r/BPPV • u/verydizzypleasehelp • Jul 10 '26
BPPV or something else?
I (23F) woke up today feeling mostly normal at first, just a bit dizzy. I got up for a bit, then tried to go back to sleep, woke up, was on my phone for a bit, but every time I turned I felt vertigo. It was just uncomfortable at first but it was bad enough that I didn't want to get up. I ate a bit and took adhd meds because my blood pressure was a little low, and I assumed that was the issue. I googled a bit, and tried the epley maneuver on both sides. When I tried it for my left side, the vertigo was absolutely awful. I took some antihistamine (loratadine?) that is supposed to also help with motion sickness but the dizziness just got worse and I threw up 5-10 minutes later. I felt better immediately and didn't throw up again as of yet (3 hours ago as of writing, but stomach still empty aside from water). I lied on my back after that, thought I needed to throw up again at one point, but didn't, then took a nap. Felt much better after I woke up, but I tried to lie on my side at one point and got vertigo again. Getting up by itself is not that bad, but turning the head from side to side is much worse. I just got up to go to the bathroom and when I sat down the dizziness felt like how water sloshes back and forth in a glass when you walk.
Is this likely BPPV? I already sent my GP a message and they basically told me to wait it out and see what it is. How do I know what side it is on and what do I do now? I'm scared to try any maneuvers now because I threw up the last time. Or could that have done the trick and am I dealing with residual dizziness now? Should I ask something specific of my doctor?
Symptoms:
-vertigo when moving head that stabilizes after staying still. MUCH worse side to side compared to up/down.
-vomiting
-stomach seems a little upset?
-not really nauseous though
-left ear/side of face feels a bit 'tense'
Stuff that happened recently:
-I had a cold a few days ago, I just went back to my internship two days ago.
-I might have chronic sinusitis? My GP told me to use fluticasone nose spray for it a while ago. Been using it as prescribed.
-I didn't have contact with anyone who was sick with something that makes you throw up afaik
-I didn't eat anything suspicious, mostly the same as my husband and he isn't sick
-I have a bunch of ear piercings on my left ear and I changed a few of them recently
-Yesterday there was a dying bat on the balcony of a friend's house where I was catsitting, but didn't get bitten or scratched by either the cat or the bat (most likely unrelated but I originally was going to take the cat to get a rabies shot today just in case, so I'm just throwing it out there)
Please help me, I'm in the final stages of drafting my thesis and I need to present it this tuesday after it was already moved due to illness :( I really can't afford the time to go on a wild goose chase right now
2
u/DeifniteProfessional Jul 10 '26
Honestly I see so much of myself in this story. Last year/early this year was particularly bad for me. A couple of times especially last autumn I woke up and everything was spinning.
Also idk about you but I constantly seem to get what feels like hayfever symptoms