I have been treating lyme/babs/bart on and off for a few years and although I've always had headaches, visual disturbances and ear fullness, I've never had vertigo - until about 6 weeks ago.
And now for the past 6 weeks, it's been a pretty steady problem - feeling like I'm spinning with an off balance feeling as well. My eyes don't focus well in stores.
I had a "normal" MRI back in August. It was taken because my headaches were getting worse again.
I had inner ear testing done - all came back normal so they said migraine associated vertigo, also known as MAV.
I called my LLMD and he said that it may be that but it could also be caused by lyme as well. He put me back on doxy.
Doxy is giving me terrible heartburn - any ideas how to stop that? And I think it may increase the spinning sensation temporarily.
Is there a better antibiotic?
And does anyone have this MAV and how did you get rid of it?!
I am taking low dose Benadryl to help with symptoms.
Thanks for your help!
Posted by opus2828 (Member # 15407) on :
up
Posted by bcb1200 (Member # 25745) on :
Personaly I don't ever buy a "MAV" diagnosis. I think it is a label ENT's / Neuroenterologists assign patients who are dizzy when the docs can find root cause.
I knoW the topic well as I had dizziness pretty bad early on. I went the ENT route and got diagnosed with Labyrinthitis. I know others who got a MAV diagnosis with near identical symptoms as me even though they never had headaches. (Docs told them these migraines were painless).
I believe every single one of these folks really have lyme & co and that MAV is just the name ENTs give it.
My dizziness is gone 99% of the time today
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
To try and stop the doxy heartburn, take doxy in the middle of a meal. First, eat half the meal, then take the doxy, then eat the other half.
It has to be a full meal, not just a snack. These are instructions from lyme docs.
Also, be sure not to lay down for 30 minutes after taking doxy so it won't come up your throat and dissolve and burn your throat.
If that doesn't work (could take a few days for the current hearburn to stop), you can ask for the more expensive dorxy. I understand the cost of that can be high.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Here is a thread that gives some easier to handle doxy alternatives:
Thanks! Anyone else have any opinions on the MAV diagnosis?
Posted by mr al (Member # 18191) on :
^Yup the dizziness and headaches and ear fullness are bad eyes are something tons of us have. It's a very common symptom for some of the worst patients. I've been home bound for years 24 hours a day by it. Opinions on what is the actual cause, lyme, babs, bart,differ.
I'd bet in your case there a slim to none chance you have MAV. MAV is a general diagnosis for something with no tests. If you have other lyme symptoms you probably don't have MAV.
I really really really hope you get better.
Posted by opus2828 (Member # 15407) on :
Thank you Mr al. I hope you do too.
Posted by opus2828 (Member # 15407) on :
up for more opinions
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
I got vertigo a few years ago and ended up the hospital (had vertigo for 3 mos). I didn't have a migraine, but I was EXTREMELY sensitive to light. A neurologist at the hospital told me it was possible to have a migraine and not know it (hence, the light sensitivity). I was really surprised by that.
The neurologist also told me that vertigo was either bacterial or viral, and that they couldn't be sure which one I had. I now know it was from lyme, as I was bit about 9 mos prior (just didn't know I had lyme because of, well, you know the story--lyme schism).
The best thing that helped me overcome vertigo was acupuncture. Acupuncture rocks for lyme treatment (I feel so much better whenever I have a treatment).
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Yes, Acupuncture can be very helpful.
GINGER CAPSULES, too.
A stressed liver can cause all kinds of inner ear issues that most ear specialists are not aware of, so I'd still consider what can help your ear system.
Liver support may need to be adjusted. 3/4 of the way down, that is discussed and it's connection to the inner ear.