Hi--need help...I just a few mins ago did some brandt-daroff exercises--3 times is all I could stand. Made the room spin in a very weird way and now the motion is horrible. Is that normal??? Does that mean, I do need to do them or does it mean to not do them??? HELP....Belle

Hi--need help...I just a few mins ago did some brandt-daroff exercises--3 times is all I could stand. Made the room spin in a very weird way and now the motion is horrible. Is that normal??? Does that mean, I do need to do them or does it mean to not do them??? HELP....Belle

Hi Belle

Yep---you can get some very weird spins---think I would give it a rest for a day or so---on your first time down---on whatever is your bad side---is their a latency before the spin & can you tell which direction i.e., clockwise or counter clockwise---and in the past was there a latency followed by a fatiguing---say---like if you did a set of five---did you only spin on the first couple---and not the last of the five????

:cool:

Hi Subs and thank you. Yes, there is a wait before the spin starts. When i did them before, about 5 mths ago, I did not spin at all until the 25th day--scared me and I called the doc--then I was stopped doing them and started on the cawthorne-cooksey. This time--bad ear( left side) down--started the spinning( round and round) but when I sat up--the things across the room looked like they were going up and down!!! SCARED me bad. ANY ideas???? Belle

Hi Subs and thank you. Yes, there is a wait before the spin starts. When i did them before, about 5 mths ago, I did not spin at all until the 25th day--scared me and I called the doc--then I was stopped doing them and started on the cawthorne-cooksey. This time--bad ear( left side) down--started the spinning( round and round) but when I sat up--the things across the room looked like they were going up and down!!! SCARED me bad. ANY ideas???? Belle

Sounds like the maneuver caused some eye oscillations---kind of normal---search on "VOR" Plus Vestibular and you should see some info on it---the B/D is a tough one--but usually gets the rocks and any orther stuff out......but it can be tough

:cool:

Hi Subs, well this morning when i got up--the room started to spin--I waited and got up--after I did-the room started spinning again. Once again, head movements bother me--like in the very beginning. SUBS--what have I done??? Belle

Hi Subs, well this morning when i got up--the room started to spin--I waited and got up--after I did-the room started spinning again. Once again, head movements bother me--like in the very beginning. SUBS--what have I done??? Belle

It sounds like---the "ear rocks" and/or other stuff---has got back into the semi-circular canals---some how---that happened to me a couple of times---I would go for three months---then I must have got into some position---and out they came---and I would have to do the B/D all over again---three sets of five per day---but they(ear rocks/junk) sort of went back---out---quicker each time---but I did not stop---kept doing the three sets of five---for the required period.

:cool:

Thanks Subs, same thing the audiologist said. She made me an appoinment to see the ent and her on Thursday, unless it quits. This is sure the pits. Here I am in month10 and feeling like week 1....EERRRGGGG.......Thank you.....Belle

One more question!!! Did you ever feel like you were going to pass out? i was washing a bowl and all of a sudden, I thought I was going to spin, but it went to this feeling like I was going to pass out--I got real hot and my heart started galloping--very weird. belle

One more question!!! Did you ever feel like you were going to pass out? i was washing a bowl and all of a sudden, I thought I was going to spin, but it went to this feeling like I was going to pass out--I got real hot and my heart started galloping--very weird. belle

Yep---I was doing something at the sink---next thing I knew---I was sitting down on the floor---with one hand still holding on to the sink---was not nice and very unexpected........now---even---at 100%---since month 13/14(at month 19 now)---I still am very uneasy---around the sink---never happened again---but I remember and just get this uneasy feeling...at the sink.

:cool:

Thanks. I wonder if we are allergic to the sink!!!! It sure scares the heck out of ya. Well, I hate that it happened to you but am glad I am not alone. Thanks again..Belle

One more question!!! Did you ever feel like you were going to pass out? i was washing a bowl and all of a sudden, I thought I was going to spin, but it went to this feeling like I was going to pass out--I got real hot and my heart started galloping--very weird. belle

I've had this, it was called a panic attack according to my doctor. Out of nowhere, heart racing almost passing out feeling, hot, fast breathing. I couldn't put my finger on the cause. I wasn't feeling panicky, but I was told you don't have to feel that way to have this problem when you are dealing with this vestibular nightmare. Not fun.
Julianne

Hi realbelle,

Why don't you try to do the Epley yourself at home? I'd leave the vestibular exercises for a while.

