On Dealing with Vertigo:
I think the last time I had to deal with vertigo was probably in 2022/2023 - I booked from a promo from KPJ Kinrara for an ENT screening and the doctor helped me with an epley maneuver and a box of 1-month medication (Betaserc). Then it helped, I didn't have vertigo since. 2021 was a challenging year.
Around 2 weeks ago, I accidentally triggered my vertigo by switching off my bed light, looking up, and tilting my head to the left while lying down - which I always avoided because my problematic ear is on the left side. Since then, the vertigo stayed. Minor, not the full rollercoaster version - manageable. I can still walk and do stuff, but I avoid bending/looking down, and I solat sitting on a chair. I can't run though or walk fast.
It has been more than 2 weeks, but everything still moves more than needed.
I want to run, or at least walk in the city confidently, unchaperoned, not scared of falling down randomly by accident. I tried the Epley maneuver myself, but it didn't work, or I probably did not do it correctly. The stress in my upper body stays because I hardly move my head freely.
The doctor in KK gave me medication to help with the symptoms but not to treat it. She suggested doing a proper checkup with an ENT. In contrast, a physiotherapist suggested doing an upper body MRI to pinpoint the problem so they can treat it properly because vertigo can be triggered by many factors. They can help with a lot of sessions to help reduce it, but it is bound to repeat when it is triggered (I did a lot of physio and chiro sessions in 2021, read the summary here). Again, this is not my first rodeo, so I know how to function with mild vertigo, I used to have vertigo for weeks before I finally gave in and went for a treatment to get it fixed.
Mark 2 weeks, I googled ENT with vertigo expertise and got a number for Dr. Loh for ENT Sunway Specialist Center, I contacted the number and suddenly got a slot for the next day. I didn't plan to get it that fast, but I just confirmed without thinking for long.
My session was rather quick. I got a consult. After I told him my whole history with vertigo, he said he suspected it was BBPV and straight away helped me with epley maneuver to reposition the crystal for balancing (if you remember in biology, you will know what I'm talking about), then he checked my ears and said that the outer ears were all fine. If it is BPPV, then it is internal. He asked to buy a prescription at a pharmacy and take it for 2 weeks. Basically, all the same things were done back in KPJ Kinrara.
- Cost: Consult + Epley Maneuver + Ear Checking = RM 300
- Medication: Betaserc (2 weeks) = RM 48
Note : It was less than 15 mins for RM 300, but if it works, then Alhamdulillah.
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Why did I choose to meet an ENT specialist, instead of doing chiro and physio?
In my past vertigo episodes, chiro and physio worked after several weeks of treatment - which can be long and can cost more. The last time I met an ENT specialist, it worked on one treatment + medication.
But, if I was also having neck and shoulder pain that needs help with alignment (esp when there are too many jobs and I'm too stressed out), I would probably do chiro sessions.
Physio would be my last option only when the doctor suggests that I get physiotherapy sessions. Why? Because it takes too much time and energy. It is work - work - work. An hour every session with multiple treatments to try on.
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Does a normal doctor help?
Most probably, they will give you medication to treat the symptoms (like nausea and dizziness). Not treating vertigo itself and medication hardly works because it depends on what kind of vertigo you are triggered by. So.. yeah. Don't go see a gp, if your vertigo won't stop for weeks, go to ENT to get it checked instead.
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Extra:
I asked the doctor, it has been 2 weeks. If I just let it be, will it subside itself? He said that it could go on for months - especially if it is BPPV, and not a vertigo triggered by something else. Yelah, I guess he is right, sebab in the past, I always needed to get it fixed eventually because it would go on for weeks and weeks, not the 1-day random vertigo kind of thing.
Oh yes, I also need to elevate my head with double pillows while sleeping and can't side sleep for 2 weeks.
Aaaanyway, I'm not complaining.
It is something that I have dealt with several times before, so it is nothing new. I will update this post weekly to see whether it works or not (for your reference). Hopefully, the vertigo just simply disappear soon.
26:80
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Update:
- 2 days later, the vertigo subsided. I could jump and not have the whole world extra bumpy. But I'm not taking any risks - I will still solat sitting down and sleeping like a corpse with double pillows (even though it is hurting my back).
- A week in, I think it's okay now. I can try running soon.
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