Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: What has helped you?

Hello @larryg333 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I understand you believe you may have BPPV and would like to connect with others who may be able to provide you some information from their own experiences.

Members such as @sueinmn and @hopeful33250 have BPPV and may be able to offer some support and suggestions.

Have you been seen for this or are you trying to identify if you should be?

Hi Larry - the problem you describe does sound like BPPV. I have had it for many years, and regularly use the Epley maneuver to get over (or sometimes prevent) a spell of vertigo. It is very helpful to watch a you Tube or have a therapist guide you through the maneuver a few times to make sure you have it right.
When I get an episode, or feel one coming, I immediately do the Epley, then repeat it ay bedtime and in the morning for 2 days after dizziness is gone. If the Epley maneuver doesn't help, you may need to see an ENT for further diagnosis.
Letus know if it helps.
Sue

Hello @larryg333. I'd like to add my welcome to you. I'm glad that you posted about a possible BPPV diagnosis. I would encourage you, however, to seek the help of an ENT doctor and have the appropriate tests to rule out anything, more serious, that might be causing these symptoms. It is always better to make sure that there are no other problems that might be taken care of with additional exams, such as an MRI of the brain as well as some vestibular tests.

My symptoms are similar to yours. I do have problems with balance and dizziness when I spend time looking up and down. For example, I was helping a friend hang some pictures in a new home and I spent about an hour gazing up and down as we were working. The next morning I woke up with nausea and a spinning sensation. You do not mention any nausea with these symptoms. Have you had nausea as well?

If you seek the advice of an ENT doctor and all other problems are ruled out, I suggest that you ask about the possibility of vestibular therapy. You will be taught the Epley maneuver that Sue, @sueinmn, mentioned above. There are other exercises that can also be quite helpful. Here are some examples:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL7TBP8fBtg and

HI, Amanda. Thanks for the quick response.

I've not reported this recent prob to any professional. I did consult with a neurologist earlier this year for trigeminal neuralgia, which I've had for over 20 years (always been very mild, with short-lived episodes... but this year, it was relentless). Had a brain scan done with special emphasis on the trigeminal branch... all was normal. The TN dissipated shortly thereafter, and has not returned... so far.

If the Epley or other similar manuevers are advised, I'd like to go forward and give them a try.

Thank you, Sue. Will likely follow through.

Hi, Teresa. And thank you for the vids.

Have not experienced any nausea or vomiting... in fact, now that I've been through a few of the spells, I kind of enjoy them, when I'm in bed and know that I'm safe. Is that a weird reaction??? ;>)

While in bed, I've noticed the spinning is more intense when I turn from left to right, and less so when going the other way. So I guess I'll have to do the maneuvers for both sides. Is it common to have the prob bilaterally? Thinking my strategy should be to solve the left to right first, and only after that's been corrected for a period of time, to then move on to the less severe right to left. Wanna make sure that fixing one side will not mess up the other. Ideas?

Have no clue what could have caused the crystal to jump into a canal it doesn't belong in. Can't imagine anything I've done -- even inadvertently -- to have messed up my ear anatomy. Baffling!

BTW, I have no issues while jogging, walking, doing resistance training, driving, sitting, etc. Very fit / active for my age (72), get regular medical check-ups / vaccinations / diagnostics, with excellent blood chemistry, diet, BMI... only diagnosis is mild afib (followed regularly by an EP). No mention of BPPV in my family history. I'm a retired RN.

@larryg333-Hi. I’m curious if you were ever officially diagnosed with TN? Reason I ask is the Trigeminal nerve is involved in so many different things. Many people with migraine like headaches will present with some type of trigeminal irritation. Trigeminal irritation is triggered during stressful times. Trigeminal irritation can also lead to Vertigo .Many people think it is all inner ear related with the crystals, however that Trigeminal nerve runs right through the ear canal. The trigeminal nerve is the only nerve in the body that has proprioceptive (tells the body where it is at with space and balance). The Epley manouver doesn’t not work when it is purely Trigeminal nerve related. ENTs are surgeons first and foremost, A neurologist is best equipt to explain to you Trigeminal nerve and vertigo and how it happens.

Tootsbury......l believe that is my name for this Site.....I have been a member for about a year but never sent a message. BUT finally my Catagory Has Come Up. I'll try to be Short....about 5 years ago (now 85) I started getting strange feelings on top of my head, it progressed to slight dizziness...Dr had no "clue". Had MRI ...Normal....dizziness Increased....year later another MRI...Normal....no Neurologist where I lived so moved to larger City different Province in Canada. Saw Neurologist,another MRI..normal!!! Dizziness now sometimes Extreme ....All SENSATIONS NOW ON RIGHT SIDE of Head Now Pain Extends down side of head to right Ear and Jaw.......Neurologist Gave me Prednisone...woke up @ 3 am with EXTREME Pain from Top of Head to right foot....now take no meds....HELP NEEDED

@tootstilbury-Hi. Many people go to the Neurologist first for head/pain sensations and dizziness. I’m sure they performed the standard protocol of MRI. What they don’t often explain to patients is that the brain itself does not feel pain. The brain registers a pain signal from nerve/muscle inflammation and sends you the message.
Neck muscle tightness, neck rigidity, jaw tightness can all be felt on the top of head. Where you feel the pain is often not where it is coming from. Neck/spine can refer pain to many different areas in the head. I would recommend working with a physical therapist. Someone to assess your range of motion and provide you with stretching/strengthening exercises. Just a suggestion, but also talking to the specialists to assess over all health is best.

Thank you for the info, NRD1.

Some comments:

Although I've had fairly obvious TN symptoms for over 20 years, I never obtained an official diagnosis. Luckily, my symptoms have been mild, and very sporadic through the years. The acute times I've gotten the electrical sensations (mostly lower left cheek near my lips) while eating, washing my face, sometimes just talking or opening my mouth, or even if the wind would hit my face just right -- I'd handle it the best I could, and in a day or two all would be back to normal. During my early experience with TN, I had my regular dentist (in PA) check my teeth and gums -- because the pain sometimes seemed to come from my gum line; but all was normal.

Earlier this year, the above long-term pattern drastically changed. The sensitivity lasted through most of the day and remained for over a month. Just so happened that my six-month dental cleaning was scheduled during this time, and I reported it to my regular dentist (in FL)… again all was fine. That's when I obtained an appointment with a neuro.

Based on my history and symptoms, he concluded it was TN, and ordered a head scan with special emphasis on the trigeminal branches. That was normal, as well. Since I didn't wanna take the usual TN or pain meds (as an RN, I'm aware of the probs with them), he ordered lido patches and CBD oil. At this point, and before beginning treatment, I could sense that the symptoms were already starting to dissipate. Within a week, the symptoms were gone. IMHO, the lido and the CBD were not the reason for the improvement... my gut feeling was that the TN had just "run its course." All has been fine for the last six months or so.

I've never suffered from migraines. And while working as an attorney for 25 years, I experienced stress. That didn't seem to impact the TN at all. Nor have I experienced vertigo through the years.