What tests should be done if any?
Posted , 4 users are following.
i'm lucky that my episode of BPPV was mild, and after a week I feel well.
What can be done to prevent it? Should I go to ENT to have some tests for inner ear or to a chiropractor to check my neck? Does it make any sense?
I have been told to have BPPV by an experienced neurologist (a family friend), and all instruction for Epley maneuver by Skype. It helped me with my episodes, definitely worked ( first 10 months ago, the second a week ago). Any tips from ones who experienced with BPPV would be greatly appreciated.
0 likes, 7 replies
Waffalobill Lapka
Posted
If you haven't had tests done, it's hard to say what is actually going on. When mine first started I was told bppv. Then it got worse over the years. My rehab therapist told me that sometimes they go away and your fine. Sometimes it comes back worse. That's what mine did. My first episode lasted a couple minutes and scared me. Second episode was 2 years later or so and was real bad. Lasted 3 days. Now, 11 years later I found out I have menieres not just bppv. BUT it has gradually gotten worse. I seen a neurologist who told me he didn't think it was menieres. Just bppv. I went to a neurotologist who did a couple more tests and said menieres without a doubt. When I told him about the other doc's he said he specializes in this. All people are different and it comes on at different rates and stages . Some it's controlled by simple diuretics to get rid of fluid in the inner ear. This is not helping me tho. I need to go back to find out what he wants to do next. I suspect injections into my inner ear.
Lapka Waffalobill
Posted
Thank you Waffalobill for telling me about your experience. Based on your case the most important is a neurologist, and he/she knows what tests etc.
I'm going to visit a neurologist. I appreciate your reply. Best regards.
Waffalobill Lapka
Posted
In my case it was the neurotologist. They specialize in the connections from your ears/ vestibular system and brain. But I had all the other tests done first. Brain MRI, inner ear MRI, VNG testing, audiogram, etc. Neurotologist in my area are hard to come by cause of the specialty they deal with. I had to make the 1 and a half hour ride up north to see one. But finally got some answers instead of expensive guesses that didn't help.
Lapka Waffalobill
Posted
lily65668 Lapka
Posted
Hi Lapka, I've just recovered from my second attack of BPPV (one in each ear!)
Like many people in here, I didn't find an ENT at all helpful - though a few did. The first time round, about 20 years ago, an ENT did an Epley-type manoeuvre which made things much worse in the short term, though it eventually resolved spontaneously after a year or so.
This time, after a fruitless visit to an ENT, my GP referred me to a specialist vestibular physiotherapist, who diagnosed BPPV via the Dix-Hallpike test and fixed it in about 20 minutes with a technology-assisted Epley manoeuvre. The technology was infrared video goggles, so he could view my eye movements on a screen while putting my head in the various positions, allowing him to see where the displaced crystals were going.
Given that I've now had this in both ears - albeit well spaced - I asked all three of them what I could do to prevent it happening again. The ENT just harumphed, while both the GP and the physio said it was just bad luck, it happened to some people, and there was nothing I could do. Sorry not to be more helpful.
At least now I know that if it does recur I should get a referral straight to a specialist physio rather than wasting time with ENT doctors.
eleftherio33095 Lapka
Posted
Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD FEAN
Clinical Neurophysiologist
Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology
Lapka eleftherio33095
Posted
I'm not expecting at all, but has been told that could happen. Yes, the diagnosis made virtually, and Epley manoeuvre instruction to 3 year medicine student helped immediately.
in late 70s I suffered migraine, it was because the space between certain disks on my neck was narrower. Phisiotherapy helped, and never had that problem since. I have started to think about checking my neck with chiropractor, maybe that is the root.
Thank you kindly for your questions. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.