Vertigo?

I'm a bit worried about my husband. He was driving home from work the other night and had to pull over and park the car because he felt too 'light headed' to drive. He went to the doctor and they told him it was probably vertigo due to a possible inner ear infection. They didnt give him any sort of anti-biotics. They told him to take motion sickness pills. He took one and it didnt help at all. The doctor said it would last a few days or maybe a week. But he just seems to be getting worse. He describes it as feeling drunk without the alcohol. Last night he went to bed and a migraine hit him almost immediately. I'm worried becasue these are nearly the same symptoms my uncle experienced before they found a brain tumor. I am urging hubby to go to the hospital but he wont go. The doctor gave him a sick note for a week because he cant drive. Anyone know anything about Vertigo and how long it lasts?

If you have worries I would definitely go back to the doc or  A&E.

Vertigo itself  can last for as short or long a time as the underlying cause.

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/vertigo/page2_em.htm#Vertigo%20Causes

Vertigo itself  can last for as short or long a time as the underlying cause.

Ditto what she said.  And there are so many different things that can cause it.

Does he normally have the odd migraine?

Thanks for that link. I think I'll show it to him.

 

Ditto what she said.  And there are so many different things that can cause it.

Does he normally have the odd migraine?

No not really. I mean I dont know. He never complains about anything. It's always "I'm fine".

It's always "I'm fine".

Typical man, with that & not wanting to go to the doctor.   I doubt they'll ask him to bend over & cough for this, if he's worried about that.

Typical man, with that & not wanting to go to the doctor.   I doubt they'll ask him to bend over & cough for this, if he's worried about that.

HA HA HA Carolyn!!!!!!

Antibiotics may not actually help an inner ear infection. He might just need to get a lot of rest. Is he running a fever at all?
 I took a drug called anti-vert for this once and it bascially knocked me out. I couldn't get out of bed for days, but eventually the vertigo went away.
Hope he feels better soon!

Antibiotics may not actually help an inner ear infection. He might just need to get a lot of rest. Is he running a fever at all?
 I took a drug called anti-vert for this once and it bascially knocked me out. I couldn't get out of bed for days, but eventually the vertigo went away.
Hope he feels better soon!

he isnt running a fever but had cold sweats last night. He took a motion sickness pill and it made him very tired. Maybe Ill give him a break from the laundry and cleaning tomorrow and let him sleep till 9. 

If the medication the doctor prescribed is not working, he needs to go back to the doctor and get referred to someone who is more specialised in what it could be. ASAP.

If the medication the doctor prescribed is not working, he needs to go back to the doctor and get referred to someone who is more specialised in what it could be. ASAP.

I agree Ricki.

I'd go to A&E and get it checked out.  It's best to be safe and have piece of mind.  (hug)

I agree with the others about A&E or another doc.  I get terrible inner ear infections, usually tied to a sinus infection.  I've ruptured both ear drums so many times, my hearing is not that great.  I've gotten the occasional dizzy spell from them, but not that bad and I've had some terrible infections.  I get migraines too and I will get bad spells with those.  I hope he's allright and you get him to go to doc, it's not something i'd play around with just in case.

My mom has minieres disease.  It took a while to diagnose.  She now takes a beta blocker (like valium?) and a diuretic (sp?) to help drain the fluid.  Sometimes sudafed helps her when she feels an attack coming on.   

She only has an attack every once in a while but when it first comes on, she is debilitated.  She has to lie down and look at the wall or else she'll faint and throw up.  Now she knows it's stress that brings it on, but she also has to watch her diet.  No alcohol, minimal salt and she can control it.  She was 60 or so when she was diagnosed.

Vertigo can be quite serious and debilitating.  I'd keep pushing the doctors.

My mom has this (among other things):

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/medical_notes/4055425.stm

It began with vertigo & took 10 years (starting in 1977) to diagnose.

Again, there are soooooo many different things that can cause vertigo.

I have had vertigo since being in University.  I get it on and off every once and a while. If your husband is getting worse, he can try these exercises.  Literally you lie on a bed and move your head to different positions, slowly and hold it there for a few seconds. 

Make sure you are in the room with him.  The first time I did them I nearly passed out, but they fix me up fairly quickly, occassionally I have to do it twice. 

They fix the problem in about 80% of the cases and I have no idea why more doctors don't try them first.  The first time I had vertigo I was given medication that literally made me sleep 18 out of 24 hours. 

Clearly, I am not a doctor, so make of this what you will, but read over the symtpoms, see if they fit.  I use the Epley maneuver, listed under the office procedures and I have always done it on my own with doctor. 

Guess it would help if I added the link.  HA!!

http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/bppv/bppv.html

I would try the Epley maneuver first it is the least demanding.

If it works, great, if not, well then literally no harm done, except maybe some dizziness. 

Also, he might want to take motion sickness pills before trying this. 

I was so bad last year I couldn't even walk down the street because I couldn't walk a straight line.  I found out about this from my friend, an NHS doctor, when her mom had this treatment through BUPA.  She was upset her mom had to go private to find out about it after having to take 2 months off from work due to her problems.
Good luck!!