I’m just curious as to how often you all take medication to help control your dizziness related symptoms. I currently take meclizine in the morning and hope it controls some of the nausea. I try only to take an ativan when needed, but it seems that every day I work I need it to function. I feel so stuck. I know they are not good to take on a daily basis, but I can’t function without it. Not working is not an option for me right now. Oh the frustration!
what meds are you taking for your dizziness.
For my symptoms I’m taking meclizine, ativan (on a as needed basis-no more than 2 times a week–cause it’s addictive like beer 
) and zofran
Currently as a preventitive I’m at one month at 50mg of Topamax, 25 mg Amitriptyline and adding a low dose of Effexor (in the next few days) to help counter the depression I have…Hopefully the Effexor will help with the dizziness too!
Hi Sasad,
I was wondering if you could tell us a bit more about your preventives? Did you start Topamax and Amitriptyline at the same time? What was your doc’s reasoning for both meds. Any other info would be great too!
Thanks,
Lisa
No problem Lisa,
When I first went to my regular doctor he reffered me to a neuro who diagnosed me with migraines. He originally prescribed me Inderal which was a nightmare! At that point I wasn’t convinced my dizziness was due to migraines and sought the second opinions of an ENT who said he thought I had VN. At that point I stopped taking the Inderal (3 weeks in) and asked for a different medication. He then prescribed me amitriptyline. At this point I was getting the slightest bit of relief but I wasn’t sure if it was due to the meds or the vestibular physical therapy.
That is when I made my appointment with Dr. Hain. He had me stop taking the amitrip. and start taking the Topamax. However, after 3 weeks I e-mailed him and told him I never felt this bad when I was on the amitrip. So we decided to add it back in.
In the meantime (like many of you, I’m sure) I’ve become pretty depressed. That is where the Effexor is coming in. I’m a little nervous about side effects, but I think my max dose after tiration is 37.5 mg. Still, when you read about other people’s bad experiences on it, it kind of makes you hesitant.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
I’m just so glad I found somewhere that other people can relate to what I’m feeling. Such a relief to know I’m not totally alone.
Sarah
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for sharing your medication history. Ami is an anti-depressant and I wonder why Hain wants to start Effexor instead of maximizing the dose of Ami especially since you respond to that. It is still used today for depression and is quite effective. Have you and Hain discussed this option? I know he loves Effexor, but it may make sense to stick to two drugs especially when one (ami) has been shown to be doing something for you. Just a thought. What do you think? Oh, and for lots of docs a tricyclic like ami is used first line for MAV.
Lisa
Hey Sarah,
Glad you found mvertigo. I have to agree with Lisa on this. I’m very surprised Hain didn’t keep you on ami if you started seeing results. You can crank up a tricyclic until the sedation becomes too much (which is the end point in this class of meds) – and that’s where you stop. You should be walking out the door in the morning feeling awake and not groggy … if still tired and sluggish, the dose is too high.
Tricyclic antidepressants: low doses effective (for amitriptyline, doxepin, and imipramine, 50 mg/day); with amitriptyline and doxepin, the end point is sleep without daytime sedation; side effects with amitriptyline and doxepin include weight gain; with nortriptyline and imipramine, all side effects less; when using nortriptyline, prescribe by generic name, which costs ≈$17/mo (brand name [Pamelor] costs $575/mo); desipramine and protriptyline nonsedating and not associated with weight gain (protriptyline currently available only by brand name [Vivactil]).
Best … Scott 8)