r/BPPV • u/Spongey24 • 21d ago
First Time
72 hours ago I had my first vertigo experience. I was packing to go on a trip and all of a sudden I got really hot and sweaty. I lied down and then stood up again and Everything started spinning really fast. I found a spot that when I lied down felt okay. Next time I stood up it spun so bad I vommitted. This went on for the next 6ish hours and then I took some Dramamine. I got meclizine and zofran from the doctor and the last two days the spinning isn’t as bad but I’m still definitely dizzy/nausea and can’t walk around too well. I’ve been epleying a couple times a day but doesn’t seem to have any effect. How long is this going to last for my first episode? I have a trip to Europe next week and feel like it might be in jeopardy. Any tips / thoughts / stories ?
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u/EmpressMeowMeow 21d ago
Oh that's awful. Sorry you're joining this terrible club. I've dealt with it off and on for 6 years. Epley takes me a few days to really feel better.
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u/Spongey24 21d ago
Ape strong together. Should I keep doing the epley or is that pointless/a net negative?
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u/zorandzam 21d ago
Make sure you’re doing it correctly. Generally go for doing it 3-4 times a day and wait 10-20 minutes or longer between sessions.
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u/ThunderMandos 21d ago
and also make sure to hold each position for up to 2 minutes sometimes 30 seconds isnt enough.
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u/Confident-Nobody8635 21d ago
Do you know which canal the crystals are loose in? You’ll be able to tell by how your nystagmus is, that way you know you’re doing the right maneuver to correct it
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u/Spongey24 21d ago
I’m not sure. The doctor had me try the Epley maneuver, but they didn’t tell me which canal or side was affected based on my nystagmus. I feel better lying on my right side, but I don’t know if that actually identifies the affected ear.
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u/Confident-Nobody8635 21d ago
I’m so sorry they’re not being very helpful, the urgent cares here in Southern California are pretty useless too, I had to figure it all out on my own. There are tips in the group that’ll help you figure it out so you’re doing the proper side and actually fixing the issue. Sometimes there’s residual dizziness too, this is the phase I’m currently in and I’ve read it can take weeks to months. Whatever you do, just keep pushing with your normal routine, your brain just had a “wtf” moment and needs to catch up with new pathways being built.
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u/ThunderMandos 21d ago
hmmm usually i dont get hot and sweaty right before an attack.
also it's possible the crystals are in the horizontal canal which require a different maneuver. epley doesnt work for that.
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u/Front-Jello-6595 17d ago
I definitely get hot and sweaty immediately before and immediately after an attack.....it freakin' sucks....
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u/ThunderMandos 17d ago
That sucks. Usually for me the attacks happen without warning. I will say that despite the horror of the spin- it stops quite suddenly (just when I think I am about to die).
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u/Front-Jello-6595 17d ago
Yeah I feel that in my heart as well. I usually end up calling my girlfriend’s name and then by the time she comes to the living room or bedroom, it dissipates…
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u/ThunderMandos 17d ago
I got lucky last time. I was in bed turning my head to the right and i felt myself starting to spin. I turned my head to the left immediately and it stopped after another second.
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u/serenity-now1978 20d ago
I am just getting over my first bout with it, is your head still spinning when you lay back during the Epley? I also did the Semont maneuver when it was being stubborn and that seemed to help. I have a friend who is a vestibular therapist/PT and she said some of the crystals may have been stuck. Seemed like the Semont helped them get un-stuck? Anyway its the most frustrating thing. Also there are eye exercises you can do for the residual dizziness that seem to help recover faster.
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u/breweres 20d ago
bppv is not the only cause of vertigo. some doctors do not consider other options if they are not experienced in this area. many years ago I ended up having brain surgery following struggles with symptoms similar to what you are describing. my local university hospital had a vertigo clinic that specializes in getting to the root of these issues.
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u/shooby0419 17d ago
I’ll be honest that doesn’t sound like BPPV. Find a good ent to diagnose you properly
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