Hi
Having seen Dr Surenthiran back in January this year and starting on pizotifen as well as the diet and VRT, I had gotten to the point of being almost completely better. Only slight dizziness after walking for a couple of miles, but back in the gym , loving getting back in shape and no issues whist on the treadmill jogging etc. I had my life back almost.
But on Tuesday I went off to my art class as usual in the morning, gym in the afternoon then out for beer with my partner that evening. Wednesday morning got that sinking through the floor feeling and slightly off balance, but then by the afternoon it got a lot worse where I was having a seriously bad vertigo attack, managed to go upstairs to bed and couldnāt move my head left or right without everything turning and spinning. I took ibuprofen and some pizotifen. Thankfully it eased off after some 5 hours of intense vertigo.
I thought Iād gotten so much better, after months of VRT as well as the pizotifen. Dr Surenthiran said that if I stayed on it I could expect it never to return. Really?
I have already phoned for an appointment with him, as I feel so shattered by having such a severe acute relapse. I was due to start work next week, only 1 day per week to start with, but not so sure now.
Has anyone else been well for several months on medication and had a relapse? Has anyone had a relapse and then gone on to have a full and sustained recovery? I hope so.
Lorri, Iām a year in and I had a relapse 3 weeks ago as bad as the attacks I was getting 6 months ago:. an absolute shocker! But since then Iāve really improved back to trend line. They happen. I have a theory many MAVers like myself have BPPV and this simply waxes and wanes then eventually disappears.
I donāt believe the medication can always protect you from all the symptoms and all the downs.
Iāve kind of accepted that relapses are a bit random, but I have noticed recovery takes less and less time each time.
I bet you are much much better within two weeks if not days. Hang in there!
Thanks so much turnitaround, I feel encouraged that you recovered more quickly from the last relapse than any previous ones. I had come to expect that the medication would prevent them all.
This is my second bout of it in 5 years. In 2011 I just did VRT and recovered in less than a year. Unfortunately it returned in July 2015 but lingered and felt worse not being able to even walk properly for several months until I saw Dr Surenthiran this January and started on the pizotifen, which really helped to get me so much better.
Your theory about BPPV is very interesting, though no Dr has suggested that itās a possibility along with the MAV. I just think research and clinical trials into this illness are extremely lacking. We just have to hope that the classic migraine research also helps with this variant too.
Thanks again and keep well on the road to a full recovery!
I had my appointment with Dr Surenthiran yesterday and he has upped my dose of pizotifen. He said give it 3-4 weeks and if it doesnāt stabilise it to increase the dose again. He said Iāve had an earthquake and there may still be aftershocks.
He said it is just a minor setback, but it shows that it is still lurking beneath the surface, so I must not overdo things still. So going back to work is not a good idea for now. But I remain positive that eventually I will get to 100%!
Iām feeling a bit better thanks turnitaround.
Having taken it easy all week I managed to go to IKEA yesterday. The lights and noise did provoke my vision, head pressure and blocked my ears and I felt a bit lightheaded, but I didnāt have any dizziness or disequilibrium - yay!
However I have to remember what Dr Surenthiran said not to overfill the ājugā, but pace activities and not overdo things. I certainly donāt want to experience any aftershocks!
I asked him about taking magnesium, as Iāve read about it on here and people doing quite well on it. He said it was fine and suggested to take it akong with B2 and coenzyme Q10 too. Anything so long as I can live my life again.
He didnāt tell me how much to take, but I will see what the recommended amount is on the pack, once I receive them. I did read on here and elsewhere though that chelated magnesium glycinate is best, as it doesnāt cause gastrointestinal issues and is absorbed better by the body.
Hope this helps Lee.
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Hi Lorri,
I started to improve in August and was able to go out most days and even went in shops by myself, then I had a relapse in September when I had planned to go back to work for 2 days a week. Iām still off work full time now, as things havenāt gone back to how they were in August. Itās great that youāre able to see Dr Surenthiran, it seems that heās āthe bestā in the UK! Fingers crossed for you
Thanks Louise. I hope you are improving and can get back to work soon. Itās a frustrating illness, as we have to be so patient to get better! Stay positive! Keep us updated on how youāre doing.
All the best,
Lorri
hi lorri I know this post is a few months old now but did you ever get better after your relapse? im curious to know as im going through my first relapse and im 3 weeks into it,hope you are doing better
Sorry to hear that you have suffered a relapse too.
From the relapse in November I did improve over several weeks, having upped the meds and started on supplements as recommended by Dr Surenthiran. But then along came a very busy festive period and I had another relapse, but the good news this time was that it wasnāt as severe as the previous one and I recovered a lot quicker too. Also I upped my meds again.
Since then I have had another attack, almost 2 weeks ago and this was even milder. I have recovered so much since then, rather than taking several weeks to be functional again.
Although I say ārecoveredā I still get symptoms and Iām yet to return to work, but hopefully with not overdoing things it will improve even more and I will not get any further relapses. So I remain hopeful and optimistic.
Now Iām not dizzy all day any more, I can go for a walk, drive and socialise a bit. I even managed the cinema last Saturday (only 1 week after the last relapse) although I had some minor symptoms, I managed to enjoy the film! I can tolerate shops and stores way better than before, though Iām very mindful of not overdoing things still. You really do have to be so patient, but it does seem to pay off.
Hope this helps and hereās hoping you recover soon mellybob, all the best,
You know my (Oto-)neurologist is surprisingly measured in her encouragement but said one remark which resonated as I picked up my bag to leave her office the other day:
āDonāt give upā
I thought about this afterwards. Why would someone say this unless there was a genuine chance of improvement?
Iām with dr Surenthiran too but heās never recommended supplements to me. Which ones did he recommend to you? I had a set back in January too, Dr S said itās very common for set backs in January because of the stress of Christmas etc x
James, I think from what youāve said youāre getting there too like me despite relapses, symptoms, tinnitus etc. Also I was encouraged by you saying how important it is to try and do some normal stuff like going out. With meds and supplements itās made it possible. Dr S even told me that it is possible to get rid of for good! I need to believe that!
I mentioned magnesium to him when I last saw him in November, and he agreed it was a good idea and to take it along with coenzyme Q 10 and vitamin B2. It seems to have helped along with meds. Itās a shame he didnāt mention it to you or to me when I first saw him last year.
I am just dropping in on the supplements part. Did you notice any increase of symptoms after taking the supplements? I just started Effexor on Saturday and now started with B2 and Co Q10 but since taking the supplements I am way more dizzy.
