Dizziness, ringing and a muffled volume in one ear

@IrishEyes As others have said, this warrants discussing with a doctor. There are various kinds of vertigo and a medical professional should know what questions to ask to diagnose correctly.

With falls being a major issue for seniors anything that poses a threat to being able to move about safely should be discussed with a professional. Even tho i had serendipitously come across an article about BPPV within days of my first experience and found the Epley moves which worked i still mentioned it to my doc at the time in case it had links to other issues the article hadn't mentioned.

Would be interesting and perhaps helpful to others for you to update us on what Doc says.
 

Muskrat said:
@VaughanJB …I did not mean to offend…but where I am if I called today it would take me three weeks to see a physician. Or you can go to the ER.
Click to expand...
I get that. A couple of years ago, I lived in a place at which I could get an appointment with a doctor only 1 year or more in the future. I couldn't believe it at first!

I lucked into finding a doctor who did not take insurance, but for only $100+ a month made house calls. I need my prescriptions refilled, so I hired her for that. Of course, refills and lab work and other tests were still covered by medicare.

I needed to see specialists, too, but that wasn't happening. The prescriptions I take, IMO, keep me alive.
 
IrishEyes said:
Thanks every one! I will call my doc right after I get back from Vet with the dog.
As I said before I trust your word over google anytime. You all have not lead me wrong yet.
Thanks đź’“
Click to expand...
No offense intended but we are not doctor's anymore than Google is. When in doubt your first thought should be to call the doctor. Not come to us. I mean that with good intentions. Nothing against any of us. Good luck with the dr.
 

The Doc called it Vertigo, prescribed Mecilizine tablets and some head movement exercises. I am to do the exercises for
one week and give her an update if things seem to be lessening. And of course any severe side effects.
I got home and took the 1st tablet and got the best nap I have had in awhile. I was quite dizzy upon first taking it but just
let it happen. After I woke up I was pretty dizzy for a few minutes until I began moving about then it lessened by quite a bit.
I re-read side effects and nothing out of the normal of what is listed.
I asked about my carotid arteries as that was a fear due to my mom having had to have hers cleaned for more oxygen to the brain.
That was checked and blood flow is fine. That was a big relief.
She questioned me very thoroughly on what symptoms I was having, what I was doing when they happened, had me describe
how the dizziness felt in each situation (room spinning, neck hurting, blurred vision, etc) If I had been vomiting or nauseas during or
after.
She seemed to cover everything all of you had mentioned without prompting from me. Right now I feel more steady than I have been
in 4 days. I am still taking it slow until I see where this goes.
My BP to her liking was actually high (which it was and was taken within 5 minutes of arrival) I explained to her my BP always rises by
the time I leave home and get to the office due to the drivers on that highway as I come in. She laughed and said let's give it 10 minutes
and take it again to be sure. She did and it was right back to normal range by then. She made a note to allow me to sit for 20 or more minutes
prior to BP in future.
So on this so far, makes me think she may be right so I will wait and do the exercises when hubby gets home just in case. I won't be needing
to drive anywhere for 3-4 days so that gives me time to give this medication a try in a safe space and gage the success of it.
Since this is a antihistamine type drug it may work on that issue as well. I did not have a sinus infection.

There we are Friends, I realize as I type this I am actually breathing with mouth closed right now. I wasn't this morning. I sure hope this
is the answer, we shall see!
 
Fritz said:
No offense intended but we are not doctor's anymore than Google is. When in doubt your first thought should be to call the doctor. Not come to us. I mean that with good intentions. Nothing against any of us. Good luck with the dr.
Click to expand...
Awww Fritz, you see all the possibilities you all tossed out there, you all did exactly what I hoped you would. You covered all the bases so I could be sure I was being treated and asked the right questions by the Dr. She seemed to have covered everything that was mentioned. I know you are not Doctors but what a wide range of experiences you all have that covers so much and in such great detail. I would always go to a Doctor
for actual diagnoses. And of course I will always be hoping for the least serious diagnoses that I read about.
 
