Help for Vertigo

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Tue May 13, 2014 7:06 am

Hi Good Buddies,

Over recent years I have noticed some problems with balance, but I had never had frank vertigo.....until last Sat..... I woke up dizzy - the kind of dizziness where your surroundings move when you move your head quickly, you are significantly off-balance, and you feel queasy/nauseous at times. Definitely not a fun feeling.

I self-treated using the "Epley" exercise that I found online. After 2 times, I was perfectly normal. I couldn't believe it! If the vertigo is due to "crystals" in the inner ear, then this treatment is very effective. Of course, this may not work for all types of vertigo, but it can be tried first, since it appears safe and does not require a trip to the doc, medication, or any expensive tests. I knew about these exercises from a friend who used them for her vertigo.

When the vertigo hit, I was sure I would not be able to celebrate Mother's Day the next day - no way I could have gone to a ball game and then to dinner with hubby and son the way I was feeling. You can imagine my surprise and delight when I was able to!

Polly

Post by **tex** » Tue May 13, 2014 9:10 am

Hi Polly,

That's impressive. I definitely want to remember that in case I ever need it.

Thanks for sharing.

Love,
Tex

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Tue May 13, 2014 9:27 am

I need to make a note of that exercise. Many years ago, I struggled with 4 months of non-stop vertigo. Saw a neurologist who did an MRI, found nothing, and declared I had migraine-associated phenomena, even though I didn't suffer from migraines.

The vertigo eventually resolved on it's own, but those months were pure torture. In retrospect, I imagine acupuncture might have helped too.

Deb · Post by **Deb** » Tue May 13, 2014 5:59 pm

Polly, I also had a period of intense vertigo. Mine was worst while lying in bed. The exercises helped some but treating my thyroid seemed to help the most. Deb

Pat · Post by **Pat** » Tue May 13, 2014 6:41 pm

OMG! This just happened to me too! I woke up in the middle of the night a couple of nights ago and BAM! Dizzy! I have had this before many years ago and stumbled on these exercises. They worked! This time I have been doing them but it has not completely gone away so far. I wonder if my still low thyroid issues are contributing?

Pat

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Wed May 14, 2014 5:34 am

Morning Polly,

I have been dealing with vertigo for a few years now - it all started with Entocort but that might have just been coincidence. I use the exercise and it works quite well for me.

Love, Maggie

garina · Post by **garina** » Wed May 14, 2014 5:50 pm

Polly,

Sorry, you had to go through horrible vertigo and room spinning.

I have had vertigo (BPPV) throughout the years, and going gluten free, surprisingly, has given me some relief, but I would be grateful if you could post your site where one can do the Epley alone at home with success. Sounds like it really works well. There seems to be a few variations, and I was always afraid to try for fear of making it worse.

The ear specialist always told me to come in and he would do it there in the office. Mostly, I just wait it out. Usually, it lasts three or four days, and the longest was eleven days. That one was a bear. To get instant relief would be wonderful.

Thanks.

garina

Post by **tex** » Wed May 14, 2014 8:39 pm

Garina,

I'm just guessing, so obviously this might not be it, but here's a short video that demonstrates exercises:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP-UYhAk6tA

And here are videos that demonstrate the Epley maneuver. The first one is short:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QikUTAmeE0M

This one is longer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZgUx9G0uEs

Tex

JFR · Post by **JFR** » Wed May 14, 2014 8:52 pm

I too have had this kind of veritgo problem, off and on for years. It's become a little more frequent lately and one time so severe that if I turned over in bed while sleeping I would wake up with the room spinning. I know about the exercises but have never really tried them. Mostly the vertigo just goes away in a few days, although it is lasting longer than it used to. As is my wont, I have never consulted a doctor about this and just let it play itself out. Next time it happens I will try the exercises. Thanks Polly.

Jean

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Thu May 15, 2014 7:20 am

Morning!

Just a quick note to let you know that the vertigo has not returned! Although, apparently, once you have it, it can return off and on. I read online that if you do the Epley exercises occasionally, they can help to prevent a recurrence.

Zizzle, I read online about some who had been suffering from vertigo for mos. (and even years) and were "cured" after doing Epley exercises once or twice! This may be one of the very few examples of a "miracle cure".

Deb and Pat - good point that there could be a thyroid connection.

Garina - the exercise can make it worse while you are actually doing it, but it is much better by the time you finish .

Tex, thanks for those references. The 2nd and 3rd URLs demonstrate the Epley exercise that I used. The first URL demonstrates a different but related exercise.

Jean, your comment is exactly why I posted this! Anytime we MCers can find a way to avoid yet another test or medication, it is most welcome. I was thrilled to find something "natural" that worked so well.

Just a note of caution.....there can be many causes of vertigo other than crystal formation in the inner ear (like atherosclerosis of the carotid artery, actual damage to the nerve between the ear and the brain ((gluten might be a culprit here)), etc. So, if the Epley doesn't provide relief, be sure to get an evaluation to find the cause.

Love,

Polly

garina · Post by **garina** » Thu May 15, 2014 10:06 am

Tex, Thanks for the sites on YouTube. I checked out all three, then bookmarked them for future use, if needed.

Polly, Thanks for this post. This info is all helpful for those of us who periodically get this type vertigo. And, yes, it is wonderful that no pill is needed. Cool!

garina