My friend is having an incredibly difficult time with dizziness/vertigo. I feel horrible for him because he just keeps going to drs in his insurance network because he really doesn't have the money to go to an LLMD. Meanwhile my daughter has lyme/bartonella and he suffers from all of her symptoms and more.
He did get tested and had 2 bands that were very lyme specific, but you know if he doesn't have 5 it isn't recognized by the CDC and the mainstream drs.
So my question is does anyone know of any type of supplement/herb that could possibly help with the dizziness/vertigo.
Posted by Joe28 (Member # 33535) on :
Dizziness and vertigo are two known early symptoms of bartonela.
I believe there is a seperate IgG and IgM western blot test for bartonella that he can take.
Perhaps this test will be more conclusive.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Ultimately, thoroughly addressing the CAUSE is vital. I hope he can find a good LLMD that is affordable. He really needs to get to a doctor who will not dismiss him.
As Joe mentions, Bartonella should be assessed. Babesia, too. Both can really mess with vertigo.
Even if not lyme, there are many other tick-borne and also other chronic stealth infections that mess with the inner / middle ear - and with the brain's balance system.
Also, if anyone is given enough toxins, they will have balance issues. The inner ear is supreme at detecting toxins and sort of "shorts out" when the overload gets too much.
Things that can help, to varying degrees, while waiting to see a LLMD & also during treatment:
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VINPOCETINE
GINGER CAPSULES. Tea can help but the therapeutic dose of capsules is better.
MAGNESIUM. A very good kind, not the cheap stuff.
B-1, B-5, B-6, B-12 & Folic Acid.
ADRENAL SUPPORT (B-5; Ashwagandha is a good start).
LIVER SUPPORT (to help reduce toxins that can contribute to vertigo). Milk Thistle is a good place to begin.
AVOID DAIRY PRODUCTS (as they increase phlegm and that can increase vertigo).
GLUTEN-FREE diet oftens help reduce vertigo as gluten can trigger inflammation (and inflammation in the ears and brain can trigger balance problems).
AVOID MOLD, perfumed personal care products and household chemicals (well, chemicals out of the house, too). All these seem to make vertigo worse.
Do not follow other vehicles too closely and try to bring fresh air into car. Avoid new cars (off-gas issue) and "detailing" products that smell and contain petroleum.
AVOID GAS HEAT when possible. When not, VENT daily with open windows on all levels of home (the fumes make it to the top of the living unit, so it's vital to air out each day).
If using a gas stovetop, open windows - and turn on vent BEFORE lighting the flame and then just before turning it back off as those times are when the most fumes escape.
Some Rx will cause balance to go bonkers. If he's on other Rx or OTC, suggest he look at all the side effects.
Liver support can help counteract some Rx that can cause vertigo to get worse and whomever he finally sees should know that he has balance issues as that may affect choice of meds.
There's a whole thread on inner ear issues that goes into much more detail. Link follows. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
WHY it's important to find a LL doctor for DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT - and other ways to find one
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While it is ideal to find a good LL doctor, if that is just not possible, or possible for the entire journey, it may be helpful to compare and contrast the approaches here so that the little time one may be able to spend with a LL doctor can be put to the best advantage: -----------
How to find an ILADS-educated LL ND (naturopathic doctor) and other LL holistic practitioners.
This thread also contains many articles and books by LLMDs and LL NDs regarding complementary avenues (most call upon both Rx and support supplements).