I feel dizzy, they said it was BPPV will I feel like this forever?
June 30, 2011 6:58 PM   Subscribe

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo... anyone have it? What am I in for?

I've mentioned before that I have a slew of co-morbid chronic disorders including arthritis, fibromyagia, asthma, bipolar, migraines, etc... and while none of them are severe, the total of them are taxing on my body.

This morning, I nearly passed out while typing on a paper because i suddenly felt lightheaded. The feeling passed, but every time I moved I'd get it again. When it didn't got away after a few hours, I had my boyfriend take me to the doctor's. After a few blood tests and other procedures, they diagnosed me with BPPV. *sigh*

So, on top of everything else, I have to worry about dizziness? I feel like shit right now. They threw some motion sickness pills at me, but they're not helping much.

My question is - what do I have to look forward to from now on? How long will this last until I'm able to walk without clutching on to something or even sit up straight again? I can't even go to work because the two blocks is too far to walk, especially in this heat. The doctor said to give it a few days and i have a follow up appointment with them next week but i'm looking at from here on out. I guess I just want some peace of mind that I'm not going to feel like I am today for the rest of my life...

Extra facts - I'm a grad student and have no health insurance to physical therapy is out of the question. The access to a doctor that I have is through the student health center and the treatment one gets there is hit and miss.
posted by patheral to Health & Fitness (20 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
Is there any chance you can pay for a one-off with a PT? The Epley Maneuver can sometimes cure BPV.

BPV sucks, but I'm pretty sure it usually fixes itself eventually. However, it doesn't sound like you got a great evaluation, and I wouldn't be totally convinced by this diagnosis. Is there any chance this is migraine-related? Migraines sometimes cause vertigo.
posted by craichead at 7:12 PM on June 30, 2011 [1 favorite]


Best answer: I'm pretty confident in my diagnosis of BPPV, and it comes and goes. I'll have a bad week every now and then, but it's not constant. Epley Maneuver has helped me, but other times I can't see to get it right on my own, since I have such trouble identifying which side the symptoms are coming from. In those cases I just put up with it for the duration and limit fast, tilting movements.

That said, I'm not terribly convinced you got the right diagnosis. I'd never call my BPPV dizziness (definite vertigo) "lightheaded" I'm not lightheaded, in fact it feels positively heavy and swishy. Course I'm not a doctor, and the language you use to describe your symptoms might not be accurate from my perspective, but something to think about.

Take it easy. If it is BPPV, it might not be permanent or long term. I can't promise it won't be, as I understand the severity varies from person to person, but I wish you good luck. It's an awful feeling.
posted by sunshinesky at 7:56 PM on June 30, 2011


Best answer: I came in to suggest the Epley Maneuver too, which is about all I know to tell you about BPV. My understanding is that it gets better within a few/several weeks, but can recur. For years I had recurring labyrinthitis, which although has a different cause than BPV, has the same symptoms. I feel your dizziness.

Move slowly, sleep with your torso slightly raised, and hang in there.

On preview: Yeah, I wouldn't call the sensation as being "lightheaded" either. It's the room spinning/I just got off a merry-go-round/waaaaay to drunk feeling. Something to consider?
posted by Specklet at 8:01 PM on June 30, 2011


If it is BPPV, and you're having trouble with the Epley maneuver, there are some products out there that might help. Supposedly DizzyFix works pretty well, but I heard that from an ENT who for all I know may have invented the thing.
posted by greatgefilte at 8:34 PM on June 30, 2011


I vividly remember the fear when I had a bout of BPV that it was never going to go away. When I had it, it lingered on for probably about a month, though after the first week it wasn't too acute. The first day was absolutely terrible, I was so dizzy that I couldn't really walk and I threw up if I tried. Motion sickness pills didn't do shit for me either.

The following week I was essentially dizzy all of the time, but I kind of got used to it and could move around and look fairly normal, even though my head was spinning and I felt like I was walking on the deck of a rocking boat. The symptoms gradually faded out, but after three weeks and still feeling swimmy when I walked down stairs or tried to move faster than a walk I had serious fears that my balance was fucked forever. But that was six years ago now and I've been completely fine since that month, no lingering problems or relapses.

So, in my experience, it can take a bit of time for the symptoms to completely fade but it's possible to function pretty well with minor symptoms. Hang in there.
posted by otolith at 8:34 PM on June 30, 2011


I had a mild bout of BPPV a couple of weeks ago, for the most part the symptoms were mild (room spinning around when I switched positions suddenly, feeling like I was on a rocking ship, etc) fortunately there was no nausea.

It seems like for the most part it's a temporary condition and sometimes correlated with a sinus infection/ear infection. Like others have said the epley maneuver can definitely reduce the symptoms or outright cure them.

