How long does this BPPV last?
A lot of that depends on if you have treatment or not.
I think it varies but with me, and I only get it spasmodically, after the initial dizziness it stays with me a few weeks but lessens daily, I generally have trouble when I bend and when I look up.
The "official" time is maximum two months but the first time I had it, about 20 years ago, it lasted at least a year. This time round - starting at the beginning of this year - I managed to get myself referred to a vestibular physiotherapist after about nine weeks, and he completely cured it in a 20-minute session by doing the Epley manoevre. I felt better immediately. That was five weeks ago and I'm still fine now.
Try and get yourself referred to the appropriate specialist. Some ENT doctors know how to handle it but in general they don't get a very good press on these boards. I think a specialist physiotherapist (physical therapist in the US) is usually the best bet.
It's terrifying
Really?
Oh thank you
I was given meclizine and I feel like a zombie.
I know, but it will eventually fade, even without treatment. If you can find the right person to treat you it will clear up immediately. The Epley manoeuvre may leave you with a mild headache for a few weeks, but that's nothing in comparison with the horrors of vertigo.
Thank you so so much!
That's very old-fashioned, and completely ineffective for BPPV (if that's what it is). However, you have to be sure it really is BPPV. An experienced practitioner - of whatever discipline - will be able to diagnose BPPV or differentiate it from other conditions in a couple of minutes.
You can also do it yourself, by doing the Dix-Hallpike test at home. Take the pillows off your bed, sit up on your bed with your legs straight out in front of you, turn your head to one side and tilt it backwards. Then throw yourself down on your back quickly (making sure you're not going to hit your head on the head of the bed or the wall of course!) Try it on both sides. If doing this with your head tilted to one side induces spinning and a feeling of falling, then that's the ear that's affected by BPPV. If it doesn't make any difference on either side, you don't have BPPV.
There are many other causes of vertigo and if it's not BPPV you need to be investigated, preferably by a neurotologist. Don't let your doctor fob you off with medication without further investigation.
Omg Lily
I did it and now I'm swirling
Only the tight side induced it.
If the diagnosis is correct, and the correct repositioning maneuver is performed, it is cured immediately.
Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN
Clinical Neurophysiologist
Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology
are you able to recommend anyone in SYdney Australia or southern New SOuth Wales?
PROFESSOR GABOR MICHAEL HALMAGYI
BSC, MBBS, MD
Position: Clinical Professor
Postal Address:
C39 – Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
The University of Sydney
NSW 2006 Australia
Eye and Ear Research Unit
Neurology Department
RPA Hospital, Camperdown
NSW 2050
Sydney, Australia.
Hi Irisheyes,
Well done you! Sounds like right-sided BPPV - though the actual spinning should only last a few seconds, max. 30, if it really is BPPV. It will then be repeated for another few seconds, usually in a lesser version, when you sit up again. This manoeuvre may well make you feel queasy and unsteady for a couple of minutes afterwards, but if the violent spinning/falling sensation continues for more than a few seconds it may be that you have something other than BPPV. Either way, you need a proper diagnosis, not a prescription from your GP!
Next step now is to get a referral to someone competent to confirm the diagnosis then proceed to the Epley manoeuvre if it's positive. I'm not sure where you are in the world. Eleftherios has given you a contact in Oz but I think he may have intended that for Valda.
If it's not you who's in Sidney - and especially if you're in the UK or Ireland where I know waiting lists are horrendous - I'd honestly advise investing in a one-off private consultation with a physiotherapist specialising in vestibular and balance problems, if you can find one. Someone like this would get the Epley right first time round, and most sufferers are right as rain as soon as it's done, give or take a mild headache and possibly a slight "drunken" feeling.
Does anyone get seasonal BPPV? I get it in Sept/Oct and again in about March/April. It lasts about 2-3 weeks. Kinda makes me think it could be something to do with allergies
When you say that it lasts 2-3 weeks, do you mean that vertigo onset is dependent on head movements during this time period, or do you have continuous spontaneous vertigo?
Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN
Clinical Neurophysiologist
Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology
Hello there,
The vertigo happens when I roll to my right side in bed or when I am sitting up from bed.. I do not have continous vertigo.
Just seems weird that it happens in spring and fall.
I have been taking serc this time. The vertigo has now stopped, but lasted 3 weeks. Not sure whether it has stopped on it's own or the Serc has helped it
Thank you for your reply
My 2 bouts lasted 3 weeks also.
They happened when rolling over in bed or head movement in bed. They were terrible,
I vomited a few times. It's been 2 weeks now with none no matter if I move my head or not. My eyes felt like they were rolling in my head.
Good luck to you glad the meds helped
Hi there,
Do you get it seasonally? And do you do the epley maneauver to alliaviate the vertigo?
There is a viral theory circulating that directly or indirectly assists the appearance of BBPV, which may explain the seasonal variation.
Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN
Clinical Neurophysiologist
Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology