emergency trip to the hospital

[Gabby]

well I can officially say I know how a rabbit with head tilt/vestibular diseaser and nystagmus feels.

While at work yesterday I was hit by some dizziness, thought at first it was just I had moved to quick.. as it turns out no, soon after followed a feeling of not so much the room spinning but rather bouncing back and forth. And then vomiting.and a feeling of being extreamly drunk, even though I had nothing to drink. Work called my husband who drove me to the emergency hospital. I tried to explain as best as I could how it felt, told them I felt like I had nystagmus, and the room wasn't spinning but rather bouncing back and forth. I was a bit unsteady by the time I had arrived at the hospital, but other wise feeling pretty good, compare to how I hadfelt at work where i had to press my head against solid objects to help keep it still.


first questions,because of dizziness and vomiting, they assume are your pregenant.. NO! good lord I seriously think there is an issue there,they ran an EKG, told me that was standard with any one who had an loss of ballence or nearly passed out. good news my heart is normal

so some poking and prodding, following fingers with my eyes, touching moving fingers with my finger then touching my nose( um is this a drunk test..?) the Dr came is and said you metioned "you thought you had nystagmus, you used that word," "yeah?" "well you do, it isn't strong now but you do have one" "ok?"

"so basically what we think you have(guessing as can find nothing else) is a problem where a peice of calcium or something in you brain X number area flakes off, ends up in X number area (i forget the number he used) which controls your feeling of ballence and basically makes you feel like you are moving when you are not. it usually lasts around an hour give or take, and it can happen once in your life, it can occure on a rugular basis, or can happen a few times in your life"

Hmm yeah ok so basically they have no idea..

the written print out stated I had vertigo labyrinthitis dissiness..I Looked at up online today, and it states it's bacterial or viral.. and that is not what the Dr described yesterday.. Ok.. did he forget to mention something, or is there oly 1 name covers both??


so they prescribed some meds to help with the dizziness, he said if you still feel a bit dizzy, use these, but if you feel fine you don't need to use them. They gave me my first dose in the hospital.

So the meds can affect my vision and make me very tired.. I know they make me tired, screen looks a bit odd so they may be affecting my vision a bit. So NOT FUN!!

Not that you all wanted to hear all this.. other than needing stitches when I was 12, this is my only other real medical need I have ever had so I was a bit spooked by it all.

I had a million different ideas running through my head while it was all happening, but knew it was very much head/brain related.. so i'm sure many can guess things running through a person's mind with that..

but i certainly have a new found appreciation for any animal with vestibular disease, and i imagine most buns with wry neck in most cases reguardless of cause probally feel simular..

which brings me to a new thought.. maybe we should be adding motion/dizziness meds to their treatments...

any rate thanks for reading this if you do and letting mechatter on and ramble..

 

[Bo B Bunny]

OMG! I hope you do ok now! :hug:

 

[Wabbitdad12]

Oh my! You probably haven't had a chance to clarify with the doctor yet on whether it is "bacterial or viral". That would be an important bit of information. I hope your starting to feel better.

Having a doctor say "so basically what we think you have..."would not instill confidence in me. Are you going to see a specialist?

Lets hope its the once in a lifetime event like the doctor said!I bet you do too!:bunnynurse:

 

[Gabby]

First thank you very much, i can't wait to be back to 100% me.

with my insurance a person can not see a specialist with out a Dr's referral, so no I wont be seeing one, not at this time.. if it continues I would certainly be requesting such. and yes you can bet on i hope it's a one time only occurrence, the number of times i had to retell what happened yesterday and the number of people i had to tell it to was getting very tiresome. So I made a written account of it today, so if down the road i have to retell it i have it written down in case i forget anything.



the the practitioner who discharged me had commented sometimes we never know what the cause was, and you do not appear to have any ear infections or anything. But with the description the Dr gave and my eagerness to get out of the place(I HATE hospitals) I never thought to ask about that, and It wasn't until I looked it up on-line today that i even knew about the bacterial or viral, because what the Dr told me did not make it sound like it was bacterial or viral, but rather just some particle floating around in there..

 

[mouse_chalk]

Oh gosh Gabby, thats so scary! I really feel for you! And, I can say that I know how you feel too, because I've had Labyrinthitis since January last year. I've had some pretty bad days, of falling over/passing out, not being able to get up, and all of the symptoms you've described, although luckily I've never had to go to the hospital with it!

