BPPV

[salsen]

Well this is a new one on me and I thought I would see if anyone else has heard of this.  After nearly a year of fighting off  bouts of dizziness and vertigo that was getting progressively worse, I decided to go to a hearing and balance center to see what was going on.  Both my internist and my neurologist said it could possibly be the autonomic neuropathy causing the symptoms.

I had two days of test that were thought up by some really sadistic person.  Each test made me feel as if I had been spun at high speed and left me totally exhausted with a headache.  Last week I went to the doctor for results.  After some discussion and simple test he explains to me he thinks the problem is from BPPV, BENIGN PAROXYSMAL POSITIONAL VERTIGO.  What was explained to me was that there are small crystals within the inner ear that are suppose to be attached to the hairs.  Some how mine have broken loose and are floating into the balance center and creating havoc.  The small particles are suppose to be within the ear just not moving around.  The doctor did some strange movements with my head basically trying to knock the particles back into place.  I was also given a sheet with exercises to do at home that hopefully will accomplish the same purpose. 

Yesterday when I went through the whole set of exercises I threw up due to the vertigo being so bad from moving my head in different positions.  Today needless to say I cut back.  My balance issues are still there and this new doctor feels that is associated with the neuropathy but that the dizziness is not.  What a mess this all is.  Everyone trying to figure out where to pigeon hole all these symptoms. 

Just thought I would throw this subject out there to see if anyone has heard of this condition and if all these head exercises will truly help to stop the daily dizziness.  I have dealt with a lot of pain over the years with the neuropathy but this whirling spinning sensation going on in my head off and on has been the pits.  Any information from someone who has this  will be oh so helpful.

[Scottietottie]

Hi Salsen 

I hope Pooh reads your post because I think she may be the very woman you need to talk to. I'm sure she had episodes involving 'crystals' in the ear.  I think some kind of vibration helped her.

I'm sorry to hear you are suffering from vertigo. It's miserable.

Take care - Scottie 

[dbab]

There was a discussion here not too long ago about this.  I'm thinking I may have to same thing but I'm absolutely terrified to get it diagnosed and treated.  And now I read about your experience    I have a slight case of emetophobia which may sound silly to some but its real to me.  I'm almost sure that I have this BPPV because I notice it when I whip my head around at full speed so I have been very careful to slowly move my head when I need to because of the fear of a vertigo episode.  I hate it! 

[Epson]

Salsen,

That sound interesting and frightening at the same time, does this effect your driving when you have to look both ways to cross a busy intersection?

Glad you found a doctor that knows what's wrong, sounds like your on the way to resolving this problem.

Best of luck to a speedy recovery,

Epson

[salsen]

No it does not bother me when I am driving because I am sitting upright when I move my head around.  It is when I am laying down and moving my head or if I have to tilt my head backwards to look up that causes the problem.  It seems these are classic signs of the condition.  Thank goodness I don't have to look up at the sky while driving LOL.

[missyb]

oh those ungodly tests!  all that jsut to"prove" you have vertigo when you tell them you are spinning to being with,, it was like torture for me too and I would never agree to do it again..

[DesignerS]

Salsen, I am so so sorry you are dealing with this.  I struggled with vertigo for about 4 years, and still have to be careful.  Mine was due to a very different problem though.  But until the problem was discovered, I went through those tests.  Its not funny at all but I am laughing at what the previous poster said.  They put you through so much just to tell you what you knew to begin with.    I certainly hope this is a crystal problem that can be put back into place. 
I am hoping the best for you, I can just feel it.  Take care

Designer

[Poochie]

Sal,
I have already replied to your e-mail but I think your doctor meant that the crystals have to be knocked loose.  They can build up on the hairs and form a dam like, preventing the fluid in your inner ear to level out or flow when you move your head.  This dam will hold the fluid at an odd angle that causes the veritgo. 

As I told you, my ENT treated me with a hand vibrator held behind my ear while turning my head from one side to the other while laying down. 

For anyone else that's interested, I found a vibrator pillow at WalMart that fits around your neck (horseshoe shaped).  I use this a couple times a week for about 20 - 30 mins.  It not only keeps those crystals loose but helps the disks in my neck that give me such a fit. 

Whenever I feel the vertigo building up I use this before the nausea starts.  I was given those head exercises to do, but with my cervical disk problems it is to painful.  That's why I tried the vibrator pillow.  I believe it's made by Dr. Scholl's.

And yes, I heaved in his waste basket when he finished the treatment.

Hugs, Pooh

[salsen]

Pooh,  I am on the hunt tomorrow for the pillow.  Hopefully someone in my area has one.  If not I will just hold out and order one off the internet.  The exercises aren't really working because I can't get through a set without having to heave.  The thought of doing this for two weeks three times a day in itself makes me feel sick.  Pavlov's response I guess.  Anyhow I will gladly take the advise from someone who has walked this path before me.  LOL  Seems you have paved the way for a lot of my ailments.  You are my hero!!! 

Thanks again for the advise.
Sal

[Poochie]

Hi Sally,
I thought I would up date you on my doctor appt. this morning.  As I said somewhere a couple days ago, last Thursday/Friday night I woke up with the worse bout of this that I've had in a long time.  I started right in using my neck vibrator pillow and it started to ease up in about 4 days.  By Tuesday morning I was feeling pretty good, but last night it seemed to start up again. 

My family doctor confirmed it this morning when he was checking my eyes.  He ask me to follow the light he was holding in his hand.  Side to side wasn't to bad, but when he asked me to look up, I did, and no sooner than I did, he said "that's what I was looking for, they really shimmied".  I was so happy for him.  (I wanted to heave. )

He also explained to me that he thinks that my vertigo is brought on more from my cervical stenosis than my ears.  After pressing around the back of my neck (and me almost screaming) he was pretty sure that's the case this time.  My ears were clear, no inflammation (and clean ).

Anyway, he said I was doing a pretty good job with the neck vibrator but he felt some Meclizine would help it along faster.  So I am a happy camper.  This new doc is #1 on my list.  He gave me enough script so that I would have it on hand when I needed it.  (My old doctor moved to N.H.)  He said I have enough to cope with, with my balance the way it is. 

Take care and I'll let you know how this works out.  Perhaps you can get a script for this from your doctor.  It's great for this stuff when it hits. 

Hugs, Pooh