Long Term Dizziness after BPPV

[cpyles]

I have experienced chronic dizziness for 2 years after having BPPV. The severity varies from day-to-day, but on bad days I feel lightheaded, easily get dizzy, will have mild visual disturbances [e.g. when staring a striped object I will see the stripes vibrate], and am very senstive to rapid head movements particularly in the dark. I am posting in hopes that someone else may have had a similar experiences and can share their diagnoses or successes.

History
37yoM.  Two yrs ago I had sudden attack of BPPV. After 6 weeks untreated it was diagnosed as both posterior and horizontal canal bppv and sucessfully treated at UCSF. Post treatment I have not had any nystagmus or "spinning attacks"

Post treament I was given vestibular rehab exercises which i did religiously for 45 min/ day for 6 mos. This helped but did not stop the symptoms.  I added daily Yoga and got significant relief but still no resolution

In the past yr I've seen two oto-neurologists.  Who were both stumped. MRI and MRA were normal.  One suspected some residual loose otoliths and prescribed epleys for two weeks. This didn't help. The second suspected migraine associated vertigo, since I usually have headaches that come w/dizzy attacks [though I think these are CAUSED by the dizziness].He put me on nortryptiline 25mg/day. After about 1month I did seem to improve, but after few weeks the same symptoms returned.  I am now upping the dose to see if that helps but I feel that I am barking up the wrong tree and the migraine assocation might be a red herring

Appreciate hearing from others

[Normison]

My symptoms virtually duplicate your's.  Has all resolved since?  

Norm

[sctgal]

I had a sudden attack of vertigo in February while lying in a tanning bed, I turned my head to the side and felt like I was being spun off the earth.  I ended up falling to the floor when I stood up suddenly (drop attack) and found the spiining stopped within a minute or so.  After a few more attacks and drop attacks (drop attacks always occurring when laying down and turning head to side) I finally got a diagnosis of BPPV.  Had an epley meneuver performed, it was terrifying the spinning was so severe but it worked in that I have not had a violent episode of vertigo since.  However, I now find it extremely difficult to function because I am so off balanced.  I can't seem to walk a straight line, often feel as if I am going to faint while walking, have vision disturbances, again mostly when walking, standing still is also a problem, need to hold onto something.  Find it difficult it sit in a high chair, barstools etc., have to have my feet on the floor.  I am getting to the point where I have greatly reduced my activities.  I dread the grocery store, parties even going to the beach because the walk to and from the car is often difficult.  Most of the time my head feels large and congested and I often experience facial numbness.  I feel extremely weak, my legs feel weak and shaky, I am tired all the time.

The anxiety all of this has caused is unbelievable!!  and now I find I am starting to get depressed because my activities are so limited.  

Please share your stories and let me know if you found help for this.

[wobblyMA]

Similar situation here, but I am in my 50's.  Last week, I had 6 progressively more intense BPPV events (room-spinning, nausea, dry mouth, dilated pupils, cold sweats) over a 6-hour period, unnerving to say the least.  I was taken  to a doctor who immediately diagnosed this as BPPV (no other symptoms, all other things okay) and prescribed an OTC medication (Bonine aka meclizine), which reduces the dizziness, but does not really treat the cause of BPPV.  I was waking up, turning my head to one side, when the first event cycle occurred.  I used the medication for 2 1/2 days and did limited Epley maneuver exercises a handful of times over next five days.  I have not had a repeat of room-spinning event, but after 5 days I still have occasional unsteadiness, somewhat dilated pupils (sun sensitivity), and front of head type of low-level, but constant, headache and worse than usual tinnutis.  Are these just slow to abate side effects of the initial BPPV?

[ski01]

I have dealt with BPPV for almost 4 years.  I am still getting attacks every 4 months or so and now have residual dizziness that has lasted for almost a week.  Epley was done in the beginning and I have not gone back for more because it didn't seem effective.  Now I am wondering about going back for more treatment as I seem to be in a constant state of dizziness. Has anyone had complete resolution to this problem?

[Hillswick]

I have the same symptoms. My Primary "Kaiser" Dr. didn't do a blood test or ref to ENT, or Neurology.  He tried to lay me back on the table to replicate the dizziness to "fix" me.  The room did not spin at that moment for his test and ref'd me straight to Psyc.  I am very dissappointed and VERY frustrated. I am online to figure this out on my own.  I don't feel this is a Psycological issue.  Something has happened. I think I may have had BPPV, and has turned to these longer episodes since having H1N1. I have the vertigo, but also lightheadedness.  Sometimes turns to panic attack when I am somewhere alone with my very young children. Do you have an update on what has happened to you in the last year.  Please tell me something has made you better!!

[shamesly]

Hi everyone. I've just been reading through all your stories as I feel I need some support with the same condition. I've had dizzy attacks for about 3-4 years now and nothings been done. My doc always says it's viral. I've never had a hall pike manuveour done, but did once try the epley. Didn't help. I don't know what else to do, as at the moment I can't even move around my flat. I have a fear of doing anything at the moment & feel like I get on with normal life. Nearly passed out at work the other day. My family are sympathetic but don't understand, my doctor is giving me nothing? Is there anything you guys have tryed that has worked? I'm only 22, thanks