Balance lost as my body pulls to the right
March 31, 2016 8:39 AM Subscribe
This is while walking. I don't know if the body-drag can be a symptom of BPPV, or Benign Positional Vertigo -- does anyone know if it can be?
Can't find much on the problem of the body veering to one side when you get up to walk. Very weird feeling. I've had something very much like BPPV for a few weeks, though undiagnosed as yet, but I was quick to be cautious for the falling aspect. Have done the Epley Maneuver twice, and each time dealt with some wooziness afterward only to have everything clear up for a week at a time. Now when it comes it's just the standard "ear-crystal" syndrome of being dizzy when my head is turned to the side (and I think the problem side changed at one point early on). The only thing I thought to do was stop my Flonase after a week of it...which was about to be done with anyway. Nothing, however, seems predictive about this overall problem. I'm 56, male. Usually 1-2 drinks a night. Healthy otherwise, don't smoke.
Can't find much on the problem of the body veering to one side when you get up to walk. Very weird feeling. I've had something very much like BPPV for a few weeks, though undiagnosed as yet, but I was quick to be cautious for the falling aspect. Have done the Epley Maneuver twice, and each time dealt with some wooziness afterward only to have everything clear up for a week at a time. Now when it comes it's just the standard "ear-crystal" syndrome of being dizzy when my head is turned to the side (and I think the problem side changed at one point early on). The only thing I thought to do was stop my Flonase after a week of it...which was about to be done with anyway. Nothing, however, seems predictive about this overall problem. I'm 56, male. Usually 1-2 drinks a night. Healthy otherwise, don't smoke.
Best answer: The sensation of being pulled in one direction was exactly how my mother described she felt after a major vertigo episode. It eventually passed, but I believe it took a few weeks or a month to resolve completely.
posted by Atrahasis at 8:57 AM on March 31, 2016
posted by Atrahasis at 8:57 AM on March 31, 2016
Response by poster: No doctor yet. If keeps happening I'll try finding a neurotologist or an ENT who specializes in this.
posted by noelpratt2nd at 9:06 AM on March 31, 2016
posted by noelpratt2nd at 9:06 AM on March 31, 2016
I get BPPV on occasion and I have never felt like I am being pulled in a direction. Do you have a history of BPPV or is this the first time you've had vertigo?
Unless you've had vertigo before and been to the doctor and been cured by the Epley maneuver and it feels like it did before I really very strongly recommend that you go to the doctor ASAP - your GP, Urgent Care, whoever can see you soonest. It could be nothing, but for heaven's sake, you could have had a stroke or something.
posted by mskyle at 9:47 AM on March 31, 2016 [4 favorites]
Unless you've had vertigo before and been to the doctor and been cured by the Epley maneuver and it feels like it did before I really very strongly recommend that you go to the doctor ASAP - your GP, Urgent Care, whoever can see you soonest. It could be nothing, but for heaven's sake, you could have had a stroke or something.
posted by mskyle at 9:47 AM on March 31, 2016 [4 favorites]
I have had the ear-crystal problem to the point of 12 hours in the ER, but I also have never had the pull to the side walking issue. Definitely seek an intelligent assessment soon. In the elderly with dementia, leaning to one side can tell about the type of brain damage the person is experiencing, so this *could* have a neurological cause.
posted by Riverine at 9:59 AM on March 31, 2016
posted by Riverine at 9:59 AM on March 31, 2016
This is very similar (hate to be a huge downer) to the symptoms I have seen in some brain tumor patients. I'm telling you this so that you take this seriously.
posted by otherwordlyglow at 10:02 AM on March 31, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by otherwordlyglow at 10:02 AM on March 31, 2016 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: First time having it. All has been clear for about five days. A stroke? Nothing else seems off. I'll take it seriously, yes. Sometimes it's simply interesting. Longtime user of benzos, by the way, have generalized anxiety disorder. Antideps do not work for me. Maybe a valium a day, or klonopin. Problem is wasting time at a doc's office who doesn't go this far (vertigo) -- they may show Epley or do it for you, but I can do that myself. Next time I'll get my butt somewhere, and a friend along. Thanks all.
posted by noelpratt2nd at 10:11 AM on March 31, 2016
posted by noelpratt2nd at 10:11 AM on March 31, 2016
I am thinking neurological symptoms as well. This could be an inner ear thing, but it could also be something really serious, but treatable. Please see a doctor and preferably a neurologist.
posted by goggie at 10:26 AM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by goggie at 10:26 AM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
Do you swim? I used to discover that I was listing to one side when I walked down an office hallway lined with filing cabinets; the corridor was narrow and I'd surprise myself by bumping the bank of filing cabinets with my shoulder. It became apparent that it was a symptom of an nascent ear infection that hadn't yet begun to hurt.
posted by carmicha at 11:39 AM on March 31, 2016
posted by carmicha at 11:39 AM on March 31, 2016
A relative experienced something similar and it turned out to be a small stroke - no other apparent issues (no paralysis, etc.). Please do see someone.
posted by Ink-stained wretch at 12:45 PM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Ink-stained wretch at 12:45 PM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
Any particular reason you're not considering ear infection as a possible cause? One of the first symptoms of a budding ear infection for me is generally listing to the right when standing or walking. Usually it's mild for me and resolves on its own, or the cold/infection takes up residence in my sinuses instead, but given how long it's been going on for you, is it possible you have an ear infection that you haven't been able to fully shake?
