How Long Does Vertigo Last? I Have Had It For Over A Week Now.

How long it lasts depends on what's causing it.  I have Meniere's syndrome and benign positional vertigo and have had both for about 45 years.  These are the nastiest things in the world!  Attacks can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few weeks.  I   don't know of any medication that helps.  Meclizine doesn't help me one bit.  You just have to let it work itself out and run its course.  Sleep on 2 pillows to keep your head up as much as possible.  If you roll over a lot in your sleep, try sleeping on a couch to cut down on movement.  Don't look up.  Make sure each head movement is slow and cautious.  However, sometimes I can get zapped with violent dizziness just sitting in a chair.  
The worst times for me is when the seasons change - from winter to spring and from summer to autumn.  
I've had the Epley Maneuver done twice by a physical therapist.  Each time, I was sick for 3 full days.  I still get attacks but maybe not quite as severe.  But, the maneuver was so unpleasant that I'll not have it done again.
Good luck and I feel for all of you.  I'd rather have pain.

Get the real help that you folks need.  Google the "Epley Manuever" after the Dr. That invented it. And utube has a video to show you the method.  This was a lifesaver for me. I am a 57 year old woman who had a run of this nightmare vertigo (BPPV) approximately a month ago, I really thought that I was having a stroke....it was soooo scary.  I went to an ENT Dr. And his partner performed the manuever on me and my vertigo was gone!
Meclizine and anti- anxiety meds will only mask the symptoms and will do nothing to get those little crystals out of the wrong part of your inner ear, which is the cause of all of this terror!  Hope this helps someone out there!

I'm 56 F now, but have had vertigo on and off since my 20's.  I have not had an attack for  years, until about  4 months ago. I woke up and the room was spinning.  If I looked to the right it was really bad.  I have never had this kind of vertigo before.  The type I had over the yrs would come on while I was simply walking or sitting..I could take anacin aspirin and sleep it off.  This one that I get now stays with me for about one week or more.  I called my Dr. And he told me to take benedryl and anacin and give it a wk.  It did help.  I am now just taking my aspirin in a.m. And one at night before I go to bed and it's helped me a lot.  Most of the day I feel tired tho.  I think it can wear you down.  I also take Bonine, which I get from the drug store, OTC, and it helps some, but can also make you tired, so once in awhile I take it at night.   A few months ago when I got it I was simply blowing my nose!!  Pow, I was dizzy as could be.  The next a.m. The room was spinning.  I have to say it did go away for a few months, but it came back after xmas.  That is when I started to take the benedryl and anacin again.  For me, it helps.  My doctor said 'if' I had other problems..major headache, joint problems, etc., he'd order tests, but since I do not, he thinks it's sinus problems/ear problems.  He said it can also be allergies.  I belong to a web site which is very helpful called, "Daily Strength".  Many people post on their about all kinds of health problems and the vertigo problem is huge.  It may help you all.  Good luck!  Oh, I also read on there that Lipo-Flavonoid helps some w/vertigo.  Debi

I have had vertigo for two weeks now.   It was extremely frightening in the beginning.   Could not walk a straight line and had to use furniture and walls for support.   The doctor put me on Stemetil 5 mg three times a day.   I must say they certainly have helped me.   I did find after a couple of days that when I got up to use the loo at night, the symptons were back just as bad so I decided after looking on the internet that I could take an extra tablet a day as long as they were evenly spaced out and NOT taken together.   This has really help me.   I must say when the tablets wear off the symptons come back just as bad.   I hope it will just clear up and that will be it, but reading some of your comments, I am now worried it might be here to stay.   Good luck to everyone who is suffering, I can only sympathize as I know what its like.

I have been feeling dizzy on and off for the past 4 days now and ended up going to shrop doc and he looked in my ears and took my blood pressure etc and told me it was vertigo! He has given me 8mg of betahistine tabs.. Well I start the course tomorrow. I really hope these tablets work, even though it has only been 4 days it is driving me nutts! I'm still really confused about vertigo! And really hope it's something that will dissapear like flu! I can't put up with this sensation any longer. It feels like my head  is traped in a washing machine and can't get out! :( I feel for anyone with vertigo! It's pure torcher! I would appreciate any more comments on vertigo as it is really scaring me to be completely honest!!

