Positional Vertigo

I had positional vertigo for 3 months...came on suddenly. Every time I would move my head and especially when  I would Iay down...everything would spin and go black. Terrifying. Had gone on a post treatment Cruise and thought at 1st that it was from that. Then, of course, my thoughts went to brain mets. Had Head CT which was neg. Don't laugh, but then went to a psychic/intuitive. It was kind of out of curiosity since a friend had given me a gift certificate. Oddly, she asked if I was having dizzy spells(I hadn't told her about it before she asked). When I responded " yes", she said," don't worry...it is not cancer...you have an ear crystal out of place. You need to see a physical therapist." My 1st reaction was that she was WACKY-CRACKY, but being that I had already had the neg CT, I did have one visit with a PT for what is called an EPLY maneuver. Totally fixed me...immediately! Strange, but true. 

Hi Laurie

when i saw the title of your post I had to respond as the same thing has happened to me recently and I seem to have sorted/solved the problem. It started when i went on holiday. the pillow was so uncomfortable that I had to use a makeshift one made of whatever I could find to make it soft and give my neck/head support. I did get very nervous I have to let you know but it did continue on and off and I hated it however I found that it was worst when I turned position in bed or got out of bed in the morning then it more or less went away. I've been experimenting with pillows recently as I just couldn't get comfortable and found a combination such that now the dizziness has gone and it had been going on for about 2 1/2 months. I also have suffered dizziness from inner ear problems and crystals being out of place however this seemed a little different and I do think it's something to do with damage to my neck muscles/nerves. Hope this reassures you a little and to anybody else reading.

xx

Hi Laurie .. I agree .. because of this disease whenever something happens to us, we almost always think the worse first off.  I do that too.  In my case, I know the vertigo was from the medication, as it went away when I quit taking it.

Happy Holidays to  you too!

Bren

Hi Aussie, I have dealt with episodes of vertigo several times...It does indeed cut into quality of life...I agree with several of the remedies posted here.  Especially,I think paying close attention to neck movement may be a key to controlling disorientation until it resolves itself.  I always sleep on my back with at least two pillows....if I wake up on my side it will mean possible trouble. And by the way, one side is usually much worse than the other, but still, always sleep on your back.  Looking up during episodes is a no-no....Slowly raise your eyes to look up, ditto for side glances,  lead to your left and right with youreyes first and let your neck follow.  I remember getting some relief while walking by looking at the horizon and squeezing butt muscles for further control. I hear the epley maneuver really helps, I tried it myself, but got the spins really bad, so do see a professional....It does resolve on its own eventually, but until then, I hope these tips help cut into yout symptoms...best wishes, P

Hi every one hope you dont mind my chiming in here, i havint read all the threads here but do you know if this also works for meniers disease? I have a friend that gets terrible headaches for days and loses her balance wonder if this is the same as vertigo?

Judith, thank you for the link.

Leah

Dizziness is one of the most frustrating symptoms encountered by doctors, and - aside from pain - one of the worst symptoms experienced by patients.

The sad news is that  there are literally hundreds of causes of dizziness, AND - dizziness and vertigo are actually two separate conditions.

Dr. Timothy Hain is well-respected in the "dizziness and vertigo" community. Here is his website:

http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/ 

I know these symtoms well. My undergraduate degree was in Audiology, and in 2001, I was diagnosed (incorrectly) with Atypical Menieres Disease.

Over a period of about ten years, I finally got to the bottom of the mystery, and found the answers I needed to manage my symptoms. I presented my findings to a new ENT who just happened to have done his thesis on Meniere's disease. He agreed with all my findings.

One thing about positional vertigo (BPPV) - it is important to know in which ear the crystals have lodged. This can be determined in the clinic by doing a test called the Dix-Hallpike.

Once the problem ear has been identified, then the Epley Maneuver can be very helpful in making those "room spinning around you" symptoms go away or diminish.

Another thing: taking meclizine every day will eventually render it useless when you really need it. The effectiveness will wear off.

If you are bothered by dizziness (being off-balance, feeling "swimmy" or like you're walking on a waterbed or sofa cushions; or whether you have actual rotary vertigo, which is like sitting in the middle of a roller rink, while everyone skates around you, you deserve to know what is causing your symptoms.

The testing and uncertainty can be frustrating, but there are many causes, and many answers that can bring you relief. Start with an ENT who specializes in disorders of the inner ear, and go from there.

(ETA - website)

Hi, I just found this thread by accident. I have had, and been treated for positional vertigo, nothing to do with what I have now, but in the past.

For some time I took Stemital for the dizzy feeling which usually happened as I turned over in bed. I went to my local ER when it was particularily bad one day and one of the Doctor's was trained in the Epley Manouvre. After performing that on me he gave me a photocopy of the movements to do at home if I needed it, but I have never had a recurrence.

It was surprisingly easy to treat for me. I believe a lot of PT's have the training to do it.

Good Luck with it!

Hi I would like to add that I first experienced vertigo 8 years ago, long before bc.  The dizzy spinning occurred in bed at 5.00 a.m.  I was admitted to hospital and had scans and tests and nothing was found.  I was referred to a neurosurgeon who diagnosed vertigo which he said could have been caused by a virus.  Everything is put down to a virus when they do not know exactly what the cause is.   I subsequently had a second opinion and was told that it was an inner ear in-balance.

The only treatment I was given was exercise, this consisted of sitting on the bed back upright then falling to the right side quickly and staying down to the count of 10, sitting up and then repeating on opposite side. Repeating exercises at least 10 times each morning.

Now when I feel the symptoms coming on in bed I do the exercises and so far have been lucky to keep things from becoming worse.  I had several bad attacks prior to this treatment one being particularly severe where I just had to lay on the floor as everytime I moved I would have severe nausea.  It was awful but thankfully it happened at home but I had a team of construction workers at the house and it was when I bent my head to check on tile level that it happened.  I went down quickly and crawled to the phone to call for my sister to finish the supervising as DH was away on business. I was on the floor for the rest of the day and evening as I could not move for the dizziness and nausea.  The next day I was ok as if nothing had happened, thank goodness, as I had overseas guests arriving.

The biggest fear is not knowing when it may occur as usually it comes at times of stress.  Now prior to any important function I start my exercises in earnest a couple of weeks prior just to make certain I am ok on the day, so far so good.

I have not had a major episode for 5 years (touch wood).  Hope this helps!