Problem with inner ear dizziness

shop deals on amazon
Shop deals on ebay
Advertise with us
Amtrak Unlimited Discussion Forum

Help Support Amtrak Unlimited Discussion Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Status
Not open for further replies.
K

Kelley

Joined
Mar 12, 2010
Messages
9
Hello! I am new to this forum, although I've been lurking for a couple months. I'm hoping that I can get some suggestions on how to deal with a potential problem and if has anyone else has had this problem before?

Please let me introduce myself. I'm Kelley and I'm 50 years old in relatively good health. I grew up riding on trains frequently, as both my grandpa and great-grandpa were railroad engineers...needless to say, I LOVE RIDING THE TRAIN!

About a year ago, I went on the Southwest Chief from Chicago to Albuquerque and had a roomette. It was wonderful and it was everything I remember as a child...I loved every minute of it! Once I arrived in Albuquerque, about a day later, I woke up in the morning, stepped out of bed and the room kept spinning around and around! I have never had this problem with dizziness before in my life. I was ok as long as I was still, but getting up (or down) from any position was awful. That sensation lasted about 2 days, and then I was back to normal again.

Well, very soon I am about to embark on another journey to Albuquerque in a roomette, and I admit to some trepidation, considering what happened a year ago. But I love riding the train so much, that even if it did happen again, it would be worth it. I know, maybe I'm crazy (about trains!)

Anyway, I was wondering if anything similar has ever happened to you or anyone you know? Any ideas that might help me? I am also wondering if the altitude change could have anything to do with it.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much,

Kelley
 
I know of several people that have had this problem in Albuquerque, and in Denver........It's usually associated with the high altitude and thin air for those that come from the "flatlands" . ABQ is over 5000 feet, as is Denver. In a few days, one will adjust to the higher elevation. I live at 4000 feet. When I go to ABQ or DEN, it's nothing. My cousin lives at the beach in So. cal. When she goes to Den, it takes 3 days to adjust. That's my best guess.

Wb
 
Hi, You may find it useful to take or have available some type of anti-histamine. I have had this problem, both on and off trains, at sea-level. I have also been prescribed Stemetil (which may be called something else in the US) by my Doctor, which acts more quickly. The anti-histamine dries up excess mucous in the inner circular ear canals, which affect balance and thereby cause dizziness, maybe even a fall. Perhaps you can recall if you had a cold or hayfever at the time, which may have contributed to the problem.

Jean
 
I have had this problem off and on since I was 49. The first episode was the worst, lasting about a week. I was pretty scared because I didn't know what it was. For me it was diagnosed as benign positional vertigo. For me it is right-sided and, while it seems the spinning goes on forever, it is actually over in a few seconds.

Benign positional vertigo is most common in women in their late 40's to early 50's. The first episode is usually the worst, with subsequent episodes diminishing in severity.

Hope this helps.

Betty
 
Do a search on "Rocks in my Ears/Head". (not kidding)

There are things that stick to the little hairs in your ears. Some movements cause these things to move and cause vertigo type issues. In my brother's case, a specialist in the issue put him in front of a machine that showed the rocks (I'm not a medical person) and she would jar him in certain directions to get them back in place. It's odd, but you are the 4th person in one year who has mentioned this. Left untreated episodes can last a long time and make your life miserable.

I wanted to take him traveling but am concerned about what I would do if an episode happened. A dentist uprighted the chair too quickly and brought on an episode, too.
 
I am not sure if this is from the train or the altitude. I got pretty bad altitude sickness when I travled to ABQ and Santa Fe twice in 2008 (june and August). I was dizzy, lightheated, etc - and I flew there.
 
Kelley said:
Hello! I am new to this forum, although I've been lurking for a couple months. I'm hoping that I can get some suggestions on how to deal with a potential problem and if has anyone else has had this problem before?Please let me introduce myself. I'm Kelley and I'm 50 years old in relatively good health. I grew up riding on trains frequently, as both my grandpa and great-grandpa were railroad engineers...needless to say, I LOVE RIDING THE TRAIN!

About a year ago, I went on the Southwest Chief from Chicago to Albuquerque and had a roomette. It was wonderful and it was everything I remember as a child...I loved every minute of it! Once I arrived in Albuquerque, about a day later, I woke up in the morning, stepped out of bed and the room kept spinning around and around! I have never had this problem with dizziness before in my life. I was ok as long as I was still, but getting up (or down) from any position was awful. That sensation lasted about 2 days, and then I was back to normal again.

Well, very soon I am about to embark on another journey to Albuquerque in a roomette, and I admit to some trepidation, considering what happened a year ago. But I love riding the train so much, that even if it did happen again, it would be worth it. I know, maybe I'm crazy (about trains!)

Anyway, I was wondering if anything similar has ever happened to you or anyone you know? Any ideas that might help me? I am also wondering if the altitude change could have anything to do with it.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much,

Kelley
Click to expand...
Welcome to the board!

Rather than trying to seek speculation on your malady here however, what you describe sounds serious enough to warrant a consultation with your physician.
 
I get something similar on trains and planes and I've found that Meclezine (sp?) works great for 24 hours AND doesn't cause any side effects like dramaine or bonine.

It's prescribed, but very affordable. Highly recommended!

Rob
 
PetalumaLoco said:
Rob_C said:
I get something similar on trains and planes and I've found that Meclezine (sp?) works great for 24 hours AND doesn't cause any side effects like dramaine or bonine.
It's prescribed, but very affordable. Highly recommended!

Rob
Click to expand...
meclizine
Click to expand...
I have taken that drug in the past for the inner ear problem (which when I have it makes me so sea sick I can't function), When I take it I am knocked out, literally, for 24 hours and can't even get out of bed. Be careful.
 
Wow! Totally opposite reactions, huh? Sorry to hear that. I guess that's why it has to be prescribed by a doctor.

Might be worth a try, but maybe not on your rail-trip-of-a-lifetime.

Rob
 
Thanks to all of you for your suggestions and comments! The anti-histamine is a great idea. And I'm glad to hear that I am not alone in experiencing this sort of thing. Thanks again!

Kelley
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Back
Top