Has anyone else gotten dizzy from being on elevator's?...I get a weird sensation through my feet and feel dizzy for a while after...Doctor's always say it's normal, but I have a feeling that most people don't feel what I do.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Some degree vertigo is common for many with the elevator. When the body moves faster - or differently - than the eyes see &/or the brain expects, this can happen.
The residual effect is also common - to some degree - for many. But, for most that lasts only a couple of seconds.
The doctors who say this is normal may not have interviewed you on the specifics for YOUR experience.
If you have other vestibular symptoms, be sure to tell your LLMD and ask if she or he thinks it necessary to see a LL neurotologist, an inner ear specialist with additional neurological education.
Details in the Tinnitus thread below - with what helps.
Ginger, Magnesium, certain kinds of eye exercises you can do when on the elevator and when getting off. Also, where you ride, moving over when you get of and just stay still or sit for a minute, etc.
A vestibular therapist can help there, but be sure they are LL. Lyme does some very unique things to the vestibular system that even the most experienced ear specialists may not understand - unless they are ILADS educated and lyme literate.
Topic: TINNITUS: Ringing Between The Ears; Vestibular, Balance, Hearing with compiled links
What's happening. Why. What makes it worse. What HELPS.
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Scents in a closed space - and temperature - can also contribute to vestibular symptoms.
If scents bother you, try to ferret out the best elevators for your journey (regarding at least those toxic air "fresheners" that may be used).
If you notice too much cologne on those when you enter, get off as soon as you can and catch another lift. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- If you have POTS, NMH or orthostatic hypotension, any of those can also create some dizziness with elevator rides.
Sorry, too tired to spell out those but just web cross search any of those terms with: blood+pressure
POTS and NMH are common with lyme, too.
There would also be some helpful breathing "exercises" to do on the elevator and at exit time. Be sure to not be dehydrated.
Even if POTS or NMH are not official diagnoses - with vestibular issues - the blood pressure can take a sharp drop & nausea can hit from inner ear confusion. So, it can be all interconnected.
First rule: remember to breathe.
LOOK STRAIGHT AHEAD or off to the side of the front, to a spot that will not move. This can be hard with people coming and going and door opening and closing. Try the panel to the front side that is free of the lights and floor buttons (if possible).
As soon as you exit, find a point of focus. Scoot out of the traffic pattern and settle yourself before moving on.
When I'm dizzy - unconsciously - I tend to hold my breath (I suppose) in an attempt quiet my body. I have to pay attention & remember to breathe.
I also have to pay attention and feel the bottom of my feet so I can move better. Who knew?
Hope you find some tactics that work. Qi Gong or Tai Chi should help. -
[ 06-04-2012, 02:08 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by nhlymeguy (Member # 30783) on :
thanks for the info
Posted by TxCoord (Member # 9204) on :
The hypertension could be the culprit. I have a friend who had to be discharged from the service because going up or down in an elevator would cause her to pass out.
It was determined that she had an unusual form of hypertension that caused it. Hope you find the cause and get some relief.
Posted by lymeinhell (Member # 4622) on :
I had this too. Also happened if I was on an uneven floor. It was as if the bottoms of my feet became hyper sensitive. If I used a treadmill, when I got off it felt like I was still moving for several minutes.
And don't ask me about my first trip on a ferry....
Good news is - this does go away with treatment.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- NMH, neurally mediated hypotension may be what TXCord's friend dealt with.
One can have hypertension, regular or low blood pressure -- but in an elevator, or when standing - that can drop fast like a rock.
That's why it's called neurally mediated - the various nervous systems (maybe the vasovagal response) can't control it.
Sea Salt can help. So can a certain Rx called Florinef - but ultimately, it often resolves with treatment for lyme & co. Along the way, though, it's important to address it if that's what's going on.
NMH is rather common with lyme. Every LLMD should know about it. Tilt Table test can help dx.