IANAD but the wide variety of other conditions that you suffer and the medicines you likely take to control those symptoms seem like they might be possible culprits as well. Did you discuss all of your medicines with the doctor, drug interactions can result in a variety of strange symptoms and it's pretty important that your physician has a complete understanding of all your ailments and treatments in order to correctly diagnose any issues.

Assuming that drug interactions are not a culprit I think you've likely got a week or so worth of annoyance on your hands. Avoid ladders and possibly even driving if necessary but it seems to be more of an annoyance that a debilitating condition for most people.
posted by vuron at 9:06 PM on June 30, 2011


A friend of mine had serious bouts of BPPV, and he said ginger helped him a lot. Not sure what form he took--tablets, candied, tea, etc.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 9:18 PM on June 30, 2011


I got hit with BPV about two months ago. I first noticed it going to bed as I put my head on the pillow, then really noticed it when I had to get up in the middle of the night, my head was spinning so bad. My doctor show me some "exercises" which can be found on the web. My symptoms have slowly abated and I hardly notice it now. I don't think I had it as bad as some have described here, as I was able to continue to run and play tennis. It was all about head position and rising too quickly for me so YMMV. Good luck.
posted by Don92705 at 9:23 PM on June 30, 2011


Inwasnt diagnosed with BPPV, but I was diagnosed with labrynthitis once, and my symptoms sound like yours (hit me like a truck while sitting at work, had that lightheaded and yet spinny feeling, it was godawful). I got some motion sickness pills and took to the couch for a solid 3 days, unable to even watch TV. The symptoms became more manageable after that, and I was pretty much back to 95% by the 7th or 8th day. I have not had a reoccurrence like that since, although I am more sensitive to feeling funky when my ears are congested. YMMV.
posted by MultiFaceted at 9:37 PM on June 30, 2011


I wasn't diagnosed with BPPV, but I was diagnosed with labrynthitis once, and my symptoms sound like yours (hit me like a truck while sitting at work, had that lightheaded and yet spinny feeling, it was godawful). I got some motion sickness pills and took to the couch for a solid 3 days, unable to even watch TV. The symptoms became more manageable after that, and I was pretty much back to 95% by the 7th or 8th day. I have not had a reoccurrence like that since, although I am more sensitive to feeling funky when my ears are congested. YMMV.
posted by MultiFaceted at 9:37 PM on June 30, 2011


I had BPPV a number of years ago. The Epley maneuver (self-administered) helped. It went away, and hasn't come back.

If you're in doubt about the diagnosis: when I turned my head and got dizzy, if I looked in a mirror I could see my eyes spin, trying to track the motion. A pretty clear indication of inner-ear vertigo; not what I would describe as "light-headed".

A friend of mine who had BPPV also gets motion sickness, and she found BPPV very debilitating, causing nausea and vomiting. I'm lucky to not be that sensitive.
posted by and for no one at 9:45 PM on June 30, 2011


I had BPPV around seven years ago. It totally sucks and I feel your frustration. But to reassure you, mine went away on its own, I think after going through either the Epley or Semont maneuvers a few times when I found something on Google, and it hasn't recurred. So it won't necessarily be a long-term thing. Have your doctors discussed those? I don't remember which one is the preferred one these days but they definitely should be bringing those up.

One note, though -- your description doesn't focus on changes in position making it worse, which is pretty crucial. Is that happening? If you're completely still, does it slowly go away? If not, it could be a misdiagnosis.
posted by pie ninja at 3:43 AM on July 1, 2011


Response by poster: I guess "light-headed" is the wrong term. I've had vertigo before -- I still get it, esp when lying down -- where the room is spinning and it feels like I've just been spun around too fast for too long. This is slightly different. This feels like I'm hung over. The room still spins but the physical sensation is different plus with the former feeling of vertigo, i didn't get feel faint and the feeling usually passed after a few minutes. This is still going on.

The doctor who diagnosed me performed this test. He also mentioned the Epley maneuver but said not to try it on my own? My boyfriend refuses to help me try it because he's "not a doctor."

