Does anyone do any of these exercises on a daily basis to try and prevent recurring BPPV? (my initial diagnosis 3 1/2 years ago was BPPV and there isnow a possibility I may also have MAV). I first used the Brandt-Daroff exercises, then later the MEP when I suffered a recurrence of BPPV to stop the violent positional vertigo (although the other symptoms - lightheadedness/visual problems/off-balance feeling etc never go away) and after suffering two attacks in the past few weeks I went back to doing the Brandt-Daroffs on a daily basis but they made me feel so ill that I started doing the MEP instead but unfortunately had another BPPV attack this weekend - I sat up quickly and swung around to get out of bed and WHAM - the head started spinning again. Did the MEP a number of times that day, was feeling quite ill and "spinny" all day and it took until that night for my vision to settle down as well (well, as much as it ever does :dizzy: ). Just interested to know whether anyone has successfully used these exercises as a preventative?

Julie

Hi Julie

Yes---I use the MEP---at least twice a week---as part of daily exercise routine---and more often---if I did some unusual maneuvers---like working under the car---on my back---and moving my head around to see the parts that need repair/replacement---painting the house, etc...---when I decide to do the MEP---I'll do it at least three times(sets) or until there is no feeling of a "spin" coming on----have not had any of that happen---for the last year + but do them anyway---since BPPV---is well known--for reoccurring---but have been lucky so far! It is important that---it is done---routinely(periodically)---even when you feel fine---since---by the time you(brain) sense(s)---the BPPV---it has been there/back--for a time......

Most of the research shows---it reoccurs----how often seems to vary with age---(the research shows)---if true---the MEP seems to be holding it off---but I suspect it will be back---since I do not try to limit my movements/maneuvers---figure I will do them(MEP's) for the rest of my days---which is a small price to pay---for dumping this junk!

:cool:

I don't think the B-D exercises really do anything, during a BPPV attack or as a preventative.

The MEP will work if the crystals are IN the canal. But first you must know which ear and possibly do them a few times in a row....If as you are doing them you notice fatiguing (lessening of symptoms), then you have the right exercise.

Another option would be the Semont maneuver....there was another one another member mentioned called the Gant (gandt?) maneuver. Seemed to be a combo of the MEP and Semont.

I've had BPPV a very long time (39years), right ear till 2000 then both and then mostly the left ear...and it comes and goes. I've also had stretches of time with no symptoms -- for years. I've done NO preventative exercises....but I don't baby myself either and am active (head-wise) when in an attack as well.

I was at my worst when I had it in both ears, the left one I assume had a virus or something that precipitated the BPPV because it was not like anything I had experienced in the past . The left ear symptoms were symptomatic for 2 years (24/7) and some of the third year. The very worst time in my life.

You as well have MAV...so differentiating the symptoms will be difficult and disheartening when dealing with them both.

First, do you have a sinus infection or a cold as well...if so, get that dealt with.

Second, make sure the proper positioning is done while doing exercises...do enough but not overdo.

Third, quit the B-D exercises...you don't need to further the mental exhaustion and there's no proof that they work....I actually think it can make things worse.

Fourth, if you are able (no contraindications healthwise), try Sudafed...it might help with some of the "congestion" symptoms and help keep the eustachian tubes clear. I take it daily (either 30 or 60mg in the morning depending on how I'm feeling) and have done well.

Check out the other exercises, maybe one might fit you better.

It's true that as you age your symptoms can become more often....but remember that much of the info on the internet is what's most "hit" on and constantly regurgitated.

I hope you feel better soon,
quincy

Thanks for the advice - it always helps when someone can give information from their own personal experience!

No, I don't have a cold or any sinus trouble at the moment and unfortunately I cannot take Sudafed, I get heart palpitations and feel very unwell after taking itm although I can take something like Phenergan with no trouble at all. Benadryl has also been suggested, so may give that a try.

My BPPV has been in my right ear and the Brandt-Daroff seemed to help when I had a recurrent attack in the past. However when I used them this time, I was getting yucky nauseating spins as I was just walking around for the rest of the day and this seemed to just continue every day I was doing the exercises, so I have definitely decided to give those a miss!

