On my off days (and not the work kind... I wish!), I usually feel worse in the morning and then things get better throughout the day. But when I go to bed and try to sleep, it gets bad. I don't think it's so much that the physical symptoms increase but that I'm more aware of them because it's quiet, no distraction, I can focus on everything that feels weird, and it freaks me out and I can't go to sleep.

I think it's "just" the anxiety but sometimes it's literally gotten so bad that I had to take xanax or I would've gone into full-blown anxiety attack mode. The last couple of nights I've turned on the TV when I went to bed, and that seemed to help a little. Some light, noise, distraction, I suppose.

Anyone else familiar with this? And if so, how do you deal with it? When I'm not feeling so hot, I dread going to bed. When I feel pretty good dizziness wise, I'm asleep in less than 5 mins.

I always feel better, sometimes almost normal at night. Its not that I can't go to sleep, but I don't want to because I feel soooo good and know that will gone in the morning. I have tried "sleepytime" tea to help put me in the sleep mode.

Yeah! I'm with Joni on not wanting my better days to end !!! I seem to notice the ringing and popping the most, and just closing my eyes,(even like a long blink) kinda makes me more dizzy then when they stay open. My hubby likes to sleep with the tv on,, but the blinking of commercial changes, and light fluxuations in the programs, make it very hard for mr to just lay back and go to sleep. I can however,, and these days do a lot more ( prolly med related) fall asleep while I'm watching a show. But that only lasts a couple of hours,,, or,,, till one of those real loud commercials come on,; like the "This is BOB ! He's the envy of all his friends,, he jumps in the pool and,,,, well I'm sure ya seen the rest lol. Yeah, well I can never get back to sleep after I wake like that, if the tv is on. So,if I don't fall asleep watching a show,, and I need to go to sleep,,, I HAVE to have the floor fan on, I face it towards to back wall on medium, if I'm having a bad or real bad day,, I run that fan on high! I don't know,but something about that niose really helps to block out buzzing and ringing and Hubby's common snore ;)

Hi Sipa,

Do I ever know what you're talking about! Nights for me are absolute hell if I'm "off". The troubles I get seem to be kicked off differently to yours. I don't have any trouble with focusing on symptoms and getting worked up, rather I am awakened from my sleep in a state of panic. Something happens while I'm sleeping - whether my subconscious mind goes crazy or what I don't know. Also any other problems will definitely make sleep far worse such as an upsert stomach - which I currently have now...and I'll wake up panicking, heart palps etc. This seems to really push the anxiety buttons for me while I'm asleep.

Hope things ease off for you soon.

Scott :cool:

Joni,interesting you say that! I feel the very same way. I feel almost normal every night. I love walking the dog because it is in the dark...and I feel like nothing is wrong! It really feels great. I have said a number of times to my husband...I don't want to go to bed...I finally feel good!

Interesting.

Really?? That is interesting. I always pay for it in the morning because I feel better when I go to sleep early and wak up early but it sooo hard!

Well, haha, seems like everyone else has the opposite problem! I don't feel any dizziness while I'm up but when I lie down and close my eyes, I often feel a kind of floating sensation when I close my eyes and start relaxing. Well, that and the anxiety... I'm sure that'll go away too. Watching TV seems to help for now. To think I used to hate having the TV on at night, lol. How things change...


Charlotte:
You enjoy walking in the dark? I've been going for a walk every night but usually before sunset. Once it starts getting dark, it seems more difficult.


Scott:
Being woken up by a panic attack would scare the living daylights out of me. I wonder what happens that sets you off. Pretty bizarre. I haven't looked that much into anxiety disorders, but is that fairly common?

I really hope at least your stomach problems will go away soon. You don't need anything else to add to this mess. When it rains, it pours, and all that...

Sipa...yes, I actually enjoy walking in the dark. Everyone is different..for me, the dark is not a problem. Nights are best.