I think from all the research I've done that the bit about the flakes of calcium being misplaced is something called Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), or at least that's been my understanding of it. Labyrinthitis is a result of damage being done to the inner ear balance nerves by some sort of virus (which could be a cold, or could be something you didn't even notice you had). Mine seemed to be related to a cold I had at around the same time, and like you, it came on all of a sudden, at work. I was sat at my desk ok, then I turned my head, and the rest of the room went with me and I nearly fell off my chair! I've not been able to work since July.

Don't get too scared though, because loads of people have episodes like that and it doesn't last, it just goes away... In fact, the people I tell about it, either have never heard of Labyrinthitis, or they say 'oh, I had that, it lasted for about 2 weeks and I've been fine ever since!'So just because I've had it more severe, doesn't mean you will, so please don't get scared by this!

Out of curiosity, what medication have they prescribed you, if you don't mind my asking?

I've got some links saved on my laptop, with some info, and a forum too, so if you want them, just let me know!

I really reallyhope you get better soon, it's horrible isn't it?!

Lots of hugs to you!!

:hug:

Jen xx

 

[Gabby]

mouse_chalk wrote:

Oh gosh Gabby, thats so scary! I really feel for you! And, I can say that I know how you feel too, because I've had Labyrinthitis since January last year. I've had some pretty bad days, of falling over/passing out, not being able to get up, and all of the symptoms you've described, although luckily I've never had to go to the hospital with it!

I think from all the research I've done that the bit about the flakes of calcium being misplaced is something called Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), or at least that's been my understanding of it. Labyrinthitis is a result of damage being done to the inner ear balance nerves by some sort of virus (which could be a cold, or could be something you didn't even notice you had). Mine seemed to be related to a cold I had at around the same time, and like you, it came on all of a sudden, at work. I was sat at my desk ok, then I turned my head, and the rest of the room went with me and I nearly fell off my chair! I've not been able to work since July.

Don't get too scared though, because loads of people have episodes like that and it doesn't last, it just goes away... In fact, the people I tell about it, either have never heard of Labyrinthitis, or they say 'oh, I had that, it lasted for about 2 weeks and I've been fine ever since!'So just because I've had it more severe, doesn't mean you will, so please don't get scared by this!

Out of curiosity, what medication have they prescribed you, if you don't mind my asking?

I've got some links saved on my laptop, with some info, and a forum too, so if you want them, just let me know!

I really reallyhope you get better soon, it's horrible isn't it?!

Lots of hugs to you!!

:hug:

Jen xx

oh wow.. do you think it was a miss print, or the left hand not kowing what the right hand was doing? Because seriously what he said and the paper said were then by all means 2 different things.

they had asked if i had been sick lately, if I'd had anything to drink the night before. I had been sick 3 weeks prior, i think it was 3 weeks I had 3 horrid bugs this year it's hard to keep track.

mine was very much postional, if i was perfectly still(picture liying using my arm as pillow in the middle of our break room floor at work) with eyes closed, i felt better, opened my eye felt worse, if i moved at all even the slightest i would puke.

I soo feel for you. and yes i'd love more info on it. do you have info about both or all of it or just the one affecting you?

We can continue this in PM if you like.

 

[mouse_chalk]

I've just PM'd you, but for the benefit of anyone else who might read this thread, and because I missed your second reply lol, I'll post here as well!

It's entirely possible I guess that the doctor you saw just wasn't an expert on vestibular and balance issues... was he just a general doctor or a specialist, do you know? I've found that a lot of doctors, unless specialist in this area are quite lacking in confidence in dealing with this sort of thing....

And, I am no expert and everything I know is from my own reading, but if it is BPPV, the calcium flake thing (lol), then there is treatment for that, which from what I've read is generally quite effective. I believe it's called the Epley Manouvre?

I'm not affected by both, or at least I don't think I am, just Labyrinthitis for me... The symptoms for both are very similar though, although I believe that BPPV usually makes you feel worse when you lie down, or in one certain position, whereas with Labyrinthitis you can sometimes feel better lying down.... I'm not sure on that bit though, partly cos I can't recall it correctly and partly because I have been up all night and don't even know if it makes any sense lol!

But, like I said, I really hope this was a one off for you, but you know where I am if you have any other questions or anything!

 

[Gabby]

mouse_chalk wrote:

I've just PM'd you, but for the benefit of anyone else who might read this thread, and because I missed your second reply lol, I'll post here as well!

It's entirely possible I guess that the doctor you saw just wasn't an expert on vestibular and balance issues... was he just a general doctor or a specialist, do you know? I've found that a lot of doctors, unless specialist in this area are quite lacking in confidence in dealing with this sort of thing....

And, I am no expert and everything I know is from my own reading, but if it is BPPV, the calcium flake thing (lol), then there is treatment for that, which from what I've read is generally quite effective. I believe it's called the Epley Manouvre?

I'm not affected by both, or at least I don't think I am, just Labyrinthitis for me... The symptoms for both are very similar though, although I believe that BPPV usually makes you feel worse when you lie down, or in one certain position, whereas with Labyrinthitis you can sometimes feel better lying down.... I'm not sure on that bit though, partly cos I can't recall it correctly and partly because I have been up all night and don't even know if it makes any sense lol!

But, like I said, I really hope this was a one off for you, but you know where I am if you have any other questions or anything!

well because we had no idea what was going on when it happened we went to the emergency room at the hospital, so just a regular ER Doctor, who I'm going to guess just is general emergency medicine.

and yes laying down eyes closed made me feel much better, and he did ask about that, was it constant or did laying down eyes closed help. I had I think 6 different people tend me while there.

one to check me in and do vitals, one to place me in a bed, one to do an EKG, one who was suppose to draw blood but got out of that, he couldn't find a good vein mine are small and deep and while he was looking an additional person who had done some of the assessment came by and said hold off on that. YES!!! another girl who checked my blood sugar... and the Doctor himself.. maybe i missed a person or 2..

i did find a bit of reading and it said laying o the unaffected side made you feel better. I only ever laid on my left side,, and turning my head to the right is one the times my world went hay wire and I vomited.

Course when this was all happening I'm thinking what if it's a brain tumor, or an aneurysm, first thought was blood sugar, but once the other symptoms kicked in that vanished from my mind.

Oh and HAHA my name change papers showed up at my house yesterday, WOOHOO.. but suppose not the best timing..

 

[juliew19673]

That is such a miserable feeling - I had "it", also never diagonsed off and on for about a year and half (as did my roommate at the sametime). Whats strange is that we were both told it was not bacterial but Viral and that it would pass and were given something (do not recall what but for the dizziness). May not have been the same as yours as I only felt slightly nauseaus, but was definetly dizzy..

Also, same friend (and old roommate) had this twice since and once) it was diagnosed as hormonal - she was given progesterin to supplement and it went away; and then the 2nd time) she had abruptly gone off her anti-deppresant Zoloft (very mild AD but had been on it for about 7 years) and it came back with with a bang! This time, she took rescue remedy and refilled her Zoloft and it went away.

For me it has not ever come back - so I never found out what it was; but Viral seemed to make sense.

Goodluck and hope you start feeling better soon.

 

[MsBinky]

Awwwwwwww sorry to hear about you being sick. I watched my mother have it and it's really not funny. I felt really bad for her. I hope you feel better soon :rose:

 

[pumpkinandwhiskersmom]

My dad suffered from vertigo, which had very similar symptoms. It would happen very suddenly, and made him feel miserable. The meds helped, as did just being still. If you have a regular family doc, it might be a good idea to speak with him/her. I sure hope you're feeling better, and that this was a one shot deal for you.

 

[Gabby]

first thank you everyone for your well wishes

pumpkinandwhiskersmom wrote:

My dad suffered from vertigo, which had very similar symptoms. It would happen very suddenly, and made him feel miserable. The meds helped, as did just being still. If you have a regular family doc, it might be a good idea to speak with him/her. I sure hope you're feeling better, and that this was a one shot deal for you.

paws crossed 1 time deal. I currently do not have a family Doctor, let me make that more clear, when my husband changed jobs and insurence companies he had to write down a dr as his primary care, and he decided to write the same Dr down for me.

I have never been to see that Doctor, and never been to his office even. 1, I just can't have a male Doctor, makes me uncomfortable. 2, it's my inlaws freaking neighbor who *I* baby sat 2 of his kids, and that to me just feels so improper.

