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Vertigo and Epley
About 5 years ago I experienced a bout of vertigo that included some confusions, and vision issues that lasted for a while. The doctor told me it was some kind of inner ear virus and that it would go away eventually. It took awhile, but it went away. Two days ago I started to experience some vertigo when getting out of bed or when turning my head in certain directions. Reading the computer screen bothered me more than usual especially when scrolling the screen. (Computer screens, or screens with lights behind them often bother me. When I wear my glasses it helps.)
I did some research and thougth it is possible that it is BPPV. After watching a video on the Epley, I had my husband perform this on me. During the Epley, I extreme bouts of vertigo, This morning, the vertigo is better, but not 100%. Three Questions: How long does it take to come back to normal after the Epley? Should I repeat the Epley? Do you recommend further testing?
Thank you for your time.
I did some research and thougth it is possible that it is BPPV. After watching a video on the Epley, I had my husband perform this on me. During the Epley, I extreme bouts of vertigo, This morning, the vertigo is better, but not 100%. Three Questions: How long does it take to come back to normal after the Epley? Should I repeat the Epley? Do you recommend further testing?
Thank you for your time.
The Epley is SUPPOSED to provoke vertigo--temporarily. You lay back quickly, head turned slightly toward the presumed affected ear and hanging slightly off the bed or wherever you're performing the maneuver. If you have BPPV, at that point you should get strong spinning. You wait a minute or so til the spinning stops, turn your head to the other side and you may get spinning again. Same when you continue through the other positions. After that you should not get vertigo again.
You can try repeating the manuever, but if it doesn't work, it's possible you might need a different manuever depending on which canal the otoliths have got into. Your best bet is probably to see a vestibular physical therapist--a PT specially trained in dizziness issues. Ask your ENT for a referral to one. Vestibular PTs are specialists in the canalith repositioning maneuvers.
If you then still continue to have problems, you would probably be advised to return to the ENT for further evaluation--but make sure you're seeing an EAR specialist--an otologist or neuro-otologist--not just a garden-variety ENT. See lists at the American Neurotology Society Web site. Good luck!
P.S. Don't take my word for how to do the Epley--follow the online instructions or, better yet, see a vestibular PT.
You can try repeating the manuever, but if it doesn't work, it's possible you might need a different manuever depending on which canal the otoliths have got into. Your best bet is probably to see a vestibular physical therapist--a PT specially trained in dizziness issues. Ask your ENT for a referral to one. Vestibular PTs are specialists in the canalith repositioning maneuvers.
If you then still continue to have problems, you would probably be advised to return to the ENT for further evaluation--but make sure you're seeing an EAR specialist--an otologist or neuro-otologist--not just a garden-variety ENT. See lists at the American Neurotology Society Web site. Good luck!
P.S. Don't take my word for how to do the Epley--follow the online instructions or, better yet, see a vestibular PT.
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