I know what you mean about nights, and laying down in general. Like Scott, my anxiety seems to go up when I try to lie down and settle down and go to sleep, especially if I am feeling poorly. It's really the pits. Now, when I am feeling ok, nights are fine (which goes without saying). But if I am feeling yucky, and try to lie down, I seem to feel worse.

In fact, I haven't been out at night for quite some time. I had a friend who invited me to go out to dinner with her and some friends and I actually told her that I don't go out at night anymore because I always feel so crummy around that time. How pathetic... This illness makes me feel 80 years old! :mad:

Are you still dealing with the seasick feeling, Missy? Or did the vertigo come back again?

And I'm with you on feeling like an old woman haha. I turn down going out at night quite a bit these days (and I'm not talking about night clubs, just to eat or a glass of wine or something). It sucks. But I know if I go, it's just miserable and not exactly fun for my friends either cause I just sit there and don't say anything. I try not to schedule anything for this time of month because I know chances are I'll be feeling horrible.

I'm not dealing with seasick right this minute - it kind of comes and goes in waves. Right now I have a headache, a bit of nausea, and I'm kind of just tired and out of it (even though I had 8 hours of sleep).

I tried going out with some friends for my birthday in July and I almost puked at the table. I totally started having an anxiety attack and I just kept spiraling downward as the minutes went by. After an hour, maybe even less, I told them I was sorry and had to go. It TOTALLY sucks.

I used to go out once a month with my husband - we would go to a movie and then to dinner afterwards. Haven't done that in a while either. I feel so rotten at night. I can't wait to just go to sleep and get the day over with. :(

Now mind you, last week I had a real good week and I should have taken advantage of that and tried to do our date night then. With this stupid illness you can't plan for things, it's like a last minute thing. Maybe next time when I am having a good streak and I will go out to dinner while I feel well enough. Again, pathetic...

I know exactly how you feel. A couple weeks ago was my S.O.'s birthday and of course I felt like all hell that day. I felt so bad that I couldn't really do much for him. It got a little better towards the evening (thanks to xanax, lol) so we did the eating thing with our friends as planned. But I was still feeling off and only half there (also thanks to xanax...).

It's things like this, the family things, vacations, etc., when this illness or whatever you want to call it, really brings me down and I hate it so so much.

I used to go out once a month with my husband - we would go to a movie and then to dinner afterwards. Haven't done that in a while either. I feel so rotten at night. I can't wait to just go to sleep and get the day over with.

We used to do the same thing! Go out a couple times a month, just us time. Now we haven't been out forever. Ugh.

It makes me wanna cry (and I HAVE done lots of that) when I think about missing out on vacations and fun times. The main thing that keeps me going is knowing that it won't last forever and that it's just temporary (albeit a LONG temporary). This illness (or whatever the heck it is) is completely the pits and it has really taught me to not take advantage of feeling good. If I feel good for a day, I learn to make the most out of it.

Yep, I finally understand when older people say you shouldn't take your health for granted and it's the most important thing you have.

I had no idea what I had till this came along.

Hi to all,, Yeah, all this night stuff is very interesting, and kinda funny and odd too, all in one. Once I'm laid down,(usually good or bad day) - if for going to sleep,the dark is fine,I guess as long as there is some kind of (real sound) I mean other than snores.lol. But I still can't seems to walk or move around well in the dark yet. I still really have a bad balance problem mostly in the dark (even on my real good days),my balance gets worse unless I can see something or some kind of light to help focus on. The digital clock kinda helps,,, except,,,the dim red light just lets me know where my dresser is,,, but it tends to bounce around (all in my head, cause that darn clock don't ever move! Unless I'm picking it up to dust around. For me, other than having to let go of a better,or,really good day, I've learned that nights can be good too, as long as I have my lil night-light on in the bathroom (shines under the closed door) and the floor fan is on. Then my next big fight is getting through the first 1-2 hours of the next morning.

