Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#149413 - 04/19/11 10:44 PM What did you say?
hikerduane Offline
member

Registered: 02/23/03
Posts: 2124
Loc: Meadow Valley, CA
Finally went to a Ear, Nose and Throat specialist regarding my occasional vertigo and occular migraines etc. the last five years. Couldn't help much but pulled crud out of both ears this time, felt like my ear drum was coming out with the wax. Should be easier to wash my ears now without them getting plugged up after a shower. He wants me to do neck exercises, the chiropractor doesn't help much with my neck staying adjusted. Seems a little better being able to hear. That or old age is catching up a little more.

Top
#149416 - 04/19/11 11:15 PM Re: What did you say? [Re: hikerduane]
aimless Online   content
Moderator

Registered: 02/05/03
Posts: 3292
Loc: Portland, OR
Mrrrmmph swwnff ghhass vnnolph...

Oops, sorry, I forgot to take the cotton balls out of my mouth. blush

I said: taking all that wax out ought to help at least some. DO you know if you have any permanent hearing loss?

Top
#149420 - 04/20/11 12:21 AM Re: What did you say? [Re: aimless]
hikerduane Offline
member

Registered: 02/23/03
Posts: 2124
Loc: Meadow Valley, CA
They couldn't test me there, I seem ok, never worried about it as I only ask now and then, What? smile About 10 years ago maybe, I had issues and the Nurse Practioner took a big pea sized bit of wax out of one ear, the other was fine. I was getting water in that ear and had limited hearing for a week at a time until it dried out. I use ear protection most of the time cutting firewood with my chainsaw. Some stoves in my stove colletion are loud.

Top
#149428 - 04/20/11 12:12 PM Re: What did you say? [Re: hikerduane]
billstephenson Offline
Moderator

Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 3917
Loc: Ozark Mountains in SW Missouri
When you say "Ocular Migraines" do you mean you experience something like zig-zaggy, flashing patterns in your vision that last some 10 to 30 minutes or more?

If so, I get those too. They suck.

Here's a few things I've learned that are triggers for me:

Too much coffee. I can't drink more than one cup in the morning. If I do, I increase the odds of getting one a lot.

Waiting too long to eat. If I get too hungry it will trigger one.

Stress. This is always a trigger.

Constipation. This too is a sure trigger.

Dehydration. While this may not be a trigger by itself, I've noticed it as a consistent enough factor to include it.

Too many hours staring at a computer monitor. This too is always a trigger, although, it may not occur until the day after I've done that.

A bright glare flashing into my eyes, like a flash of the sun off a windshield of a car will set one off, but only if I can point back to one of the above triggers.

Any combo of the above greatly increases the odds I'll get one. If I'm stressed, constipated or hungry, drink two cups of coffee in the morning, and don't take my vitamins, then sit down and stare at a computer monitor, I will most certainly get one.

As for prevention, aside from avoiding the above, I've found that taking two packets of "Emergen-C" vitamins every morning after I have my coffee, and before I eat anything, does more to help prevent them than anything else I've done. It instantly takes the "Edge" off the caffeine buzz and I can feel them working before I even finish drinking them. I mix both packets with just a couple ounces of water, stir until it quits fizzing, and drink it slowly, letting the vitamins absorb into my system while still in my mouth and on my tongue.

While this may not help you, I've also found that taking a small bit of codeine will dramatically reduce both the severity and duration of an event, but only if I take it as soon as I feel one coming on. For me, I know I'm getting one if I get a blurry spot, or tiny "Spark", in my vision. When I do take codeine, I take a small bit of a pill (1/4 or less) and let it dissolve on my tongue.

Codeine also helps a lot with the crappy feeling I get sometimes after I have an event, but does little to cut one short if taken when one is going on full blown.

I hope some of this will help you. I imagine that triggers and preventative measures and treatments may differ with individuals. It took me years to realize the few I mention that affect me.

_________________________
--

"You want to go where?"



Top
#149432 - 04/20/11 01:12 PM Re: What did you say? [Re: billstephenson]
hikerduane Offline
member

Registered: 02/23/03
Posts: 2124
Loc: Meadow Valley, CA
Thanks Bill. Some of the reasons could be likely for me. The last 6 years, on a computer all day and the last couple years at home for a few more hours. I have also gotten migraines at high elevations, at work, driving. Getting used to them, not so bothered anymore. I need to get a diary and log when I went to a Chiropractor, when and how ofter I get vertigo/sick and when I get an ocular migraine. I only have a medium cup of coffee on my AM break at work. I've been surprised how many people get what I get in the last few years in conversations with bpers and others. I believe most of my issues are nervousness, if my neck is bothering me, I work it, tightening the muscles in it etc. When it really aches, I can expect a migraine in 24 hours or less.