I was told by my gp I had vertigo 8 wks ago am still suffering can't work how long does it last

I am 55 and have had my first episode with Vertigo this morning.  My family has had this before- my brother, (he had it for 3 months) and my mom..(she had it for 2 days)  How it started with me was that  was getting ready for work, came out of the closet carrying my clothes and stumbled into the bed.  My husband and I both laughed, and I started to walk a little bit and it got worse.  I said, "Wait a second, I think something really weird is going on"!  Then it hit me very hard...like a ton of bricks!  The whole room was spinning around.  I laid down on the bed and it continued to get worse.  Then I started to throw up.  Hundreds of times.  I was scared!  I thought maybe I was having a stroke or something! Between my throwing up episodes..I googled vertigo and found the Epley maneuver. (not sure if I spelled that right)  Anyway...my husband did the maneuver on me, and after that, I only threw up one more time, and the dizzy/spinning slowed wayyyyy wayyy down.  I was so happy not to be throwing up!  The dizzy that remains at this point is a world apart from the dizzy/spinning I first had this morning.  I did not experience any ringing in the ears or deafness or blurred vision during my episode.  I am not 100% now and I am staying in bed.  I really believe the Epley maneuver played a HUGE part in getting me on the road to recovery so quickly.  The difference before the maneuver and after it was remarkable.  During the whole episode I was in touch with my Dr.    I was told to go to the E.R.  But, I didn't want to move.  They were more concerned with dehydration because I was throwing up so much.  After the EPLEY treatment, that stopped and I was able to get some water down.  They recommended Meclizine and Antivert, and my husband brought me motion sickness pills. I took one so far...hoping it goes away 100% by morning.  Thanks for all your stories!

I have vertigo and I have had it for 6 weeks. I was off work and not driving for four weeks. I have this unfocused, distant feeling about me. I don't always have the spinning but almost always have the headache and nausea. I can't stand it--I went to PT for four weeks and she claimed me fine but the past week something happened and now I am back to dealing with it again. I have tried to work through it but this morning at work I did have to a take a motion sickness pill. I had the best results with the motion sickness patch but it did need to be prescribed. I am frustrated because I don't want it anymore. I am hoping to work my day but at the rate it is going I am not sure. It is also nice to know that there are many other people dealing with same symptons and for longer than me. Not that I want it to be longer.

I have vertigo and finding it hard now typeing , fed up with it now no tablets seem to work ! , also I have started to being sick every morning I think thats coz its at its worse then :( , can't seem to focus on anything as well . This is the worse illness I have ever had I would go as far to say I would rather give birth and yes I have 2 children , at least you know there will be an end ! But have no clue when this will end ...HELP .

I just got home from ER in another city, back to work in 4 days.  They did a maneuver on me called the Epley Maneuver that breaks up the calcium crystals in the inner so they can be absorbed into the body.  Google Epley Maneuver and you'll find a video demo of how to do it.  For many people it gets them upright the same day.

I have just been diagnose with vertigo. I have been having dizzy spells for about a month now. Yesterday was the worst, I was standing up helping my class do a project. I started getting dizzy it felt like the room was spinning and I was leaning to one side. I sat down and drank some water aslo put a cold rag on my face. That didn't help, so I ate something and still I felt the same way. I left work and went home and got in my bed, which that made me feel better. As long as I am laying down I feel okay. Soon as I stand up, I feel like I'm on a just-go-round. I have been holding onto things as I walk to keep me from leaning to one side. I'm currently taking med's for this. I hope this don't last that long, I'm a Pre-K teacher and my class really needs me.

I had a very severe case of vertigo 4 months ago I had it for weeks it was terrible I went to work and got sent  home everyday, I am a nurse so working was very hard I got to the point where I was throwing up in m bathrooms at work. I went to the dr. She said I have vertigo, I got a prescription for meclizine sometimes the pills work most times they don't. I was fine for 4 months and two days ago I started vertigo like everything was spinning. When vertigo comes on for me it does not go away only when I sleep do I get ne relief from it. So I sleep a lot I hope and pray I can make it through the day at work all I want to do is go home and go to sleep. I am so glad I am not alone in this.

Hi, I am 20 years old and I have had vertigo since I was a young girl. The first time I had it, it came with a cold and was caused by my sinuses (I think thats how its spelt).Once I got over that I was fine till about 2 years ago I had it really bad for about 2 weeks, I got to the point I couldnt walk anywhere without being sick! I now am suffering from vertigo again at the moment, which is not the best time being as I'm in university and have had to have friends help carry me to my room. Does anyone no anything that would help me feel less dizzy? I am on anti-biotics but I think they are making it worse not better.....I feel very sorry for anyone who suffers with vertigo and I hope you all feel better soon!

