Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)-anyone ever dealt with this?

[bakerworld]

I’ve been having dizzy spells for the past few days and was diagnosed with BPPV. My doctor performed the Epley Maneuver yesterday. My reaction to the maneuver was pretty nasty with terrible vertigo and nausea/dry heaves. I’ve been dizzy fairly constantly ever since. I’m just curious if there’s anyone else that has had this and what your recovery experience was like? Man it’s been a rough few days!!

I've been dealing with this for about 4 years - it comes and goes and I have NO idea what kicks it up. Currently, most AM when I wake I am a bit unsteady - which is an improvement. I used to be able to roll right out of bed and get my walk in but not now. I usually have to lay at a slightly elevated position for about 30 minutes until everything settles. I've never allowed the maneuver. I do exercises on my own my Chiropractor showed me. It happened to me once after a massage and I had to drive home (which my husband gave me 'what for' about). Good luck. My doctor gave me some Atrovert (Alovert = IDK) but it didn't really help. The best for me is the positional sleeping (head elevated).

 

[hollywoodstudious]

Hi there! I was diagnosed 20+ years ago with BPPV after a full workup (MRI, audiology, etc). That first time was the worst - the entire room was spinning. I felt like I was on the teacups and couldn't get off. Good news = the condition is usually self limited as your body absorbs the displaced otolith. Bad news = this can be a chronic issue. I've had 5 attacks since my initial episode, each separated by a few years. Random timing without obvious triggers, although these subsequent episodes were shorter (lasting only 1-2 days). Epley maneuvers have been very effective for me, although I have to repeat them at least 3 times and during the maneuver I feel awful. However, afterwards I can definitely sense an improvement. Because of BPPV, I always carry some meclizine around with me since I never know when an attack might happen. I hope you feel better soon and know that you are not alone!

 

[22Tink]

Hi there! I was diagnosed 20+ years ago with BPPV after a full workup (MRI, audiology, etc). That first time was the worst - the entire room was spinning. I felt like I was on the teacups and couldn't get off. Good news = the condition is usually self limited as your body absorbs the displaced otolith. Bad news = this can be a chronic issue. I've had 5 attacks since my initial episode, each separated by a few years. Random timing without obvious triggers, although these subsequent episodes were shorter (lasting only 1-2 days). Epley maneuvers have been very effective for me, although I have to repeat them at least 3 times and during the maneuver I feel awful. However, afterwards I can definitely sense an improvement. Because of BPPV, I always carry some meclizine around with me since I never know when an attack might happen. I hope you feel better soon and know that you are not alone!

How far apart were your Epley maneuvers when you had multiple ones? I had my first one yesterday, she plans to do another tomorrow and a third on Wednesday. That seems far apart?

 

[hollywoodstudious]

How far apart were your Epley maneuvers when you had multiple ones? I had my first one yesterday, she plans to do another tomorrow and a third on Wednesday. That seems far apart?

My physician performed the maneuver in the office the first time, but then told me to keep doing them at home. I ended up doing them daily on my own, back to back, on a flat surface/bed. I followed instructions found on google, and made sure to really hold the indicated positions. I noticed a difference after 3 or more repetitions. The way I imagine it is you are shuffling the otolith back into place bit by bit with each maneuver.

 

[Pooh2]

My first episode was 2 years ago and involved 9 hours of vomiting and a trip to the ER.
Nine PT appointments later, it settled down.
Treatments were twice a week.
Had another bad round about 9 months later.
The PT told me on the initial visit that usually 1-2 treatments usually does the trick.
The treatment is miserable and for a day or two later, my head feels like a milkshake sloshing around.
Try to plan a quiet day after treatment, hang out in the recliner with head in neutral position. Because my case was stubborn, the PT recommended that I sleep in the recliner for a couple nights. Not sure if that is what made the diffidence or not.
Keep with it, it does get better.

 

[Mrs.Milo]

I had this a year ago. I went to my Dr after being dizzy in the middle of the night and falling in the bathroom, hit my head and had quite a bump. Turning over in bed was the worst for dizziness/nauseous. It took a couple of weeks to get an appt for PT. The first treatment took a few days to feel better, went back a week later for 2nd treatment. Since then my DH has done this twice for me, usually better in a day. I forgot about sleeping sitting up the first day.

 

[DLgal]

OP, learn how to do the maneuver yourself or with the help of another adult. It's very simple and you can do it SLOWLY. The doctor may have done it too quickly the first time.

This issue will likely recur, so it helps to know how to DIY.

I had my first episode about 3 years ago and recently had my 3rd spell about a month ago. I did the maneuver and was fine immediately.

 

[22Tink]

OP, learn how to do the maneuver yourself or with the help of another adult. It's very simple and you can do it SLOWLY. The doctor may have done it too quickly the first time.

This issue will likely recur, so it helps to know how to DIY.

I had my first episode about 3 years ago and recently had my 3rd spell about a month ago. I did the maneuver and was fine immediately.

