Am I alergic to Indian Creek?

Mike Morley wrote: Exactly. Besides BPPV, two other potential peripheral causes are vestibular neuritis and Meniere's disease.

Thanks Mikes,

BPPV was what I thought might have fit my symptoms when I researched vertigo a few days ago, but I am far from a medical expert. Sounds like I should maybe try to see a specialist who is familiar with these types of conditions. I will have to see what my health insurance coverage is for out of my HMO, if any. Or I could just see what happens when I go back to the desert in a couple of weeks.....

I realize whatever is going on is likely not caused by being in the desert itself but may be triggered by some environmental conditions that are different from my normal routine, such as my sleeping arrangement.

Again, thanks for everyones input so far.

Evan1984 wrote: What makes me think this is the fact it occurs in the desert after drinking and after climbing. Dehydration(as I know from personal experience) can definetly cause vertigo and dehydration. Fatigue from strenuous climbing could also alter your senses.

I wiki the term to make sure that I understand what Kirk was talking about. That confirmed I had one similar episode. Even though there are many causes, but I agree with Evan1984 that dehydration may be the cause.

Mine happened after a long day on a multi-pitch in south AZ. I did not felt dehydrated/thirsty but I usually drink more water after a long climbing day. That night, I fell asleep after dinner without drinking much water. I woke up next morning feeling the world was spinning around me. It lasted for maybe a minute or two and then I feel better. But that would started again after I moved (because I thought I was just dizzy from sleeping with my feet way lower than my head). When my friend came to see if I was awake and I told her about it, she said she had that before (after climbing, not enough water afterwards but a few beers) and I was probably dehydrated. After some water and hot tea (no caffeine and no coffee), I was completely fine. I keep drinking water throughout the day and was able to climb that day. Since then, I make sure that I drink enough water and had not have another episode since.

Can't say that dehydration is the only reason or for sure what happened to Kirk, but I can see that happened to climber climbing in desert/dry environment.

Kirk Heatwole wrote: ...I realize whatever is going on is likely not caused by being in the desert itself but may be triggered by some environmental conditions that are different from my normal routine, such as my sleeping arrangement. Again, thanks for everyones input so far.

Hmmm. one more thought- try to make sure you are not sleeping with your head down-hill.

About 4 or 5 years ago I had BPPV, although I never heard it called that. For 6 months, I had vertigo problems whenever I tilted my head. This could occur answering the telephone, or while leading and looking in a crack to place protection. It was very disturbing. I never got nauseated as it would stop shortly after straighting my head. My first trip to a doctor (shortly after it first began) believed it was probably a head virus and prescribed OTC medicine and antivert (which I never filled). Finally, after 6 months, believing I had a tumor, I went back, hoping for MRIs and probing instruments. The doc said he could send me to an ENT but thought he would give me some head excercises. He laid me on the table and tilted my head and held it for 15 secs. Then rotated my head and held it, etc. I thought he was a nut and paid no attention to what he was doing. I walked out of the office and never had another symptom. It was like Oral Roberts had been there.
I have heard 2 other people with similar solutions.
As we get older (>50), some calcified "rocks" get lodged in the ear canal and cause the problems.

Sounds like BPPV, especially if laying flat with sudden movements such as rolling to one side or to back eliciting symptoms. Less likely Meniere's Dz or neuritis if only transient symptoms are noted, but you never know.
Sometimes Epley maneuvers will help.
Sometimes a decongestant will help, such as claritin OTC or zyrtec.

Likely the desert is coincidental, though laying on the ground may have something to do with it.

youtube.com/watch?v=pa6t-Bp…

John Langston wrote:Most recently, I had the sensation of a cat walking up my sleeping bag, I smacked the bag and it went away. Then a few minutes it came back "tip toe tip toe meow" smack the bag again and it went away.

John you know it's those PDG's coming to get 'chah (prairie-dog ghosts)

John,
When you smacked that cat, was it a cat with large breasts or a cat with small breasts?

Greg- wow that's crazy! I can't imagine actually having those kind of symptoms on a climb. What kind of doctor did you see to get treated? Is he local?

John B- I definitely remember tossing and turning a bit on those nights. I typically sleep on my side, but when the symptoms hit, waking me up, I remember being flat on my back and jolting up to a sitting position.

Well, I'll spill the beans. You'll notice that everyone who has posted odd symptoms is from Colorado... it's no coincidence.

Fact is, pissed off Utah locals have teamed up with the US Government to develop a 'vertigo ray' to keep Coloradans out of the Creek. So far, it only seems to be slightly more effective than the deer and cows that are trained to amble or leap across the road at the sight of a Subaru with green and white plates.

Mike Morley wrote:In summary: - The most likely explanation is Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) - I sent you an email with information on this - Have a doctor confirm or refute dx by performing a couple of specialized maneuvers - Seek immediate attention should the condition change or worsen Best luck!

Mike, thanks again for your insights. I am going to try to get in to see the doctor before I had back to the desert again. I'll give you an update on anything I find out.

S. Gileadi wrote:Well, I'll spill the beans. You'll notice that everyone who has posted odd symptoms is from Colorado... it's no coincidence. Fact is, pissed off Utah locals have teamed up with the US Government to develop a 'vertigo ray' to keep Coloradans out of the Creek. So far, it only seems to be slightly more effective than the deer and cows that are trained to amble or leap across the road at the sight of a Subaru with green and white plates.

Hey buddy, you Utards better be careful! Messing with Colordans is like playing with fire.......you think the Dewey Bridge was an accident?

Kirk Heatwole wrote: Hey buddy, you Utards better be careful! Messing with Colordans is like playing with fire.......you think the Dewey Bridge was an accident?

Colordans? Who are those guys? ;) Oh, and just wait until they unleash the giant mutant ticks! They've been keeping those suckers deep down in the Uranium mines gettin' em ready.

Better watch your dogs too... you've been noticing that the coyotes at the Creek have been howling a lot louder lately..?

S. Gileadi wrote: ... you've been noticing that the coyotes at the Creek have been howling a lot louder lately..?

blame it on John -he's been feedin' em prairie dogs {{snicker}}

Hi Kirk,
I think you've received some excellent advice/input.... but IMO you should see a doctor.

I went to IC a few times.... I had a great time. Then one day (not sure how long after a visit) I got sick, it was not fun. It was a weird combo of (mostly) breathing stuff and nausea. My friends and family all had opinions on what was going on. For me, it was an on and off thing.....one month I would feel great, the next I felt like hell. Finally I met a doc/specialist (I had seen my fam. practice doc previously) that helped with the situation. For one... I was told that I had Valley Fever aka Dessert Fever aka San Joaquin scar tissue in my lungs. I met with the doc for about 1.5 hours..... He asked a ton of questions about my life, work, habits, etc. He put me on some medicine and as of now I feel great....

My point is the body is a crazy machine and for me having one on one contact with a doctor helped my situation immensely! I love my friends and family very much and like you, I looked for advice on the internet. In the end seeing a doctor was best for me.

Good luck! And I hope you get better!
jen

Epileptic seizure, petit mal.