I experienced a severe vertigo attack and was hospitalized because I couldn't even open my eyes about 5 years ago. I had MRI of the brain, cervical spine, thoracic spine and ENG, EMG, and every other test known to man. The outcome was that I have a migraine disorder. Several medications later (bad experience) I am on nothing except I take over the counter Mecilizine (Travel Sickness medicine) when I feel really unbalanced (swaying) I take 3 of the chewable tablets (75mg) and it helps immensly. I also got a prescription for a "panic attack" (anazpam something like that) thing I've had since I have the vertigo attack when I was driving and I'm kind of freaky about driving anymore. I only take half of a pill when I'm really stressed about vertigo. (I hate meds) But I find that its necessary to function sometimes. I am on a medical leave from work and it really sucks, because to go from a fully functioning individual with a fulltime job for 12 years to a stay in the house and veg has taken some time to get used to. The medication I take for migraines leaves me like a person who has a cognitive disability and can't form a verbal sentence without forgetting mid-sentence what I was saying to begin with. Go to a neurologist who specializes in headache/migraine disorders and see an endocrinologist just to check your thyroid (pituatary gland). Hope this helps.

I can totally relate I have suffered on and off for years, I had sinus surgery 10 years ago which really helped. But now I am having problems again with my right side. ear colgged,sinus clogged. It it hard to function when you have sinus drainage dizziness and that full feeling in your head I have a great ENT helping to resolve this.should I get a cat scan? People do not understand what it is like.and always point at anxiety.well if they felt like this they would also have anxiety. I have to clear this up I have a job and a family to take care of, and the medications dont seem to be making much difference except the steriod seems to help some, it feels like I just need a vaccum to get this suff out of my head,the woozy feeling in my head and nausea are driving me crazy, but the doc says my right sinus is inflamed but my eardrum looks ok??!!!By the way I live in San Antonio TX it is the one of the worst places for allergy sufferers the best for ENT's.

I've had vertigo attacks since 1986. I got so bad I had to lay down or fall down. I was in remission now for about 15 years and the last 1.5 months it is slowly getting worse. Yesterday I had a bad attach [#6]that lingered around for 3 hours then , had another [#7] for about 15 minutes. Then stopped. I woke up this morning feeling great. Right now as I'm typing I feel it trying to start up again.
I was put through many tests in the 80's and it was determined buy a spinning chair, air blown into my air, standing with my eyes shut, etc. I have inner ear pressure called vertigo.
There was no help back then. When I have it I need to find a object to stare at till it subsides. Well yesterday it didn't work.I'll have to go too the Dr.'s again and see if there is any thing new yet.
It sounds like we will all have to deal with it. Except, from what I remember if you loose enough hearing they can cut the hearing canal and stop the dizziness[you also will be deaf in that ear]

I can relate to ALL of this. However I have not suffered for years - just months. I was diagnosed with benign positional vertigo and find I have to be careful about putting my head back too far (eye drops). I did notice that one attack followed a case of the flu and one ear was still inflamed. The second bad attack came following an eye injection and subsequent eye drops. I was sent for an MRI last week and have not felt 'right' since then - on and off clogged ears etc. Today I heard the MRI result - chronic sinusitis. That makes sense and I hope it's as 'simple' as that - I will have a prescription for a nasal spray. Some of the medications that have helped me get through the day are PREDNISONE - I do not like taking it but it works fast. PHENERGAN - a suppository that will cure nausea and dizziness in a flash. And best of all, a homeopathic medication called VERTIGOHEEL - I put one tablet under my tongue and within minutes the room stops turning. I have also been doing an exercise from an ENT doctor - lie flat, keep eyes open, and turn head from side to side. This apparently keeps the crystals in the inner ear moving and will help prevent vertigo.
People who have never had it will not be too sympathetic - only those who have have experienced vertigo understand how debilitating and frightening it can be. Hope these hints help you all.

If you can't see it, you can't treat it
If you haven't had it, you won't understand it

Thats the general feeling I get, nothing frustrates me more when doctors assume it is depression or anxiety. If they felt like they had a permanent cold all the time yet had to do all the normal things that other people do then they'd be depressed and anxious but rarely does anyone see this