I haven't been on the board for awhile - too painful for me. I caught a nasty viral infection in February (probably from my gym--everyone had it and the virus lasted for a month in almost everyone who caught it). The virus settled in the inner ear. Prior to that, I swam 12 miles a week religiously, getting ready for my first summer off in about 30 years! My summer was going to start each day with a 3000 yard swim, some yoga, walking, maybe tennis. I had planned to take a few lessons to refine my strokes and hoped to swim with Masters. It is now almost August and I am still not able to swim. At first, the backstroke and freestyle resulted in severe motion sickness. Eventually, even breastroke and fly caused it. At first, the motion sickness only happened when I was swimming (almost the entire time), but I was fine when I got out of the pool. Then I became equally imbalanced even out of the water. Has anyone ever gone through this? My ENT says it can take months, or even years to recover from an inner ear inflammation. He also said it could be permanent damage. I am terrified, and needless to say, very depressed. I'm sorry to be a drag, but I know you all can understand. Thanks for listening.
Parents
Former Member
Has your doctor prescribed any drugs?
The first thing to try is Antivert; that's the prescription name. It's also available over the counter as Meclizine Hydrochloride. It's cheap over the counter - here's an example:
www.healthwarehouse.com/meclizine-hcl-25-mg-100-chewable-tablets.html
I don't have too many problems any more, but I still take a 12.5-mg tablet before doing any open water swimming.
My understanding is that for balance disorders that don't respond to the Antivert, the next drug that many ENTs prescribe is Valium.
While looking for the Meclizine link I also found this web site:
www.queasytraveler.com/index.php
Hi, I've taken my antivert prescription and even OTC Dramamine but it makes me so spacy and drowsy. Do you think you can swim after taking it? I only took 1/2 a pill! I'm sure I wouldn't be able to work out if I took even half a valium--I only take that when I have to fly and it totally relaxes me and makes me sleepy as well.
What was the reason for your imbalance or dizziness, if you don't mind me asking?
Thanks for the link.
Has your doctor prescribed any drugs?
The first thing to try is Antivert; that's the prescription name. It's also available over the counter as Meclizine Hydrochloride. It's cheap over the counter - here's an example:
www.healthwarehouse.com/meclizine-hcl-25-mg-100-chewable-tablets.html
I don't have too many problems any more, but I still take a 12.5-mg tablet before doing any open water swimming.
My understanding is that for balance disorders that don't respond to the Antivert, the next drug that many ENTs prescribe is Valium.
While looking for the Meclizine link I also found this web site:
www.queasytraveler.com/index.php
Hi, I've taken my antivert prescription and even OTC Dramamine but it makes me so spacy and drowsy. Do you think you can swim after taking it? I only took 1/2 a pill! I'm sure I wouldn't be able to work out if I took even half a valium--I only take that when I have to fly and it totally relaxes me and makes me sleepy as well.
What was the reason for your imbalance or dizziness, if you don't mind me asking?
Thanks for the link.
