Likely BPPV- vertigo

[Anonymous]

Hi - I am prone to dizziness and have had a few issues that I had investigated in the past (MRI's included). Last time in summer of 2020 I got dx of vestibular migraine (I get regular migraines)

Now for the last month, I get vertigo when I move my head certain ways (it changes and sometimes it's left, right, up or down) the vertigo stops within seconds when I move my head back but a few times, I almost fell.

I have an appt with a PT this week and I assume he will do the Epley. My question is: right now 97% of the times I am fine- working, driving, walking, etc. but sleeping can get annoying. I am worried the maneuvers may worsen things. But assume I need to treat?

As a side note, I am always anxious and this started during a time of stress.

[Anonymous]

meant to add, I am 53 in peri.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi - I am prone to dizziness and have had a few issues that I had investigated in the past (MRI's included). Last time in summer of 2020 I got dx of vestibular migraine (I get regular migraines)

Now for the last month, I get vertigo when I move my head certain ways (it changes and sometimes it's left, right, up or down) the vertigo stops within seconds when I move my head back but a few times, I almost fell.

I have an appt with a PT this week and I assume he will do the Epley. My question is: right now 97% of the times I am fine- working, driving, walking, etc. but sleeping can get annoying. I am worried the maneuvers may worsen things. But assume I need to treat?

As a side note, I am always anxious and this started during a time of stress.

Have doctor check for "ear crystals". I've known 3 people who have had them Dislodge in the last 6 months. Until they go back into place, they cause vertigo/dizziness/etc. Apprrently it is a common thing

[Anonymous]

I’ve had this and it was very bad. I did not get a clear diagnosis beyond “probably ear crystals” and instructions to do the Epley, which sometimes made me worse.

The lying on back Eply did not help me. The one on knees did a little.

What I think helped more was finding the right pillows for neck support, spending less time laying on couch in bad positions, and doing yoga and Pilates to improve posture and relieve neck tension.

I hope you find something that helps.

[Anonymous]

ED doctor here.
Just to clarify, ear crystals are otoliths. These are normal structures and reside in the deeper structures of the ear that we cannot see with the naked eye. They help tell our brain when we move our head what is north and what is south. When these otoliths move out of the deeper structures of the ear, it can result in the sensation of vertigo. When a patient has the symptoms of vertigo and we think it is a peripheral cause (rather than central due to stroke, brain mass etc) our first impulse it to try "particle repositioning." The Epley maneuver is one of of them and can certainly make vertigo worse. I recommend you google Dr. Carol Foster and Vertigo and you will see her recommended exercise called half sommersault maneuver (and no you do not have to be a gymnast or athlete to do it). This exercise can be practiced several times a day and is HIGHLY successful for otolith relocation and resolution of vertigo. Hope this helps...

[Anonymous]

There is some evidence that a stray hair on your ear drum may cause odd symptoms. Something to consider.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ED doctor here.
Just to clarify, ear crystals are otoliths. These are normal structures and reside in the deeper structures of the ear that we cannot see with the naked eye. They help tell our brain when we move our head what is north and what is south. When these otoliths move out of the deeper structures of the ear, it can result in the sensation of vertigo. When a patient has the symptoms of vertigo and we think it is a peripheral cause (rather than central due to stroke, brain mass etc) our first impulse it to try "particle repositioning." The Epley maneuver is one of of them and can certainly make vertigo worse. I recommend you google Dr. Carol Foster and Vertigo and you will see her recommended exercise called half sommersault maneuver (and no you do not have to be a gymnast or athlete to do it). This exercise can be practiced several times a day and is HIGHLY successful for otolith relocation and resolution of vertigo. Hope this helps...

Interesting. I downloaded it for the future. I had an Epley maneuver, which was pretty freaky.

[Anonymous]

You have to figure out which ear it is. Then do it for that one. Else it makes it worse. Look in YouTube or online I printed it out somewhere.
It's turning your head in bed. Don't.
It usually gets better in 2 weeks ime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi - I am prone to dizziness and have had a few issues that I had investigated in the past (MRI's included). Last time in summer of 2020 I got dx of vestibular migraine (I get regular migraines)

Now for the last month, I get vertigo when I move my head certain ways (it changes and sometimes it's left, right, up or down) the vertigo stops within seconds when I move my head back but a few times, I almost fell.

I have an appt with a PT this week and I assume he will do the Epley. My question is: right now 97% of the times I am fine- working, driving, walking, etc. but sleeping can get annoying. I am worried the maneuvers may worsen things. But assume I need to treat?

As a side note, I am always anxious and this started during a time of stress.

Have doctor check for "ear crystals". I've known 3 people who have had them Dislodge in the last 6 months. Until they go back into place, they cause vertigo/dizziness/etc. Apprrently it is a common thing


This. After having been tossed about in a rollover car accident, I've learned that certain ENT doctors are trained to dislodge those crystals and put them back in place. The medical community learned this from Desert Storm cadavers. Brilliant cure for me. I've had to do it three times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ED doctor here.
Just to clarify, ear crystals are otoliths. These are normal structures and reside in the deeper structures of the ear that we cannot see with the naked eye. They help tell our brain when we move our head what is north and what is south. When these otoliths move out of the deeper structures of the ear, it can result in the sensation of vertigo. When a patient has the symptoms of vertigo and we think it is a peripheral cause (rather than central due to stroke, brain mass etc) our first impulse it to try "particle repositioning." The Epley maneuver is one of of them and can certainly make vertigo worse. I recommend you google Dr. Carol Foster and Vertigo and you will see her recommended exercise called half sommersault maneuver (and no you do not have to be a gymnast or athlete to do it). This exercise can be practiced several times a day and is HIGHLY successful for otolith relocation and resolution of vertigo. Hope this helps...

Thank you- are saying this works better than epley or less chance of it worsening things?

[Anonymous]

Yes, Foster method higher success rate than Epley in my clinical experience.

[Anonymous]

Epley maneuver worked for my vertigo. An ENT at the Feldman group took care of it (don't remember which doc, we've seen many of them over the years for ear tubes and various other things for our kids, hearing issues fir my parents, and then me for the crystals

[Anonymous]

Sorry you’re having to deal with this. I had odd vertigo last year (when I was also 53!) and went to ER and they did the Epley and it kind of helped so went home. It faded away after a couple of weeks. I’ve wondered if earpods somehow caused it (they were irritating my ears) or if it was some covid side effect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, Foster method higher success rate than Epley in my clinical experience.

Thanks will try maybe before appt before they likely do epley.

[Anonymous]

Epley makes mine worse. Epley isn’t gonna help a vestibular migraine or mineres disease. I need stress reduction, Valium, lots of hydration w electrolytes, rest. If it spills over into migraine w vomiting and nothing stops the eye shifting then I’ll wind up in the hospital needing iv fluids for a few days and Valium and potassium. Can take months to fully resolve.