The MEP does seem to help, but I will look up the other procedures and maybe see if one of them might be more suitable, but at least I can keep doing the MEP for the moment. Like both of you, I also try not to "baby" myself with head movements etc, although it is difficult not to fall into that habit as each attack is quite a frightening experience as it comes out of the blue and often occurs in the middle of the night. I am extremely stressed at the moment as every day I am waking up terrified that when I sit up (or look over to the right in bed) that it is going to happen again. I am trying to calm myself down but I am really stressing myself out which I know is silly because it just makes my day-to-day symptoms worse. I need to take a more positive attitude towards this thing and not let it take over control of my life again. I guess after nearly 4 years, the frustration is really getting to me, I just want to have some sort of normal life - I can't imagine what it must be like dealing with this for nearyly 40 years!

Maybe, like Subs, I will need to keep on doing something like the MEP for the rest of my life, but as you said, it's a small price to pay if it works!

Wishing everyone a dizzy-free day

Julie :)

Hi

When you do the MEP's---do you follow the directions---to continue---to do them---until---you have no spins for three sets?

Did you download the video & directions??

I have it in the right ear also.

First---couple of times---I did them---got some spins---but---continued until---none for three sets---never a problem after that---but---as I said---continue to do them twice a week..........

:cool:

Yes, I downloaded the directions, had a lot of problems with downloading the video and being able to watch it, but finally got a look at it. If I'm having an attack, I do 3 or 4 repetitions of the MEP at the start and then again a couple of times during the day - have usually found I get spins at least initially at the start of each set, but then it settles down by the second or third repetition. I am actually doing them daily at the moment, although my last attack was Saturday morning - I am doing 2-3 sets of 2 repetitions spread out through the day - maybe I'm overdoing it, I don't know, but I am just afraid at the moment that the damn thing will recur. Am not having spins at the moment when I start the MEP, just a slight visual disturbance for the first few seconds and then it seems to be OK. I did a second set an hour or so ago and am actually having a few visual problems at the moment, so not sure if I AM overdoing it and maybe pushing things a bit far. I am so worried that if I don't do them every day, I will have another attack, I am really stressed about this and am not sure what is the right thing to do.

Sounds as though you're on the way to recovery. You're still "symptomatic" during the MEP, the visual disturbances during the day will eventually diminish as you get better.

There are also visual exercises you might want to consider.

I think that twice a day is enough for the MEP, but definitely 2 or 3 sets during each session. Make sure there's at least 30 seconds or until NO symptoms between each head movement.

Your fears are justified, but try not let your anxiety get the better of you, for it will just make you feel worse emotionally.


One question....are you doing it with your head leaning back over the side of a bed or over a pillow?

You're definitely getting better. I think Subs also did visual exercises....more yucky stuff!! But they could help you as well. Maybe when you're feeling ready to start something else.

When I have really "off" days, I do the MEP and do find that it helps me be more "level". The days it creates nausea tho...I tend to take a half a Gravol.

You'll eventually get to work out what you need to do to make yourself feel better. Unfortunately, experience is really a great teacher.

Best to you,
quincy

Hi Quincy

I am doing the MEP with my head back over a pillow - should I be doing it with my head over the edge of the bed, or is the pillow OK?

I have just been discussing visual problems in a post with Star803 (Leigh). She lives here in Perth, Western Australia too and goes to a visual therapist so maybe that would be an avenue I could try. I do some visual exercises, mainly ones that involve moving my eyes only rather than my head - I did try some VRT, but found that exercises involving rapid head movements, head circles etc seemed to eventually bring on another BPPV attack, or maybe that was just coincidental. As I said to Leigh, maybe if I did the MEP as well as the VRT, that would help? You're right though, visual exercises are pretty yucky stuff too!