Duane

Top
#149437 - 04/20/11 04:31 PM Re: What did you say? [Re: hikerduane]
skcreidc Offline
member

Registered: 08/16/10
Posts: 1590
Loc: San Diego CA
So...it doesn't sound like anybody has told you why you are getting these symptoms? Stress is one of my key factors for headaches, but the vertigo and the inner ear related stuff sounds like something that could affect that too.

On a side note, the over the counter Madam Pearls Cough Syrup used to have codeine until about 5 years ago. It's imported from Hong Kong; doesn't work as well now that they changed the formulation laugh.

Top
#149442 - 04/20/11 07:10 PM Re: What did you say? [Re: skcreidc]
hikerduane Offline
member

Registered: 02/23/03
Posts: 2124
Loc: Meadow Valley, CA
Not really. Two MRI's a few years back, just a small spot close to my hypothallmus which has not changed in 18 mos. I blame my neck, but the second MRI showed nothing. Grin and bear it.

Top
#149446 - 04/20/11 09:38 PM Re: What did you say? [Re: hikerduane]
skcreidc Offline
member

Registered: 08/16/10
Posts: 1590
Loc: San Diego CA
Ok, not sorry I asked but I don't know what to say. Grin and bear it is about right.

Top
#149466 - 04/21/11 01:33 PM Re: What did you say? [Re: skcreidc]
hikerduane Offline
member

Registered: 02/23/03
Posts: 2124
Loc: Meadow Valley, CA
I may not have been clear, no one can explain why I get vertigo, we are all guessing. No reason to be sorry.

Top
#150248 - 05/13/11 12:00 PM Re: What did you say? [Re: hikerduane]
dkramalc Offline
member

Registered: 09/19/03
Posts: 1070
Loc: California
I too get vertigo from time to time, seems to be associated with allergies in some way. When my allergies get band and my ears itch inside, I tend to dig at them a little with a q-tip, and either that or the itching itself (and whatever swelling might be going on inside) seems to trigger a period of time with vertigo - a week to several months.

I don't get the big hunks of wax like you, but I wonder if those might also in some way bruise the inner ear a little or press on something that results in vertigo.

Have you tried DeBrox ear drops? They're supposed to clear out wax, and maybe if you used it regularly you wouldn't get the buildup, which might help the vertigo. Maybe. Just a thought...
_________________________
dk

Top
#150256 - 05/13/11 01:09 PM Re: What did you say? [Re: dkramalc]
hikerduane Offline
member

Registered: 02/23/03
Posts: 2124
Loc: Meadow Valley, CA
No, have not tried anything except see the ENT specialist. I have some other earwax stuff at home, never used it. I could lay on my side I guess, as I hate to tilt my head to one side to do that, results in issues. Since snowcamping last weekend, I've had two ocular migraines and one last week on Thursday I think before the trip. I blame it all on my neck. I'll see if the cleaner ears helps with vertigo this next year or two. I suspect too that hard manual labor or even a bp trip do something to my neck as I get a little bit of a weird feeling and worry about getting sick out there with others, then they worry about you.

Top
#150805 - 05/26/11 02:22 AM Re: What did you say? [Re: hikerduane]
gladyshawthorne Offline
newbie

Registered: 05/26/11
Posts: 8
Loc: Portland OR
I'm just getting started with backpacking and I'm almost over the hill. frown I'm still going to give it my all until I can't do any more. I just love being out in the wild so much! I especially enjoy solo hiking on challenging trails. I love the Columbia Gorge because the climb to the top offers such beautiful, breathtaking scenery. I know I have so many adventures in store for me. And, I'm learning so much from these on line resources. I appreciate all the input I receive from you veterans.

Top
#150849 - 05/27/11 04:19 PM Re: What did you say? [Re: hikerduane]
Jimshaw Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/03
Posts: 3983
Loc: Bend, Oregon
Do you have a squeese bottle of "Swim Ear"? Its an alcohol based ear drying agent but it also of course softens ear wax. You can essentially flush your own ears with it, and of course it removes water after swimming or showering. I think some eye washing solution and swim ear and insect reppelant are three small bottles worth keeping with you camping. Oh I guess "After bite" an ammonia based product is also worth its weight when a need ariises to use it. I was bit by a spider in the garden yesterday and put After Bite on it - no mark or swelling today. It should sting, that means the ammonia has gotten into the wound and is neutralising toxins by reacting with them.
Jim
_________________________
These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 160 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum