PLEASE talk to me about vertigo

[dizzyaf]

I woke up a few weeks ago with the horrible feeling like I was falling into the bed. The whole world was spinning. It settled down and I was ok by the next day.

Last week I had another attack, and today yet another. Everything feels "swimmy".

I've done the Epstein manoeuvre, not sure if it really helps. Possibly a little.

It's really awful and I'm terrified this is going to be something I'm going to be affected by forever.

Do you have vertigo? Has it gone away?! HOW?! Was there any cause for it?

I've had it and it is a really scary condition.

The good news is that you can be prescribed medicine that will kick in pretty quickly and sort it out. I saw the nurse practitioner so I got seen very quickly.

Pop to the doctors tomorrow-don't forget that it's bank holiday weekend!!

Thanks - was yours a one off or more than once?

It's absolutely horrible, isn't it. Completely incapacitating, at its worst.

I had some repeat attacks after the first, in 2013. They seemed to come out of the blue, but a couple of times swimming on my back seemed to prompt it, so I never do that now.

I got used to sleeping with a walking stick beside my bed - even took one on holiday "just in case" the dreaded thing came on again.

I haven't had an attack now since 2015 (fingers crossed.) Nothing I did seemed to 'cure' it or even alleviate the symptoms, much. It just got better and went away.

You have my every sympathy as it is absolutely horrible while it's happening. But if the pattern I experienced is anything to go by, it WILL go away. You might not even get any more attacks; from what I've read that isn't inevitable.

I had a phase of it a few months back - came on suddenly, so bad I fell down the stairs when it happened. Then every morning it was awful. Medication sorted if and I’ve barely had it since (happens during sex sometimes though )

Poor you. I had this. First few times it was due to BPPV and Epley manoevre worked well. Then more recently after a lot of tests we realised was migraine/menopause related (got better with HRT). It is absolutely awful tho. But worth working out cause so u can get right treatment. Good luck !

@dizzyaf -my first bout was just as I was moving from one job to another, I was absolutely exhausted and woke up one day and everything was spinning.

Second bout was recently (15 years after the first!), not sure what brought it on this time but I got treatment quicker this time because I knew what it was.

Hi OP, I had this (BPPV) about a month ago now. A doctor will be able to diagnose you pretty easily (hall-pike manoeuvre) If it is BPPV try out the at home exercises, the epley manoeuvre is rather difficult alone! If you're feeling more dizziness on one side than the other that is v common as well. It took about three weeks for it to go for me, I've been told that it often reoccurs when you're run down and tired.

www.ncuh.nhs.uk/our-services/brandt-daroff-excercises-quick-guide.pdf

I totally sympathise OP, it's truly horrible.

I had previous short episodes, but my first proper full on one was back in November. Just like you describe, only I couldn't move my head without spinning or nearly falling over. GP prescribed stemetil and within 2 days I was able to return to work.

Tips I have learnt...turn over slowly in bed/when getting up. Kneel down when washing hair over the bath!

It took me nearly a month to stop getting short episodes and back to normality - since then I've had probably 2/3 small ones but not requiring meds.

Oh I forgot to say steam! This was recommended by my GP too and it really worked! I used a little bit of vicks with hot water and 10 mins steaming can help alleviate pressure in your ears!

Good luck op x

Thank you all for your advice and sympathy. I'm going to get to the doctors tomorrow morning and see if I can get something to help the sick feeling. Supposed to be taking DS away this weekend but really not feeling very up to it. Hoping it doesn't ruin bank holiday.