2 month ago while getting my hair done leaning my head back everything in the room started to spinn and I fell out of the chair ,thats how it startet went to ER and 2 doctors  and had brain and neck MRI,S and yes its vertigo again.Had in the past  spells that didnt last more than a week or so but this time it has been worse . Tryed Claritin ,Meclizine didnt help much layed in bed to avoid falling . One day got brave went with hubby to the store felled so off balance thought that I was losing conciseness and had to get down on the floor. To make a long story  short I have weekness in my legs ,pain in the back of my head  and neck.Flu like symtoms. Doctor put me on water-pills to disolve salt crystals and xanex.  Don`t know what the xanex does but thats what is not curing but helping me big time, I`m still not driving but at least can go on and enjoy life a little that way
Eky

Yes I have had vertigo for just over a week I'm 53 and pre menopausal, this is the third time Ive had this crazy thing, it started three years ago. I don't think age is an issue with it. My mother used to get it before and when she had her periods, I'm still getting them, yes at 53 I wish more than anything it would go away, as I think this is what th biggest cause of vertigo. It s very debilitating, I thought at first I was having a stroke. Is anyone out there my age and has this problem?

I am male 31 years old and this is the first time it is happening to me. About two weeks ago I was driving my car when I felt that I am loosing my conciseness I hardly make an exit in freeway and I called 911. I end up coming back to home and I had an extreme vertigo, dizziness, and imbalance. Next day my family doctor prescribed me Meclizine 25 mg. I felt better within a week but I still had imbalance and Vertigo symptoms so I visited Neurologist and he told me that I problem is most probably from my inner ear and he prescribed me motion sickness patch and Vertigoheel Tablets. I rest at home for two weeks now and I have recovered about 80% but I still have problem when I walk and I don’t feel safe to drive my car.

I am 17 years old, and I have vertigo.Is this too young of an age to have vertigo?? It kinda worries me:/ I woke up one morning and felt the room spinning, its been 4weeks now and the first day it occurred I went to the ER and they gave me antibiotics. It helped for the first week but I still get the dizziness going on. I feel like its never going away:(

My vertigo started nearly two weeks ago. This is June 26 '09 and on Feb 20 '09, I slipped and fell - my right side landed on top of a hand basket at grocery store, body crunched over on right, apparently enough force to cause whiplash. I've gone through a series of changes, learned I have a bulging disc at C5/6, and had constant headaches and ringing in my head and ears, respectively. When the Vertigo started, I wasn't sure if it was due to water in my inner ear from swimming recently, or if it was another symptom to add to my list of troubles from that fall.

What I have concluded is that the whiplash is the ultimate cause of my Vertigo. My Physical Therapist noted that Positional Vertigo, the kind I have, is often related to whiplash and concussion injuries. Little rock-like elements in our inner ears can get displaced and may travel in our ear canals, this leads to that imbalanced swimming nausea that I get. My Vertigo isn't as bad as others. I've had sort of a wave of bouts with it. Sometimes it hits after I've been laying still, when I turn over to my left side, raising an arm above my head, bending over, etc.

There are Vertigo specialists who work for my PT office, so I'll be seeing one of them. The diagnosis methods sound like I'll feel nauseous when we do that, but I'm pretty tired of nearly falling, my head swimming sometimes violently, and the nauseous moments.

Some Vertigo can be resolved by taking decongestants to dry you up and I've been prescribed an over the counter motion sickness pill.

I just had Vertigo again after 6+ years of not having it. The first time It went away immediately after rest. The second time it took about a little longer about a full day. I'm 36, male and I'm in okay health otherwise. **I noticed that at the feeling of getting dizzy if I take DEEP breaths, and get plenty of air in my lungs, the dizziness goes away almost instantly. **Also, TRAVEL SICKNESS pills (meclizine 25 mg.) work very good and are about $6 too.

Has anyone experienced stomach bloating along with the vertigo? I have had this vertigo for over a week now first time in my life and its no fun.

I am trying to find an answer to this same question. I woke up with it a week ago and was taken to the ER because I kept vomiting and could barely move. I stayed in the hospital for two days before they would release me. Although I am better now (as in not throwing up), I am still suffering from it. It is constant, which is making it very hard for me to function. I have heard that this can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. I'm hoping that mine goes away soon. Good luck to everyone suffering from this.

I had it for 6 months, lil bit after I had my baby. So dealing with it and trying to take care of newborn was hard. Thanks to my husband and family for helping. My mom had to watch her and me and my sister that has MS. She is awesome mom. But it's now been 4 months since and it has gotten tolerable. I stll have days when I get dizzy and almost fall. I get it bad when I lay to my right side. I take some dizzy pills that the doctor gave me and all they do is make it worse.

