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Vertigo after being subjected to low-frequency vibration

Posted , 4 users are following.

lily65668
lily65668

Does anyone know how long this lasts?

I'm a 73-year-old female who had a two-month attack of BPPV at the beginning of this year, completely cured by a single Epley manoeuvre five months ago. I've been fine ever since. Until today...

I saw the dentist this morning. He carried out this procedure where they apply a protective coating to the upper parts of your teeth which have been exposed by gum shrinkage. I don't live in the UK so don't know what it's called in English.

I had a couple of teeth done about five years ago, with no problems whatever, and had three more done today. Just like last time, the dentist polished down the outer surface of the affected teeth to provide a smooth surface on which to attach the coating. For this he used an attachment on the slow-speed drill.

I immediately started getting feelings a bit like vertigo, but with no spinning. I didn't stop the procedure because I didn't want to be a wimp. I didn't feel too bad when I came out - just a bit light-headed and unstable, and even walked the 3 miles home, albeit carefully. However, this has been getting steadily worse throughout the day.

I'm not having the violent spinning attacks of BPPV but I'm getting increasingly nauseated and have vomited once. Pretty much any head movement exacerbates this, not just the specific movements associated with BPPV. Although there's no actual spinning, I think I must have some kind of low-level nystagmus because whatever I fix my eyes on seems to move gently to the left. I don't know whether it's relevant but all three procedures were on the left side. (The BPPV was in the right ear btw.) The feeling of being on a boat has been increasing throughout the day and I've now started staggering a bit.

Questions:

1) Would there be any connection with the fairly recent BPPV attack, even though it was cleared totally by the Epley 5 months ago?

2) Has anyone else had this? And if so

3) How long does it take to go away?

Thanks for any input.

0 likes, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • Waffalobill
    Waffalobill lily65668

    Posted

    Tool he used is a file. Hated that thing. Dentist would tilt me back and use it. Vibrate my whole head. Made me sick. Probably shook a crystal loose. Epely should help.
  • Lapka
    Lapka lily65668

    Posted

    Yes, the vibration from a dentist tool could trigger vertigo. I have BPPV and had an electroacupuncture which triggered mine. It was a mild episode, but it took about a week to feel well. Epley maneuver could be helpful.

    Good luck and all the best.

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