Question: I have occasional dizziness. I have had antibiotic shots, steroids, and I’m taking meclizine, but I still have problems. What more can I do?

Dr. Hibberd's Answer:

Vertigo, or dizziness, can be caused by any number of things including drugs; infections; circulatory, hormonal, or abnormal cell growth conditions; disorders of the middle and inner ear; and nerve disorders and tumors of the ear canal.

It is time for a complete total assessment that includes a cardiovascular, neurological, and endocrine workup. Most vertigo can be diagnosed and treated by a skilled physician with very few tests, reserving imaging and elaborate testing for resistant cases. Don't forget a review of all of your medications and supplements that may be playing a role.

This is not meant to confuse you. I simply wish to emphasize how important a baseline evaluation is for determining the direction to take in solving resistant vertigo. Have yourself evaluated now, as the shotgun approach you have encountered has obviously not helped.

Your personal medical doctor should be able to arrange your workup so you can get referrals to the correct specialists. It is not unusual to need the input of more than one when underlying conditions may be contributing to vertigo.

If you need additional help, ask for a referral to a local university teaching center or ask for a referral to one of our larger centers, such as Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, etc.