Because of the Celexa, I am feeling about 90-95% better these days. I work a full day, exercise, play with my kids, and function every day with nary a thought to dizziness. During the daytime, it only comes up as an issue when I am moving on a train, or on a ride with my kids, or watching a ceiling fan. Otherwise, I would say that I am basically cured.
The only time that kills me is sleep. I get in bed, close my eyes, and feel like I am on a raft in a swimming pool, moving left twenty degrees, then right twenty degrees, then up or down. It is hard to get to sleep. Antivert doesn’t help, nor does hot bath, meditation, etc.
I have been taking a small benzo most nights (2 mg valium, 1/3 of a Kpin tablet) and that solves the problem by simply putting me out. Otherwise I have to lie there for hours feeling like I am moving until I convince my mind to stop paying attention to it. I never take a benzo before 11pm. I have no desire to catch a buzz, and I never ever drink or take any drugs, but I do find myself taking the benzo most nights to avoid the struggle with sleep.
I guess I feel guilty. Any ideas for what I can do?
Personally, I think that if the benzo is what is helping you to sleep, then take it. Sleep deprivation in many of us will trigger dizziness. In that case, the benzo is therapeutic. Leave the guilt behind and continue getting a good night sleep…
Hi Longshort,
Great to hear you are doing so well now. Nearly ‘normal’ - wow that’s what I’m aiming for. Maybe adding another med to the Celexa to get rid of those nightly ‘sea issues’ would help. I’d be quite happy to take Ativan daily to help my visual vertigo if it weren’t for the fact that it’s not a good idea for the long term (having to up the dose to get same effect)! I’m adding another med (Periactin) to the 110mg Dothep to see if that helps.
Barb
Have you tried magnesium at bedtime? I was kicking my husband in my sleep and my primary care doc recommended it for that problem, which it did indeed stop. And I’m only able to take 250mg (400 was causing me gut cramps). A lot of people on this board are taking it for migraine symptoms (Dr Nick Silver considers periodic limb movements of sleep to be often migraine related).
I’m so glad to hear about your improvement!!! That’s wonderful! Don’t worry about the benzo! Just live your life, you deserve it after the hell you’ve been through with MAV!
Not sure whether it was absent from your list due to amour propre, but for me orgasm sometimes scan untie the knots just enough. Other times, when I don’t have to be bright-eyed etc. in the A.M., reading something comfortable but absorbing till my eyes shut by themselves is both sufficiently distracting from malaise and releasing.
I probably wouldn’t try to combine the two home remedies.
Not sure whether it was absent from your list due to amour propre, but for me orgasm sometimes scan untie the knots just enough. Other times, when I don’t have to be bright-eyed etc. in the A.M., reading something comfortable but absorbing till my eyes shut by themselves is both sufficiently distracting from malaise and releasing.
I probably wouldn’t try to combine the two home remedies.
— End quote
Sex? The Celexa makes me take a lot longer,LOL. It makes me feel more relaxed but does not help the dizzies.
Magnesium seemed to help but I had to run to the bathroom all day.
Funny, the dizziness actually rocks me to sleep!
I do know there is a cognitive component and a caffeine component. If I worry about having to wake early and not getting enough sleep, I almost automatically have trouble sleeping. And if I have any caffeine whatsoever, even a chocolate, after the morning, my sleep is disturbed that night.
I disagree somewhat with the others about the med, because if you are taking so little, it may be more of a habit or touchstone, and I would try to substitute valerian or chamomile or something else. Since you are taking so little, try to gradually switch off to something less risky. It’s not about guilt, it’s more about your liver and all that.
Fantastic news…I love to hear some success stories. Don;t feel guilty about taking your nightly benzo. Sleep deprivation is not good for any of us especially those with MAV. My mother in-law takes some natural sleep tablets which does the trick for her.
Doug,
I found nighttime the worst as well, and sleep a big issue for me. I find a low dose promethazine, basically an antihistamine, knocks me out and helped my dizzies even more. My sleep is stellar on it, and it’s non habit forming, unlike the benzos. However, I do take a small dose of klon in the morning and it helps me too…so I understand your worry.
Sometime3s we just gotta live the best we can while we can because we never know what tomorrow brings!!
Kelley
