Dizziness

Wow! I was diagnosed with BPPV a few years ago by my wonderful PCP.

Never had anything like it before (I'm 66), but it came on as if I'd had too much to drink (which I hadn't had ANYTHING to drink or otherwise! 🙂 ) - but the bed was spinning when I laid down to try to compose myself. As I recall it lasted a day or so until I could see my doctor (pre-COVID), who performed what is called the "Epley Maneuver".

Inner ear fluid gets into an inner ear chamber (in the wrong place) somehow, and dizziness, spinning ensues. Wow! He did the Epley Maneuver in the office, I felt better, and he told me what I could do at home for a few days to manage it. (Basically, it's lying on your back, turning to one side of your head - which one is related to the side the fluid is on - and holding it there for 30 sec as I recall.)

Very simple maneuver, but do follow a Dr's instructions and/or look up BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) on the Mayo site here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vertigo/symptoms-causes/syc-20370055.

The Epley Maneuver is also described here: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17930-canalith-repositioning-procedure-crp

Mayo Clinic folks/mentors may be able to direct you more specifically to the Mayo Clinic resources, site & info available.

It was about 3 - 5 years ago, and it hasn't returned to my knowledge since that episode (at least not in the form of the room spinning, a most disorienting sensation!)

Best wishes.

I am 83, & of late having some sort of dizziness whenever I start walking after sitting for quite some time. The feeling remains while you keep a slow pace, & surprisingly goes away on speeding up the pace. I am yet to find out the actual reason. My BP is normal.
Glad if some one could throw some light.

Hi @kaivaram, you'll notice that we removed your email address. Connect is a public forum. We recommend sharing personal contact information using the secure private message function.

While you wait for others to share their experience on dizziness, I thought I would share this article with you that might be helpful.
-- 10 Surprising Facts About Dizziness and Vertigo:
https://www.everydayhealth.com/news/10-surprising-facts-about-dizziness-vertigo/

You mentioned your blood pressure is normal. Orthostatic hypotension can also cause dizziness and sounds similar to your symptoms. Here's some information from Mayo Clinic:

"Orthostatic hypotension — also called postural hypotension — is a form of low blood pressure that happens when standing after sitting or lying down. Orthostatic hypotension can cause dizziness or lightheadedness and possibly fainting. Orthostatic hypotension can be mild."
-- Orthostatic hypotension (postural hypotension):
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/orthostatic-hypotension/symptoms-causes/syc-20352548

Have you discussed the dizziness with your doctor?

I am still having the same issues with no answers. A few days ago I was at my desk and started to feel the dizziness. The next thing I remember is the ambulance was here and I spent one night in the hospital. They did a number of tests and the only thing was I was probably dehydrated. My cardiologist wants me to wear a heart monitor for 30 days which I start in the next few days. I do need to drink more fluids but I don't think this is the major problem. Maybe the heart monitor will provide some answers.

This is a very familiar statement to me: I am 83 yrs old, started dizziness about 2 years ago; about the same time I was diagnosed with Polycythemia Vera; I have not undergone the tests that you mention but my symptoms sound exactly like yours. The quandary of dizziness is this: almost all medications have a potential side effect of causing dizziness; PV disease has a symptom of dizziness; inner ear problems can cause dizziness; eyesight can have an effect on dizziness; circulation problems can affect dizziness; the medical field obviously has no known way of detecting what is causing dizziness; I have learned to live with mine, but, I am a reluctant patient; I do not wish to spend my final time that I have left sitting in Dr.'s offices or constantly undergoing tests of one sort of the other.
My only suggestion would be a process of elimination, keeping notes of when, how severe or persistent the dizziness is, what you have eaten, what you were doing, how strenuous is/was your activity, particular stress situations, etc.
I have tried that, to some degree, but I must admit it has provided or proved nothing. It just is.
I wish you success and patience and if nothing seems to work; acceptance
Rosalie

Bravo. I have reached this point myself. Fortunately, I have been able to learn to live with it, trying not to let it be demotivating. It is worthwhile to change some medications. Thanks for your well written response, Cybele

Thank you for the comment; it let's me know that I am not alone in my thinking; dizziness is definitely a challenge, but it can be managed, at least in the point of view of you and me. My mother also experienced dizziness at a much younger age than I. There was never any indication of what caused it, but medical personnel suspected inner ear problems, though never proven.
Good Luck to you.
P.S. an interesting tidbit: I can dance, by myself, to music and do very well, more of an exercise/dance around in my room; but while I do this, I feel no dizziness. Very odd; but my perception is that it is similar to one who stutters but can sing with no stutter; I surmise that it must be a brain/rhythm phenomenon .

I, too, get BPPV, and when I do, I’m off to PT. I’m 74, and had therapy this week for the first time in several years.

Please schedule an appt with vestibular therapy, and be evaluated. It is quick, cheap, and solvable. If it isn’t the problem, they will know without extensive testing.

I started having dizzy spells in 2000 and after many test I was diagnosed with Ménière's disease, I had Endolymphatic Sac-Mastoid Shunt Surgery and still I didn’t have any relief, later I was diagnosed with complex migraine disease, I was diagnosed a vestibular nerve problem, I have lived with horrible dizziness since 23 years and still no relief, I went on a cruise in November and after being on the ship for 6 days when I arrived home, I had intense vertigo for 5 weeks were I could not walk straight and could not drive, I have had to take steroids for so many years now I am over weight, I have chest pain and double vision I am so tired of this

This is my personal opinion. The cause of dizziness when starting to walk seems to be a drop in BP due to different reasons. However, the extent of the problem can be reduced by larger spacing of the feet while walking that inevitably takes place in fast walk. Balancing exercises are also helpful.