For those living with multiple sclerosis (MS), dizziness and vertigo can be a daily challenge. Vertigo is the sensation that your surroundings are spinning or swaying or that you are completely out of balance with the room and objects around you. At least 1 in 3 people diagnosed with MS will experience vertigo at some point, and more than 19,000 MyMSTeam members report experiencing dizziness or vertigo.

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, people with MS have damaged areas of the brain called lesions that can cause a wide array of symptoms, including dizziness and vertigo. However, these symptoms could also be related to another condition or a side effect of medication.

Dizziness and vertigo can cause balance problems that affect daily life and even lead to falls, especially combined with symptoms like muscle weakness, spasticity (involuntary muscle spasms or stiffness), and fatigue. A feeling of lightheadedness often accompanies dizziness. Read on to better understand this symptom and learn strategies to manage dizziness to improve your quality of life.

1. Dizziness Can Be an Early Symptom of MS

Dizzy spells are a common symptom of MS and may be one of the first signs you notice. Dizziness may be accompanied by weakness, blurred vision, and numbness. Several members of MyMSTeam identified dizziness as an early sign of their condition. “My very first symptom of MS was dizziness,” one member shared.

Another commented, “A couple of years ago, I started with random dizzy spells, but I never went to the doctor because it always passed.”

“My very first symptom of MS was dizziness.”
— A MyMSTeam member

2. Vertigo and Dizziness Can Disrupt Daily Life

Dizziness and vertigo can make you feel sick and can interfere with daily life. “Today, I couldn’t get out of bed,” one MyMSTeam member wrote. “The room was spinning, and the feeling of nausea was huge. I had to call in sick.”

“I went to church, then came home and cooked dinner,” another member shared. “During dinner, I got a dizzy spell and had to sit down. I was barely able to finish.”

Sometimes, dizziness can be very disabling. “I’ve been extremely dizzy all day. I’m so dizzy I can’t walk straight,” a member wrote.

“I’m so dizzy I can’t walk straight.”
— A MyMSTeam member

How Long Does MS Vertigo Last?

Dizzy spells can vary in how long they last. Some resolve on their own or when you sit down. Vertigo usually doesn’t last more than a few hours, but in certain circumstances, it can last for days or even weeks. It’s important to get an accurate diagnosis of the origin of your dizziness or vertigo so you’ll know how to quickly relieve your symptoms and reduce how long your symptoms last.

3. MS Lesions Can Cause Dizziness and Vertigo

Dizziness and vertigo in MS can happen when new or growing MS lesions affect certain parts of the brain. These symptoms often come from damage in the areas of the brain that help you process what you see, understand your position in space, and coordinate movements for balance. This system is called the vestibular system. It helps you know where you are in relation to your surroundings and stay steady on your feet.

MS lesions can form in the brainstem, which links the inner ear (which is important for balance) to the brain. Lesions may also appear in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that helps control balance and coordination. When nerve fibers in these areas lose their protective coating (a process called demyelination), dizziness can become worse.

4. MS Flare-Ups Can Worsen Symptoms Like Dizziness

Dizziness and vertigo can occur during an MS flare-up — a period when symptoms become worse. When this happens, these symptoms may be accompanied by other symptoms like numbness, weakness, double vision, or balance issues.

Flare-ups are usually associated with a new lesion on the central nervous system. People with relapsing-remitting MS — the most common form of MS — experience frequent flare-ups. These periods usually develop gradually, over days or weeks, and lessen over time.

5. Vertigo and Dizziness Can Be Side Effects of Medications

Some people diagnosed with MS experience dizziness and vertigo as a side effect of certain medications. Many common medications, like muscle relaxants and anticonvulsants, can cause dizziness as a side effect, so it’s important to work with your healthcare team to determine whether any medication you’re taking might be causing dizziness or vertigo.

6. Dizziness and Vertigo May Be Caused by Unrelated Conditions

Sometimes, people diagnosed with MS experience dizziness because of a separate health condition. One of the most common causes of vertigo is benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo (BPPV), which isn’t related to MS. BPPV happens when crystals collect in the inner ear and affect the vestibular system.

Other possible causes of dizziness can include:

• Orthostatic hypotension (drop in blood pressure usually from sitting up or standing too quickly)
• Blood vessel diseases
• Strokes
• Migraine attacks
• Dehydration
• Anemia (low red blood cell count)

7. Immediate Steps Can Help End Dizzy Spells and Keep You Safe

If you are dizzy or lightheaded, or you feel that the room is spinning, it’s important to take immediate steps to help yourself feel better and to avoid falls and potential injury. Here are several actions you can take right away:

• Sit down — Find the nearest place to sit yourself down safely. If it helps, anchor your head against the wall or the back of a chair.
• Don’t move — Avoid moving your head or body position while experiencing dizziness or vertigo.
• Dim bright lights — Don’t try to read or watch TV. Just sit until the sensation passes.
• Have support ready — Keep a support device nearby in case you must move around while dizzy. If you experience frequent dizzy spells, it’s important to use a cane or walker, install grab bars, and ensure your home is free of tripping hazards.
• Let yourself recover — Wait until you start feeling better to try to get up. Start by moving slowly and seeing if the symptoms return.

8. Treatment Can Include Medications and Therapy

Treatment for dizziness and vertigo may include medication or different types of therapy.

Medications

If you have MS and motion sickness or dizziness, you may find that taking motion sickness medication helps ease your symptoms. These drugs should only be taken once alternative causes of vertigo and dizziness have been ruled out. “I take a motion sickness pill that stops the dizziness, and I lie down until I start feeling better,” one MyMSTeam member shared.

“I lie down until I start feeling better.”
— A MyMSTeam member

Consider purchasing over-the-counter motion sickness medications and keeping them on hand for whenever a dizzy spell occurs. If your dizziness continues or becomes chronic (ongoing), your neurologist may prescribe stronger motion sickness medications. Be sure to check with your doctor before trying any new medications or treatments.

If motion sickness medications don’t help or you don’t want to take them long term, your neurology specialist may prescribe another type of medication. Some people find that antihistamines or a short course of corticosteroids helps relieve their dizziness and vertigo.

Therapy

If moving your head brings on dizziness or causes you to experience vertigo, it might be time to work with a physical therapist. Physical therapy can help you build up a tolerance to having your head in positions that make you feel ill. It could also help lessen or even eliminate these unpleasant sensations. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy — which might include vision training, balance retraining, and other exercises — can also help reduce dizziness or vertigo.

9. Dizziness Can Be a Sign of a Medical Emergency

It’s always a good idea to contact your doctor when you experience new symptoms like dizziness or vertigo. If these symptoms come on suddenly or become severe, call your healthcare provider right away. You may need to go to the emergency room if additional symptoms happen at the same time, such as:

• Chest pain
• Double vision
• Fainting
• Hearing changes
• Intense headache
• Numbness of arms, legs, or face
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Seizures
• Trouble breathing
• Vomiting

Determining whether dizziness and vertigo are caused by MS or another unrelated issue can be challenging. It’s always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional for accurate guidance. They can help pinpoint the cause of your symptoms and give you personalized tips on how to handle them better.

Find Your Team

On MyMSTeam, people share their experiences with multiple sclerosis, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Has MS left you feeling off-balance and dizzy? Let others know in the comments below.