BPPV

[Gooze17]

Hey everyone. Was diagnosed with bppv (benign proximal positional vertigo) today. So that’s fun and the treatment for it is nightmarish. Just curious if anyone else has dealt with this before. I seem to have a slight dizziness constantly that gets unbelievably worse when I move my head. I understand it getting worse with head movement as that’s basically the whole thing with bppv. But I figured it wouldn’t be noticeable otherwise

 

[bin_tenn]

BPPV symptoms, as with any other condition, will vary from person to person. Your symptoms are very typical of what I've heard about BPPV. I have this to some extent. A doctor prescribed Meclizine (generic Anti-Vert) once, but I've never had to take it - it was prescribed last year. I occasionally get more severe episodes where I get very dizzy, no matter what I'm doing though it's exacerbated by movement.

 

[Gooze17]

BPPV symptoms, as with any other condition, will vary from person to person. Your symptoms are very typical of what I've heard about BPPV. I have this to some extent. A doctor prescribed Meclizine (generic Anti-Vert) once, but I've never had to take it - it was prescribed last year. I occasionally get more severe episodes where I get very dizzy, no matter what I'm doing though it's exacerbated by movement.

Thanks Bin. It gives me panic attacks bad. The dizziness isn’t too bad when I move generally or roll over and passes quickly. But the maneuvers they have you do to treat it basically force things to move and cause dizziness, just awful stuff. The panic after definitely doesn’t help. I realize it’s benign, it’s in the name. Still freaks me out though

 

[MATD]

This would be a golden opportunity to practice acceptance for the anxiety, in my opinion. So your movements cause the dizziness which causes the anxiety to raise. it’s Only Anxiety by Carl James. This book can teach you how to accept the anxiety and not react to it. You have an opportunity in disguise here. Since you know the dizziness is causing the anxiety, you are forewarned and ready to not react to the anticipated anxiety. We react with anxiety and then fear the reaction, which is also called second fear. Dizziness isn’t pleasurable, but since you know what is causing it, you could ride it out through acceptance and be able to establish a pattern of acceptance when anxiety hits from other triggers too. Call me crazy, but that’s what popped into my mind. Making lemonade with your lemons (dizziness).

 

[bin_tenn]

Thanks Bin. It gives me panic attacks bad. The dizziness isn’t too bad when I move generally or roll over and passes quickly. But the maneuvers they have you do to treat it basically force things to move and cause dizziness, just awful stuff. The panic after definitely doesn’t help. I realize it’s benign, it’s in the name. Still freaks me out though

I get that, I know exactly what you mean. This is where acceptance comes in handy, as MATD pointed out. I still feel slightly anxious sometimes when I get a random dizzy sensation, but I just remember that it's benign and move on.

Does your dizziness from BPPV cause you to be unstead, unable to drive, etc? When mine occurs, I feel like I'm going to fall over, but as soon as I walk, drive, etc I actually feel better. But for some people it can apparently be a slight safety hazard. Just curious if yours is different or the same in that way.

 

[Gooze17]

I get that, I know exactly what you mean. This is where acceptance comes in handy, as MATD pointed out. I still feel slightly anxious sometimes when I get a random dizzy sensation, but I just remember that it's benign and move on.

Does your dizziness from BPPV cause you to be unstead, unable to drive, etc? When mine occurs, I feel like I'm going to fall over, but as soon as I walk, drive, etc I actually feel better. But for some people it can apparently be a slight safety hazard. Just curious if yours is different or the same in that way.

Mine was when I just bent over or laid down and changed my head position. Today however it is constant and I would not trust myself to drive anywhere

 

[E.B]

If it means anything to you vertigo and dizziness is very common with or without anxiety. I seem to get vertigo when i get a cold/flu etc...but other times as well. My grandmother had vertigo and i remember her telling me of the exercises prescribed and it was difficult. Just remember what you are experiencing is normal/common.

 

[bin_tenn]

Mine was when I just bent over or laid down and changed my head position. Today however it is constant and I would not trust myself to drive anywhere

Fair enough. I'm always cautious about driving if I'm having an episode. Glad you got an answer and I hope you find some relief soon.

 

[Gooze17]

Fair enough. I'm always cautious about driving if I'm having an episode. Glad you got an answer and I hope you find some relief soon.

Me too. I think the Epley maneuver fixed the issue. And residual dizziness is apparently common in about 2/3 of people after successfully fixing bppv. Just have to hopefully ride it out now. Take it easy this weekend and hopefully be back to normal Monday! One awesome thing is I posted about Prozac a week or so ago, and I realize it takes weeks to reach the full effect, but I think it’s already helping with my anxiety. Usually something like this would send me over the edge. I’ve been anxious for sure, but not doing any of the things I normally would when a health issue pops up