Dizzy

Updated on June 02, 2009
S.H. asks from El Cerrito, CA
18 answers

Hi Moms,

We spent the holiday at the lake and swam a lot. The last day I noticed water that took me a while to get out of my ears (my hearing was off and I could feel the water). It seemed like I got it out though. However the next day my equilibrium was off and I was really dizzy when I did my sit ups or got up from a laying position. It is worse at night and I have to stop at times to regain my composure because my head is spinning. The only thing I could think of is water in my ear. My friend told me it sounded like swimmers ear and to put equal parts of rubbing alcohol and vinegar in my ears and it should work quickly as it did with her daughter (and it is a recommended homeopathy on the internet).

Well...it doesn't seem to be working and I'm not even sure it is related to the water. I've had this before, many years ago, but I am not comfortable and tired of almost falling on my face and spinning around.

Any ideas, similar experiences, suggestions? I will go to the doctor soon if it doesn't clear up, but with 3 kids there is very little time right now.

Thank you!

1 mom found this helpful

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Thank you Moms. It seems a day after adding equal drops of vinegar and rubbing alcohol to my ears the dizziness was gone. Maybe it was water in the ear and the homeopathic drops worked. I was told it would work immediately, but it took about 24 hours.

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.B.

answers from San Francisco on

Anemia can cause dizzyness. Deficiencies in both vit b12 and Iron can cause anemia.

I remember reading somewhere that the upper sinus tract is connected to the ear canal. maybe a fungal or bacterial issue starting up there can affect the ears?

My sis and her hubby's apartment got flooded by the tennants upstairs (which caused mold to grow on her stuff) and ever since they have experienced sinus infection. They had used flonase for years for sinus problems and it didnt really work - they switched to xyclear and it helps.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.K.

answers from Fresno on

I had this problem a couple months ago and dr told me to take motion sickness pills. It stopped in a day or two. The downside is they make you sleepy but it was worth it to stop the spinning.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.S.

answers from San Francisco on

It sounds like a middle ear infection. It usually doesn't involve pain, but mild to extreme vertigo (dizziness, inability to stand or walk upright). There are tiny little "hairs" in your middle ear that help with balance (and thus, the lack of dizziness in your everyday life). A middle ear infection will flatten these hairs, taking away your balance and making you feel dizzy. The degree of infection is directly related to the seriousness of the vertigo. Your doctor will be able to prescribe meds that will take care of the infection and return you to your "normal" state (whatever normal is when you're chasing after kids, doing laundry, grocery shopping, helping with homework, making meals, etc., etc.).

Get better! :)

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.R.

answers from San Francisco on

Oh my goodness, what a coincidence that you posted this. I'm getting something similar checked out right now, ugh!

Sounds like it could be Menier's which apparently can come and go like you describe. But I think you should go to the doctor right away to get checked out. I don't have the dizziness but I have hearing loss in one ear and fullness and ringing. For certain things, they have a short window of time (2-4 weeks) when they can give you a steroid and it has a good chance of fixing the problem! Who knows, maybe yours is like that.

Of course it could be just swimmer's ear too! But you just don't know. I would try to find an Otologist at best, or an ENT if that's easier. A regular GP will probably give you the "water in the ear" thing first (mine did - he thought it was wax in my ear) because they just don't know enough about it.

I know it's hard to get to the doctor with kids but it sounds like something that may not go away on its own and you should get it checked out. Good luck!!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.R.

answers from Fresno on

Your symptoms are very similar to my husbands. He went to his doctor and he said that he has an inner ear problem and that he needs to have it rebalanced.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.C.

answers from San Francisco on

You may have tiny crystals in your inner ear. This usually occurs when you are dehydrated. I had this twice, and if you do special "exercises" you can dislodge them. I don't know what others have written, but if you want more details, contact me.

