Scared

[kecko28]

I am very concerned about what's going on with me.  Last week I started waking up with morning headaches.  I had these upon waking up each morning for 3 or 4 days.  I also noticed I had a stuffy nose (on days 3 & 4).  Well, 2 days ago I was turning around in the bed and I experienced severe vertigo... I thought I was going to fall off the bed.  I thought nothing of it at first.  This vertigo (I feel like I'm spinning) only occurs while I am changing positions in the bed or lying down (most noticeable when I lye down on the left side with the left ear facing down on the pillow.  Even though the vertigo is not present while sitting up or standing up, I still have this nagging headache in the frontal portion (where my sinuses are).  I also feel pain sometimes on the occipital part of my head (the lower back-side of my head).  I have also felt the pain on top of my head as well.  I have never had the veritgo (except once a few years ago when I had a sinus infection and my ears popped while driving (I had congested ears from sinusitis)).  I currently do not have pain in any of my joints, tingling in extremities, nor do i have numbness in my extremities.  

I never really started getting headaches until my early 20's.

I do have a history of sinus problems.  I get sinus infections about two time a year.  I've even had sinusitus that produced fluid in my ears and everything sounded muffled.

I am thinking these problems are caused by sinus problems (but my usual full blown sinusitus symptoms are not currently present).

Also, I am 28 years old.

No family history of MS.

I do not currently have health insurance so I am seeking some input & advice on this forum.

Do you think it's MS??

[SarahL2491]

Going out on a limb here and throwing out another possible........I used to wake up with morning headaches and my eye doctor said it was because when I slept, I did not close my eyes completely............an eye patch for sleep made them go away!

Just a thought if anyone has this

[17o_bandslater]

Hey, have had this problem and have probable MS.

How I cope is: I take decongestants to tolerance (until ears pop and sinus pressure eases); take OTC pain reliever to bring down inflammation (but not aspirin, which can make it worse); and take antihistimine every 4 hours like clockwork (usually I rotate benedryl, which is the best, and another OTC). I use a nasal spray to open things up even more, then I get out the neti pot (actually its a plastic kit i got from pharmacy) and use double the little saline packs; this helps open stuff up more, and the extra saline seems to help leach the crud out of my sinuses better. Don't use the neti if you're still congested, it'll drive water into your ears and make it worse.

Why do this? Because when you go to the doc, that's what they'll tell you to do, then they'll hand you a bill and escort you out. But  if you tell them you've already been doing it for two weeks, and things are no better, they have to get more aggressive and cough up the antibiotics and possibly even a medrol pack for the congestion (this REALLY helps).

For the vertigo, try Dramamine or Bonine. The are OTCs used for motion sickness, and they are also antihistimines, so should help with mucosal inflammation. Your pharmacist is a good source of information about OTC meds.

If you feel even a little better from this regimen, it's probably sinus/allergy/congestion related and you can be reassured.

If you don't feel any better and ABx don't help, time to find an ENT to do vestibular testing. I say start here because my vestibular testing was abnormal and the ENT thought it was neurological. If I'd had this test before I went to the neuro, I wouldn't have had such a fight to get taken seriously.

Here's hoping you have the mother of all sinus infections (lol), because you do NOT want to be an LS Limbolander. Feel better soon.

[kecko28]

I hope you family member got some relief from the surgery for the sinus problem.  I'll definitely try both out.  No, vertigo is not fun at all  & thanks for your response!
Take care rendean.  
ps.
I will let you all know if I experience anything else or if I go and see a Dr. about the issue to see what's up.

[rendean]

A family member of mine has suffered for years sinus issues including several surgeries.  Per the advice of their ENT doc, you need a decongestant , as well as an antihistamine if you think allergies are to blame.

It doesn't sound like MS  to me it sounds more like sinus and congestion issues but since we cannot diagnose you over the internet , that's about the best I can do for you.

I do hope you feel better soon! I have experienced vertigo and it certainly is NOT a fun symptom!

Ren

[kecko28]

I'm going to wait it out about 1 or so more weeks and if things don't start getting back to normal, I'm thinking about going to the Dr. or a specialist.  I started going back to what things I could have done to start the problem.  I do remember having the headaches and sinus pressure before the vertigo.  Then, one night I cleaned my ears with q-tips (big no-no, I know).  I massaged the q-tips in there pretty hard & deep.  So, I'm thinking maybe the q-tip tampered my left ear drum.  I'm assuming this b/c when I lean far enough to the left side the vertigo starts and I feel like I'm swirling ( I have to close my eyes b/c it just feels so intense), but when I lean my body and head to the right, the vertigo is not present.  I'm hoping it goes away within a week or 2.  If not, I will be visiting the Dr.  Thanks Sumanadevii for your response :)

[Sumanadevii]

How about an ear, nose and throat specialist?  He/she may have some good ideas.

[kecko28]

Thanks for such a quick response, and thanks for the prayer.  I haven't tried antihistamines.  I took one Ibuprofin for the headache this morning but it doesn't seem to work and I am not known for popping pills if I don't have to.  I will try an antihistamine tonight and see if it goes away.  Thanks for being so kind :).  I will update on any other symptoms should they occur.
Thanks again!

[Wobbly]

Hi there, I think I agree with Carol on this one it's too bad you can't see anyone there.  If you have any ear problems or sinus problems it will effect your balance and vertigo stuff.  Have you tried any antihistamines??  Only a suggestion.

hope you feel better soon
wobbly

[grannyhotwheels]

Hi and welcome...

I really don't think anything sounds like MS... It sounds more like what you said, sinus issues... The crazy weather this time of year is just crazy and practically everyone I know is complaining with their sinus' right now...  If you have other symptoms let us know and maybe someone else might have a little better input than me...

I'll be praying,
Carol

[kecko28]

I also have occassional tinnitus in the ears (but who doesn't?).  A little pain off & on/dryness feeling in the ears as well.  Tension in the neck & upper back as well.

Feeling a little confused but I think it's related to anxiety.