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Brandt-Daroff exercises for vertigo

(16 Posts)
Fairycakes Fri 17-Nov-23 18:52:26

I am suffering from vertigo for the third time this year. I have been given the Brandt-Daroff exercises to do each time but it keeps returning. I wonder if I'm being forceful enough with the manoeuvres 🤔. I saw on YouTube that you are supposed to fall to each side quite forcefully, but nothing was mentioned in the instructions I was given.
Does anyone know the answer to this? I don't want to make the situation worse by performing the exercises forcefully if we are not meant to.
Any advice would be helpful.
Many thanks 😊

Fairycakes Fri 17-Nov-23 18:56:47

P. S I was told to do the exercises for just one week but I notice that others advise doing them for 2-3 weeks.

farview Fri 17-Nov-23 22:00:01

Watching with interest..same problem.

Marydoll Fri 17-Nov-23 22:04:45

Me too!

Deedaa Fri 17-Nov-23 22:05:11

I've had it for a couple of weeks, but it is wearing off now. It's four years since I last had it. I've wondered about the exercises but I was told they should really be done by a doctor.

dragonfly46 Fri 17-Nov-23 22:12:35

My doctor manipulated my head and neck which alleviated the vertigo. She gave me exercises to do at home to prevent it coming back. I haven’t had it since.

Marydoll Fri 17-Nov-23 22:33:24

Eplay manoeuvre didn't work for my bppv I wondered if this was different.

silverlining48 Fri 17-Nov-23 22:59:04

The only thing which helped my severe vertigo was an injection. given by the dr.
Also Betahistine /serc Tablets which have kept me free of these horrible attacks fir 4 years

JenniferEccles Fri 17-Nov-23 23:12:09

Oh this is such an unpleasant thing to have so you all have my sympathy.

The Epley manoeuvre is successful for a lot of people, in many cases followed up by eye and head moving exercises such as the Cawthorne Cooksey ones.
These have to be done two or three times a day for several weeks.

If the vertigo goes on and on though, up and down the country there are a few hospitals which have specialist balance clinics which have sophisticated diagnostic equipment in them which enable the consultant to discover just what is going on with the person. These clinics just deal with dizziness problems unlike normal ENT departments, so they are staffed with very experienced medics.

Unless we suffer from this it’s hard to describe just how horrible it feels, even though it’s quite common.

It’s reassuring to know though that there are specialists who can help if it goes on too long.

Bubbe Fri 17-Nov-23 23:32:44

In 2020 I was advised by a neurologist to do the Brandt-Daroff exercises 3 times daily for 3 weeks. I would describe it as a forceful manoeuvre.

For the first few times it made me feel as if my head was spinning and really quite queasy but after that it was fine. And I felt so much better! After the 3 weeks of doing this my vertigo was gone. Such a huge relief to me as I had lived with it for a good 6 months. Since then, I've felt the vertigo returning on a couple of occasions so have promptly done the Brandt-Daroff exercise again (just the once) and it has done the trick ~ stopped it developing. I would certainly recommend it.
Hope it works for you. Good luck.

Fairycakes Sat 18-Nov-23 08:15:36

Thank you everyone for your help and support. At least I know I'm not alone with these symptoms, which is a great comfort 💗

Juliet27 Sat 18-Nov-23 08:35:18

I’m glad to see these exercises mentioned as I’d forgotten the name and thought I might have needed them recently. On waking I was nervous of moving as the room was spinning and making me feel sick. It gradually wore off although happened for a few mornings. It happened once before when I’d been taking St John’s Wort and as I’ve lately been taking Plant Sterols I thought I’d stop them in case they were the ‘culprit’. The dizzy spells have stopped and it would be odd if a natural product could have that effect but it does seem a coincidence.

silverlining48 Sat 18-Nov-23 08:48:07

You are definitely not alone fairy and hope you feel better soon.
I have had many attacks over the last 40 years and was never told about any exercises.
For what it’s worth I never lay flat, i sleep with 3 pillows and turn over in bed slowly. If having a vertigo attack keep eyes open and focus on one spot like s ballerina.smile
A bowl always nearby for when I am sick ( even have one in the car). Always leave a hall light on at night, With vertigo ears are involved and the eyes take over. If it’s dark balance is affected.
The injection I mentioned works instantly if you can get medical help or my dh was taught how to do it at home.
It’s truly horrible and I am so grateful to have been free of it, at least for the past 4 years. Fingers crossed!

silverlining48 Sat 18-Nov-23 08:55:18

I recently had ear micro suction and the dr put a few drops of liquid in my ear. Immediately the room started to spin. I was in shock.
Luckily I felt better after 20 minutes rest but it really unnerved me.
She said it happens sometimes even to those without Ménières.

Fairycakes Sat 18-Nov-23 16:07:10

silverlining48
Thank you for the advice. I'll try out some of your suggestions. I did notice that I felt dizzy walking to the bathroom at night in the dark 🤔

silverlining48 Sat 18-Nov-23 16:50:26

Hope it helps fairycakes.
The consultant told us about having a light on, and he’s right,