then surgical removal of my inner ear!
As a self-diagnoser (is that a word?), I usually hit the Search engines on the internet before I run to the doctor. My GP knows this and jokingly asks me, “So what do you think you have?” The internet is loaded with blogs relating to vertigo sufferers. Reading their comments is not only unsettling, it’s downright depressing and scary. Ongoing vertigo is not only frustrating, but can be debilitating. An episode can strike at any time. Severe vertigo can knock you off your feet and be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Many victims suffer anxiety that can lead to a host of stress disorders.
The cause or diagnose is irrelevant. My question is this: why are so many people now effected by vertigo? Most vertigo cases seem to be inner ear related. BVVP is a common disorder usually caused by misplaced crystals in the inner ear, and in most cases is successfully treated with exercise. What causes these crystals to get misplaced? Cell phones and iPods?* Pollution? What about the other cases? Has a new virus popped up, one that targets the inner ear? Is there something in the air, the water, the diet, or maybe a bug bite? What’s happening to cause this epidemic of ear disorders?
I have a theory for my own case history. It’s pure speculation, and if it’s true, it doesn’t get me any closer to a solution, but it’s something. I suspect I contracted West Nile fever from a mosquito bite while on a camping trip in a county with a high West Nile Virus status (several bitten horses and cows died that summer). Within days of that bite, I came down with flu-like symptoms, accompanied by a rash on my torso, and peeling palms and soles. A blood test confirmed a viral infection. West Nile is a virus. However, I was not tested for West Nile virus because that particular analysis must be done through the dreaded spinal tap. Ouch, no thank you. Since there’s no treatment for West Nile, subjecting myself to such an extreme (and painful) test, just to say I did or didn’t have the virus, seemed irrational. Even if it were West Nile, it doesn’t prove a connection to my vertigo, but as I said, it’s merely a theory. That, and two bucks, will buy you a cup of Starbucks coffee.
Not long after that, I developed tinnitus, followed by the vertigo. A mosquito bit my daughter-in-law during the same camping trip. Within a month, she suffered an extreme vertigo reaction that kept her bedridden for a solid week. Recently she developed tinnitus, as well. Coincidence? The tiny mosquito, along with the flea and tick, have infected or killed tens of millions throughout history. An epidemic or a coincidence? Although I may never find an answer for why I have vertigo, I’d be okay with not knowing if only the vertigo went away and never came back. I am, however, curious about the increase in vertigo cases.
If you’ve ever had vertigo episodes, please share. If you have a theory–or even better–a solution, this dizzy broad would love to hear it.
*Read article on Cell Phone Illnesses:
Follow Up 2013: For 2 months and 20 days, I had no vertigo episodes. Yahoo! In October of 2012, I’d abandoned the diet of no salt, caffeine, alcohol, and chocolate and instead added two supplements (Ginkgo biloba and Vitamin B12 1000 mcg), along with lots of water to keep me well hydrated. I hadn’t felt so good in ages. Two days ago I had an episode, which was very discouraging. However, I’m hoping it was a fluke. I thought back to what I’d consumed. The last three times I’ve had an episode, I’d eaten shellfish the night before (lobster twice, and shrimp once). Connection? Trigger? I don’t know. It may not be food at all. Blood test results I received yesterday show I have a HIGH TSH (Thyroid). Could that be the culprit? Waiting for a call from my doctor. I’ll let you know.
About Carol Davis Luce
Carol Davis Luce's first novel, Night Stalker, was also her first sale. "A dandy read," wrote bestselling author Tony Hillerman. It went into three printings and became the flagship for the sub-genre "Woman in Jeopardy" at Kensington Publishers. Novels: NIGHT STALKER, NIGHT PREY, NIGHT PASSAGE, NIGHT HUNTER, NIGHT GAME, NIGHT WIDOW, and AWAKENING: Secrets of a Brown Eyed Girl. Short Story Collections: BROKEN JUSTICE and FOR BETTER, FOR WORSE.
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I’ve never had vertigo. Sure, I get up too fast and I’m a bit dizzy, but that’s nothing compared to what you must experience.
My mother-in-law (96 years young) had vertigo ten or fifteen years ago for a few days. She says it counts among her worst days ever. I sure hope you find something to provide you relief, if not answers.
Thanks Peg. I think it is more prevalent among the elderly. I also think stress is a huge factor.
Usually I don’t read post on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very compelled me to try and do it! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thank you, quite nice post.
Thank you, hatland coupons. I hope you’ll read more posts in this blog. The writers in the Indie Chicks Cafe are all amazing. Drop in often and chat.
Poor you!!
I used to study and practice homeopathy, and there are a few remedies, one of which worked for a friend of mine.
I’ll DM you.
Dea, I look forward to your home remedies. FB DM?
Hi Carol! I’m so sorry to hear what you’re going through. I’ve had a couple bouts of vertigo myself, but both were resolved by a few days of meclizine (Bonine tablets you can get OTC). I don’t know if your doctor has recommended that, but if not, give it a try. (A friend of mine had horrible vertigo that she suffered with for six weeks, but her doctor didn’t know about meclizine, and it wasn’t until he sent her to a neurologist that she got the answer. My doctor knew what it was and how to treat it right away, so go figure.) Best wishes for a speedy resolution.
Dana, I’ve been using Bonine (motion sickness pills) from the very beginning. It helps with the symptoms, but so far hasn’t stopped the vertigo. Thank you for your comment. Glad your vertigo was short-lived.
Sorry to hear you struggle with vertigo too. I was treated for BPPV in 2002 and while I haven’t had an episode as severe as the first, I still experience intermitent vertigo now — 10 years later. In 2002 there were 2 things that happened that could have caused the BPPV: (1) I hit the back of my head after leaning too far into a frig, it blackened my vision for a second (2) I was in the middle of a severely stressful situation that involved a death, so maybe the stress from that contributed. Vertigo wasn’t a major problem after my treatment in 2002 and I did pretty well until 2005 when I was in a car accident and suffered wiplash. To this day I have neck problems from that accident, and vertigo comes and goes.
A recent discovery may have helped my vertigo: I am a side sleeper and usually end up just sleeping on one side all night. When I do this I end up getting vertigo attacks pretty bad, complete with nystagmus and balance problems. Well I wisened up and bought a new memory foam pillow and made a conscious effort to roll over and sleep on both my right and left sides equally. Since then — it’s been about 2 weeks — my vertigo has cleared up and most importantly my balance has returned to normal. WOOHOO!! I’m hoping my vertigo is associated with mechanical issues — say the ear crystals, or problems in my neck — and not some other disease. SO Anyhow — thanks for sharing your story!
Thank you, Rachel, for sharing. I, too, had a severe whiplash in my teens that has plagued me all my life. I’m a side-sleeper and have been sleeping only on my “good” side since I started having vertigo episodes. After the attacks went away for almost two years, I thought it was safe to sleep on my “bad” side again. That’s when the vertigo came back with a vengeance. I’m going to start the Brandt-Darnoff exercises again. That seemed to help the last time. I suspect I will suffer with vertigo for the rest of my life, but having those extended breaks in between keep me sane.
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You are so cool! I don’t think I’ve truly read through
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Thanks, Bessie, for the kind words. If you suffer from vertigo, I’d like to know your thoughts on the subject. Sometimes I tend to over-think things. This is a topic I’m extremely interested in learning more about.