BPPV*

Vertigo is not fun. The old expression “my head is spinning” may indicate excitement about something unexpected, but, in my case, it simply means vertigo, a whirling and swirling motion accompanied by a “darkness” that can last several seconds or much longer. It’s somewhat terrifying when it happens, especially when one is in the stroke decades and anything that seems like an impending stroke can cause panic. I’ve been handling it for about the past 6 months, not driving more than necessary because I didn’t feel safe to be behind the wheel.

Today was doctor at the ear institute day. I listed my symptoms, she did some quick checking, and I was rotating on a table, going in and out of vertigo at her command. End result is BPPV; translation is calcium carbonate crystals in the inner ear that move out of place and into a swirled canal where they cause vertigo. By doing some weird movements and keeping my head completely still, the crystals settled down and the diagnosis was confirmed.

Treatment was 10 minutes of movement and the installation of a neck brace. My goal is to keep my head “neutral” for the next week, no looking down at my feet or throwing my head back for a shampoo, no quick movements to either the left or the right. By next week, the crystals should have implanted themselves back where they belong and my symptoms should be gone. I must keep the neck brace on even when I sleep, and I’m supposed to sleep sitting up as best I can.

We’ll see if it works!

*Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo