Severe dizziness and nausea when rolling during knee physio exercises

[Aquamarineteal]

For the past three months I have been doing physio exercises for a knee issue. They are definitely helping.

The first three exercises are all done lying down - I don't know the proper name for each exercise, but they are - lying on my back and arching my back, with my heels down, rather than my feet being flat on the floor x 10, lying on my left side and raising my right leg, with my foot tilted so that my heel is higher than my toes x 10, lying on my right side and raising my left leg, again with my foot tilted x 10.

On three occasions in the three months, when I rolled from left side to right, the world started spinning, I felt instantly nauseous, and I came out in a cold sweat. I staggered to the toilet to throw up, and I was clammy.

One minute I'm fine, then BAM! It then takes hours to stop feeling nauseous and dizzy. The rest of the day is a write-off.

The first time it happened I'd had a very busy day and the first opportunity to do the exercises came after dinner. I assumed the problem was that I'd done them too soon after eating. But that doesn't explain the next two times.

The third time was yesterday; I'm going to skip the exercises today because I have to catch up on work I didn't get done yesterday, and I'm still feeling a bit "off"

What might be causing this?

@Aquamarineteal could this explain what you're experiencing?

Go slower - and probably don't "arch" your back? I'm pretty sure thse exercises should be done with an aligned spine & neutral pelvis.

But I'd say it's the rolling from side to side & could be to do with your ears & balance system, not the exercises.

What is your general balance like? Can you stand on one leg for 30 seconds? Can you stand on one leg with both eyes closed for 15 seconds?

THANK YOU!

That sounds exactly like it!

It doesn't sound as though there would be any point in seeking treatment, because I've done the exercises dozens of time with no issue. The first time it happened was late December and the second was early February. Yesterday was the third time.

If I went for treatment the chances are that I would do the exercises with no dizziness whatsoever.

It says that people can "feel sick" but I actually am sick.

Thank you again, Arregaithel.

ParmaVioletTea, I'm doing the exercises recommended by my physiotherapist. They are working. They've made a big difference already. My left knee was sore when I went up and down stairs, but I didn't go for physio until my left knee started hurting when I was driving. I am back to driving pain-free, can go up and down short flights of steps without leaning on a bannister and I'm confident that if I keep up the physio then longer flights of stairs will stop being an issue, too.

I just wish I had gone for physio a year earlier, instead of thinking a bit of knee pain was normal at 60.

I can stand on one leg for 30 seconds, though I wobble a bit. I can't stand on one leg with my eyes closed at all - I maybe last 5 seconds.

Everyone wobbles! You have to keep your knees and ankles mobile and flexible and standing on one leg really helps. The closing your eyes one is very good for really working on your proprioception & balance systems - you might find it helps a bit with the dizziness

I was going to suggest some type of vertigo as well. It’s worth mentioning to your physio op as they should be able to suggest alternative exercises which are just as effective but with less rolling around.

Thanks, Hessian sack, I will mention it to the physio. I didn't tell him about the first two times, because the first time I thought it was due to exercising too quickly after eating, and I assumed there must have been a reason the second time. This is now the third time, so I will tell him.

It's annoying because I have been amazed and delighted by how successful the exercises have been. I feel about ten years younger going up and down stairs now.

I'm skipping the exercises today, as I still feel slightly nauseous and light headed.

I had this it was labrynthitis. The vomiting stopped after a few days unless I lay on my right side and rolled over. Cleared up in a few weeks

Many thanks, everyone. I've seen the physio and he has changed my exercises to standing up exercises.