I agree that you may have had an anxiety attack or panic attack while having vertigo while doing the dishes.

It's understandable since you've been having not much relief lately.

What if you didn't focus on every movement and head feeling you have and just go with it? I know it's difficult to do....but you're brain is so overstimulated at this time with your latest relapse. Sometimes it becomes a project to feel better, and that in itself can possibly exacerbate feelings and symptoms.

If you try the Epley yourself, just make sure you know what your affected side is.

Hope you feel better soon,
quincy

Hi Quincy, thanks. I know your right--its an all consuming project right now to get well. I have so much depending on it. I know your also right, thinking on it doesn't help but it is SO hard not to. Especially, when you go all the way back to square one. But, I will try VERY hard to get out of this rut and back on the road to recovery, with the Lord's help, I will do it. Thank you, Belle

Gosh belle hope you're ok. Was going to start the brand dolf but now scared.... Quincy - isnt the B dolf a kind of epley? I think you can do less harm to yourself with the BD than the home epley? xxx

Hi Em, thank you and I do feel better, Praise God. Don't be scared--just know before hand they can make you dizzy and play havoc with your eyes!! I tried them sitting, but that way didn't affect me at all. This will be day 3 and the spinning and jumping wasn't as bad last night. The heavy head feeling is gone, so I must be making progress!!!! Belle

What's the worst that can happen compared to how one is feeling at the moment. That is to say....if one is sure he/she has BPPV, what is there to lose anyway? It's perception of the situation. Is it life-threatening? No. It could be life-altering if it works....and it can be done at home anytime, at the start of an attack. It can lessen the length of the attack.

The only one thing that one has to know is WHAT SIDE IS AFFECTED. The maneuver is described in one of the postings on this board (I don't have permission to post sites)....but it's one that has been most suggested. It does work and can be done until symptoms have cleared. The Epley is only a perceived need to be done by a doctor. It's not like it's medication on an injection or a special contraption one is placed in. All one needs is a bed and possibly another person to support the head if done over the bed (and the person has neck problems). It can also be done over a pillow without the head hanging over the bed. Nothing more than simply turning over in bed, but in a timely fashion with precise head movements. If the crystals are free floating and others go into the canal, it can be done again until everything is cleared out. If the crystals are stuck on the cupula, the Semont maneuver can be done to dislodge it. I've done both, and they both have merit.

There seems to be a fine line between enough and too much stimulation through exercise with BPPV symptoms from my experience......and I've been through the widest range of symptoms in the 38 years.

realbelle, if you're interested I can make a few suggestions. The decision is totally yours, and you have to trust yourself that when you do it, you will experience vertigo. It can be done a few times in a row also.

Another member (CONCERNED20) just recently did it himself and since we haven't heard from him, I'll assume he's doing well. I hope he reports back to give us his experience so far.

It's all a matter of perception.

Best to you,
quincy

Sorry quincy if you think I was worrying unnecessarily. I do not have BPPV you see...or if I do v v slight hence why I am worried about doing manouvers. There is an element of risk with them, my ENT explained this so of course worry is bound to be there if I have never done such manouvers.

Belle, I hope things improve for you. I guess it's a bit like VRT in that you have to continue even though the symptoms may worsen?

xxx

Hi Quincy and Em, Thanks. Yes, I would love to hear what your suggestions are. My problem with trying the Epley--after the epley--you are not to do the B-D for 3 days. I want to give the B-D a chance this time and see if thats whats needed to kick this crap...But, please tell me what you think. As I am a baby to this compared to many. This is month 10 for me. The vertigo lasts about 15 seconds after laying on my left side. And looking down can almost bring a spin. The motion--feels like I am on a boat in rough seas is 24/7...Quincy, the audiologist that did the ENG--said perphiall(sp) dysfunction--BPPV...from the ENG results. and of course the dix-hallpike. Even when the dix-pike became neg--I was still having 24/7 boat feelings--they said--residual effects of BPPV---in month 9, last month, the motion was down too so very mild I could easily cope. Then the therapist did those test--holding my neck turned my head in all directions-made me dizzy to see how I recouped--that started the motion back terrible. Then to add insult to injury--the cardio started me on a high blood pressure med--the 4th day on it--the room started spinning but only when I layed on the left --so I don't know if the med was the problem or just helped it start. That has been 3 weeks ago--I called the cardio--he took me off the med. So--please share any info you have. Thanks, Belle

P.S. this therapist is just a regular physcial therapist and I do believe I know more about dizziness than he does. He still maintains it does not affect your eyes. I know better than that. I am one of those that do not have insurance and money is so VERY tight. Thanks, Belle

Hi em,

No need to apologise, and I can understand your concern about trying things at home. But, I'm only talking about the fact that if Belle has BPPV, which I wasn't clear on.

