BPPVertigo or push for diagnosis of Ménière's disease?

[AxeCapital]

Will try to be brief.

I have had vertigo episodes on and off for around 4 years. Sometimes months without anything and then it’d hit me like a bus and I’d have to rest for 2-5 days.

Last 3 times have been this year, with 2 ‘episodes’ in the last 3 weeks.

Have had eply manoeuvre twice (performed by GP) and it has stopped it, but after the last manoeuvre, it’s come back again within 3 weeks.

This time it’s with a bad nausea feeling as well as some sickness over an 8 hour period.

Had a GP appointment today via video call as I felt so awful. They suggested it could be labyrinthitis.

Previously, another GP said it could be Ménière's disease but she would need to refer me to an ENT consultant, so said to see how I go on (after Eply manoeuvre)

I feel like shit today.

Dizzy, muffled hearing, tinnitus comes and goes in right ear (was left ear 4 weeks ago), nausea and generally feel like I’ve drank 2 bottles of wine.

A friend suggested I push for an investigation into Ménière's disease but I don’t want to put added pressure on the NHS during Covid etc if this is just BPPV and it could go away for another 6 months.

Anyone have any experience of a mixed diagnosis? I know all 3 things (BPPV, labyrinthitis and Ménière's disease all carry similar symptoms and all more or less can’t be treated, so I’m fucked regardless )

(NB. Long time MNer, changed username for obvious reasons and I’m binge watching Billions )

Go for tinitus as imo and I've had it they will do a chat, phyical check, hearing checks all takes time, they told me i am ok then sent me for a brain scan, so imo they look at everything. I may be wrong and someone else could correct me.

Thanks @MG2020
I felt GP was more than happy to refer when we spoke 3-4 weeks ago, but said Covid could delay things.

Not had tinnitus since my post, it’s very hit and miss!

OP - remember the S in NHS stands for service. They exist for you to use when you are in need, which you clearly are.

ENT doctors aren’t going to be looking after COVID patients in ICU so let them look after you. You probably don’t have MD - it’s rare - and hopefully once they work out what is causing your symptoms they can alleviate them.

Best of luck.

Hi OP, sometimes it can take a few goes with the eply to shift all of the crystals. If you have had a particularly bad episode then vestibular rehabilitation may help. You could try the nhs but it tends to be more specialised physios (mostly private in my experience) who offer it. They can teach you how to do a basic version of the eply on yourself. You have my sympathies, my last bout was quite nasty and it took me 4/5 months to fully recover my gaze and balance after. As far as a diagnosis goes, the consultant who cared for me explained that there are a number of similar conditions and the diagnosis will depend on the number and severity of the attacks you have had. You can PM me if you want to chat, take care 🌺🌺🌺

@ShulaArcher thank you for your kind words. I need reminding occasionally.

@noodledoodler really useful post, thank you. I’ll look into vestibular rehab. I’ll drop you a PM in case you’re in my area.

My DH wanted to do the Eply again yesterday but I said no because I don’t know if he’s doing it correctly.

Woke up this morning the same a nausea, dizzy, hit by a bus!

*the same AS yesterday

Hi @AxeCapital. First of all, you have my sympathies.

When you say ‘vertigo’ do you mean you or the room seems to be spinning or a more general dizziness? I was struck by the fact that you mentioned you feel drunk. I feel the same and have just been diagnosed with PPPD. (Although I do not have all the other symptoms you mention).

Whatever it is, I would push for a referral to a vestibular expert (who would be part of ENT) or balance clinic. These people know about all the conditions you mentioned and PPPD. Be warned, even without Covid, the wait will be many months.

I was first referred to an ENT surgeon and he was no help whatsoever.

My GP (who is really good) had never heard of PPPD.

If you are in the London area, I can give you the name of my consultant and your GPcan refer you.

@dizzydizzydizzy really interesting. I hadn’t heard of PPPD. A quick read up implies it’s more when up right? One of the specific things of my previous ‘vertigo’ was when I lay horizontal. It is only this time around I feel more ‘off’ when standing.

I need to look into a Vestibular expert (hadn’t even heard of that term before this thread )

Thank you again. Really useful information.

I had a few bouts of BPPV following a dental implant (my theory all the drilling in my jaw dislodged the crystals). DH successfully did the Eply manouver on me using YouTube instructions, it took a couple of goes. Not sure you'd do any harm if not doing it quite right so worth a go but I can understand the caution as its such a miserable condition.

is a good guide to doing the epley at home. There are others on YouTube where you can use a pillow under your shoulders if you don't want your neck over the edge of bed.

Also, your vertigo could be caused by a neck problem so an experienced physiotherapist could be of help.

And your GP can prescribe a medication (think it begins with S ) to help with the wretched nausea.

Lots of help out there so don't despair, OP.

Thanks @Wbeezer

@ShulaArcher thank you, that’s the video DH watched on Saturday. I’m going to get him to do it again tonight as still feel rough today.

I’ve got Stemetil (prochlorperazine maleate) but haven’t eased much. I’ve took 2 at lunch time instead of my normal.

Interesting it could be related to a neck problem as I have a bad neck at the moment (always had on/off for years but it has been bad for a month). Need to look into that.

I've had this and have found that the Brandt-Daroff exercises work better (on me at least) than the Epley manoeuvre.
I do the B-D exercises as soon as the feeling starts & do them for up to a fortnight.
Plus there's a lady on YouTube - AskDrJo - who has some good videos.
Both Dr Jo & the Brandt-Daroff exercises were recommended by my GP.
BPPV - nothing benign about it...