I did mention all of my ailments and medications to the doctor. They're running tests now to see if this might be a reaction. Seroquel might cause diabetes, it's a well known side affect. And they're also checking my thyroid count. I've maxed out my minimal savings to pay for the blood tests... so any physical therapy will have to wait.
posted by patheral at 6:56 AM on July 1, 2011


Best answer: I can't imagine why you should not try the Epley maneuver on your own. the very worst that could happen (if you did it backwards) would be you would feel very dizzy and perhaps throw up. That said, it would be good to have someone around to help you if you did get sick. I also can't understand why your physician didn't perform the maneuver at your appointment. It takes like 5 minutes, it is completely uninvasive and requires no drugs. There are devices for sale online that can assist you in the proper administration of the maneuver (Google vertiGONE for example). BPPV can be really debilitating but knowledge and use of the Epley relieves the worst symptoms for most sufferers.
posted by txmon at 8:12 AM on July 1, 2011 [1 favorite]


I have done the Epley on myself many times. It may not work immediately, but I usually feel relief within a day. The first time I had BPPV, I was in the ER for 12 hours, throwing up every few minutes, and they were unable to do anything for me. Finally a neurologist came, did the Epley, and I got up and walked out of there.
posted by Riverine at 9:09 AM on July 1, 2011


Response by poster: I'm actually feeling much better today. I can sit up for a little bit and even walk around if I go slow. After a little while, I lightheaded and dizzy again, and have to lay down... Mostly my arms and legs feel like lead and I'm so freaking tired. My right arm hurts like hell, but that could be the fibro acting up along with whatever this is... Maybe y'all were right and it is a misdiagnosis.

I'm waiting for them to call me back with the results from the blood tests and I have a follow up after the holiday. I guess it's mostly a sit and wait game right now.

Thanks for the advice. Y'all are great.
posted by patheral at 9:23 AM on July 1, 2011


My wife has BPPV, and gets attacks where she can't lie on the floor without holding on. The Epley maneuver is like witchcraft -- bring a wife who can barely stand to the doc, they lay her on a table, tilt head, roll right! BAM! YOU ARE HEALED!

And it works. She's taught herself how to perform the maneuver at home, so she can stop an attack immediately.

The only reason I can think to advise against it would be if you had spine/neck issues.
posted by bitmage at 12:03 PM on July 1, 2011


Are you sure it's never lupus?
posted by jamjam at 12:21 PM on July 1, 2011 [1 favorite]


Response by poster: Just for s&g's I tried the Epley maneuver. i feel about the same now as i did this morning... good for a while then i have to stop moving. it sucks. haven't gotten a call back from the clinic so i'm assuming no news is good news...
posted by patheral at 1:40 PM on July 1, 2011


Response by poster: Are you sure it's never lupus?
posted by jamjam at 2:21 PM on July 1 [mark as best answer] [1 favorite −] [!]


Thank you for this comment.

I looked up Lupus online and checked the symptoms. This is what I took in to my follow up appointment today:

Symptoms of Lupus (from the us in Lupus website):
Extreme fatigue that doesn’t go away with rest - Yes since age 23 when my last child was born whenever someone asks me how I am, I say, "I'm tired." because, well - I'm tired. Every day, no matter what. I'm even exhausted when I'm manic. Let me tell you, that feels strange.
Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling - Yes - all over, they thought I had RA, which is where the fibro diagnosis came from. I do have arthritis in a couple of my fingers and both my knees though.
Fever over 100°F - No, I hardly get fevers, even when I had pneumonia, my body temp is lower than normal
Muscle pain - oh yeah, that's where the fibro diagnosis came from
Hair loss - yep, I have half the hair I once had.
Skin sores and rashes (may occur in a butterfly pattern across the cheeks and nose) - I get this on my chest, could be rosecea though it's not exactly a rash or acne...
Nose or mouth sores (usually painless) - mouth sores, but I've always gotten them (I have one now)
Fingers and toes that turn white, blue, and red when it’s cold or you feel stressed (this is also called Raynaud Syndrome) - Yeah, this started just this past winter I thought I was frostbit, though I couldn't figure out how since I was only outside for a short time.
Extreme sensitivity to the sun - yep, I use an umbrella in the sun now, and fuck what anyone else thinks.
Anxiety - panic attacks when I've never had them?
Depression - bipolar...
Memory loss - yep, it's very annoying.
other symptoms include generalized itching (yes), nausea (sometimes), vomiting (no), leg swelling (yes, after exercise), and weight gain (eh...) headaches (migraines and other headaches), dizziness (what I was seen for on Thursday), behavior changes (eh...), confusion (Yes - annoying), memory problems (all the damned time), and seizures (no).

So, with that list, the doctor I spoke with today says it's completely possible that I might have Lupus. However, I cannot afford any more blood tests at this juncture and she advised me to wait until I get insurance to get an actual diagnosis to avoid the "pre-existing condition" clause that most insurance policies have. I mean, if I do have it, I've had it for quite some time so it's not like it'll go away any time soon. Right?

Anyway, I figured the BPPV was probably wrong because like y'all said, it was more lightheadedness and weakness than vertigo (which I have experienced). And I know a lot of these could be explained by the plethora of things wrong with me. However, it's something to look at in the future. Just thought I would follow up.
posted by patheral at 4:46 PM on July 5, 2011


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