For years i have been catching a cold in fall and have vertigo for week(s) after. specialists have no answers. i have taken steroids, dramamine, (dimenhydrinate) sudafed, and antibiotics. help!

Vertigo: Anything that can affect the otoliths (crystals in the inner ear semicircular canals) such as a virus or increased pressure can cause the vertigo. Management can be tricky though. I agree with staying hydrated and keeping the sinus secretions as loose as possible. There are special exercises or positional maneuvers to reposition otoliths.

Vertigo?: You mean that the room spins? You may have a tiny stone called an otoliths that gets pushed into the inner hair cells. There are vestibular exercises to help but you need a referral to a physical therapist who specializes in vestibular rehab to help you.

Maybe allergy: Several possibilities. Have your doctors considered that the cold you get each fall is an allergy? Usually in the fall people start using their forced air home heaters, and this blows housedust throughout the home. Perhaps you are allergic to house dust etc. And if so an allergist may be of great help to you.

Viral labyrinthitis: It sounds like it could be an inner ear viral infection that you are susceptible to. Some people may have a predisposition to vertigo due to certain conditions...Meniere's syndrom, benign positional vertigo, and others. But if your situation is usually exacerbated by an upper respiratory infection it sounds like labyrinthitis. Try to minimize risk - healthy diet, hand washing. Meclizine as needed.