Seeking Relief from Prolonged Dizziness: How Long Will It Last?
I’m 27 years old, standing at 5’9 and weighing 215 pounds. My medical history includes asthma and psoriasis, and I have undergone multiple surgeries for ear tubes during my childhood. I do not smoke and take no medications aside from those prescribed during this recent episode. On Wednesday at 4:30 AM, I suddenly woke up to a sensation of the room spinning around me. This led to frequent vomiting, roughly every hour, until I ended up in the emergency room by 11:30 AM, believing I was suffering from heatstroke and dehydration. At the hospital, they administered Valium, conducted a stroke evaluation (which returned negative), and I was given prescriptions for meclizine and Zofran. Thankfully, I’ve stopped vomiting, but the dizziness persists. On Friday, after noticing no significant improvement, I visited urgent care where I was diagnosed with bilateral ear infections and prescribed Augmentin. It’s now been two days since that visit, and I’m still experiencing dizziness. While the sensation of the room spinning has lessened, I still feel unsteady, as if I’m under the influence of alcohol while walking. My primary concern now revolves around how long this dizziness will last. I had planned to work this weekend but, given my condition, that’s clearly not feasible. My next scheduled shift is Wednesday, and I fear if I need to call in sick again, I risk facing repercussions at work. I feel trapped in bed, unable even to drive. I’m desperate for some relief. Additionally, I have been attempting the Epley maneuvers (though I’m not completely certain about the correct spelling) but have not seen any positive results so far.
Answers (1)
6/29/2025, 9:40:36 PM
OpenHealth AI
I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing prolonged dizziness and discomfort. It’s understandable that this situation is concerning, especially with the impact it has on your daily life and work. Let's break this down.
Key Points
- Current Condition: You’ve been experiencing dizziness, unsteadiness, and nausea after a recent episode that led to an ER visit and subsequent diagnosis of bilateral ear infections.
- Treatment: You're taking meclizine for dizziness and Augmentin for your ear infections.
- Duration Concern: You're eager to find out when this dizziness might improve.
Explanation
Dizziness, especially when resulting from ear infections, can take some time to resolve. The inflammation in your inner ear can affect your balance, leading to sensations of unsteadiness even after the worst symptoms (like vomiting) have subsided.
The Epley maneuver you mentioned is commonly used for a specific type of dizziness related to positional changes (BPPV), and while it might have limited effect linked to ear infections, it’s important to ensure you’re doing it correctly. Having persistent dizziness for days after an episode can be frustrating, and it often suggests that your inner ear is still healing.
Next Steps
-
Rest and Hydration: Ensure that you’re getting plenty of rest and staying well-hydrated. This can help with both your energy levels and dizziness.
-
Follow Treatment Regimen: Continue to take your prescribed medications (meclizine and Augmentin) as directed by your healthcare provider. These are important for managing your symptoms and treating the infection.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of your dizziness and any other symptoms (like changes in hearing or new symptoms). This will help you and your healthcare provider gauge your progress.
-
Gentle Movements: When moving, try to do so slowly and avoid quick head movements that can exacerbate dizziness.
-
Re-assess Epley Maneuver: If you decide to continue with the Epley maneuver, consider finding a reliable video tutorial or resource to ensure you’re performing it correctly. It’s sometimes helpful to consult a physical therapist who specializes in vestibular rehabilitation for guidance.
-
Plan for Work: Since you’re worried about needing to call in sick, consider informing your employer about your condition if comfortable. A heads-up can be beneficial if you need more time to recover.
If your dizziness persists beyond a week or worsens, or if you experience new symptoms (like severe headache or vision changes), consider reaching out to your healthcare provider for further evaluation.
Take it step-by-step, and ensure you prioritize your recovery. You're not alone in this, and many people recover from similar conditions. Please keep me updated on your progress or if you have further questions.