Thank you. I did look it up this morning and it looks pretty easy. 30 seconds after each position is what the website I found said. Does that sound about right to you?

 

[Yvette7]

I get this every couple of years, you have my sympathies. Mine usually lasts about a week and I do the Epley manoeuvre at home 3 times in the morning and 3 times at night. It isn’t pleasant but it definitely works for me. Hope you feel better soon.

 

[nkereina]

I have dealt with this once a few years back. I went to an ENT and he also did the Epley maneuver. He told me its quite possible it would not work the first time and would need to be done multiple times to get my ear "crystals" back in place. He told me to go on YouTube and find videos on it and that I could just do it myself. The next morning it was worse, as he mentioned it could be. I did the Epley maneuver two more times and finally got it to work and got rid of the vertigo. Its a terrible feeling, but if you're patient and diligent about the Epley maneuver, you may find reprieve.

 

[DLgal]

Thank you. I did look it up this morning and it looks pretty easy. 30 seconds after each position is what the website I found said. Does that sound about right to you?

I just hold each position until I stop feeling dizzy.

 

[barkley]

best of luck with this. i've only had an episode of vertigo once and it was horrific. worse than any thrill ride i've ever been on. i can't imagine having to deal with repeated episodes. take care and best wishes.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I had it after riding an old, rickety roller coaster. (Cyclone, on Coney Island, to be exact.) Apparently all the jiggling caused the problem. I had a head CT and an ambulance ride to the hospital it was so bad at one point. Also wound up with very painful double ear infections. I had two episodes over a couple of years; worst lasted several months. Knock on wood it has not happened again.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I have it. I had vertigo for about three weeks before I was able to get an appt with an ENT. I had it twice a few years ago and the Audiologist did the Epley Maneuver on me to get the crystals moved both times. This time I had to go a PT to get help. It took about three visits before I got them moved and I actually did it myself after watching a video my PT sent me to try before my next appt.

I followed this video one night and it worked a bit. I tried it the next evening and it was a total bust (I was still dizzy after the maneuver). So I tried it again about an hour later and was not dizzy at the end. I haven't been dizzy since. I slept in a chair for about a week after I started PT. The night after I got the crystals moved back, was the first time I slept for a long time. I've had it on both sides and just on my right. I'm trying to sleep more on my left side than my right (I'm a side sleeper) to keep the crystals from moving back.

What was strange about this last time I did the Epley was that when I had my head turned to the right, I started spinning, then stopped, started counting to 30, then started spinning again while still with my head to the right. So I must have moved some of the crystals, but not all of them. You have to make sure that you have a pillow under your shoulders so your head can hang a bit.

The Audiologist who helped me with the first two episodes said something about Dramamine, Bonine and meclizine not being a good thing to use with BPPV. I haven't seen her in a few years (she wasn't available until end of July for this most recent episode).

Now my vestibular system is weakened and I'm working on getting that stronger so I don't fall over because of weakened balance.

 

[22Tink]

I had it after riding an old, rickety roller coaster. (Cyclone, on Coney Island, to be exact.) Apparently all the jiggling caused the problem. I had a head CT and an ambulance ride to the hospital it was so bad at one point. Also wound up with very painful double ear infections. I had two episodes over a couple of years; worst lasted several months. Knock on wood it has not happened again.

That sounds terrible. I hope it’s gone for good now.

 

[22Tink]

I have it. I had vertigo for about three weeks before I was able to get an appt with an ENT. I had it twice a few years ago and the Audiologist did the Epley Maneuver on me to get the crystals moved both times. This time I had to go a PT to get help. It took about three visits before I got them moved and I actually did it myself after watching a video my PT sent me to try before my next appt.

I followed this video one night and it worked a bit. I tried it the next evening and it was a total bust (I was still dizzy after the maneuver). So I tried it again about an hour later and was not dizzy at the end. I haven't been dizzy since. I slept in a chair for about a week after I started PT. The night after I got the crystals moved back, was the first time I slept for a long time. I've had it on both sides and just on my right. I'm trying to sleep more on my left side than my right (I'm a side sleeper) to keep the crystals from moving back.

What was strange about this last time I did the Epley was that when I had my head turned to the right, I started spinning, then stopped, started counting to 30, then started spinning again while still with my head to the right. So I must have moved some of the crystals, but not all of them. You have to make sure that you have a pillow under your shoulders so your head can hang a bit.

The Audiologist who helped me with the first two episodes said something about Dramamine, Bonine and meclizine not being a good thing to use with BPPV. I haven't seen her in a few years (she wasn't available until end of July for this most recent episode).

Now my vestibular system is weakened and I'm working on getting that stronger so I don't fall over because of weakened balance.

Thanks for the video! I’m having my dr perform the maneuver again this afternoon so I’m hopeful for success. I’ll definitely sleep in the recliner for a couple of nights to hopefully prevent undoing any progress made.