Hi, I'm 28 M from UK I woke up yesterday with the room spinning and with headache and sickness. I call 999 and  the paramedics said it was Vertigo. They took me the A&E (Accidents & Emergency) where the Dr gave me Prochlorperazine 5mg told me to take 3 a day it's my second day and it's not really working I still get the dizzy spells I've just been in bed and take a lot of rest. I will be going to me local Dr tomorrow to see what he say. I'll keep you guys posted.

I have had vertigo for 10 days now and I am very frustrated.  I feel trapped and I'm not sure what to do.  I am going to see an ENT tomorrow, hopefully they can help. I was put on claritin D, antibiotics, anti nausea and dizziness meds.  This seems to come and go in waves.  I will have really bad spells where I can't get out of bed and then I will have times when I can get around but I am stumbling.

Most likely you'll be on meds the rest of your life. Possible it'll correct itself but you may want to get use to it. I have a friend who was diagnosed seven years ago and she'll have to medicate for life.

I wish I had the answer to this question. I developed severe vertigo five weeks ago. I spent an entire week in the bed with my eyes closed and praying that it would end. When it first hit me, I did end up in the E.R. And they gave me antibiotics because they said I had ear infection in both ears. That was news to me but, I took the meds. By the middle of the second week I could finally walk with aid and it got to the point where the room wasn't spinning but, I had gone into another type of dizziness....hard to explain..like a light headed, off balance, very unsteady feeling, it is like I got somewhat better then went into a holding pattern. Needless to say saw another dr. And got another stronger round of antibiotics. Now I am going into my fifth week with this and I still cannot trust myself to drive and I still rely on holding onto things or people to walk. Talk about being tired of being this way. The dr. I saw last was at a First Assist.....I unfortunately don't have an established doctor so, was in the process of getting established but, this dr. Would not treat me until I finish his consultation and physical to be an established patient which is sometime off based on my appointment dates. Idiot! My problem now is getting someone to make the referral to an E.N.T. . After two rounds of antibiotics I am still having slight problems with my ears as well as this dizziness. I have a family depending on me and I sure wish I could get some answers so that I can function again the way I need to. As bizarre as it sounds to have this for five weeks, I have discovered three other people who have said they had it for as many as 4 to 5 weeks. It is a nightmare but I can handle this stage over the way it was that first week, any day. Hang in there, I do know how you feel. I feel as though I am going to spend my life in this holding pattern. Any suggestion are so welcomed.

I have had this for over a week now. Woke up to let the dogs out and fell on the bed.  The room was spinning around me and I lost sight of where I was.   I went to the doctor 2 days later and was told it was a migraine and was given 3 injections for the nausea and migraine.  Here I am a week later in the same condition.  Tried to go outside to my daughters soccer today and I felt like I was in the middle of a fish tank with everyone floating and talking around me but I could not comprehend anything going on.    I hate this.   I get the episodes at least every 1/2 hour and they last 15 to 20 mins, sometimes longer.    Going back tomorrow to find out what is causing them.  No pain anywhere else.

I'm  a runner, and 24 years old.  I went to bed feeling a little bit weird, and the next day (yesterday) is when I first felt the symptoms of Vertigo. I couldn't walk straight, or turn corners without losing my balance.  At one point I completely fell in  my bedroom and hurt my back.  My friend took me to the ER and I had all the tests done.  I am taking the medicine for the vertigo, but it only makes me feel tired and I still have the symptoms I had before.  I am in good health, get plenty of fresh air, eat well, my heart is healthy, I don't smoke, no allergies, no ear infections ever, etc.  Cause unknown.  How long will it last?  No one really knows. Every case is different.  Good luck to you all!!

Hi I have had vertigo for 5 weeks now been off work for 6 first I had a virus then the next week still not well went back the docs told me that it was vertigo and that it only last 4 weeks,I need to be back to my old self now its taking to long

Hi, I have had vertigo now for three months or so, I can have a week or two where I am ok, then I get an attack, my eyes flicker from side to side, and the room spins, and I vomit a lot, and cannot stand up at all, without help. It usually started to wear off after four or five hours, but is horrible, and very scary, could use some names of medication people have used which have worked, my dr. Hasnt put me on any antibiotics, should they have done? I am still driving, obviously  not I n the middle of an attack, but the rest of the time I am ok.

Hello, I am 27 years old. I have been through vertigo attackes about 10 years ago, And since that time I have these attacks twice or more a year. It came suddenly without any reasons. Sometimes I wake up and found the room spinning that I can't stand up so I keep the whole day sleeping because if I open my eyes I feel vomiting due to vertigo. Sometimes it happens suddenly when I am sitting or walking or just standing up. I went to balance and ear doctors and they found nothing wrong with me or anything that can cause it. Actually I don't know what is the reason or the cure of that. Lately it happened to me yesterday and here I am better today.