Related Questions
Concerns About My Daughter's Morning Health Issues
My 17-year-old daughter experiences troubling symptoms each morning, particularly on days when she needs to rise early for school or work. She often wakes up feeling dizzy and nauseated, accompanied by a rapid heartbeat exceeding 100 beats per minute. This situation prevents her from being able to eat and may persist for several hours, or in some cases, throughout the entire day. Standing at 5 feet 8 inches tall (172 cm) and weighing 121 pounds (55 kg), her physical health otherwise seems fine. I have a personal history of inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST), which is why I take beta-blockers for management. A few years ago, she consulted a cardiologist regarding her frequent episodes of near-fainting, who recommended increasing her water intake and adding more salt to her meals. Given the persistent nature of her symptoms, I am contemplating whether a follow-up appointment with the cardiologist is warranted, especially since all previous tests, including ECG and ultrasound, came back normal. This situation significantly affects her daily life, restricting her ability to engage fully in school and work. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
A Mysterious Illness That Resembles Strep Throat
As an 18-year-old college student, standing at 5'4" and weighing 140 pounds, I maintain an active lifestyle. I do not smoke or have any preexisting health issues, aside from the vitamins and supplements I take daily. Approximately five days ago, I began to feel unusually fatigued and achy. Within just a day, my symptoms escalated to include a high fever reaching between 101°F and 102°F that ibuprofen couldn’t seem to alleviate. I experienced extreme tiredness that kept me bedridden all day, along with a persistent headache and intense throat pain, which was compounded by swollen lymph nodes and the familiar white patches often associated with strep throat. Having dealt with strep throat before, I recognized a need for antibiotics. Two days into feeling unwell, I visited an urgent care facility for an assessment and received a rapid strep test, which unfortunately came back negative. I recalled a previous incident where my rapid strep test also indicated a false negative, only for the culture sent for further testing to confirm the presence of strep bacteria. Given my symptoms and the findings from the examination, the healthcare provider prescribed Cefdinir, as I am allergic to amoxicillin, despite the negative rapid test results. The antibiotics proved effective, and I felt nearly back to normal, leading me to believe that my culture results would also come back positive for strep, suggesting a recurrence of my previous infection. However, I received the culture results yesterday, and to my surprise, they came back negative for strep. While I lack medical expertise, I’ve been led to believe that false negatives in cultures are exceedingly rare. Now, I find myself puzzled about what kind of bacterial infection I might have had if it wasn’t strep. Any insights or information regarding my situation would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Chronic Joint Pain Since Childhood
Since I was eight years old, I’ve endured intense and persistent pain in my joints. Initially, the discomfort was primarily in my knees, characterized by a sharp sensation right beneath the kneecap. As someone on the autism spectrum, I often visualize a strange, soothing thought: the idea of removing my kneecap and using an ice cream scoop to relieve the pressure underneath it. My parents sought help from several medical professionals, all of whom attributed my symptoms to growing pains. I even underwent cancer screenings at the age of nine because doctors felt my level of discomfort was excessive for mere growing pains. At school, I frequently had to wear dual knee braces. When I turned 14, I had a CT scan, but the results were inconclusive; doctors continued to insist it was just growing pains. At 18, I had an X-ray that also revealed nothing abnormal. Now at 20, my joint pain persists and is progressively worsening. My hands now ache in addition to my knees, and on particularly bad days, the pain radiates down to my ankles, making walking and sleeping almost impossible for half the week. The discomfort has entirely hindered my ability to work. My family and I strongly suspect that I may have some form of arthritis, but I struggle to convince the medical community of this due to my young age. My father, who suffers from arthritis himself, often empathizes when I express my pain, telling me, "that sounds familiar." I have broken down in front of numerous doctors, pleading for assistance, yet I consistently leave without answers, only to be scheduled for more scans that come back normal. The medical care I have received thus far has been far from satisfactory; for instance, I was prescribed eye drops that nearly resulted in serious damage to my vision when I consulted an eye specialist. This is just one of many frustrating experiences I’ve faced. I feel completely overwhelmed and in agony, and I have no way to reach out for specialized medical help since my only means of transportation is my father, who is also afflicted by arthritis. I feel lost and in deep pain without a clear path forward.
Understanding Mild Uncomplicated Diverticular Disease
I am a 29-year-old female, standing at 5'7" and weighing 130 pounds. Recently, a CT scan revealed that I have mild diverticulitis. About a week ago, I experienced significant discomfort, particularly in the pelvic region, along with pain in my right leg and hip, and some mild discomfort on the left side. After undergoing a CT scan, which confirmed the presence of mild diverticular disease, I was surprised that no one from my medical team provided any follow-up or acknowledged the condition. My blood tests returned normal results, and I was discharged without further information. While the pain subsided after about three days, it has unfortunately reappeared four days later. Is this something I should be worried about? What does this mean for me? I had a colonoscopy around 11 months ago, which indicated no issues.
Navigating Ear Infections While Traveling in Thailand
**Age:** 23 **Height:** 6'3" **Weight:** 88 kg **Medication Taken:** 1000mg Bactoclav - Amoxicillin with Potassium Clavulanate, along with pain relief and antihistamines. **Summary:** I’m hesitant to consult a doctor overseas only to receive a prescription for the same antibiotics available at a local pharmacy for a fraction of the price. What strategies can I employ to effectively manage this persistent ear infection? Am I being too hasty in my expectations? I have a long history of ear infections, often triggered by exposure to water or any activity impacting my ears. I regularly use a specialized oil before showering to prevent water from entering my ears. While backpacking in Thailand, I've developed a particularly severe ear infection over the last several days. Initially, a course of 500mg amoxicillin seemed effective, but significantly, just yesterday my condition took a downturn, shifting from nearly healed to painfully inflamed. Now, my ear is not only swollen but also incredibly sore. In an attempt to combat this, I’ve been taking 1000mg Bactoclav - Amoxicillin and Potassium Clavulanate, having consumed seven tablets in the last two days; unfortunately, there's been no noticeable improvement. I’m reluctant to seek medical attention, fearing I would be prescribed the same medication I could acquire from a pharmacy, albeit at a much higher cost. Yet, I’m also starting to question the efficacy of the pharmacy’s medication. I’ve only recently begun the stronger treatment since my symptoms returned. Any advice would be greatly valued! In addition, I’d like to share that just a week into my four-month journey, I feel as though my ongoing ear issues are gradually dominating my life. I am incredibly grateful for this travel opportunity, and while my health isn’t at risk in a serious way, these ear complications are becoming quite overwhelming. Could there be surgical options available? Might there be an underlying health concern that I’m unaware of? It doesn’t seem normal to be plagued by constant ringing, popping sounds, and wax buildup in my ears. Moreover, it feels excessive to have to apply products in my ears every time I shower.