Why am I so dizzy on a plane during take off and landing and also in bed?!

Hello. My dizziness started about 14months ago with a severe rotational vertigo when I turned over in bed. I was diagnose as having BPPV, which involves severe brief spells of dizziness with head movement. The fact that you appear to have symptoms while lying down would certainly indicate an inner ear problem. I too have a phobia of dizziness which in itself leads to stress and anxiety and one of the bodily sensations that accompanies anxiety is - guess what - dizziness! Its a vicious circle of symptom, anxiety, more symptoms and so it goes on .Have you ever had a consultation with an ENT specialist? And have you ever had an Epley Manouvre. If you havent its worth a go, it can help.

Hi Lisa, Thank you for your reply to my post. It sounds like you had a very similar experience to me with the way your BPPV started. Absolutely terrifying isnt it. I was diagnosed with having BPPV too. Thought it was just me who had a dizziness phobia. Its one thing I cant bear. And yes I know all about anxiety. One of my main symptoms when I have been suffering anxiety is dizziness or lightheadedness. So yes I am only too aware of how it works. However the dizziness I have had with anxiety is a different sensation to the dizziness I get with BPPV. The dizziness I feel when a plane takes off is totally different again and I wondered if there was any link to the BPPV. Especially as I must have got an inner ear problem. I went to the hospital a number of years about this and they sat me in a seat with electrodes attached to my head then turned the lights out. I had to move my head over to the left vthen the right then they would find things out via the electrodes on my head. But I was too tensed up to complete the test.

I forgot to add that I also felt very dizzy when I was being given a general anaesthetic some years ago. It was my first general and I was told I would just go to sleep. Wrong! I had a huge wave of dizziness before I went to sleep and I was dizzy going back to the ward on the trolley too. Each time they pushed me round a corner they went "Too Quick" and I was so dizzy I had to grip the sides of the trolley to steady myself.

I'm not an expert but it's quite possible your BPPV triggers your dizziness when on a plane. The changes in elevation can affect your inner ear. Have you ever tried chewing gum or doing head maneuvers while on a plane? I'm not really sure what else to do for your dizziness on a plane, but as for in bed- I know of a vertigo pillow that my friend started using every night to help with her vertigo called simbalance. It's very common for vertigo to be worse when laying down and getting up. And your not a lone in anxiety. Once you've had an episode of it, you never want to go through it again, just like migraines.

Hello Shirley. My ENT consultation consisted of rapid head movements while wearing goggles which record eye movement and basic balance tests to see if he could bring on the dizziness - he couldn't! I would imagine that flying could have an impact on your dizziness because of the pressure that is felt in the ears during a flight and if you have an inner ear issue already then any small change in pressure in the ear could make you dizzy I guess. My ENT guy said that the best treatment for dizziness that persists after something like BPPV is exercise. Basically anything that gets the eyes and head moving helps the brain sort out the odd signals coming from the ears and general exercise can help too apparently. Im trying to exercise more but Im struggling at the moment cos Im having a few issues with depression and severe anxiety and im finding it hard to find any motivation. The medical profession seems to be lacking in answers for dizziness, its frustrating as its such a debilitating condition, Its no wonder we get anxious and depressed.

Hi workingmom and Lisa, Thank you for your replies to my query. Much appreciated.

Workingmom, Yes perhaps there is a link to my BPPV and dizziness on a plane. No Ive not tried head movements on a plane though I think we had hard sweets to suck on. Ive not flown for a while if Im honest but have been invited to the French Alps after Xmas and of course its brought the subject to my mind again. Its either fly there or go over land. Used to do loads of coach trips when I was single, including one round USA but not in recent years. I will have a look for the vertigo pillow you mention. Never heard of those before.

Hi Lisa, Your ENT consultation sounded similar to mine when I had electrodes on my head and was put in a darkened room and had to move my head from side to side. And yes may be the pressure on my ears when Ive already got problems wont be helping matters when I am in a plane. Not heard of exercise being a treatment for BPPV though. Like you I would struggle where exercise is concerned as Im now suffering with arthritis in my knees, hip and lower back so nor good in that respect either. Sorry to hear about your anxiety and depression. I have been there myself and know how hard it is to find motivation when you feel like that. Yes dizziness is debilitating. I wish there was a quick and easy answer to it.