I support vt, but I believe that the overstimulation daily can also cause problems. Call me skeptical, but my experience of having BPPV and just going about my business with it seems to have served me fine. I never heeded all the advice of not moving too much...because it didn't seem to matter anyway. I never focussed on each individual symptom either, I felt dizzy, crappy...that's about it. The days I felt nauseated I stayed home, other days...I just did whatever.

After I had symptoms for almost 3 years bilaterally, consistently with a few months break in between.....with nothing that could be done from the doctor except to snip a nerve....what was there for me to lose? I got relief, tried the maneuvers the doctors used on me, and sometimes it wasn't successful, but at least I could try it again. Can you believe they never even figured out that I had a chronic sinus infection? It may have been coincidence, but there was correlation to that and my symptoms. I'm pleased that I've only had a few bad spells in the past few years, the Epley has come in handy and I make sure sinus infections are dealt with. That, to me is having some sort of control. I don't even have an ENT anymore. What for? Unless my symptoms drastically change or something else comes up....I'll have to wait the 6 months for an appointment. I'd probably be well by then anyway.

The anxiety one has during any of the attacks can compound that. It soon takes over our very being and is difficult to get on with things.

Part of me thinks that doctors only want the bucks to get us back into the chair to do the maneuvers...I disagree, give us the tools to get control so that we can get on with our lives. My first doctor did that, the exercises were sort of like the B-D....and they worked. The Semont gave me instant relief, but didn't last even though I slept up for 3 nights and on the non-affected side for 7 nights (thrice). Sheesh, that's more torture than being dizzy. At least I wasn't restricted and felt better when waking up.

Like I said accessibility to the doctors, long waiting times, and the frustration of living with it make dealing with BPPV a pain in the butt. I think there are things that we can do for ourselves. If the crystals wander into the horizontal canal or anterior canal, there are maneuvers for that too.

But, I only have my experience to relate.

I hope you're feeling OK today.
quincy

Hi Belle,

I apologise for not getting back to you sooner. I slept for most of the day yesterday and actually (this is a first) didn't want to be on the computer...Shocker!!I was even in bed by 1:30 a.m.....another shocker! :eek:

Could you please tell me if you've ever tried the epley yourself at home?

The first time I tried it...it took about 3 tries before I could even lie back. I was scared for the violent spins and what would happen. But, I looked at it as an experiment.

Could you explain to me the peripheral diagnosis part? Does that mean that the visual stimulation peripherally will give you dizziness feelings, or does it give you a full vertigo attack? or does it just make you feel unsettled and unbalanced?

Have you tried any eye exercises?

Did he say that the B-D exercises will help that? did he say that it will eventually go away?

I see you mentioned in your post that you were starting to feel better.

How are you today?
quincy

Hi Qunicy, they said the peripheral vestibular dysfunction meant from the ear and not the brain. Yes, they said this will go away. The last 2 Dix-Hallpike test were neg. and the very last one--I felt totally fine. Even though the test was neg--I was having the room spin when I layed down. They figured a rock must of gotten misplaced and had gotten settled before I ever got to come in. Thats why I hate going in--its--"oh just keep doing the exercises and it will go away, now that will be 100.00" I am praying very hard this quits by tomorrow. She said it may and if it does just call and cancel. I did do the home epley, back in Sept.--using a pillow under my shoulders--but I didn't spin at all. This is day 4 of doing the B-D and the spinning has almost stopped. I still have a heck of a time looking down. They did the epley, with vibration, on me back in June and then again in Aug. Do you know does the B-D help with this 24/7 motion at all? After my last epley, they satrted me 3 days later doing the B-D. No spinning--nothing until the 25th day and BOOM, the room was spinning so fast--it scared the daylights out of me. I called and had the ENT paged--it was sat before Labor Day, he said to stop doing the B-D and come in the following Tues--I did--they started me then on the cawthorne-cooksey. Since doing a lot of reading, I have wondered--if I had just kept on with the B-D would all this be gone now...Thats why I want to try it this time and stick with it. Its very hard, knowing how its going to make me feel BUT if it will stop this--I WILL do it!!!!! How do you sleep in? I start waking up very early and if I try to lay there, this sea feeling makes me sick. HOW do you do it???? Belle

