Has this happened to anyone before??

[Purdue_Nurse]

I recently worked my first night shift. That morning I felt tired and a little funny but I brushed it off to just needing some sleep. So I went home and slept, but when I woke up everything was spinning. I have never been so dizzy in my life! I could hardly drag myself out of bed that day. Today I was supposed to be back on days (the night shift was the night before last) but the dizziness remained. I've ran to the bathroom several times thinking I was going to vomit but haven't yet. :barf01: My appetite is completely gone due to the nausea and dizziness, and forget trying to drive! Needless to say, I didn't go in to work today and had my FH drive me to see my doc. He said that it was vertigo! I've never had that before. He asked me questions like if I had hit my head or been in an accident, or if it had started after making a sudden movement. None of the above applied so we're not sure what triggered it. Would it be from being tired or working the weird hours? (Not asking for medical advice just wondering if something similar has happened to anyone) The doctor said it was possible, but probably not. I really hope not, I just started on a new unit and love it and want to be able to keep my job! Has anyone had a similar experience?

[MIA-RN1, RN]

I had labrynthitis once. Very freaky and awful. Sorry you are experiencing this.

[SCRN1]

I've had vertigo before and took Atarax for it. The doctor said it was from fluid behind the ears that couldn't drain.

I hope you're feeling better now and I'm glad you found a job that you enjoy.

[hikernurse]

I had that once, it was horrible! I hope you're better and that you never get it again. Maybe being up all night triggered it? I took dramamine when I had it, and I'll tell you, I kept dramamine in my pocket for the next few weeks wherever I went, just in case it came back. I think it can make you sleepy, so that obviously won't work if you're working; I wasn't at the time.

[Purdue_Nurse]

thanks for those who responded. how long did it last when you had this? I don't know if I can stand it for much longer and I don't want to miss anymore work.

[Kymmi]

Any chance that you are pregnant?

[ckben]

my sister-in-law and my mother both had reactions the first few weeks they worked nights. not with vertigo, but with severe nausea and reduced appetite. i'd say give yourself time to adjust (flip-flopping days and nights does NOT agree with some people, and don't ever let anyone tell you "you're young, you can handle it"...what a big load of bull), and if it doesn't get better, go back and see your doctor again.

incidentally, it could be a sign of something else, and working nights at the same time is coincidental. you could be pregnant as the above poster said (why do we always assume that any sick symptom in a female is a sign of pregnancy?). or, like in my personal experience, vertigo coupled with nausea was my first clue that i had meniere's disease. but unless you have associated ear ringing and difficulty hearing, you don't really need to worry about that. so just watch your body and try to keep track of what things make it better and worse. basically, there IS a reason this is happening, and it may be totally unrelated to your job, so rule out other reasons before deciding that your job is the main cause.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

hmmm knowing what i know NOW, i would see an ENT......and audiologist....check for hearing loss......blood work for inflammation...i know you arent looking for MEDICAL advice....good luck any way

[TrudyRN]

I'm not sure but good luck.

[lencialoo]

Purdue Nurse...could it be that you have "benign paroxysmal positional vertigo" caused by tiny crystals (otoliths) that have formed in the inner ear and when they start floating around they cause symptoms of vertigo ? See this website or just do a search of "benign paroxysmal positional vertigo" on the internet ->

http://www.doctorhoffman.com/wwbppv.htm

My Mom had similar symptoms without any physical indications for anything else and this was her dx. Her Dr taught her how to do the Epley Manuever and she has had pretty good success with it, although sometimes she ends up going back to the Dr to have him help her with getting the positions correct.

Good Luck...hope you can determine what this is or that with some time it goes away !

lencialoo

[truern]

Purdue Nurse, I recently missed two weeks of work with the same problem. Even with Antivert the only time the entire room didn't spin was when my head was laying still against something. The second I raised my head there the room went again! I'm still dizzy if I bend over or make a sudden move.

You have my heartfelt sympathies.

[Jules A, MSN]

My first question was how are your eyes working? If it continues I'd probably be pushing for a MRI. I hope you feel better soon, Jules