My brain just isn’t getting the proper signals from my inner ears. I had rehab, but I believe the worst of it (I had rapid eye movement when laying on my sides, could see and feel movement, had bouts if I turned on my side, and felt like I was walking on a cruise ship when upright and walking or standing still).Ī couple years later, a vestibular specialist suggested it was related to nerve damage. However, I had had vertigo off and on for years, including ear infections in my 30’s and 40’s and complaints of balance issues in my 20’s. I was also given an anti-viral as apparently an active infection was the root cause at the time. While my regular doctor prescribed it, I have been treated by ENTs and was extensively tested (including an MRI and hearing tests, eye movement tests,etc.), as well as given epley movements. Sometimes, it takes awhile to find the right provider. Meclizine may also be helpful to take short term until proper vestibular care can be found. However, the accurate prognosis can not be determined until an exam by a vestibular expert provider has been conducted. If you have been prescribed meclizine, you must follow up with your doctor to discuss your concerns and request for the medication to be reduced if possible.įor people with a poor prognosis of vestibular recovery, meclizine may be appropriate for long term use. Please note: All medications should be taken as prescribed by your doctor. Instead of recommending Meclizine as a long-term solution of vertigo, people with dizziness, vertigo, and balance problems should be referred to Vestibular rehabilitation physical therapy to identify and eliminate the root cause of the dizziness and vertigo if possible. Since Meclizine is dangerous for treating vertigo especially in older adults, I would like to propose an alternative approach. Yes that’s right! Even so, older adults are still commonly prescribed Meclizine when they complain of dizziness or vertigo. Meclizine is dangerous for treating vertigo because the long-term use of Meclizine can cause irreversible cognitive impairment. Medications that are currently marketed to stop the progression of dementia increase the activity of acetylcholine in the brain.Īnticholinergic medications have been shown in research to cause irreversible cognitive impairment with long term use. Meclizine is dangerous because it works to reduce dizziness and vertigo by reducing the activity of a chemical called acetylcholine in the brain. Many older patients I have met who sustained a serious fall-related injury are on meclizine and have been taking it for many years to mask their dizziness. The lack of root cause leaves the person with a balance impairment that has not been addressed, even if they no longer feel dizzy or spinny on the medication.Īn unidentified and unaddressed balance impairment increases the risk of falls. Meclizine is dangerous because it masks the symptoms of dizziness and vertigo to reduce discomfort, but does not correct the underlying problem. Meclizine Is Dangerous Because It Masks the Problem More than just the side effects of the medication and falls, there are a few other reasons why meclizine is dangerous for long term use in older adults with dizziness and vertigo.
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