I have vertigo, can I be a nurse?

[shortnsweet8]

Hi all! I did do a search previously and read through any posts referencing vertigo, but it doesn't appear anything I read matches what I experience.

I have vertigo (not BPPV, possibly Meniere's Disease, cause is yet to be determined) and have been trying to find the cause for the last 5 years. I have mild issues about 5 days per week, and maybe 3-5 days per month will I have more moderate-severe problems. I am still able to walk, but I am unsteady.

Florescent lighting is a BIG trigger for me, and I know being in it for extended periods cause my vertigo to be more prominent. I am still working with my neurologist to find a medication that helps lessen the vertigo, but doesn't cause a whole slew of other issues.

Am I kidding myself by wanting to get into nursing school and become an RN? I currently have a career in IT, but I really want to switch to nursing. Do you think it is possible?

[Kals89]

I am not a nurse yet myself but I am still working on it. I am currently having vertigo problems and they have been throwing all these ideas around what it may be. I have been to an ENT with nothing, regular doctors tell me its anxiety, my psychiatrist told me to go to a neurologist. So now they think its a combo of Migraines/ and an eye condition that causes it. Have you got your eyes checked lately? If not I would recommend a Neuro-ophthalmologist as they may find issues a regular ophthalmologist can't. Also the dizzies can be reduced by drugs...there is a lovely list of them. I myself am on number 4 with currently still no luck but a long way to go yet. I think you can be a nurse just got to find that golden treatment :)

[shortnsweet8]

I get my eyes checked annually and wear glasses, so my vision isn't the problem. They have tried pinning it on migraines, but I know that isn't correct since I have had migraines for many years prior to vertigo, and while mi migraines have lessened the vertigo has gotten worse.

My last appointment with the neurologist they insisted in putting me on Diazepam (valium) since none of the other sedatives and nerve stabilizers worked. I refused to take it because I have asthma & sleep apnea, and it is very clearly warned for those with either condition to NOT take Diazepam. The neuro said he didn't care, he wanted me on that drug. It was at that point I realized no one is going to truly help me find the root cause of the vertigo, and they will continue to just throw random drugs at me; so I decided to look for a homeopathic remedy instead.

For the last couple of months I have been taking Vertisil (formerly Equitab) and am shocked at how well it works. I recently switched to just taking straight Ginko Biloba since it is less expensive and easier to buy. The results are still really good. My vertigo has lessened significantly (it is not gone), and I am now able to tolerate fluorescent lighting for extended periods!

I highly recommend trying it if anyone is tired of medications not working. Remember, it is our body and we get to chose what we do and don't put into it.

[Kals89]

That's really interesting. They have tried me on

-propranolol

-varapamil

-noratriptalin

-topamax

-clonazepam

none of them worked or I only tolerated them for 3 days before I said nope and stopped taking it completely. I think I may give ginko biloba a shot. Id also recommend trying to add magnesium, potassium, and maybe fish oil to your day as well. That has helped me some also.