When vertigo appears it is often accompanied by an eye condition known as nystagmus— an involuntary, rapid movement of the eyes.
the doctor suspected she was having a heart attack. The first sign that something was different was when she tilted her head.“ As I told him, when I straighten my head you go sideways.” She was given the medication meclizine, or antivert( the two names for the same medication are used interchangeably), which she took faithfully, but only time eased her dizziness.
DECIPHERING THE SYMPTOMS Most often, vertigo is a mild illness, disappearing in a day or two. But in other cases, such as that of Daniel Shockey, it can lead to hospitalization. Last November he was taken by ambulance to the emergency room of Waynesboro Hospital with what was thought to be a stroke. After examination he was diagnosed with vertigo. Three days later he was released and sent to Chambersburg Hospital for therapy. Unable to drive, his daughter, who also has had vertigo, took him there.
Although no one has mentioned a genetic factor in this illness, Daniel’ s sister, Sue Lee, has the same problem. She was also tested for a stroke and then placed on bed rest for two weeks. At a followup rehabilitation in Chambersburg Hospital, Sue says,“ the therapist could look into my eyes and tell from the nystagmus which side was bothering me.” When vertigo appears it is often accompanied by an eye condition known as nystagmus— an involuntary, rapid movement of the eyes.“ This is a telltale sign that someone is positive for positional vertigo,” says
98 March / April 2013 Hagerstown: The Best of Life in Washington County & Beyond