vertigo assosiated with minor discomfort in left ear

[Mike576]

I just got over a cold a little over a week ago. I started jogging again in 50 degree weather.  I noticed very minor discomfort in my left ear, but only once in a while over the last 3 days. As i was waking up yesterday I was dizzy, the room was spinning. I sat up in bed and dizziness went away after a few seconds. I also had minor discomfort in my left ear.  It feels kind of full.  About 2 hours later, I bent down to put the cat down and the room started spinning again. I feel to the floor and once again the dizziness passed after a few seconds.  I went to the doctor and he said my ear canal was inflamed but not infected.  Also that this was related to my cold. He recommended Mucinex D which i have been taking for 24 hrs.  I still get dizzy from time to time mostly when lying down or if i turn my head fast.  I'm don't really have any sinus congestion or cough. Blood pressure was perfect at doctors and no fever.  i'm 5-9 200 pounds and when not sick jog 5 to 7 miles a day. I rarely drink alcohol.

[Nancy T]

P.S. If you described your dizziness and its TRIGGER to your doctor, and he didn't recognize this as potentially being BPPV, he needs to get up to speed! It is a common condition, especially in older people.

[Nancy T]

Your dizziness sounds classic for BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo). Lots of info on the Internet about this (google it). It's easily curable with some specific head maneuvers. See a physical therapist who deals with vertigo/balance disorders; they can fix it! Or you might be able to fix it yourself if you have no neck problems:

http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/bppv/bppv.html

Scroll down the page and look for "Home Epley manuevers." Do not try it yourself if you have neck problems.

The ear discomfort is probably just a leftover from your cold; see your doc if it doesn't improve. The BPPV is probably unrelated.