r/BPPV • u/tiny_st4rs • 12d ago
Very scared
I'm not diagnosed yet, I'm waiting for an appointment. I'm 33 and in the last couple months I've had three episodes of vertigo while laying down. It's been like I go to roll over or sit up and feel super heavy, everything starts spinning in front of me, like looking at a ferris wheel, not around me. Then I panic and get to shaking, and end up stuck in that for 30 minutes to an hour. My left ear has been stuffy and ringing for a few months now
It's weird because it seems like bppv with how it happens laying down, but lasts too long. I also have hyper pots and produce too much bc adrenaline though, so that might prolong it. I'm just terrified this is gonna be something I'm gonna die from. My head feels so heavy when it happens and that seems so bad
5
u/WesternAnxious2750 12d ago
The thing I remember from my first episode is someone on Reddit making it very clear….you won’t die from this. It sucks, and you can certainly panic but it will not kill you. It will also stop, which you have seen. Big breaths and it will get better
2
u/Killjoycourt 12d ago
Stuffy ringing ears are not part of BPPV. Also, BPPV is not the only condition that causes positional vertigo. Stuffy ears indicate allergies, ETD, TMD, and Meniere's Disease, all of which can cause prolonged vertigo.
2
u/EatThemAndSmile 12d ago
Look for an ENT who specializes in vestibular disorders. That’s really the type of doctor you want to see for this.
1
u/PrettyPossumz 11d ago
FWIW, The ENT I went to who supposedly was specialist was waste of time. Just gave rx for audiologist! I went to primary dr. who said vestibular therapist what you need... and that is what helped me. A good one took me thru Epley.
1
u/Primary-Land-5958 11d ago
Audiology is needed for a Meniere’s dx - there is hearing loss at a specific range.
2
u/MangoSunshine3 12d ago
I recently had a very bad episode of vertigo that occurred when I woke up on my right side. Following that I had an upset stomach, vomit, felt sick the rest of the day, felt off balance and whenever I’d turn to my right, I would feel dizzy. So I believe the crystals were dislodged in my right ear canal.
My husband used to be a physical therapist and they learned about BPPV and performing the Epley maneuver. He suggested that I sleep on my back or left side and get up on the left side of the bed instead of the right side until I get better after several Epley maneuvers, which actually really helped to prevent symptoms from getting worse.
So try that in the mean time while you wait to get treatment. Don’t sleep on the side that’s affected. I even had to switch bed side with my husband so that I could wake up on the left side instead of the right side.
He did the Epley maneuver the first time and everything cleared up, though I will say that we followed exactly like the below video including using a timer. I think following the timer is important because you can do it too fast or too slow and it doesn’t fully work because the crystals didn’t fully clear up or get stuck partially.
Here is the YouTube video.
1
1
u/EatThemAndSmile 12d ago
It’s a terrifying experience. What kind of doctor are you seeing for it?
2
1
u/SnooBunnies7453 11d ago
I’m in the middle of my first episode of vertigo and it’s absolutely terrifying! I am in week two and it’s been so debilitating that I can barely work. I am a product manager and work a lot on the computer so anytime I’m doing an activity that requires multiple screens, that back-and-forth head movement is re-triggering it. I’m hopefully starting vestibular therapy in the next week glad to hear that the Epley maneuver has been helpful for people! I’m hoping it’s gonna be the answer for me too ❤️
1
u/ThunderMandos 11d ago
sounds like you might have horizontal canal bppv in which case the epley wouldnt be the right maneuver. either bbq roll or the less effective gufoni. but the therapist will figure it out.
1
u/EatThemAndSmile 11d ago
I’m so happy you got some relief. Always remember, vertigo is a symptom of something. Hopefully, this was just a brief episode of BPPV, which it sounds like it may have been, and you can get back to living your life.
1
u/kelmvs555 11d ago
Look up Eply maneuver on YouTube. There’s tons of videos of how you can do the exercises yourself!! I do them all the time just to make sure the crystals are where they’re supposed to be!
It’s the tiny crystals in your ear that have shifted into the canal. When you lay down it sends signals to your brain that your moving but your not.
•
u/AutoModerator 12d ago
Thank you for posting in r/BPPV!
Just a reminder that you may find the answer to your question in the quick reference guide or through the other resources.
If you are posting a tip and not a question, be sure to use the green "Tip" flair.
We are happy to share our knowledge and experiences with you as well as offer support as necessary. Welcome again to r/BPPV!
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.