Oh yea, I can't stand complete darkness. Have a nightlight in the bathroom and my alarm clock so there's always some light. That way if I start feeling the "moving," I can open my eyes and focus on something, and it goes away.

Walking in twilight makes me feel funny. It's a kind of weird feeling.


Pumama, when is your next Dr appt? It should be coming up pretty soon, right?

Hi all,
Hello Sipa,I just got good news Monday,(not about gico LOL),but on last week's MRI results.He said it looked good, we spoke a bit more and he wants an "update" on Friday of how this week has gone.I know he is waiting for a symptom free week,,, my fingers are crossed! Other than that my only next actual appt. is next Tues. with a Neuroligist. If things keep going as they are so far this week,,, I'm hopeful and thinking and if I dare, expecting to be back to work next Monday :D :D :) . How about you, are things going better for you today?

im with u there charlotte.night time is the best. I suddenly feel ok and come alive! odd hmmmmmm

Glad things are getting better for you, pumama! And I'm happy for you that he said the MRI is normal. That's one less worry!!

I've been doing pretty well despite that vertigo attack. Walked around the mall yesterday and I could still feel a little off-balance but no nausea and none of that crap so far. *crosses fingers* I'm still having trouble going to sleep. Took about 2 hours last night before I finally got so tired that I just drifted off. For some reason the anxiety still acts up when I lie down at night even though I barely feel anything during the day right now. Odd. :confused:

Thanks Sipa,, I have been trying to do little bits and pieces, and a little more each day,, ya know, as I can. I'm not quite ready to declare victory yet,as I'm still struggling with a lot of (what should be) real simple stuff. Like just bending to pick something up,(which I alsways consceiously practice safe lifting procedures) I'am my department's represenitive member of our Safety Commitee at work. But just bending to pick up, even just a paper towel-trash, then standing back up,,, whoa man, I still get the off balance thing. So I'am really trying hard to work on this (simple stuff).
Gee,, I wonder, does some of your "not being able to just fall asleep",do you think it's kinda like, you and your body are tired and ready to sleep,,, but like your brain just won't shut down?? Kinda like your brain keeps wanting to think or keep you thinking,,??? Sorry, I don't know exactly how to describe or explain or ask about it right. But that's what I use to go through most nights when I couldn't get to sleep. It was always like, I'd get into bed, ok , now it's time to go to sleep. I'd shut everything off,then lie down close my eyes and try to drift. But then,,(in my mind),, Oh did I close the potentiometer lock?? - Ofcourse I did,just before I locked my tool chest!,,, then,,, I don't think I signed my last chart report, did I ??? I'm sure I did, and who cares, if I missed it,I'll sign it tomorrow!,, then,, on and on, till I finally tell myself to shut up and go to sleep..Still had troubles,, but now, for me I put the fan on and that is a sound that somehow eases or sooths me. And better yet, makes it a lot harder to hear or listen to my brain when it isn't ready to shut down. LOLOLOL,hahaha that's funny,,(to me),,the fan drowns out my brain and wares it out while I fall asleep. I'm sorry,, but I just realized that sounds so funny.
Have you ever tried falling asleep just listening to a fan running??

Refresh my memory. Your GP gave you a preliminary BPPV diagnosis, right? He hasn't sent you to a specialist yet (other than the MRI and neuro appt), correct? Have you had the Epley done?

Have you tried doing any of the balance VRTs? Those might help a little, if only to make you feel more comfortable and confident.


I know what you mean when your brain just doesn't stop thinking even though you just want to sleep. That's not it. I think the reason I can't sleep is mostly the anxiety. When I close my eyes, I start feeling floaty sometimes, and when it's dark and quiet with nothing there to distract me, I start focusing on every little "off" thing and can't stop. It's miserable.

I've tried relaxation exercises, breathing, etc., but can't seem to snap out of it once it's started. Last night I took half a xanax before bed just to make sure I'd be able to get some sleep. But of course that's not something I want to make a habit out of. On the other hand, perhaps I should do that for a couple more nights to stop the assocation of bed/night = anxiety.

It sucks, lol. I LOVE sleeping. >.<

Ain't that the truth! I love sleeping too, and it is so frustrating when I can't. I have actually been sleeping really well lately, although I always wake up sometime between 2am - 3am and then my mind starts racing. I have to start humming (in my brain) to sort of get the message across to myself to stop thinking. I just envision a wall and hear the humming - that is all I will allow myself to think of/hear. I also have a sound maker that I have on all the time. It drowns out those little pops and clicks during the night, the heartbeat, the barking dogs, etc. I also leave the TV on, no volume, and turn down the brightness so it's like a very subtle nightlight.

I too take 1/2 ativan once in a great while if I have been just laying there for over 2 hours. I pretty much know I'm going to need some help if I can't get to sleep after that length of time. But I haven't needed to do that for over a month so yay! :)

[QUOTE=sipa;3241409]Refresh my memory. Your GP gave you a preliminary BPPV diagnosis, right? He hasn't sent you to a specialist yet (other than the MRI and neuro appt), correct? Have you had the Epley done?

Yes,your memory is serving you well. lol. No,I havn't seen any specialists yet, this Neuro next week will be the first.
As for your 2nd question.Right now I can't remember the actual differences between the Epley,,and the Hallpike,, except that one of them has more positions and takes longer,than the other one. See In 05,(Was my second attack, but the first time I went to see him for this) he did the maneuver where I laid back(real dizzy-seasick),then a couple secs. he turned my head to one side, WHAM! Everything was spinning!Then when that settled he turned my head to the other side, WHAM! Everything went spinning again, and I lost it (vomit-yuck).Told me I had BPV.But though the (spinning) soon went and stayed away,I was still seasick and dizzy,but that all went away a little more than a week later. Other than a Very Short spinning spell (Like a hit and run kinda of spin.) I have had this happen off and on,since 05,,but, each time "this" happens, I just sit for a bit and it is gone,and I don't have or get any other symptoms. This is very rare for me,I mean it dosn't happen very often,, and when it does, I'm now starting to think it may just be a lack of enough Sleep,, but it don't happen enough for me to really know. Also I havn't even really paid any (enough) attention to it, until now with This episode. But other than that, I've been fine,, right up till this attack.
This time, he did a different maneuver where he still did those head turns, but while holding my head in his hands while my head was kinda hanging off the end of the table, and kinda had me try to roll my body towards the wall. Then slowly sat me up for a couple secs. (Did Not Feel Good!) But as I got settled helped and had me scootch down the table,,then laid back down and he began to repeat the maneuver on the oposite side. Well,, this is prtty much what I remember, other than that it felt like it was never gonna end,, like I had been there doing this ALL DAY, and all the "spinning". But it really wasn't all day. Then after I settled,he told me I should go home and prop myself on a few pillows,have hubby get my scripts and try to sleep or atleast rest and stay down as much as poss. for atleast the weekend.
He said that the spinning should stop very soon with rest (he was right),,but he did also say that this wasn't going away just overnight,and that it could take from several days,or even weeks, "that it just has to run it's course."

I don't actually "get" hightened symptoms or anxiety at bed/night time. Like you do,, I hope yours eases up!

Maybe I need a soundmaker! It's really quiet here at night, that's why I've left the TV on (with sound!) the last few nights. I should probably just go the TV route till I'm over this one instead of taking xanax for the next few nights. Much better. It kinda sucks cause up till last weekend, I've been sleeping really well. Asleep in 5 mins or less, and no waking up or anything. Just really deep, peaceful sleep.


pumama -

In short, Hallpike is the one where you sit, turn your head to the right/left, then lie back quickly, then sit back up. Epley is the one where you turn your head to the side, lie back quickly, wait, turn head to other side, wait, roll over on shoulder, wait, sit up.

Hallpike is used as a test to see if you have BPPV and if so, which ear is affected. Epley treats it.

It sounds like that if you do have BPPV, he didn't clear it. The real spinning shouldn't be there anymore. I'm not sure I understand this, but did he do the maneuver for both ears? Seems kinda weird since you said it's just one ear, right? From what I've read, even if both ears are affected, one is treated first, then the other one, not at the same time. Did he repeat it at all or just one time?

And what did he say is supposed to take a while to go away? The spinning or the lingering symptoms, i.e. nausea, visual problems, off-balance feeling, etc.?

The soundmaker has become my saving grace. It is one of those things that has rain, forest, waterfall, yada yada (I always use rain - it's like a whitewash background staticky sound). I found that I cannot use the TV sound because it fluctuates too much - like if someone yells or something loud happens on the TV, it will cause me to stir and wake up. So that background, repeated whitewash noise works best. I even take it with me to hotels when we stay away from home. :)

Turned the TV on last night and the fluctuating sound did keep me up. >.< I probably should've turned it down to the point where I couldn't make out the actual words, just hear it as a background noise. But it was still an improvement; only took an hour or so to go to sleep.... lol *sigh*

I do have a fan on at night but that doesn't seem to be helping at all. It doesn't distract me enough when the anxiety kicks in.

Seriously, I'm SO sick of the anxiety part. Can't stand it. I've survived the last 9 months or however long it's been now, I'm pretty sure I'm not gonna fall over and die now. So what's the deal?! Grrrrrr

I am going to push the new doctor to do a whole checkup, though. It's been years. About time I got checked out top to bottom.

I know, I know, I know!!! The anxiety makes me so mad because it's me, myself and I fighting each other!! :mad: Arggggggggg!!!

All's I know is that the anxiety is definitely part of the vestibular funkiness because when I feel okay in that arena, my anxiety is gone. When I am feeling off, or whatever, headachy, nauseous, dizzy - then here comes the angst!! I constantly tell myself, "settle down, you're not going to die..." I even laugh at myself inside and picture myself running out of a store flailing my arms and screaming! For what reason?? What is there to be afraid about, ya geek!! :eek:

Yea seriously LOL

One night my S.O. put his hand on my neck as if to feel my pulse. Holy crap LOL. I was fine till then but boy did that freak me out. I was like, why is he checking??? Does it seem like there's something wrong with me? Does HE think I'm gonna die?!?!

I think I ended up taking xanax like an hour later cause there was no way in hell I was going to get to sleep otherwise.

I hate stores when I'm not feeling well. This summer it was all hot and humid and we went grocery shopping with my parents. I thought I was going to pass out and die right there. Had to leave the store and sit in the car for a bit till it passed. Somehow I have a hard time dealing with heat and especially humidity now. It makes things worse. Fortunately there isn't too much of that in Cali. Phew.

DEFINITELY! The heat is completely off limits now. This past summer when it was like 100 degrees in Orange County, we had a 3 day soccer tournament for one of my daughters and I ended up not attending specifically because of the heat. I never miss a soccer game, and especially not a soccer tournament. But because of this evil illness I stayed home like a wimp and didn't even go outside for the whole 3-day holiday weekend (stayed inside with air conditioner on).

The heat gives me instant anxiety - makes me so mad. And stores DURING the heat are the worst. In fact, I was in hell the other day when I went in for a teeth cleaning and I walked through the door and it was like a sauna because their air conditioning wasn't working. So I had to sit and get my teeth cleaned in the heat. I was so tense and right on the verge of a panic attack the whole time. I was clutching my ativan bottle but talked myself out of taking any.

Ugh, that sucks. I hate missing out on things like that. It feels horrible.

But yea, the stores that don't have a/c when it's hot outside are just awful. I can't even imagine getting anything done with my teeth while sitting in the heat. No clue how you got through that!!! :eek:

Maybe I need a soundmaker! It's really quiet here at night, that's why I've left the TV on (with sound!) the last few nights.

pumama -

Hallpike is used as a test to see if you have BPPV and if so, which ear is affected. Epley treats it.

