u/KK_1025

Hi everyone,

I have long-standing Ankylosing Spondylitis with significant spinal fusion and very limited spinal mobility.

A few days ago, I developed a cold/cough and took Cefuroxime 500 mg, which I had used previously. A few hours later, I suddenly developed the worst dizziness/vertigo of my life. The room felt like it was spinning and I vomited. The severe dizziness improved after vomiting.

The next day I took Cefuroxime again, and around 2 hours later the dizziness returned. Because of this timing, I suspect Cefuroxime may have triggered the initial episode, although I know I can't confirm that.

Since then, the vertigo has continued. It is much better when I sit still and look straight, but movement, getting up, walking or turning brings the spinning sensation back. I also have a strange sensation around my left ear, although my hearing is completely normal.

I saw an ENT who suspects a positional/vestibular cause, possibly BPPV. However, the usual Dix-Hallpike/positional testing couldn't be properly done because of my spinal fusion and limited mobility.

I've also been prescribed Vertin (betahistine), which has given me some improvement, but the movement-triggered dizziness is still there.

The biggest problem is that I cannot lie flat or move my spine normally, so I can't simply do the usual Epley maneuver. I tried a positional exercise once and it actually made me vomit.

Has anyone with AS/spinal fusion experienced BPPV or similar vertigo?

If yes:

- Were you able to get diagnosed without the standard positional tests?

- Did you use a modified maneuver because of spinal limitations?

- What treatment/exercise worked for you?

I'm mainly looking for experiences from people with AS and significant spinal mobility restrictions.

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I have long-standing Ankylosing Spondylitis with significant spinal fusion and very limited spinal mobility.

A few days ago, I developed a cold/cough and took Cefuroxime 500 mg, which I had used previously. A few hours later, I suddenly developed the worst dizziness/vertigo of my life. The room felt like it was spinning and I vomited. The severe dizziness improved after vomiting.

The next day I took Cefuroxime again, and around 2 hours later the dizziness returned. Because of this timing, I suspect Cefuroxime may have triggered the initial episode, although I know I can't confirm that.

Since then, the vertigo has continued. It is much better when I sit still and look straight, but movement, getting up, walking or turning brings the spinning sensation back. I also have a strange sensation around my left ear, although my hearing is completely normal.

I saw an ENT who suspects a positional/vestibular cause, possibly BPPV. However, the usual Dix-Hallpike/positional testing couldn't be properly done because of my spinal fusion and limited mobility.

I've also been prescribed Vertin (betahistine), which has given me some improvement, but the movement-triggered dizziness is still there.

The biggest problem is that I cannot lie flat or move my spine normally, so I can't simply do the usual Epley maneuver. I tried a positional exercise once and it actually made me vomit.

Has anyone with AS/spinal fusion experienced BPPV or similar vertigo?

If yes:

- Were you able to get diagnosed without the standard positional tests?

- Did you use a modified maneuver because of spinal limitations?

- What treatment/exercise worked for you?

I'm mainly looking for experiences from people with AS and significant spinal mobility restrictions.

Thanks!

For me… Ankylosing Spondylitis took away a part of my childhood.

I was diagnosed around the age of 8.

School life… somehow I managed. I smiled, adjusted, and tried to live normally like everyone else. But deep inside, things were already changing.

The biggest thing AS took from me was probably my college life.

I never really got to experience it.

By that time, life had become completely different for me. My hips were severely damaged, I was in constant pain, and eventually I ended up on a wheelchair for a period of time.

Going to college like a normal student wasn’t even possible anymore.

While people around my age were building memories, friendships, enjoying campus life, and exploring their future.

I was trying to figure out how to live with pain inside my own body.

But at the same time, AS gave me some things too.

It made me mature much earlier than my age.

It taught me patience.

It taught me how to stay calm even when life feels unfair.

It taught me how to keep moving forward even when things are falling apart internally.

Most importantly, it taught me to always look for the positive side even in difficult situations.

I won’t lie and say this journey is easy.

It changes you.

But maybe that’s the strange thing about struggles like this.

They take away one version of you, but slowly build another.

Today, even after surgeries, pain, limitations, and everything this disease has taken from me…

I’m still here. Still trying. Still rebuilding myself step by step.

Still learning.

Still fighting.

Still moving forward one step at a time.

For me… Ankylosing Spondylitis took away a part of my childhood.

I was diagnosed around the age of 8.

School life… somehow I managed. I smiled, adjusted, and tried to live normally like everyone else. But deep inside, things were already changing.

The biggest thing AS took from me was probably my college life.

I never really got to experience it.

By that time, life had become completely different for me. My hips were severely damaged, I was in constant pain, and eventually I ended up on a wheelchair for a period of time.

Going to college like a normal student wasn’t even possible anymore.

While people around my age were building memories, friendships, enjoying campus life, and exploring their future…

I was trying to figure out how to live with pain inside my own body.

But at the same time, AS gave me some things too.

It made me mature much earlier than my age.

It taught me patience.

It taught me how to stay calm even when life feels unfair.

It taught me how to keep moving forward even when things are falling apart internally.

Most importantly, it taught me to always look for the positive side even in difficult situations.

I won’t lie and say this journey is easy.

It changes you.

But maybe that’s the strange thing about struggles like this…

They take away one version of you, but slowly build another.

Today, even after surgeries, pain, limitations, and everything this disease has taken from me…

I’m still here. Still trying. Still rebuilding myself step by step.

Still learning.

Still fighting.

Still moving forward one step at a time.