IrishEyes said:
The Doc called it Vertigo, prescribed Mecilizine tablets and some head movement exercises. I am to do the exercises for
one week and give her an update if things seem to be lessening. And of course any severe side effects.
I got home and took the 1st tablet and got the best nap I have had in awhile. I was quite dizzy upon first taking it but just
let it happen. After I woke up I was pretty dizzy for a few minutes until I began moving about then it lessened by quite a bit.
I re-read side effects and nothing out of the normal of what is listed.
I asked about my carotid arteries as that was a fear due to my mom having had to have hers cleaned for more oxygen to the brain.
That was checked and blood flow is fine. That was a big relief.
She questioned me very thoroughly on what symptoms I was having, what I was doing when they happened, had me describe
how the dizziness felt in each situation (room spinning, neck hurting, blurred vision, etc) If I had been vomiting or nauseas during or
after.
She seemed to cover everything all of you had mentioned without prompting from me. Right now I feel more steady than I have been
in 4 days. I am still taking it slow until I see where this goes.
My BP to her liking was actually high (which it was and was taken within 5 minutes of arrival) I explained to her my BP always rises by
the time I leave home and get to the office due to the drivers on that highway as I come in. She laughed and said let's give it 10 minutes
and take it again to be sure. She did and it was right back to normal range by then. She made a note to allow me to sit for 20 or more minutes
prior to BP in future.
So on this so far, makes me think she may be right so I will wait and do the exercises when hubby gets home just in case. I won't be needing
to drive anywhere for 3-4 days so that gives me time to give this medication a try in a safe space and gage the success of it.
Since this is a antihistamine type drug it may work on that issue as well. I did not have a sinus infection.

There we are Friends, I realize as I type this I am actually breathing with mouth closed right now. I wasn't this morning. I sure hope this
is the answer, we shall see!
Click to expand...
Meclizine is a control, not a cure. It is very effective with minimal bad effects if used for a short period of time. Strengthening your immune system is the best long term control of vertigo. Did she find any pressure in your ears?
 
Deya said:
Meclizine is a control, not a cure. It is very effective with minimal bad effects if used for a short period of time. Strengthening your immune system is the best long term control of vertigo. Did she find any pressure in your ears?
Click to expand...
No she didn't test for that at this time. If I don't show some results from this, perhaps other tests will be done after.
If she doesn't mention it at our next appt. I will for sure bring it up and see what she says.
Thanks Deya!
 
Update on this, hope it's the final call as it makes most sense to me.
I tried the medication for 5 days and the exercises and it kept getting worse, with only one
day of seeming to be changing then bounced right back, So I cut pills in half and only took
2 a day instead of 3 of the 75mgs given. I was sleeping over 12 hrs a day on and off taking those.
A small bit of improvement but I was getting very tired even just sweeping the kitchen floor.
Called her back told them Dizziness scale of 0-10 was staying in the 4-5 range
No Nausea
No Headache
Now getting tired very quickly doing low energy tasks.

She ordered another blood test. I had a blood test not quite 4 weeks ago and everything was smack in the normal range.
Got this blood test back and the Glucose level had fallen from 116 to 42.

That was even easy for me to spot. I am Hypo diabetic in a very short time.
I looked up the causes of that and none fit except one thing:

Seniors who have had a gastric bypass. Due to the stomach surgery taking a good portion of it out and not producing
normal amounts of acid to digest plus the aging factor of body functions decreasing as well, this can happen to many who have had this surgery.

So now I have to eat carbs and/or sweet fruits every 2 hours. To bring my blood sugar up.
That call was about 10am this morning and I have eaten every 2 hours and oooof, I feel like it was Thanksgiving Day.

I have bagels, eat one half of one then later some chicken and real thick noodles, so ate some of that. Hubby will get me some grapes
when he goes into work as he knows how sweet I like them. So rotating those 2 things for today until I make other stuff tomorrow.
My trick will be finding the right combo of fruit and carbs to eat to not feel so stuffed all day. Haven't been a full portion eater for
10 years now, so this is the hard part as carbs sit in my gut like bricks for awhile. I want my energy back, I don't like feeling like a helpless kitten. Patience, patience, patience, it didn't happen in one day it will take a bit to correct.
But I am glad I have a reason/cause that I can understand and not be in fear that something lurks further beneath.

