Just wondering, for those of you who have taken an SSRI for the dizziness, how it is working? I'm interested in suggesting this to my doctor if the VRT does not work or if it just keeps taking me forever to get better. I have a constant rocking sensation and at night in bed my head feels like it is being pushed back and forth. The movement is worse when just standing still or sitting still. I've had a host of other symptoms that seemed to have improved (Thank God) so now I can at least manage household tasks which before were even an impossibility. I have a three month old and don't get all the sleep I need, so I'm sure that's a big contributing factor as the first month after he was born seem to have been the worst I have felt with whatever this is that I have. Three straight days with no sleep, a flux in hormones, and no 8 hour nights of sleep really took their toll on me!! I'm nursing and would like to continue to do so, however if taking medicine would help while not hindering recovery, I am considering stopping nursing because if I feel better it will greatly affect the activities I can do with my baby and I can take some of the burden off of my poor, but wonderful husband! Also, how do you get past the guilt of not being up to par and being able to do all of the things you could before and putting an extra burden on your family?? I usually am the first to help others and take great care of my family, but now, ughh, I can just take care of myself and my baby and husband as best I can. I guess that's a question for another post!!

Hi dizzymom,

Taking an SSRI was the beginning of the end of labs for me. These days (1.5 years later) I am virtually free of all symptoms and lead a normal life again. I still get a twinge occasionally and have hit the odd bad patch when I overdo it (causes decompensation). Definitely keep it open as an option if things do not improve.

Cheers...Scott :cool:

Hey Dizzymommy,

I did a combination of SSRI's (Paxil) and VRT (after about 9 mos. of the garbage). That is when I started to see improvement as well. I am back to working and experience the occasional blip like Scott, but am keeping up (knock wood). I would highly recommend giving them a shot. Someone in here a while ago (maybe Subs) posted an article about current research possibly suggesting that SSRI's actually aid in inner ear repeair.

BTW-My symptoms were exactly the same as yours.

Does anyone know if SSRI's help with the pain and pressure I feel in my ear all the time or does it just help for the dizziness? I tried Lexapro for a short time but it seemed to make my dizziness worse.

Thanks,
Jill

Scott and Rockingseas, thanks for the response, I'm so glad that the SSRI worked for you both! Did they help with the lightheaded or bowling ball head feelings?? Right now that feeling seems to be the worst, walking around sometimes I feel like I'm going to just pass out right where I am. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one with the head being pushed back and forth feeling, sometimes I think I'm going crazy!! How long did the medicine take before you could really notice a difference? Was it gradual or pretty speedy?? Rockingseas, what were you diagnosed with? I still haven't been given a diagnosis, just different things from different doctors.

Dizzymommy,

I was never officially diagnosed either. Saw numerous doctors and had many tests run...nothing conclusive, but I hear that is quite common with inner ear stuff. I don't think modern medicine has a real grasp on the dizzies (probably because there's more money developing other medicines (read e.d. pills))

As for the meds, I'd say within 6 weeks I noticed a real improvement and then gradually from there on. I really think the VRT is important as well. I've been on paxil for about 15 months now...I still get the ocassional rocking sensation...especially when I don't get enough sleep or I am stressed. I noticed I saw the most improvement when I was on the SSRIs combined with the VRT. I've been real lax on the VRT just because I've been lazy. I think the SSRIs take away the anxiety and desensitize the inner ear, but the VRT does the real work of getting the brain to compensate.

Someone in here a while ago posted an article about current research possibly suggesting that SSRI's actually aid...Yup, there was and you can find it here:

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=317400

Dizzymom, I had the bowling ball head feeling too - like it would roll off my shoulders. It's all part of the dizziness. It took about 4-5 months before I felt really normal again following the SSRI treatment. It would have been quicker too had I boosted the dose slightly. I'm still on the stuff now (cipramil). The tough part now is getting off of them. Side-effects are part of the ride unfortunately but nothing compared to labs hell.

Hope it works for you too.

Scott :cool:

ive got 24/7 acute dizziness. Had it for months. Been on Prozac for a week. Hoping in time this will help. This thread has given me hope as recently i have been in a very down mind. Im guessing it took at least 6 weeks before you saw some effect ???? I guess this is because the SSRI takes at least that to have biological effect ????

Im guessing it took at least 6 weeks before you saw some effect ???? I guess this is because the SSRI takes at least that to have abiological effect ???? Hi Rick,

Yes, it takes a while for the full effect to kick in - but also different for everyone. But give it 6 weeks or so to gauge whether or not it's helping.

Good luck...Scott