It sounds like that if you do have BPPV, he didn't clear it. The real spinning shouldn't be there anymore. I'm not sure I understand this, but did he do the maneuver for both ears? Seems kinda weird since you said it's just one ear, right? From what I've read, even if both ears are affected, one is treated first, then the other one, not at the same time. Did he repeat it at all or just one time?

And what did he say is supposed to take a while to go away? The spinning or the lingering symptoms, i.e. nausea, visual problems, off-balance feeling, etc.?

Hi All,,, Sipa, I agree with your thinking on getting a sound maker,, some even have scent options. It sounds like Missy has a good on, where she can change to a different sound ! I had one (waterfall) a bunch of rocks piled up and water spouted up and over the rocks. It was real nice,, except,, well, I drink A Lot of Water, all day and as much as I can. Well, though the sound is very soothing, and it did help block my (non-stop working brain),, well seems I would still wake often through the night to, potty lol.

Also in trying to answer your other questions.He has never done any maneuvers where he ever had me lay down or get up fast,,also,never turned my head iether way fast.Also he would always pause and watch my responce, and wait for me to settle (I guess) before he began a next position. My balance problems started on my right side about 2 days before my full force attack.That's when I went totally limp to my right,everytime I tried to get up. That's what finally made me go in to see my Doctor,this time. The spinning was so bad,and I puked till all I had was dry heves.OMG and though no painfull gas, if I wasn't puking then I was burping or hick-ups. Anyways, he did one maneuver,, that seemed to go on and on and on and on and. He hasn't done anymore maneuvers since 8/31/07. Yes, the actual Spinning did stop, for the rest of that day and I think a couple of days. But then kinda came back just a couple of seconds on and off, when I first get up in the mornings, except I wasn't going limp anymore. Also although I was still dizzy and nasious (Seasick) practically most of the time,especially in-between med doses- Antivert, atleast the vomitting calmed down and became rare. But all the other symptoms,have still been right here with me all along.
But I've been getting better and even much better ! Infact, Today was my youngest daughter's 13th Birthday. Great Party ! Great party guests (all those sweet,pretty,, loud-pouty-spoiled&bratty-even highly dramatiic,, wonderful little party guests. 2 1/2 hours,, but I did great. I did hear one friend ask another best friend "Is Brandi's mom drunk? " Then I heard her explain that," No, she said she's just been sick forever".
I'am feeling so much better and seems a bit more each day,, all except my balance is still off. The nausious is not bad, little Pepto,it's good. And still get (left) ear popping. I Don't understand why ! I really don't !
Normal blood - normal MRI - No Head injury or trauma - got a Neuro appt;Tuesday, and 'am expecting him to tell me more about how common and normal I'am.
Nope,,,, no no:nono: nope, today was great! and the last few days been ,,so no,, I'm not gonna get on with downs. I'm 'am going to end this with that, and not get upset about the whys...

First of all, I'm glad you had a good time with your daughter and the party!! It sounds like you're improving a lot. That's awesome!


Regarding your tests... It seems like he just did the Epley with you. Though you say that he didn't lay you down fast? That's sort of a must. The turning the head afterwards can be done slowly but the initial laying down has to be done quickly. Either way, if you do have BPPV, he obviously didn't clear all the crystals and probably should've done it again or have you come in again.

But you're going back Tuesday. More checkups and finding out that there's really nothing wrong with you!! haha ;)


I've been doing quite a bit better. Have a nasty cold but that doesn't seem to be affecting my ear stuff at all. Had a huge fight with the husband last night and today which definitely stressed me out. Even though I'm feeling pretty ok right now, I can't seem to handle stress well at all anymore. I have to fight to not start bawling like a baby randomly and that's not so great when you're mad at someone!