So if you have had Gastric Bypass or know someone who has, keep this in mind if they complain about dizziness and loss of energy
all of a sudden.
 
IrishEyes said:
Update on this, hope it's the final call as it makes most sense to me.
I tried the medication for 5 days and the exercises and it kept getting worse, with only one
day of seeming to be changing then bounced right back, So I cut pills in half and only took
2 a day instead of 3 of the 75mgs given. I was sleeping over 12 hrs a day on and off taking those.
A small bit of improvement but I was getting very tired even just sweeping the kitchen floor.
Called her back told them Dizziness scale of 0-10 was staying in the 4-5 range
No Nausea
No Headache
Now getting tired very quickly doing low energy tasks.

She ordered another blood test. I had a blood test not quite 4 weeks ago and everything was smack in the normal range.
Got this blood test back and the Glucose level had fallen from 116 to 42.

That was even easy for me to spot. I am Hypo diabetic in a very short time.
I looked up the causes of that and none fit except one thing:

Seniors who have had a gastric bypass. Due to the stomach surgery taking a good portion of it out and not producing
normal amounts of acid to digest plus the aging factor of body functions decreasing as well, this can happen to many who have had this surgery.

So now I have to eat carbs and/or sweet fruits every 2 hours. To bring my blood sugar up.
That call was about 10am this morning and I have eaten every 2 hours and oooof, I feel like it was Thanksgiving Day.

I have bagels, eat one half of one then later some chicken and real thick noodles, so ate some of that. Hubby will get me some grapes
when he goes into work as he knows how sweet I like them. So rotating those 2 things for today until I make other stuff tomorrow.
My trick will be finding the right combo of fruit and carbs to eat to not feel so stuffed all day. Haven't been a full portion eater for
10 years now, so this is the hard part as carbs sit in my gut like bricks for awhile. I want my energy back, I don't like feeling like a helpless kitten. Patience, patience, patience, it didn't happen in one day it will take a bit to correct.
But I am glad I have a reason/cause that I can understand and not be in fear that something lurks further beneath.

So if you have had Gastric Bypass or know someone who has, keep this in mind if they complain about dizziness and loss of energy
all of a sudden.
Click to expand...
Yep, it is all about controlling the endolymph fluid surges to the inner ear. It is the hydraulic (hydrops) surge of endolymph fluid that cause the inner ear to malfunction due to the neuro toxicity of the sodium and potassium mixing, IE Endolymphatic Hydrops, and that fluid is effected by glucose. If it rises or drops, it can cause inner ear malfunction. This is why many diabetics get dizzy easily. Dizziness and vertigo are common in older folks simply because our inner ear is worn like the rest of our body and easily effected by endolymphatic fluid spikes. A balanced diet eaten in 5 meals a day can make a big difference.
 
Meclizine is for sort of one of 'motion sickness meds' which my old GP rx'ed when I had 'dizziness' accompanied with slight nausea.
That was about 15-20 years ago. Mine was after recovering from cold or flu. Never like what you're describing. Just minor vertigo and even I could drive. I got better after few days on med.
You can see some improvement after the very first dosage. If not, there must be more to go.

IMO, ENT is best doctor to diagnosis appropriately and right medication.

I know most people goes to GP, but GP is for'minor' dizziness, not like yours(in your detailed description).
 
Final Update....hopefully.
Went to my 2nd Pys. Therapy appointment, did the head exercises with very slight dizzy reaction and was told......TaDa!!

The "crystal" has moved out of the right ear canal. Now it's just head movements to stabilize me my balance back to normal.
My next appt isn't until Dec 1st but she believes I will be able to cancel it by then if I do my exercises at home 3-4 times a day
until all waver is gone.

So, there you go! Some hope for any who may encounter this.
She did say many who this hits thinks like I 1st did, that it could be a stroke so they go to the ER. She said I was wise to think to talk to my dogs to assess speaking ability and checking limbs working normally before rushing to ER. So keep that in mind also.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top