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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Head spins in waves, not bppv
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Head spins in waves, not bppv
by sueo, Sep 23, 2006 12:00AM
10 months ago, my head was spinning so bad, thought I was dying, ended up in er. Gave me perscription dramimine. Went away after about a week. Came back 6 months later, not as severe, mostly upon waking and bending, lasted about a week or two and went away. Now back again. When I get up suddenly or move my head quickly, the inside of my head feels like it's spinning. I close my eyes and hold still till it passes. went to ent. tested and negative for bppv which he thought it was. gave me rx dramimine. They don't help. said next step would be neurologist, I guess. The sensation is very severe when it happens but passes. Why would it come and go in time periods. What test should I have done. I don't have money to waste on doctors and tests that don't tell me what's wrong.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-SH, Sep 28, 2006 12:00AM
First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.
The symptoms you describe are most consistent with vertigo arising from the inner ear. As we age particles can break off in the ear and cause the sensation that you are moving but you are not. I do not know what test your ENT did to evaluate for benign positional paroxysmal vertigo, but this syndrome can be hard to diagnose at times, and it sometimes does not respond to dramimine. I would recommend an electro-nystagnogram (ENG) to test the response of your vestibular system by looking at your eyes. I would also recommend trying other medications, such as valium to see if it is helpful.
Rarely, Seizures or brainstem strokes can present with the symptoms you describe. I think this is less likey in your case since your symptoms seem to be positional (comes and goes with movement). However, I would recommend an MRI of your brain and EEG to evaluate for these possibilities.
I hope this has been helpful
The symptoms you describe are most consistent with vertigo arising from the inner ear. As we age particles can break off in the ear and cause the sensation that you are moving but you are not. I do not know what test your ENT did to evaluate for benign positional paroxysmal vertigo, but this syndrome can be hard to diagnose at times, and it sometimes does not respond to dramimine. I would recommend an electro-nystagnogram (ENG) to test the response of your vestibular system by looking at your eyes. I would also recommend trying other medications, such as valium to see if it is helpful.
Rarely, Seizures or brainstem strokes can present with the symptoms you describe. I think this is less likey in your case since your symptoms seem to be positional (comes and goes with movement). However, I would recommend an MRI of your brain and EEG to evaluate for these possibilities.
I hope this has been helpful
Sorry for your problem.
I was reading your thread and an inner ear problem popped up in my mind. Have you checked it?
Altough they say it occurs more often in old people, it can occurs in youger people too, and I'd a friend that had it.
Just a shot!
Good luck,
My bad.