Rocking worse after walking. Any other suggestions?

Hi - I’d been doing really well for about a year after 14 years of balance issues. I saw Dr S and was on 40mg ami and was slowly coming down (5 mg every 10-15 weeks) and down to 30mg. Then I got full spinning vertigo. Spoke to Dr S’s old physio and did Epley for BPPV. That helped full vertigo but all the other symptoms went into full blown mode.

I forced myself to go away for 2 weeks doing the most travelling I’ve done in 3 years. I live on an island with no cars and had boat, plane, train and driving and although I got through I had panic attacks and really bad rocking. I wish I’d never gone but I went to support my other half with something and he’s been so supportive of me seemed unfair not to go.

I’ve been doing my VRT since I’m home and spoken with the physio. I’ve upped my ami to 35 mg and I’m a bit better I think but when I go for my daily walk I come back with that awful rocking like I’m on a rough sea. Physio can’t suggest anything else to try. Any ideas? I’m toying with going on propranadol and GP open to ideas. Or do I go back to Dr S if it doesn’t improve in a few months? I’m strict with my diet (Dr S’s list) and Magnesium. Sleep is good - just don’t want to get up as it’s moving that makes it all worse. I’m still working from home 15 hours a week and strangely this time I’m doing ok with screens. Thank you.

1 Like

Stop the VRT imho, all that head shaking, no way!

Just go out for gentle walks in nature, fighting the urge to stay in and instead confront it (like you did).

Only way to compensate is to get out there.

Amitriptyline is great but like most drugs is never a silver bullet.

tbh, I wouldn’t do another Epley, either, just wait for the symptoms to calm down of their own accord. MAV “BPPV” is not like “normal” BPPV? It’s MAV not BPPV …

I had a relapse last year and it lasted about 2 weeks. Did nothing to fix it apart from just getting on with life.

You did the right thing to go on holiday, fight by doing, so long as you are able (e.g. not dreadfully nauseous which is definitely debilitating!)

Thank you - yes I’m lucky I am able to get out into amazing nature every day. That’s interesting about the VRT and Epley- thank you. Glad your relapse was just 2 weeks. That’s encouraging thank you

1 Like

I’m sure you’ll get other responses, but keep the faith, Emma, you will get through this and you will be back to your better self again! :heart:

1 Like

Could you try mindful walking? With this I mean being very mindful where you put your foot, how you lift it up and where you put it again. I think that this helps the brain to understand where you are and for me, it seems to help me when I am dizzy.

2 Likes

Is that in some ways similar to Tai Chi? I did that for a while and it was helpful in reducing nausea.

Hi. Yes I do that sporadically! But thank you for reminding me to do it more. Makes perfect sense. I’m very mindful of my surroundings when I walk too trying to take very thing in. I practice mediation too. I think this post is reminding me how much I put into trying to deal with this. It’s exhausting though. Thank you.

1 Like

I do qi gong which I think of as meditation with movement. It’s good for calming too.

2 Likes

I have not thought of this, but yes, the mindful part is similar to the mindful part in tai chi. Tai chi would be really good for balance as well.

2 Likes

I had been able to do lots of yoga as well but not going anywhere near it at the moment - too much head dangling. Thank you.

2 Likes

Oooh no, not yoga. Head presssure?!

1 Like