Vertigo. Viral or bacterial cause?

[acouchy]

Right now I am going through a bad vertigo attack. This is my third vertigo attack in 1 1/2 years. The last three episodes each lasted for approx. eight weeks. After my second attack I was lucky enough to be able to speak to my ME specialist about it. The specialist seemed very interested in the fact that it lasted 8 weeks. I was told that if it lasted for 8 weeks it was caused by a virus.

So today I saw my GP and told him about my vertigo. I am in week five and of this attack. I have vertigo when I lay back (I sleep propped up on 6 pillows at night and it is anything but comfortable) and when I look up. So he made me lay back and unfortunately he didn't manage to get a good look at my eyes to see if there was nystagmus or not. He said it sounds like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo except for the fact that my dizziness does not improve with time and in order to stop my dizziness I must change position. So, he promised to find someone to help me (mentioned a neurologist or ENT doctor or physiotherapist who specializes in Vertigo) but who knows when my appointment will be.

Has anyone else experienced lengthy vertigo attacks? Has anyone ever been tested during a vertigo attack for a viral or bacterial cause? Is there a antiviral or antibiotic that can be taken if a cause is found? I really feel that these vertigo attacks are directly related to my ME. I just can't figure out why no one seems to want to test me for a viral or bacterial cause.

 

[maryb]

Yes I've had these - touch wood not for a while though I hate saying this.

Mine lasted a long time too - I was admitted to hospital 3 times within about 5months - I couldn't eat or drink so was getting hydrated each time and was put on a drip.
I too saw an ENT - had the Epley manouvre once which helped a little but he eventually said it was probably viral labrythitus, which could last for years. He was very nice but couldn't help me.
I was never tested for viruses by the NHS.
I took myself off to Breakspear clinic at the third time, I felt very ill but laid down in the back of the car for the journey - B/spear tested me and found sky high CMV levels.(current infection)
2 years later it happened again - this time it was sky high EBV levels(current infection)
so yes you are thinking down the right route I would say - why can't they just test for viruses.

Part of it was what the hell is wrong with me? the NHS had no answers and wouldn't look any further apart from shrugging their shoulders and suggesting it was a migraine..........

The relief at getting the results back from B/spear I can't explain - no wonder people say it makes patients mentally ill!!!!
You spend so much time feeling desperately ill without any help - shocking.
I sympathise with you - a terrible part of the illness. All I can say is if you rest your body will hopefully fight it off in time- I've had regular attacks - but now I know its viral I just stay in bed and rest. If you can get tested and get a/virals then that would be the ideal though.

 

[Sasha]

Jody wrote an article about it, which had quite a few responses:

http://forums.phoenixrising.me/inde...me-gift-on-my-25th-wedding-anniversary.23253/

 

[Sparrowhawk]

I had general dizzyness and disorientation for months before, during and after my major initial collapse 18 months ago. They did all the usual inner ear tests etc and said "you're fine." this I think was different from the severe vertigo you maybe experiencing. Dr. Montoya after hearing my description said it has been called Mal De Debarquement, that sensation you get after having been at sea, and back on dry land, you still feel like you are going up and down with the waves. I found it enormously disconcerting and frustrating so hang in there! In my case I feel addressing my electrolyte balance (more magnesium) helped but I can't be sure it wasn't viral because I do test high for CMV, HHV 6, and EBV long term antibodies.

 

[Mij]

Right now I am going through a bad vertigo attack. This is my third vertigo attack in 1 1/2 years. The last three episodes each lasted for approx. eight weeks. After my second attack I was lucky enough to be able to speak to my ME specialist about it. The specialist seemed very interested in the fact that it lasted 8 weeks. I was told that if it lasted for 8 weeks it was caused by a virus.

So today I saw my GP and told him about my vertigo. I am in week five and of this attack. I have vertigo when I lay back (I sleep propped up on 6 pillows at night and it is anything but comfortable) and when I look up. So he made me lay back and unfortunately he didn't manage to get a good look at my eyes to see if there was nystagmus or not. He said it sounds like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo except for the fact that my dizziness does not improve with time and in order to stop my dizziness I must change position. So, he promised to find someone to help me (mentioned a neurologist or ENT doctor or physiotherapist who specializes in Vertigo) but who knows when my appointment will be.

Has anyone else experienced lengthy vertigo attacks? Has anyone ever been tested during a vertigo attack for a viral or bacterial cause? Is there a antiviral or antibiotic that can be taken if a cause is found? I really feel that these vertigo attacks are directly related to my ME. I just can't figure out why no one seems to want to test me for a viral or bacterial cause.

Yes this was I experienced with my initial sudden onset 22yrs ago. I also had highly elevated anti-thyroid antibodies at the time and went for a thyroid scan- my thyroid function was normal. The endo told me it was viral and it could last for months. My GP also titled my head up and down to check my eye movement, there was a lot of movement. I went to see a neurologist and they did several tests at the hospital. I had a brain stem auditory, a test where they pour cool water in your ear(this will bring on the spinning) turn out the lights, and ask you to count backwards from 100- now *that* I didn't like at all! Everything came back normal. I have benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and it's brought on by a virus, it can last for months. It's worse in the morning so I prop my head up when I sleep.

I know it' scary when it hits but you can take caution and not turn your head too fast, prop your head up higher when you sleep. It does go away but for me it comes back again.

 

[Plum]

I used to get it every time I crashed. For me usually lasted 6 weeks. Used to get it in early 20's too. All NHS did was tell me it's a viral infection and will pass.

Since starting Perrin my crashes have changed and I don't really get this symptom very badly when I crash anymore. But I'm not able to do Perrin right now so who know if it will return or not.