You should definitely see someone though, given the possibility of stroke or tumor.
posted by yasaman at 2:23 PM on March 31, 2016
You should definitely see someone though, given the possibility of stroke or tumor.
posted by yasaman at 2:23 PM on March 31, 2016
Response by poster: Christ, I hardly know what a stroke is. Well, you've got me thinking more about it. But so many things in my life do resolve...if you don't run right away to the doctor and live in fear, there's a certain "magic" that helps. I don't swim except once or twice per summer. Carmicha, yes, a narrow alley, a surprising list. Actually, the falling to the right has happened before a couple of times over about five years, but not as pronounced; don't know what that means except a couple of times I was in my cups. My inner voice is saying some kind of alcohol saturation, slow down, take time off from the happy hours alone. Okay, tomorrow I'll call a Ear-Balance center. It's just tough getting out, hustling w/ public transpo...no car except when gf comes up.
posted by noelpratt2nd at 7:35 PM on March 31, 2016
posted by noelpratt2nd at 7:35 PM on March 31, 2016
> But so many things in my life do resolve...if you don't run right away to the doctor and live in fear, there's a certain "magic" that helps.
A neighbor of mine is only alive because he got to the ER in time when he got heart attack warning signs. Similarly, strokes don't get better if you ignore the warning signs - instead you're losing 1.9 million brain cells per minute. So please keep this in mind for the future.
(Copy and paste:)
These are signs of strokes:
THINK YOU ARE HAVING A STROKE? CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY!
F.A.S.T. is an easy way to remember the sudden signs of stroke. When you can spot the signs, you'll know that you need to call 9-1-1 for help right away. F.A.S.T. is:
F Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven?
A Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like "The sky is blue." Is the sentence repeated correctly?
T Time to call 9-1-1 – If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get the person to the hospital immediately. Check the time so you'll know when the first symptoms appeared.
Beyond F.A.S.T. – Other Symptoms You Should Know
Sudden NUMBNESS or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden CONFUSION, trouble speaking or understanding speech
Sudden TROUBLE SEEING in one or both eyes
Sudden TROUBLE WALKING, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden SEVERE HEADACHE with no known cause
If someone shows any of these symptoms, immediately call 9-1-1 or emergency medical services.
posted by sebastienbailard at 12:18 AM on April 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
A neighbor of mine is only alive because he got to the ER in time when he got heart attack warning signs. Similarly, strokes don't get better if you ignore the warning signs - instead you're losing 1.9 million brain cells per minute. So please keep this in mind for the future.
(Copy and paste:)
These are signs of strokes:
THINK YOU ARE HAVING A STROKE? CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY!
F.A.S.T. is an easy way to remember the sudden signs of stroke. When you can spot the signs, you'll know that you need to call 9-1-1 for help right away. F.A.S.T. is:
F Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven?
A Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like "The sky is blue." Is the sentence repeated correctly?
T Time to call 9-1-1 – If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get the person to the hospital immediately. Check the time so you'll know when the first symptoms appeared.
Beyond F.A.S.T. – Other Symptoms You Should Know
Sudden NUMBNESS or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden CONFUSION, trouble speaking or understanding speech
Sudden TROUBLE SEEING in one or both eyes
Sudden TROUBLE WALKING, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden SEVERE HEADACHE with no known cause
If someone shows any of these symptoms, immediately call 9-1-1 or emergency medical services.
posted by sebastienbailard at 12:18 AM on April 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
For what it's worth, I think it's very likely that this will resolve and that it is in fact BPPV, and that if you go to the doctor they will easily diagnose you with BPPV (they can look at the way your eyes move when you move your head, it's quite distinctive, but you can't really see it yourself because your eyes are moving all over the place).
If you *don't* have BPPV, though, and you *do* have something that would benefit from timely treatment, it would be good to know about that!
posted by mskyle at 10:18 AM on April 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
If you *don't* have BPPV, though, and you *do* have something that would benefit from timely treatment, it would be good to know about that!
posted by mskyle at 10:18 AM on April 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: None of these other symptoms. I'm (and some of us) not even supposed to be alive by now, I'm 56, so I'm already doing better than I would have at one time been expected to. For a particular thing to occur over a few years' time could also mean simply getting older, societal-toxic buildup, or anything. Thanks, closing out Q&A now. Glad I asked.
posted by noelpratt2nd at 10:24 AM on April 1, 2016
posted by noelpratt2nd at 10:24 AM on April 1, 2016
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by telegraph at 8:47 AM on March 31, 2016