P.S. Quincy, yes I have been doing all the eye exercises I can find. I have a very hard time with my eyes shut. Sometimes, I can stay balanced and sometimes not. right now it is very hard and I can't balance for very long. I have slipped a LONG way since last month!!! Belle

Hi Belle,

I can understand your frustration and know that it can certainly feel as though it will never get any better. It can last a very long time, or a short time. But one thing's for sure.....you know the day it leaves! And that could very well be tomorrow!

Let me get this straight...you've been doing the C-C exercises since labour day?

I've never stuck with the B-D exercises, but the Cawthorne-Cooksey ones sound like they would be better for what you're experiencing at this time. Since you're having a hard time with the forward head position (and I can relate to that one big time), those exercises use that position as well as its "opposite" of tilting the head straight back. Part of it could very well be guarding the muscles or tightening of the muscles. I think it all goes together and compounds the symptoms.
I believe the c-c exercises are better for the whole body/vestibular/balance conditioning. But, that's a different process than the B-D exercises which are supposed to hopefully clear or shake loose the crystals in or from the canal.

Did the doctor suggest for you to come back to have the Epley done or to see you again to see how/if you have improved?

You are definitely determined, and if you feel that you want to give the B-D exercises a shot again.....why not do it. It's all an experiment anyway from my perspective. I don't think the doctors really know what will really help. Everyone is different, some symptoms are mild and only unipositional....others have symptoms that affect their whole bodies from walking like zombies to feeling like walking on 3 foot pile carpet. I've experienced them all, but not all the time.

If you are able, purchase the book "Feeling Dizzy" by Brian Blakley and Mary-Ellen Siegel. I saw Dr. Blakley, he works in my city. The exercises he has in the book for BPPV include hanging the head over a bed or couch. That's where I got the idea of doing the Epley (which he did for me) myself since that's sort of the same (and I wasn't going back)

He also has other head movements that stimulate the vestibular system by leaning the head over forward and sideways...etc. I did them while brushing my teeth and drying my hair. I thought that doing what I did daily was what would help. I had good days and bad days.....but the days I was overstimulated visually (from a movie or looking at an antique show), the next day I was more symptomatic. Low pressure or sudden drop in pressure days were also a consistent exacerbator for symptoms.

One thing I rarely did was lay on my back and turn my head while in bed. It was always better for me to lay fully on my side. I would even flip myself over to the other (good) side in the hopes that the crystals would fling off if stuck to the cupula. It worked sometimes and woah...it felt like the top of my head was lifted off and then back again.

I'm not symptomatic at this time. I have had a few nights in the past month when turning over in bed felt like it was going to start, but it was short and quick, and then nothing. I have really "off" days when I feel uncoordinated, yet have no problem cutting hair, signing or driving. I think the stimulation makes me feel a bit better.

Have you had your sinuses x-rayed to check for infection? That's how mine was diagnosed. The meds cleared it up, and soon I was starting to feel much less weird till eventually totally better.

I can't say that it wasn't a coincidence, but the connection seems too probable for me. I think that's why my symptoms were so bad for those years.

I sure do hope you are able to get relief soon. I really don't think anything you decide to do would be the wrong decision. If it works, great, if not...you do have other options to try. Your determination and want to feel better is what you need to get through those exercises. For sure, You're a better patient than I!

I hope you have a feeling better day!
quincy

Hi Qunicy, Thank you for your help. Sounds like you have been through it all.I am so happy that your doing so good. Praise the Lord. Right before this started back, the cardio decided it wasn't BPPV but it was my sinuses and again put me on antibotics but it didn't help. In the very beginning, I was on 3 different antibotics BUT they didn't help. The spinning is a great deal better, the looking down is still awful. I do HATE doing the B-D. I am just so fed up--I'd try anything.I haven't tried the laying in bed and rolling over--will give it a go.It sounds scary!This afternoon is when I go to the doc,I know he will do the dix-hallpike and if its positive--I will get another epley today. Thank you for the encouragement--it is surely needed!! Will report back on what the doc has to say. Prayers, Belle