Its not a major problem, except it is debilitating while it lasts. If you are throwing up you can get a prescription for that. Best of all, drink LOTS of WATER !!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.W.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi S.,

It sounds like you might have a middle ear infection/vertigo. What your describing sounds just like one (dizziness). I had this same thing about 10 years ago. I've heard warming a little bit of olive oil in a teaspoon, then drop it in your ear and cover with a cotton ball for a few hours should help. This may provide temporary relief until you can get to a doctor. I do highly recommend going to the doctor ASAP, if time allows.

I hope this helps! Take care,

P.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.G.

answers from Bakersfield on

This sounds similar to something I experienced a few years back. It is called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. One of the key symptoms is dizziness upon getting up from laying down or certain changes in position. If it is this, it is easily fixed. A doctor (can't remember what kind I went to - possibly ENT) can do certain "maneuvers," so to speak, in order to get the particles within your inner ear back in place so they don't send the wrong signals to your brain which causes the dizziness. Here is the mayoclinic website about it:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vertigo/DS00534

Supposedly it's more common in people over age 50 or after head trauma. However, for some people (like me), there is no known cause - I was about 28 when it happened and had had no head injuries.

Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.M.

answers from San Francisco on

Sounds like you have benign vertigo disorder, or something like that. My friend has it. The crystals in your ear are out of whack. My friend went to an ear/nose/throat doctor, and they gave her seasickness patches.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.M.

answers from Bakersfield on

Hi S.-
It sounds to me like you got a little more than water in your ears. YOur equilibrium is off. If the homeopathic things don't work, go see a doctor. YOu may have an infection or something stuck (even old water) in your inner ear, causing things to go a bit wonky. I suggest seeing a homeopathic doctor OR making an appointment to see a regular doc. Either way, it sounds like it is too severe to be just a quick fix. A trip to the medical geniuses would be your best bet.
Hope you feel better son!
-E. M

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.M.

answers from Chico on

Make an appointment with an ear nose and throat doctor. I haven't had this happen, but some friends have and it can last a very long time if you don't take care of it.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

Y.T.

answers from San Francisco on

It sounds like vertigo,but only a doctor would be able to tell for sure.It went away on it's own.Very weird feeling.Go see a doctor.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.J.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi S.,

This could be vertigo. A friend of mine was able to finally rid herself of vertigo by taking children's dimeatap. She had tried many other things to stop the vertigo, but for some odd reason this medication helped when nothing else did. She thinks it dried up some moisture that was in her sinuses. It might be worth a try?

Good Luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.B.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi S.,

I hope you are feeling better today.

I work in a medical practice and often have these symptoms come thru every now and then. The first thing I would try to rule out is are you having any cold like symptoms? If no, then I would go to your family Dr. for testing of an ear infection, or water in the ear behind the echulation tube (inner ear infection) which are common from a cold or flu to create fluid behind the tube and cause dizziness.
If you feel dizzy all the time you could also possibly have vertigo. With a simple visit to the Dr. you may be put at ease.

Best of Luck and Keep us posted!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.E.

answers from San Francisco on

Sounds like you need to see a dr. You probably have an ear infection.

Allergies can do the same thing, but you should get it checked out or you might end up having to have stitches from falling over.

Stephanie

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

Z.M.

answers from San Francisco on

It took doctors 7 years to figure out mine was lowish blood pressure and a thing called "vaso vagal syncope"! So see your doctor as it could be caused by a wide range of things from meds to your inner ear or blood pressure.

I set off a "tilt table test" in 6 minutes and scared the nurse! They had been thinking all sorts of weird things like epilepsy, etc!
Fasting, being dehydrated, and hot weather are quick triggers for me (it's a long crazy list... like having blood drawn).

Mine clears up if I lay down and put my feet up on my headboard or the arm of the sofa for about 5 minutes. On hot days I can still read to my daughter in this position!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.S.

answers from San Francisco on

S.,

Have someone watch your children and go to the doctor today! You need to get checked out asap-- dizziness and having children around is not a good combo for safety reasons. I hope you feel better soon.

Molly

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.B.

answers from San Francisco on

Don't fool around with things related to the ear. You always want to be able to hear those fabulous kids!! Please go see a doctor, even if it ends up being swimmers ear.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions