OpenHealth Q&A

Concerns About Recent Severe Vertigo Episodes

I experienced a significant neck injury in 2012, which has led to several ongoing issues. I suffer from chronic pain in both arms due to radiculopathy, persistent neck discomfort, limited range of motion, and intermittent cervicogenic vertigo attacks that typically last only a few minutes. Recently, I took a day trip outside the city two weekends ago, during which I was engaged in photography. That evening, however, I suddenly experienced an intense bout of vertigo—far more severe than anything I had encountered before. Instead of subsiding quickly, the vertigo continued unabated, causing me to be unable to keep my eyes open as the world swirled around me. This alarming episode escalated to uncontrollable vomiting. I found myself in the emergency room, unable to maintain balance, lift my head, or focus on anything without feeling nauseous. My blood pressure had spiked to 190/90, which is highly unusual for me, and I was nearly incapacitated upon arrival. The medical staff attempted to rehydrate me; however, my dehydration from the vomiting complicated the insertion of an IV. The nurses had a challenging time with this situation, as I continued to be unwell in their care. They administered IV Gravol, which alleviated some of the vertigo, though it did not completely eliminate it. I was discharged with a prescription for Serc, but that provided no relief. Instead, I relied on over-the-counter Gravol for the subsequent days, both immediate and extended-release forms. Thankfully, my blood pressure returned to normal with IV fluids. My recovery has been gradual. Is this typical? It’s been two weeks, and while I feel improvement, I'm still not back to normal. Could my photography activities, specifically using a heavy DSLR camera, have impacted my vertebral artery? Is it possible that I have long-term damage? Could my cervical disc disease be the primary cause of these issues? Alternatively, might I be experiencing Vestibular Neuritis, as the sudden onset and severity of my vertigo seem to align more with that condition and might not be connected to my cervical spine issues? I haven't sought physical therapy specifically for vestibular rehabilitation yet, but I have researched the necessary exercises and have started doing them. I believe this has significantly improved my balance, although I still have bouts of nausea when in a vehicle, particularly during turns, which forces me to close my eyes. It concerns me that I might have worsened my condition, given that I already know my cervical spine has significant damage. I currently receive long-term disability benefits from the military regarding this injury, where it originally occurred. In examining the results from my recent MRI, the imaging utilized various sequences in both axial and sagittal planes without contrast. Fortunately, there were no fractures or dislocations observed, and my cervical spine shows normal marrow signal without signs of significant focal issues. It did note a straightening of the cervical lordosis, indicative of muscle spasm, alongside multilevel spondylosis, particularly pronounced at C4-C5. This segment displayed moderate disc height loss. Further details included issues at C2-C3 and C3-C4 with herniated discs contributing to mild stenosis and impingement on the spinal cord. Findings also revealed problems extending to C6-C7, including bulges and foraminal stenosis. In summary, the MRI showed significant exacerbation in areas C3-4, C4-5, and C6-7 when compared to earlier assessments. I’d wish for no one to endure such debilitating vertigo—experiencing pain is, in some ways, more manageable.

Answers (1)

7/20/2025, 2:20:40 AM

OpenHealth AI

It sounds like you have been through a very challenging experience with your recent severe vertigo, especially given your history of cervical spine issues. I understand your concerns about the potential impact of your activities and the underlying conditions. Let's break this down:

Main Points:

1. Your severe vertigo and subsequent symptoms could be related to your cervical spine condition, but other factors may also contribute.
2. Your experience of prolonged recovery is not uncommon, especially following a significant vertigo episode.
3. Continued monitoring and specific rehabilitation could improve your symptoms.

Explanation:

Considering your chronic neck issues and the findings from your MRI, it’s possible that your cervical disc disease and spondylosis are compounding factors in your recent vertigo episodes. While cervicogenic vertigo may be exacerbated by heavy lifting or certain neck positions (like looking through a camera lens), vestibular neuritis is another possibility, especially with the sudden onset of severe symptoms and nausea.

Your MRI results indicate some degenerative changes and herniated discs, which can lead to nerve impingement and possibly affect balance and proprioception. The straightening of cervical lordosis suggests muscle spasm, which can also lead to neck stiffness and dizziness.

Next Steps:

1. Continue Vestibular Rehabilitation: Since you've started vestibular exercises and noticed improvement, keep doing these regularly. They can help with balance and manage dizziness.

2. Monitor Symptoms: Keep a daily diary of your symptoms, noting when vertigo or nausea occurs and any specific activities that seem to trigger them. This can help identify patterns and guide your rehabilitation.

3. Modify Activities: If using your DSLR camera triggers vertigo, consider modifying how you use it. Taking breaks, ensuring proper posture, and avoiding rapid head movements may help reduce dizziness during photography.

4. Hydration and Nutrition: Continue to stay hydrated and maintain a balanced diet to support your overall health, especially as dehydration can exacerbate symptoms.

5. Pain Management: As pain and discomfort can contribute to your symptoms, consider using heat or cold therapies for your neck. If needed, consult with a healthcare professional about appropriate pain relief strategies.

6. Follow-up: Keep regular follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider to discuss your recovery progress. If your symptoms worsen or you experience new symptoms, inform your provider as soon as possible.

Listening to your body is crucial during this recovery phase, and being proactive about your rehabilitation can make a significant difference in your quality of life. Please take care, and let me know if you have further questions or need additional guidance.