Bppv and constant dizziness
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi all,
I've been searching the internet constantly trying to find a diagnosis as I probably won't be able to get a hospital appt with a specialist for about 6 months due to a backlog. A few days ago I had severe dizziness which resulted in a huge anxiety attack to which the paramedics were called "i'm ashamed to say". It was the worst feeling I've ever had and I want to be able to control my anxiety if I know what is wrong.
I'm quite sure I have bppv as Ive got vertigo when turning over in bed to which started 5 months ago.
4 days ago I was feeling good with no symptoms during the day for about a month. I would only feel dizzy, the feeling of being on a boat, fuzzy head feeling when laying down but no vertigo. it wasn't too bad during that month as I was sleeping on 5 pillows so decided to sleep with 1 pillow to get bk to normality. I woke up that morning feeling great and did my daily chores. I then decided to do the eply manoeuvre as I had been doing it everyday. "Don't know why" I ended up having vertigo "possibly because I slept flat" so I waited it out but afterwards I was rocking, swaying and feeling spaced out all day which eventually caused the anxiety attack. I was very unstable on my feet. The next day I had the same symptoms but felt a little better and today it's the same. I'll feel okay for awhile and then they come on again.
I've had this before. It would last weeks and disappear for a week to then reappear. i had it for 5 weeks once on and off. The feeling I'm on a boat rocking back and forth not being able to focus my eyes and swaying. My eyes get extremely tired too and at times a strain to open. I don't feel too bad when walking outside and fine when driving.
My question is could this be pppd because I know that can be caused by an episode of vertigo and is this permanent? I've heard people having this for yrs. And I don't understand why my bppv has come back 5 times in 5 months. do other people get these symptoms with bppv ?
I know I shouldn't diagnosis myself but I'm desperate and I'm scared I'll have another anxiety attack. i don't feel here half the time if that makes sense. i just haven't felt right for 5 months but its on and off. i also have tinnitus but that don't bother me. im quite sure its not migraine headache as I've never suffered with migraine.
0 likes, 6 replies
Sgt.lindalee eagle33050
Posted
Hi Eagle, First talking to your DR or researching, Vertigo & Dizziness are different....Vertigo; YOU are still, while everything else is moving, you can fall, have poor balance & appear drunk, likely to cause nausea, ringing in your ears...Dizziness; YOU are moving while stuff stays in place, you may have little black & white snow in your vision, even fall down or passout, may feel tingling in your fingers or on your face, feel light headed....It does sound like BPPV, you are describing.... there are actually 3 more types of maneuvers besides the Epley(look online), you may want to ask your DR about, sometimes a physiotherapist can help with this....there are medications like Beta-histine(may have other names where you live) but, it works really well....yes, vertigo can last quite a while, some people just get a quick resolution, it leaves as quickly as it comes...try to change positions slowly, in small increments, try to get your eyes to focus on something in the distance, watching screens with things constantly moving can make it worse, nausea meds can help if you get queasy, it can help some people to use anti-histamines, people can get Migraines at anytime & you don't always need to have the headache part, vertigo can be common with Migraines, so can ringing in the ears, some Drs try migraine meds(some type of triptan) for Vertigo...Talk to your DR/NP, maybe even your Pharmacist for suggestions, & see if someone is willing to send you to physio &/or try any of the things listed...wish I could be more helpful...Good Luck & BEST WISHES💒🎶🌈🍀☮♾🐾
eagle33050 Sgt.lindalee
Posted
thank you, you were very helpful. i got awful tingling in my hand and face that's what also caused my anxiety attack.
When I get vertigo my head would spin 1000 times in a second which will last a minute or so. Like having a severe head rush but 100 times worse. Once my head stopped spinning i'd feel like I'm going up and down on a rough boat it's hard to explain but I didn't realize that was also a type of vertigo. in that case my vertigo will last hours and come in clusters. I didn't think bppv vertigo lasted that long. yeah sounds like bppv to me too but could be migraine not sure now ha ha . but the drunk kind of feeling I get during the day out of the blue suggests something else because I'd do the eply at that time and had no success that's why I thought pppd.im taking prochlorpaeazine for dizziness but dont really like taking them.
Thank you for reply I really appreciate it. Stay safe.
shauna61131 eagle33050
Posted
Those pills your taking the prochlorazine I was prescribed those for my vertgio and they made me worse. I stopped taking it and got bethatimaine it tends to help at times. I also get bad anziety and panic attacks from the feeling lightheaded dizzy and off balance from what my doctor says is bppv. Waking up in the morning is a slow process trying to let my brain catch up with everything. I am also waiting for a Ent which will take a while but know your not alone with this vertigo and the anxiety attacks. I usually have to talk out loud to keep myself from spiraling out of control with fear. Take care wish you all the best I believe there is hope out there for all of us.
eagle33050 shauna61131
Posted
thanks. i have ent appt over the phone if that's possible. anxiety is horrible i keep saying myself it will past but it takes ages and i eventually fall to sleep waking up like I'm on a boat.they say there's a successful treatment the epley but i cant do that. takes me weeks to get over a vertigo episode and when its finally gone its back within a week or 2. hope your ent appt goes well
maria61198 eagle33050
Posted
hi, it sounds like you have the two problems I have. I had Vestibular Neuritis for around 3 years , still have it sometimes. If you injured a nerve, it will act up during periods of stress, weather changes etc. Nothing you can do about it, that part will get better, if you do vestibular exercises. You also appear to have BPPV which can happen to anyone. For that you need to do the Epley, either yourself or have someone do it . There are a lot of examples on YouTube. It took me three times before it worked. As far as the panic attacks are concerned, a few docs told me that was totally normal if you have this problem, so don't beat yourself up over it it is part and parcel of a vestibular disorder. Did you try any medication called Serc or Betahistine. I found it helped somewhat when I laid down at night and was dizzy. It's a drug for vestibular disorders.
Hope things are better for you.
eagle33050 maria61198
Posted
3 yrs!! i thought people usually have it for a few weeks is it permanent. how did you cope? I've been searching for answers constantly and the funny thing is i first mentioned that to my doctor when i first got vertigo and he said maybe but then said he thinks its bppv of the right ear.
he examined my ears and noticed mild inflammation in my left ear but still didn't put it down to vestibular neuritis.
when i first got vertigo i had a blood test because yes i ended up in hospital didn't know about vertigo at the time. they did a blood test and my white blood count was low not sure if the ears can affect a blood test but it all makes sense now. it stated on internet to get treatment early before any damage is done but what treatment is there? is it just vestibular exercise. ill look into medication but because of my anxiety which I've always suffered with I'm a bit funny about taking meds unless I'm really bad.
thank you so much i feel i finally have a diagnosis would i still need to see a my general doctor or wait until i see a specialist which will be about 6 months. ill only bother if they can treat it otherwise I'll manage it myself