I get vertigo every day now. It first came on over a years ago following a strong migraine. I've been on Stemitil, been tested for mineries syndrome, I've had brain scans but doctors just don't know how to treat it. 

I'm not trying Amitriptyline incase it is related to migraines. It really sucks to have to live dizzy for months on end.

I've had verigo for 4 weeks now an fed up so tired. I have kids and things to do and can't feel traped in side and hate that I have to lay down most of the day. I watch my kids and cry coz am used to doing everything to doing nothing. I am on stemilil 5 mg an they're ok 3 tables a day but still dizzy an still feel weired like my heads in a fish tank. It's horrible, I feel like people are lookin at me and it freaks me out I just want this gone now and have a normal life. I have a lot of stress from losing my job. Money problems too. I had a headache for weeks before I got vertigo. I went to the doctor they just said stress headache. I hope it does go and I get back too normal. I  miss my life really bad. I miss doing things with my kids. 

My Dr gave me Meclizine and it seems to help. I take it three times a day for 5 days. Will let you know on Wednesday if its gone or if I have to continue taking it.

I have only had it for four days... I woke up one morning, could not walk, couldnt see, was vomiting...I have never experienced anything like this before in my life. It seems that it gets worse as the day progresses...even with the medication. I just want a break!

I think I may have some of you beat. I'm 8 months pregnant and a week and two days ago I woke up dizzy. It ended up getting worse as the day went on making me vomit every time I tried getting out of bed. I was in the hospital twice within the first week from dehydration and then put on medicines that I now regret taking because I feel my baby move less now. It's now a week since it started and I can now get out of bed and move around but once I get going the dizziness comes back and I'm back in bed until I feel better. I really hope this goes away soon (and never comes back!!) since I only have 5 weeks until I'm due.

I have had vertigo which I was given arlevert tablets which has made me have blurred vision how long does it take for these tablets to get out of your system also have had the vertigo for over a week which I have been told it cause by the inner ear I was taking the tablets 1 three times a day

Dear All,

I was unwell last week and visited the Doctor recently. He told me that, I have vertigo. My head was spinning like hell, vominating, fever, cough etc...After getting the proper prescription from the Doctor I started getting better. I am half well now but not perfect.

I think to get out of this, you need to have a complete bad rest. Try and avoid heavy diet. You need to be on Fluid for sometime. You need to have lemon juice for atleast 3 to 4 times a day. Try avoiding and eating spicy things. Things will get better once you have a complete bed rest.

Have some cotton to cover your ears. Make sure you clean your ears after having bath. Clean your ears 2 to 4 times a day. Start praticising this things for a day or two and you will feel better.

I've been dealing with vertigo off and on for 10-12 years.  Wish I could say it got better, but it suddenly comes on without notice at really randomn times.  I've tried to figure out what the triggers are, but it's never the same.  Meclizine doesn't help me at all, I just deal.  I've just come to accept that I'll be dealing with it for the rest of my life... And I'm only 28.

Till you find out what is causing it maybe new medicine or ear infection

8months

I have had vertigo over a week and still feel very dizzy,  and especially in the morning I feel sick
still it is making me worry it is such an awful feeling, I am on medication how soon will I be feeling better

I have just been told today that I have vertigo and to be honest I'm really concerned about it.
I just feel shocking. Concerned that I don't know how or if I'm gunna be ok to go to work tomorrow. Hate this x

I have had this vertigo now for well over three weeks. I have not gone in to see a doctor as of yet. I don't even know if what I have is vertigo or perhaps something different. I know one day out of the blue I started to feel somewhat dizzy. I have been studying hard for an exam and don't know if this has any reason as to why I am feeling dizzy. I have read many of your blogs and see that some of you are feeling nauseated. I have yet to get sick over the dizzy spells, however, at times I have the feeling like I am about to faint, and I do have a ringing in both of my ears. There has not been a day that I have had a break in the ringing sound or the dizzy spells. If there is anyone out there that might have a cure for this please share it with the rest of us as we suffer in the same way. Any information what so ever would be grateful I don't know how much more I can take of this horrible felling.
Thanks
Tina

The first time I had vertigo was in January, for 2 days.  March 5th it came back, not as severe as before, but still kept me in bed for 2 days.  I am now going to work, but I feel dizzy all the time and have to hold on to furniture or walls to walk.  I take Bonine 25mg for the nausea, but it does not help the dizziness.  I am going on 6 days now and it doesn't seem to be getting any better.

I have vertigo too. It sucks majorly. Reading this blog has really made me feel better. I know I'm not alone and I got several useful tips. Thank you all.