Vertigo

Craig…..I have been diagnosed with Vertigo Migraines. (I have had 3 full blown sessions where all I can do is lay on the ground and I vomit for about 8 hours non stop and cannot stand up as the vertigo is non stop.)
Oddly enough they come from a different part of the brain that my regular migraines come from. Have you had an MRI yet? Can or have you seen a neurologist? It is worth it!!

I have noticed as my blood pressure is controlled and I eat better that I am (knock on wood) more controlled now. I do carry anti nausea meds with me as well that are prescribed.

You might want to note and study how you eat, drink and most of all how you feel on these hikes. Also do you have a history of migraines?
Feel free to PM me if you want…I can tell you more of what they did for me. I quite understand the "shifting" feeling as you hike. I had it happen to me twice on a PCT section hike, the second time I was doing a open traverse for many miles and went into a pathetic panic attack.

Hi Sarah,
At age 20, I went thru my only migrane headache experience and thankfully went thru that stage fast with maybe a total of six cases leading to vomiting. None since thank goodness.
I've never had an MRI, but I'll suggest it to my doctor. I'm almost 48 now so might as well take advantage of medical insurance and old age! My blood pressure is normal.
Food was normal chicken and rice for dinner and heathy cereal before the hike last weekend. I didn't eat anything during the 3hr hike, just water. Maybe salted nuts is a prevention?
I now recall having these same symtoms while traditional BBk in 70's, but never took any medication just toughed-it-out. I've recntly geared-up with modern equipment so I'm working into shape gradually so that by Spring should be ready for part of PCT. Mountain sickness and slight vertigo are my only medical concerns fortunately.

Craig,

A thought…..while it isn't some funky miracle – along with the stuff I sent you in my PM – one thing I ate this past year on the trail was tons of potassium. I eat bananas, potato chips, orange juice, mashed potatoes, etc. It has helped me a lot.

Now what is interesting is I also have suffered from mountain sickness. But mine is related to the barometric pressure in the sky. Migraines can be caused by the barometric pressure changing (high/low systems clashing). You might want to look into that as well! What was the weather like on those days?

http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/TOPIC411.HTM

Causes of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo:

* One of the most common causes of BPPV is head trauma. Although the true mechanisms are not exactly certain, the concussive forces presumably cause particles that reside in the vestibule to become displaced to the canal. Other factors that predispose individuals to BPPV include inactivity, acute alcoholism, major surgery, and CNS disease.

* Many patients have concomitant ear pathology, which underscores the importance of a complete neuro-otologic examination.

* The frequencies of various causes are as follows:

o 39% idiopathic

o 21% trauma

o 29% ear diseases

o 9% chronic otitis media

o 7% vestibular neuronitis

o 7% Ménière disease

o 4% otosclerosis

o 2% sudden sensorineural hearing loss

o 11% CNS disease

o 9% vertebrobasilar insufficiency

o 2% acoustic neuroma

o 2% cervical vertigo

Ménière disease: what they "diagnose" patients often with when they have no idea what is causing it. I was given that diagnosis in 2006. I am glad I kept asking questions….and changing Dr's.

…

The weather was a high to low transition, it rained on the last section back to the trailhead. Sea level to 1500ft and back.
I only sat down once after the symtoms appeared so maybe lying on my back during rests would bring blood back to my head. I'll try the potassium also next "trial" hike.
Breathing was normal because the grade was consistant.