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Fla Dem

(26,553 posts)
Tue Apr 8, 2025, 12:00 PM Apr 8

My head is messed up. Not serious, just aggravating. Migraines, vertigo and ear hissing.

I've learned to live with them to a point. Usually, they last only a few hours or a day or two and Tylenol and Ibuprofen taken together can take care of them. But the last migraine attack in Nov lasted 2 weeks. Not every day, but almost and one of the days I just laid on my bed with a pillow over my head. That caused me to call the Doctor. He ordered a brain scan, all was ok. Just gave me script for butal/apap/caf. (Acetaminophen, Butalbital, and Caffeine). The odd thing is I use acetaminophen and drink coffee. But the pill seemed to work. By the end of the 2nd week the migraine went away.

Vertigo is more of an annoyance than anything else. I can function normally for the most part. But I'm careful when I have it. I get up slowly from sitting, I try to avoid bending over, I turn my head slowly and I don't look up. Still if I move too fast, or turn my head I may get dizzy, but not as much if I wasn't cautious.

Right now I've been dealing with hissing in my ears since at least the beginning of the year. It can be almost unnoticeable to very loud, but constant, it doesn't stop. Seeing my ENT Friday.

These are minor issues compared to what other are going through, 2 of my friends are dealing with more serious medical situations, so all in all I'm good. Would just like the hissing to stop.

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KTinaY2008

(62 posts)
1. I have menieres disease
Tue Apr 8, 2025, 12:05 PM
Apr 8

and your symptoms sound like my menieres symptoms. It ended up taking my hearing and the vertigo was so debilitating, I had to have a surgery to destory the balance systems in my inner ear (left) so they would stop sending the faulty signals to my brain. That surgery gave me my life back. They put a cochlear implant in at the same time.

Early treatment can help protect your hearing. Next time you see your dr, I would talk to him about it. Is it in one ear? Or both?

Fla Dem

(26,553 posts)
4. Wow, I hope I'm not that serious.
Tue Apr 8, 2025, 12:30 PM
Apr 8

Have had vertigo for probably 20 years. Can even go a couple of years without an attack, then out of the blue it will hit me. I will mention manières symptoms to my doctor next time I have my check-up, or if I have another attack.

Thank you, KT, for your information and I'm glad the surgery was a life saver for you.

jmbar2

(6,820 posts)
3. Vertigo may be due to otoliths - if so, here is an effective treatment you can do at home.
Tue Apr 8, 2025, 12:14 PM
Apr 8

I went through this a few years ago and it was awful. Discovered the Epley maneuver and it fixed it.

It does not work immediately, and the first few times may feel worse until you get the hang of it. Practiced consistently, I have had no more problems with vertigo.

Good luck!



Fla Dem

(26,553 posts)
6. My doctor did tell me to do this when I first went to him years ago.
Tue Apr 8, 2025, 12:36 PM
Apr 8

I actually did this and eventually the vertigo stop. It came back a few years later and I have to admit I completely forgot about the Epley Manuver. I will give it a try. Thanks jmb for reminding me and for the link.

Lars39

(26,362 posts)
8. It really helps to stay as active as you can with your head up.
Tue Apr 8, 2025, 01:23 PM
Apr 8

Also sleep propped up! It’s a pain, but it gives the crystals a chance to “reseat” themselves.
Hope you get some relief soon.

LogDog75

(408 posts)
9. I have vestibular therapy at the end of the month for vertigo
Tue Apr 8, 2025, 01:28 PM
Apr 8

I've seen videos online, including the Epley Maneuver, but I'll hold off trying it until the physical therapist tells and shows me how to do it.

7. Look up BPPV...
Tue Apr 8, 2025, 01:04 PM
Apr 8

Paroxysmal positional vertigo. Saw my PCP who concurred with my assessment; did the treatments at home and had success in getting rid of the vertigo.

HeartsCanHope

(993 posts)
10. I like this maneuver by Carol Foster, easier than the Eppley.
Tue Apr 8, 2025, 06:55 PM
Apr 8

My husband uses it, also. I'm sorry you're having so much trouble. Sending healing thoughts your way.

HeartsCanHope

(993 posts)
13. You can also use the Foster move as a preventative.
Tue Apr 8, 2025, 08:33 PM
Apr 8

If I start feeling a little wonky, I do the maneuver for one side, and then the next day the other. Her explanation of BPPV is also really good. Good luck. Will be thinking of you.

Laffy Kat

(16,628 posts)
15. That sounds annoying as hell.
Thu Apr 10, 2025, 12:57 AM
Apr 10

Is it tinnitus? Hopefully, the ENT doc will have some ideas on treatment.

Fla Dem

(26,553 posts)
17. Thanks for asking Niagra.Frankly I feel great! Just the constant hissing is driving me crazy!!!
Thu Apr 10, 2025, 07:54 PM
Apr 10

Seeing the ENT tomorrow morning, but I don't have a lot of hope for a remedy. Maybe something I just have to live with.

Niagara

(10,521 posts)
18. You're welcome, Fla Dem. I hope that whatever might be happening to you is at least manageable
Thu Apr 10, 2025, 08:46 PM
Apr 10

Good luck with the ENT tomorrow!

Wicked Blue

(7,892 posts)
19. I'm sorry that you have it. It sucks.
Thu Apr 10, 2025, 09:53 PM
Apr 10

I've had vertigo for over 30 years, although it rarely flares up anymore. Mainly when my sinuses are congested or the atmospheric pressure is high, or it's windy.

I've been told it's all in my imagination, that it's meniere's, that I need the Epley maneuver (I don't).

Finally a few years ago I got sent to a topnotch neurologist who had me undergo all sorts of scans and tests, including one where they put a stream of warm water in my affected ear. I got so dizzy from the water test that I was clinging to the table and yelling for them to stop because it felt like the exam table was rocking wildly back and forth..

The diagnosis: I have nerve damage to my inner ear - vestibular neuropathy. There's not much that can be done about it, but at least I finally know what is causing it. I don't drink alcohol, limit myself to 2 cups of tea a day, no coffee. When my tree pollen season starts in January I use Flonase and an oral inhaler for my asthma until late April. When it's cold and windy I try to stay indoors.

Ginger tea helps a little.

Good luck to you in finding out what's causing it, and finding a way to treat it.

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