Vertigo and Eply Maneuver

Also can’t pop ears no matter what I try .

Have you tried doing the movements yourself at home? It really helped me.

Sorry, it was these exercises I did at home

www.swbh.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Audiology-Brandt-Daroff-Exercises-ML6446.pdf

Yes I’m doing them obv as I’ve just received them I expect it will maybe take a few sessions Thankyou Sillymoo

HeavenLeigh, have you tried the Brandt-Daroff exercises for your vertigo? They certainly helped with mine. Google the name and see how you get on.

Sorry, I’ve just read Sillymoo’s post and see she’s recommended Brandt-Daroff as well. They aren’t quite the same as the Eply and to me are easier to do.

I could write a book on this. But best if I just say, read up on vestibular issues (especially inflammation of the vestibular nerve) ….also pppd…vestibular neuritis…
I am having a flare up at the moment and although I can go online, I can’t use a screen for too long, so won’t put loads more detail on here. I hope you feel better soon.

You're describing my early symptoms before I was diagnosed with Meniere's Disease.

I have had BPPV for nearly two years as a result of fibromyalgia. I am on tablets which help a bit. I cope with it quite well unless I look up or down. Washing my hair is the most annoying thing. It does get pretty bad sometimes but as I say I cope with it. My doctor has said there is nothing that can cure it because it's part of my fibromyalgia.

Sorry to hear this. I had vertigo and tinnitus. Had a hearing test, given hearing aid and it all settled down. Hope you get a resolution soon. It is horrible.

I have both conditions and have for many years. Vertigo is really unpleasant and the Epley Manoeuvre does cure it - the process is not lovely but it is short and it works. For most people apparently doing the manoeuvre once does the trick. For some, me included, it can recur and you have to be careful about head movements - for instance, I can never sleep on my right. But you learn and adapt. Good luck!

For earwax - olive oil drops available from the pharmacy. My ears were so impacted , I lost my hearing in one ear. Talk to your pharmacist. Good luck

Yes I have had vertigo over the last year or two. It’s very disabling especially if you live alone. I had Stemetil tablets for nausea, but it only stops you actually being sick, I still felt nauseous with room spinning and could barely walk.

After many tests my GP referred me urgently to Physio. I wasn’t expecting much but my Physio was brilliant. He did more tests and tried the Epley manoeuvre. It improved the vertigo a bit. He gave me several “eye gaze stability” exercises to practice at home.

I had to have three or four Epley manoeuvre sessions before it was sorted. But it is so much better now. I occasionally have a mild reoccurrence, but then I do the Epley exercises first thing in the morning.

I hope you manage to get the help you need Heaven Leigh.

I do sympathise with you, as I've been battling BPPV and Vestibular Migraines since 2016. The everyday BPPV, although not pleasant, is manageable for me, as I'm now retired, so I can pace myself. I did have the Epley Manoeuvre, which helped with the BPPV but unfortunately, it also brought on a massive attack of the VM. I was prescribed Buccastem for everyday, mild nausea and slight dizziness with the BPPV, but it doesn't help with the major attacks. With the VM attacks, they always follow the same pattern of waking me in the early hours with severe spinning sensation, unable to walk straight, falling over, then vomiting etc and it's brutal. I asked the doctor about the latest migraine drugs and he asked me how often I had the attacks. Off the top of my head I said it probably averaged about once every 8-10 days, then he told me that the new drugs can only be prescribed for attacks happening every 7 days or less, so keep this in mind. Beta blockers help some people, but I can't take those because my blood pressure is already on the low side. If yours isn't low, it might be worth asking about this. The only trigger that I've found, is if I lay on my left side, so I avoid that and even pack rolled up throws behind me to try to prevent rolling over in the night. It really is a horrible thing and I hope you can find something to help, as it's so debilitating. Hopefully your GP will refer you to a vestibular specialist, so that you can at least get the correct diagnosis to start with, as there are so many inner ear conditions which cause vertigo. Good luck.

I've had vertigo on and off for a few years, not badly for the last couple of years though I do find that I don't feel as secure on my feet as I used to and always try to look the way I am walking or I can end up on the floor!
I've no idea what caused it in my case and it goes within a couple of months. Several friends have had it to and have done both sets of exercises recommended, though the Epley ones need to be done different ways for different ears I think?

I have Menieres and your symptoms are like mine!
I am on betahistine which helps! I do balance exercises every day, take B2, walk regularly and get on with life
See an ENT specialist ASAP for a thorough check up
Your brain needs to be retrained to use left/right again !

Someone recommended the Eply manoeuvre to me, when I was suffering with vertigo. I did it at home and was fortunate that it resolved the issue after one session. I hope that it works for you.

Hi, I had the Epley manoeuvre at GPs. It didn’t work. I did it at home and it worked straight away. Felt a bit woozy for a few hours then perfect ok, If you Google it it comes up with websites linked to NHS hospitals.
I’d been doing the Brandt Daroff ones for several weeks before but to no avail.
GPS not really interested.

Yvie12 have you tried Topiramate for your vestibular migraines? I've been using it for some time now to help prevent my silent migraines, ie migraines with just the aura or zigzag patters and no headache. Google it and see if it's worth a try. Works for me.

Washing hair has been mentioned and yes, it’s a huge problem for me too (and someone else I know), I can’t work out why exactly, this condition makes washing hair so very difficult.

I suffered with a lot of the symptoms mentioned above and eventually ended up in hospital after passing out and falling and breaking my wrist. Not only do I think it might be ear related but I also have Age related Macular degeneration (AMDG) in one eye. The combination of ear and eye malfunction seems to cause my dizziness. I am now extremely careful how I get out of bed, out of a chair, move my head very carefully and do not rush around but do most things in gentle slow motion. This seems to have done the trick and I haven't had any dizziness for a couple of weeks.

I have suffered with labarinthitis for many years, I have found flare ups normally happen in spring when the air pressure changes. I have a prescription for Cinnarizine which I take as and when needed. My daughter has it too. I have been a lot better since having hearing aids. Hope you get it sorted soon.

I used to work as a nurse in OPD and often in ENT. I have seen patients come into the clinic literally cling ing to the walls before they had the Eply maneuver. Can you not ask for a 2nd opinion from another GP in your practice? I do not think your GP is being very fare to you. GP's are general practitioners not specialists in every specialty! Not sure how anyone can manage to to the maneuver on their own. Usually the patient's eyes were moving all over the place. I used to stand at the side of the couch to reassure the patient they were not going to fall of the couch as that is what it felt like for them!

grammargran

Yvie12 have you tried Topiramate for your vestibular migraines? I've been using it for some time now to help prevent my silent migraines, ie migraines with just the aura or zigzag patters and no headache. Google it and see if it's worth a try. Works for me.

Thanks grammargran. No, I haven't tried Topiramate, but I'll definitely enquire about it, thank you. Back in 2019 when I saw the specialist, he told me the only things that would work are beta blockers, but I'm sure things must have moved on from then.