posted
Periodically, for whatever reason, I get BPPV (benign proximal positional vertigo).
I don't know what triggers it, and I don't know why it mysteriously goes away after weeks or months.
Does anyone have a clue how to rid this awful dizziness/vertigo. I am on no abx.
It's best to sleep sitting up when it persists, and I wake up each morning hoping it is gone, but so far, not so lucky.
We're leaving Wednesday to visit our son, so I am hoping for fast relief. I tried meclizine in the past, but it just makes me zombie-like. Usually, I wait it out, but if anyone has any idea of what to do, would love to hear from you.
Thanks all.
lifeline
Posts: 983 | From FL | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
http://www.tchain.com/otoneurology/disorders/bppv/bppv.html there's also a video on youtube, i'll look it up in a minute a nd post it for you. it shows exactly what to do to yourself. this was an absolute cure for me (of course it can come back) I did it twice at home after my LLMD did it. It hasnt returned yet.
Posts: 236 | From Zionsville IN | Registered: Jan 2011
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posted
no problem, can't hurt yourself. don't be scared. I found it hard to find the right place though. you need your head to hang off the table/bed--which was easy on the dr's examining table. the doctor told me to do it myself. you can't make it worse. it works! but you might have to do it 2 or 3 times. once a day, she said. She did it once, I did it twice and the vertigo was totally gone. Only one side is common, that is how my llmd knew it wasn't dizziness from lyme--i would bring it on by looking up or to the right.
Posts: 236 | From Zionsville IN | Registered: Jan 2011
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Dawn in VA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9693
posted
If you are scared to do the Epley (sp? it's been a while, sorry) Maneuver yourself, here's my sugg:
Go to a neurotologist. Perhaps you already have, give your Dx. (Usually they will run or be staffed by Dr. so-and-so's Balance Center)
If it truly is BPPV, you have a great shot at success. If by chance your Dx was incorrect, as Lyme can affect the cranial nerves (8th is the vestibular one) and can cause similar symptoms (vertigo, rocking boat feeling, etc.), a neurotologist can do certain tests- VAT, VOR, rotational chair- to rule this or that or the other out.
-------------------- (The ole disclaimer: I'm not a doctor.) Posts: 1349 | From VA | Registered: Jul 2006
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Dawn, if one has the money, (I don't), this is good advice, but the epley maneuver is free, and if it works, and the dizziness is gone, then you don't need tests. the proof is the cure. if it doesn't work, then it is probably lyme dizziness.
Posts: 236 | From Zionsville IN | Registered: Jan 2011
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Right now, I don't have an ENT to go to, so I will try the at-home method. The only place I would have would be the bed to hang my head off of.
I'm still a little scared, but I will do it. Mine is on one side only. I can't sleep on that side right now, and it's better if I sit up. I'm just careful not to move my head the wrong way.
Thanks very much to you both.
Posts: 983 | From FL | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
I have done the Epley manuever on myself, but only after I had an audiologist do it on me, so I could really see what to do. Many audiologists are trained in this and so are many physical therapists. You might get referral from your GP.
When I have done it myself I have pile several pillows on top of each other and hung my head over those--worked well for me. It might help to have someone there with you.
By the way one of my first symptoms of lyme was BPPV and I had it on both sides. I have gotten it twice since, but just on one side. I can immediately tell if it is BPPV by rolling over in bed and get the "spins."
Hiker53
-------------------- Hiker53
"God is light. In Him there is no darkness." 1John 1:5 Posts: 10170 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2004
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Dawn in VA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9693
posted
But Behths, the Epley is not 100% effective for everyone and sometimes the Dx of BPPV is not correct. (For example, that was my Dx at first until those tests were run and other things were discovered.)
I do agree w/you though that if money is tight, another story all together.
Lifeline, don't be frightened- I've tried it many times too w/no resulting issues. Hope it works!
-------------------- (The ole disclaimer: I'm not a doctor.) Posts: 1349 | From VA | Registered: Jul 2006
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DO NOT do the excercises without being told by an ENT!! Have you been tested that you say BPPV? I have lived 32 years now with this and all the vestibular rehab did nothing but make it worse for me. You need to be tested to diagnose this condition. It can be so many different things. I have slept on my right side for all 32 years now. I cannot turn on my back or left side or I spin and fall off the bed. I know its horrible. Meclizine only helps when you are spinning at that time...I am on low dose xanax (yes that horrible word that many are against on the forum) but you get your life back since it relaxed the inner ear nerve. See an ENT please!!!
-------------------- Diagnosed with chronic neuro lyme 12/10 after 30 years of vertigo.2 tick bites in 3 yrs from upstate NY. Was on omincef for nine mths..zith and rifampin stopped.Remission~ All the pain and symptoms are back and I am not treating now with biaxin. Posts: 788 | From New york..queens | Registered: Nov 2010
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I know I do need an ENT, and years ago, I did have a similar problem and was diagnosed as having BPPV by an ENT, who also gave me a
hearing test of which I have lost hearing in both ears, one more so than the other, but not so much that I need a hearing aid, yet.
After Lyme disease, one of my annoying symptoms that I still have is tinnitus. Nothing was ever done about the tinnitus (which all the antibiotics did not help that symptom).
Actually, I wonder if hearing loss and tinnitus have anything to do with episodes of BPPV...
He did not offer any exercises but instead told me it would go away after a time, and it did.
I still don't know what triggers the episodes, but I just woke up with it and it seems to be hanging on this time.
I cannot imagine how horrible it is for you having endured 30 years of vertigo...my heart goes out to you.
Thank you for your advice. I will see about getting an ENT. I should have done that long ago.
Posts: 983 | From FL | Registered: Dec 2002
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I have lived this for so long and had so many ENTS...BPPV is just a calcium buidup that let lose from the inner ear and landed on one side causing you to get dizzy when moving that way. The epy excercises just move the deposit back in place.
It is usually done by a trained therapist and helps in one to two visits complete. Hearing loss of any kind and tinnitus are all signs or more inner ear issues like menieres as I have. Abx, maninly zithromax are a disaster for inner ear issues. I had to stop zithro asap due to my problems.
My vestibular therapist called when he heard I was being treated for lyme and warned me that prolonged abx will permanently destroy the inner ear hairs that control our balance and I should be very careful and watch for tinnitus or dizziness. If I feel the symptom it must be stopped right away.
I think this is one reason my LLMD has me only on omnicef. I do not need both lyme and then lose my hearing and balance permanently. The only thing helping both tinnitus and vertigo is low dose xanax. Check out VEDA on google. They are a great site for vestibular issues and many on there are also diagnosed with lyme too.
They have major amounts of information and help regarding these issues. Good lukc to you and you can email me anytime since I live this horror everyday...Ann [email protected]
-------------------- Diagnosed with chronic neuro lyme 12/10 after 30 years of vertigo.2 tick bites in 3 yrs from upstate NY. Was on omincef for nine mths..zith and rifampin stopped.Remission~ All the pain and symptoms are back and I am not treating now with biaxin. Posts: 788 | From New york..queens | Registered: Nov 2010
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