Benign Positional Vertigo, Anyone with experience?

2prepMom
Thu, 16 May 2013 19:59:52 +0000

First task in fixing your BPPV is to identify the side with the problem.

1. Start by sitting up in bed. Turn head to the right and lie down fast onto your back with your head still turned, either completely flat or even with your head a little bit over the edge. Wait for a minute. If you are very dizzy that is the side with the problem.

2. If you are not dizzy, sit up, wait a minute or two, turn your head to the left and repeat step 1 to the left.

If it is BPPV, ONE SIDE should be a lot worse than the other.

Now that you know the side, the maneuver is easy. You can even start from the lying down position above, or repeat it. Wait a minute or two and the dizziness will pass. Keep your head back flat or a little over the edge and slowly turn it towards the good ear. Roll onto your good side so your nose ends up pointed towards the floor. Wait a minute or two. Tuck your chin towards your chest and slowly sit up. Wait a few minutes before trying to walk.

You can repeat the maneuver. If it does not work after two tries, go to the website vestibular.org and click on “find a provider” and look for a physical therapist in your area who lists themselves “performs Epley maneuver.” PTs at this point are a lot more informed about this than most MDs, but that is slowly changing.

The above instructions with diagrams are listed on the Cleveland Clinic patient information website under BPPV. The American Academy of Neurology also has a movie on its website that shows how to do this.

BPPV can come back, so keep the instructions in a drawer for future use. About 30% of people get it at some point in their lives, it is more common in older adults or after head trauma, and the recurrence rate is 15% per year.