In May 1990, I took a cruise to the Caribbean. I flew round trip S.F. to Puerto Rico and was on board 7 days. I was seasick the duration of the trip and wore the patch the entire time. I was extremely fatigued upon return. I did not begin to ROCK until many flights and 2 years later. In 6/93 I flew to Dallas and back. I was 6 months pregnant and the return trip was very rough. I began a 3 month spin after this trip. My O.B. thought the dizziness was due to excess fluid retention and prescribed Sudafed and Benadryl. The sensation of rocking was severe and constant. It eventually went away after the birth of our baby. I took other flights over the next few years and did not experience the spins until 8/95. I was pregnant again and flew r.t. to Boise. I only used the Sea-bands on this flight (did not work). At this time my only experience of rocking was during the pregnancies, and we figured it was a "fluke."
I took both kids to Boise in 1996 and went into the worst case yet. I was prescribed Valium and Meclizine. I spun for 6 weeks. I was advised not to drive and my life changed dramatically. I had a hard time walking, standing, and concentrating. Everything seemed too difficult. I saw my Dr. and he ordered a MRI (normal). In March 1999, my mom came to visit. I drove 200 miles r.t., and that drive sent me into another spin. I was able to function somewhat and tried to ignore the rolling and rocking. I knew this would be the last time I would "wait it out." I sat at the table and held on for dear life. I began calling doctors and didn't give up until I had a same day appt.
I saw my Dr. that day. He referred me to an E.N.T. I couldn't make eye contact and speak at the same time. My speech slows down in this episode. I have a hard time concentrating. I was trying to explain my symptoms and couldn't find the words. I am a stay at home mom, and I wasn't functioning well. The E.N.T. ordered an ENG and gave me scopolamine at my request. (Didn't work.) All vestibular tests were normal. Dr. prescribed Dyazide. E.N.T. couldn't find a cause and referred me to a neurologist. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get in for 5 weeks. I knew the symptoms would probably go away before then. I called every day. I had good hours and bad days. I couldn't look at water. I didn't drive for weeks. I walked with clenched hands. It took hours to shop. I felt like I was falling over all the time. I felt worse sitting. My husband called everyday to ask how I was. He could tell by my voice. My family knew when it was bad. They could see it come over me. I finally saw the neurologist on 5/18/99. All the symptoms were gone (duh!). We went over everything. I was told I don't fit a pattern. Dr. ordered EEG, carotid duplex, and prescribed DEPAKOTE. (I had a grand-mal seizure when I was 12 years old, and have had severe headaches over the years.) We were going to drive 2000 miles and I needed to be medicated!!!! We tried the Divalproex (depakote) 250 mg. 1 in a.m. 2 in p.m. I took the meds 3 days before we left, the duration of the trip and 3 days after. I did not spin!!
I have not been Dizzy since April 25 1999. I went to Dizneyland and rode the teacups!!! I tried Zomig (zolmitriptan an episodic drug taken as symptoms develop), but it made me feel very heavy in the arms and tight in the chest. I do not have an official diagnosis yet, but finding this site and reading all the histories has helped me not feel so alone. I cried with relief. I have read all there is posted. I have requested the survey info. from VEDA and am interested in sharing my history with anyone who wants to know! I was 23 when I began to rock. It's been 10 years off and on. I'm so grateful for the off!! I look forward to finding out more. Please check out the meds. and see if they work. I seem to be the only one on Depakote.????