I am currently trying to decide on a primary doctor, so i'm without a doctor at this time. But i'm so picky, and looking at the names of doctors in the area just overwhelms me, so one my friends told me she is going to ask her Dr if she is willing to take me on, and I already know she takes my insurence. so it will either be a yes or no.. we shall see.

For now i'm on my own with it. And to be honest i kinda of really hate doctors.. can't i just go see my vet instead?? LOL

 

[pumpkinandwhiskersmom]

Yeah...I really hate doctors, as well. Wouldn't it be nice to have a family vet that took care of all of us??? Take care....

 

[LuvaBun]

Sorry to hear about this , Gabby. How scarey. Praying that it was just a one-off, and your back to 'normal'soon!

Jan

 

[Gabby]

I was noticeably "off" like one who hasn't fully gotten over a cold, till about Thursday, still a bit slow on Saturday, but feeling pretty much myself yesterday and today, in fact, I'd say now back to normal.. I hope.. ok so as "NORMAL" as *I* get

nothing else has happened*knock on wood* and it's been a week and a couple days.. i heard of another person who had it recently, my dental hygienist said many in her family have had it, and just recently her brother had it for the first time.

haha in case you haven't guessed, I went to the dentist today.. just a regular cleaning.. have a very tiny cavity that i need filled.. Evil genetics , any rate.. funny how when something happens to you, you start hearing from all kids of people who have experienced the same thing..




Any rate I just wanted to thank you all for your well wishes. and update you and let you know i'm doing well

 

[Pipp]

I have Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), and possiblyMeniere's Disease as well, but they never did confirm that. I just know that I was/am an oddball case. The dizzy spells (brought on by a positioning test on the exam table) were only supposed to last for 30 seconds or acouple of minutes at most, but minekept going... and going... and going.. (And until now I didn't know the eye movements they looked for were nystagmus, thanks, now I feel even more kinship to head-tilt bunnies!)

I first had it years ago as a teen or young adult,diagnosed by a neurologist. It seemed pretty new then -- the guy was running around the whole clinic grabbing other doctors to come and look at him bring on an attack with the positioning. (Yeah, thanks. I donated my stomach contents to science - several times over).

After years of being dormant (thanks to the Epley Maneuver, second try), it came back with a vengence -- onecontinuous bout of vertigo that would not stop, I had to be hauled off in an ambulance.

Lately diagnosingit seems more old hat, though I was still sent for an MRI (which took a year on a waiting list) before they'd treat the reoccurance.It's better but not gone. At least the spells are very brief and not strong enough to lead to the violent bouts of nausea.

I have an overwhelming fear of nausea, I'll take straightpain, thanks. :yuck

I've hadto sleep in a reclining chair for the last year or two. Sleeping in a bed doesn't bother me much, butgetting out of thebed will trigger an attack. I also can't look up, somebody else has to checkout the stuff on the top shelves. Looking down isn't so hot, either.

It's better when I get a good night'ssleep, and I think keeping hydrated and not overdoingmy sodium intake helps as well. And Ican't scratch my ear, that's kicked the whole thing off again more than once.

I'm supposed to take gravol (yuck) at the very first sign of dizzyness. I think they also prescribed Meclizine (which I believe is also given to head tilt bunnies) and some morning sickness pills, but none of itdidmuch, or they did something other than they were supposed to.

I have an excuse for being 'spinny!'

I joined a bunch of groups, mailing lists, etc, I can dig them up if you like, but chances are good it won't come back even if it is BPPV, the majority (60% I think) don't.

Here's hoping! :goodluck



sas :lookaround

 

[pumpkinandwhiskersmom]

WOW! You've really been through it....and I totally empathize with hating nausea....I'd rather have a body beating!!! We'll pray that things stabilize (no pun intended!). My dad took meclizine for vertigo too. You're absolutely right about the hydration issue, as well. His doc told him to be extremely diligent about hydration at all times. I sure hope you're better and stay better. Thinking of you...Grace

 

[Gabby]

wow pip, it is amazine how many you hear about, like i was saying after you've been through it. they say it'sfairly common now, at least the Dr told me it was. but i so agree on the sick part, that was horendes, I HATE that part of being sick, if it was just the dozzy and stuff it would have been crazy, but far better to deal with,..

I hope yours goes back into remission soon. paws crossed for you. Funny i feel really good, but my ears have been itching the last 2 days.. supose the dizziness and all was the extreme start of an ear infection? Dunno..



Oh yes and I told work today about the name change