Hello, in February of 2017, I awoke with the room violently spinning. As the spinning gradually lessened, I was left with a constant feeling of being intoxicated that persists to this day. Whenever there is any head movement, it's as if someone has a hold of my head and is constantly moving it around. The intensity of these symptoms varies greatly from day to day. In addition, I have constant ringing in my ears that can change in pitch and volume. Another troubling symptom is that I cannot lay on my left side without causing BPPV. I have been to three vestibular specialists and two PT's that specialize in vestibular issues. One specialist told me to avoid sleeping on my left side and the PT's told me not to avoid any head position. I was diagnosed with vestibular neuritis but my family Doc says that he is "perplexed" because that usually resolves in a few weeks.
Has anyone else experienced these symptoms and have you had success with any treatments?
Hi Tim,
Sounds like you have been diagnosed with chronic, recurring BPPV, which can certainly cause dizziness and imbalance between episodes. Have you been diagnosed with any other concurrent vestibular disorders, such as Meniere's disease? Have you undergone a full battery of vestibular tests? Did your physical therapists prescribe any exercises?
Hi Cynthia,
Thank you so much for your reply! I have not been diagnosed with Meniere's disease. I have had a full battery of vestibular testing. Neuro-otologic testing revealed that I have "a severe peripheral vestibular weakness affecting my left ear of 100%. The presence of nystagmus during positional testing indicates that this lesion may be acute or uncompensated." The diagnosis is unilateral vestibulopathy, affecting the left inner ear. In addition, I see a neurologist for migraine issues and wonder if this isn't complicated by migraine? I have seen 2 physical therapists and was prescribed exercises. When my symptoms get worse, I come back to these exercises and they seem to help some.
My symptoms vary greatly day-to-day. Given my diagnosis, I understand that I'm going to battle with dizziness, but why is the dizziness so much more intense some days than others?
Do others experience the problem of lying on their left side and causing BPPV?
Has anyone had success with treatments for similar symptoms?
Thanks,
Tim
Hi Tim,
My symptoms are very similar to yours. I also have a vestibular weakness on my left side. I'm on my fourth neurologist, who coincidentally also practices acupuncture. Starting next week we are going to try injections in the neck and head that will numb the nerves that may be contributing to the dizziness. I believe we will also start acupuncture on the ear.
After going through all of the traditional approaches to healing the disorder with no luck (such as vestibular rehab), I'm open to anything!
Maybe you could consider a more alternative approach as well?
Good luck!!
Sonia
Hi Tim,
One more thing, since you mention vestibular migraine. Have you heard of the Dizzy Cook? I believe there's a link to her site somewhere on here, but her name is Alicia and she's been featured on VeDa. She offers recipes that can help reduce vestibular migraines. Her story is fascinating (she also suffered from a vestibular disorder).
Best,
Sonia