Julie

Hi Everyone
I having been following this post with interest as I have had an episode of BPPV. My friend's husband is a doctor and he gave me a sheet on the MEP and after the second set I never had the spins again. After 4 months I still have a funny feeling when I put my head back and look up to the right (it was in my right ear) but nothing happens visually, it's just a yucky feeling that I get before the vertigo happens, but it doesn't come.
What video are you referring to? Is it on a web site I can access? I would like to know if I am doing it correctly. (I go off the end of the bed)
Also, from reading peoples symptoms it seems that BPPV sufferers have some of the brain fog feelings that I thought were attributed to my post viral labs symptoms. Do BPPV only people get this too? What is the reason for this?
Thanks everyone

Hi Firechick,

The video is in the archive - first sticky post at the top.

Scott

Hi Julie

The fact that---you only get---a slight spin on---the first maneuver of the three maneuvers that make up the MEP "set"---is good

---an even better sign is that---your doing MEP "sets" where you do not get any spins, i.e., not on the first, second or third maneuver in the MEP "set"---that is outstanding!! Once that occurs for Three MEP "sets" that contain three maneuvers---that rocks are out

---since if they were still in there---their "mass" and the "inertia" associated with that mass---would cause "latency" and "fatiguing" during the MEP "sets"---the "classic" BPPV symptom.

---Now the trick is to keep them out---cause---until they dissolve/stick---their still hanging out---close by---takes a little time(no one knows--sad)---but eventually---for most they go bye bye---does not mean new ones will not pop up---but---depending on what medical theory---you buy into---they either stick or dissolve.

---Now the brain's equilibrium center with the stupid ear rock "mass" removed from the "balance equation" calculations---can get on with---the "compensation" process---until that happens---it is beyond the brain's capability---to lock into---and---calculate---the weights/math---for full compensation.

---So---what the MEP's tell you

---after---you do "three MEP sets" with each "set" having "three maneuvers" with no repeat no "spins" at all during those three MEP sets

---is that---bingo! the "witch is dead"!!(at least for now---or hiding out close by)

So now the brain has a chance to recalibrate---all those strange---equations---it developed to handle the "mass's" constant and ever changing movements---within the canal----I can't begin to---even touch---on the "processing power" required by the brain---to constantly---in "real time" do those calculations---the "real reason" for "Brain Fog"

---while the rocks are in there----the vestibular system---is "tagged" by the brain's equilibrium center---as suspect/unreliable---and the normal---input percentages to the center---which are:

--40% Vision

--30% Vestibular

--30% Proprioception

So the center shifts to "vision" (an evolutionary suspect input) and increases it's reliance on that well beyond the customary 40%----this is a short term survival technique---by the brain---but---it is not a good long term---"gig"---since---vision can be fooled---easily!!

Now with the rocks out(and hopefully staying out)---the brain must learn or relearn to "trust" the vestibular system---"whala"---the "vision gig"---known as vision eye exercises----i.e., vision VRT---that take time---since for every movement---you ever made---or plan on making----the brain must---come up---with the numbers---and at the same time---continue to test and verify--that vestibular system---can be trusted---again---it's a "trust but verify" processes.

So---if you buy into---all of that---and many do not---but---think it's close:

1. Use the MEP to get the rocks out.

2. When used properly the MEP will tell you---that rocks are out.

3. Start the compensation process through VRT paying attention to the Vision.

4. Relegate the MEP's(once you pass the three set test) to a "test tool" to check---if the rocks have slipped back into the canal---since---if they have

---that will tell you if there is a "physical mass", i.e., rock(s) back in the canal---through the Latency/fatigue event(s) during the MEP "set" and normally during the "first or second maneuver" of the set.

Anyway---that is my take---lessons learned---guess---what worked for me---for others---with this junk---it might not----but---most medical types---have no idea---what works---either

---had no time to check for spelling/sanity---I'm out the door---for now.

Good luck!!

:cool:

Hi Subs

Thanks for your post and the comprehensive explanation. It certainly makes sense to me and I will be following your suggestions and keeping my fingers crossed! As you say, most medical types don't seem to have any idea anyway, and I'd rather be taking advice from someone like you who has "been there, done that" and actually done battle with the head monster!

Take care, and thanks again

Julie
:)