Hi everyone! One of my good friends is getting married on Friday and I could really use some advice on how to make it through the wedding. I'm pre-surgery, chiari type 1. I turn 22 next week and my major symptoms I presented with are daily light-headedness, migraines, and some ringing in the ears. I can handle the migraines when I'm out in public but I can't seem to find a way to handle or control the light-headedness or dizziness. I really don't want this to turn out to be yet another event I have to leave early, so does anyone have any tips on how to get through the light-headedness or any medicine you take that helps? I already unfortunately know I have to skip the alcohol haha. Any help would be appreciated :) thanks so much!
Thank you so much! Would you suggest taking it in the morning or just when the dizziness sets in? Can't thank you enough for your response! :)
razzle51 said:
meclizine helps with dizzies
My Nuero put me on sumatriptan for when i actually have the headaches/dizziness ( i also have actual blackout spells) i take it and maybe 15-20 minutes after it goes away. It also doesnt make me drowsy or sleepy which is a plus. Maybe you can talk to your nuero and see if he will prescribe it to you if he thinks it will work! I’m 25 and in between types 1 & 2 (my nuerologist and nuerosurgeon keep going back and fourth about the type) Hope this helps!!!
Make sure your Blood Sugar is normal. Eat healthy including protein before the wedding. Stay hydrated and make sure your sodium is good. Eat extra salty things for a couple of days. When you have these dizzy spells and lightheadedness are they when you stand up???
I really hope you and Beeba stay Conscious !!!!
Tracy Z.
Flat shoes, lots of water and sitting whenever possible (I'm 25, and I feel your anxiety about weddings and other big events. It's hard to plan for Chiari!).
I've also found that taking a good vitamin B supplement works wonders for feeling light-headed or spacey. If you're already taking one, take an extra tablet the day before the wedding. I space it out every 12 hours when I take an extra dose. Vitamin B helps me every day, even after surgery. Don't settle for a cheap one though... It won't work very well. My neurologist has an agreement with Douglas Laboratories in Pittsburgh. Perhaps your neuro could point you in the right direction for a good brand.
If you get dizzy a lot, you could try motion sickness patches. They're usually prescribed though. I use them often when I'm going on a long car ride or having a particularly rough dizzy spell. They take at least 5 hours to start working, so put it on early if you use it!
Meclizine 25mg tabs over the counter… might be with Pharmacist…I take three in 24 hours for special things I have to get through. Drink lots of water…
I am 6 weeks post op, with dizziness, major imbalance issues, nystagmus (eyes move involuntarily so I can’t see anything right), headpain and still just recovering from surgery. I’m saying this because yesterday was my daughters’ dance recital. It was tthe last place I wanted to be, with so many people, lights flashing, loud music and at least a four hour time of sitting. But, like others have said, I didn’t want to miss another event in their lives because I was afraid of what I knew to expect. I took ibuprofen before I left and a low dose muscle relaxer that I knew wouldn’t make me sleepy. I took a pillow and a small blanket in case I needed it but the stadium seating didn’t allow for me to actually use the pillow (sorta like church pews). I got up and moved around when I could, made sure I had water and prayed. There were others praying too. So, I survived a recital, even though I felt uncomfortable, I am sooo glad I didn’t chicken out for my three daughter’s were awesome and even got awards!. Oh, I tried to arrive early to make it easier to get a more comfortable spot and not fall all over others who were already there. It didn’t work because my ride was late but apparantly no one likes the last row anyway, so it was all good! Looking up hurts, a lot!
Hope that helps! You are stronger than you know and more capable than you believe!
Randi
The only thing I can think of right now is to remember to eat. My dizzy/motion sickness tends to go away if I fOrce myself to eat a little something. The above suggestion for Gatorade is a good one too! Someone told me coconut water is better hydration than Gatorade but I’m not sure I believe them-mostly since I love my fruit punch Gatorade… Gotta have it!! Maybe take a little Valium or some other relaxer a few hours before (so you’re not out of it or too loopy to function “appropriately” good luck and remember to breathe!!
Oh my gosh, I was so shocked and excited to see so many replies! Thank you guys so much 
Beeba, good luck to you, too!
Tracy, though I do tend to get lightheaded when sitting and even sometimes laying down, it definitely happens the most when I’m standing or walking for long periods of time, or when I have to fluctuate between sitting and standing over a long period of time.
The reason I’m worried is because I never really get dizzy. It’s not the spins and it’s not like it’s hard to keep things around me straight. Do you know the feeling you get about 5-10 seconds before you pass out? Like the actual feeling inside as well as everything sounding really far away? That’s what I get except it lasts for about 10 minutes and I usually don’t pass out. Does anyone else get that sensation? I get it almost daily. I think I may ask my doctor if he thinks meds for dizziness will help, since they are kind of related.
Thanks to everyone again for the replies! I’m definitely starting my gatorade regimen now.
I have found Bonine to be very helpful for dizziness. It is an over the counter motion sickness med. It works for me without side effects.
I have found Bonine to be very helpful for dizziness. It is an over the counter motion sickness med. It works for me without side effects.