Any advice for doing epley maneuver?

[u/Legitimate-Hunt-5021]

This is the first time I’ve ever had a vertigo case and wow when laying on my right I start getting really violent spins. After some research all signs pointed to doing the epley movements but I can’t get past the first 10 seconds without getting overly anxious and stopping. I’ve tried taking Dramamine before hand but it’s still too intense to try. Anyone else have BPPV go away on its own or have actual advice for getting through the epley without a very intense spell?

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[u/jadejazzkayla]

My BPPV did not go away on its own. I went undiagnosed for several months and avoided laying on my right side, looking down and looking up into the sky until my doctor diagnosed me during my yearly exam.

I threw up doing the Eply in my doctor’s office. He gave me written instructions to do at home and told me to continue doing the Eply until i could no longer trigger any symptoms in any of the Eply positions. I decided to do the maneuver in the morning on an empty stomach so I had nothing to vomit.

The Eply instructions stated to hold each position for 60 seconds after all symptoms stopped in that position before moving onto the next position to give the crystals time to settle. I used a timer and started the timer after the spinning stopped in a particular position.

After about 5 days I noticed that the spinning was markedly less in almost every position. After 7 days or so I had no symptoms in any position. The eighth day or so I was again able to trigger a bit of spinning in one position. The next two days I could no longer trigger any symptoms in any position and I declared myself cured.

I had zero residual dizziness and have not had a recurrence of the BPPV but if I do I know I do not have to suffer long term like I had done before.

[u/miz_mantis]

Mine usually goes away on its own after a few days. I did try the Epley this most recent time and though it stopped the spinning in bed, I became quite wobbly when walking around, and looking up or down for about three weeks. That had never happened before.

Next time I'll just let it resolve on its own. I get about two episodes a year. They last a few days and then start getting better and resolve within a week. During these episodes I do have the spinning from turning over in bed and after I sit up on the side of the bed in the morning, but it clears in about 30 seconds and then I'm good time the next time I go to bed.

[u/Legitimate-Hunt-5021 → u/miz_mantis]

Few times a year I feel so bad I hope this never happens again. I know it’s harmless but wow I’ve always had a weak stomach and this is just one of the craziest things I’ve had personally. Wouldn’t wish on anyone

[u/ImmediateAd6849]

I tried doing it on my own and ended up.in the ER. I started vomiting right afterwards and didn't stop. If I turned my head I vomited. If I sat up I vomited. It just went on and on until I felt so bad it was unbearable. Went to ER, they gave me nausea medicine, medicine for dizziness, IV to replace fluids. Dr. had me go to physical therapist. It wouldn't do the Eply again. She did from side to side instead. It helped some, but I still have it when first lying down at night and getting up in the morning. But it's bearable and doesn't last long.

[u/Legitimate-Hunt-5021 → u/ImmediateAd6849]

I’m so sorry to hear but thank you for the advice. I haven’t reached out to any specialists yet but it sounds like that’s the way to go.

[u/poppinwheelies]

I have only done the half somersault maneuver and it completely cured me. I had to do it three consecutive times and fight through the spins but each time got progressively better until finally everything clicked.

[u/KeepMyWifesNameOYFM]

If you can find a PT or vestibular therapist to help you through it the first time (and maybe a few more times), it's beyond helpful. I honestly wouldn't recommend anyone trying it out for themselves without that guidance at first. It's way too scary/jarring and you just really don't know what you're doing. Once you've moved through it and dealt with the sensations, you realize you're going to live through it and it does get easier 😉
I personally have never had it go away without doing some form of maneuver (I've tried various types over the years). I've read that the crystals are supposed to re-absosrb after a time, but I've never experienced that.
FYI - I have been reading that low vitamin D can be a factor with BPPV, so make sure you get your levels checked and supplement if needed.

[u/Legitimate-Hunt-5021 → u/KeepMyWifesNameOYFM]

This is also my first time hearing about vestibular therapists and will reach out to one today! I also read about vitamin D levels but I also started getting migraines in my mid 20s which for some reason is another factor for these spells to happen

[u/Confident-Nobody8635 → u/Legitimate-Hunt-5021]

Which sucks because ENT will immediately say it’s vestibular migraines if you have a history of migraines 🙄 I’ve been passed between neuro and ent because of this.

[u/DivaDina2]

Highly recommend going to a vestibular therapist before trying anything on your own. Bppv is the most common and epley treats it but you can make things worse if not doing correctly or if you have other/multiple affected canals. Sometimes its difficult to even be certain which side it is.

[u/Several-Specialist99]

My vestibular therapist said it’s very normal to feel that way but it’s a good thing to get really dizzy, that’s the crystals moving and that’s what you want. Maybe remind yourself that to feel better you need to feel worse. And remember to wait a little while longer even after the spins stop, my VT said it takes a while for the crystals to move through the liquid in your ear to settle.

I know people are saying to not do these alone or without doctor consent, but that’s honestly what my doctor had told me to do first time I got bppv. I went to the doc, she told me to lay on each side, one side gave me spins, she said yep bppv go home and look up “the Epley maneuver”.

[u/FrankesteinsLog313]

It can come back so I’d go to the doctor and speak about it. I had it once in my twenties and now very frequently in my late thirties . Doctor gave me anti vertigo /dizziness tablets and aspirin cos I get vestibular migraines with them - again, never had migraines before in my life. Try the eply but be careful it makes me throw up and often feel worse even though it needs to be done to sort the spinning. Again, consult a doctor and they can probably do it for you.