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Woken up dizzy and feeling like I’m falling left

Dangerousdriver profile image
37 Replies

Hi all,

Just wanted to ask, has anyone woken up and lifted their head off the pillow and felt dizzy?

This morning I woke up and felt dizzy even though I was lying down! Didn’t move for half hour in the hour it would pass, but it hasn’t.

Then I got up to going to toilet and felt like I was going sideways. I’m now sitting on the sofa lying down with my legs elevated! I’ve got an emergency appointment at the Dr this morning.

I’m on an antibiotic for prostitis which I’ve been taking for a couple of days called Trimethorprim, my first question was whether it was those and I’ve had a reaction.

Horrible sitting here unable to move even your head as it sets it off!

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Dangerousdriver
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37 Replies
Mouchkin profile image
Mouchkin

I am glad you are going to see the doctor.

It is possible that what you have going on is an inner ear infection . The inner ear is responsible for balance ,and even without an infection can easily make one horribly dizzy. It can be helped with medication and usually goes after a few days.

Just in case it is something more serious you do need to be seen though.

Let us know how you get on. Sorry you feel so rough...it is scary.

Dangerousdriver profile image
Dangerousdriver in reply toMouchkin

I don’t mess about when it comes to these things. I’d rather be checked and safe than sorry. I value my health too much too be that guy that’s too proud to call the Dr!

It’s a horrible feeling being dizzy! In some ways I’d rather be in pain than feeling like I’m falling.

I’ve had two TIA previously, so that’s always at the back of my mind. That’s how they found my bi-cuspid valve which was the most likely cause of the TIA.

Now I’ve got a really bad aura migraine to add to it! Jeez it’s going to be a rubbish day!

Thanks for the message

Goose33483 profile image
Goose33483 in reply toDangerousdriver

Dehydration can be a culprit. Also lack of magnesium.

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply toDangerousdriver

I have a bicuspid aortic valve too but have never been told it contributes to AF and flutter?

I have had TIA. You sound like when i had labrinthitis,no pain in ear,just lurching about and room spinning. Antibiotics should sortvsoon,glad you seeing doc..best wishes DD x

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

I sympathise as I had viral labrytnthitis a few years ago and have occasional revisits even now. At my worst I had to have a home visit for an injection to stop me being sick . I suspect I was worse than you as I couldn't even stand up, crawling to the loo like I was dead drunk. VERY unpleasant. Hope you make it to the doctor OK and get some relief. I keep stemitil which helps.

Dangerousdriver profile image
Dangerousdriver in reply toBobD

Hi Bob,

Did you get any pain in the ear with labrytnthitis? My ears feel fine in terms of pain, the left is a bit itchy but that’s all.

I feel like I’m literally falling to bits the last couple of months! My physical and mental health have taken a battering!

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer in reply toDangerousdriver

No pain. I didn't understand what it was to start with as I was constantly being sick everytime I moved. Had to call emergency doc eventually. who came withint 1/2 hour and gave me injection and prescription for stemitil. Took about five days to clear but even now five years or more later I get about two events a year for a couple of days. Seems once had never lost. Always something I wake with by the way. Never comes on any other time.

My wife suffered a one off event about three or four years ago whilst working (as a carer) and I had to get a cab out to her and drive her home. Diagnosed by GP as Meunier's disease but since that is bye bye driving licence we disputed the diagnosis and she has never had similar although she did cut out any added dietary salt which can be a problem.

Hope you get sorted very soon.

Dangerousdriver profile image
Dangerousdriver in reply toBobD

Cheers for clarifying that Bob.

I went into the room with the GP and I nearly fell through it! He did some tests and said I have BPPV which is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo for those not familiar.

It was awful but he performed some Epley manoeuvres with me and it’s helped ease the nausea and dizziness. He said it’s where a bit of grit enters the inner ear and causes the symptoms. The manoeuvres help to get it out of the inner ear canal and places it in a pocket hopefully not to disturb you again.

I feel better, but still muzzy. He’s given me a set of manoeuvres to carry out at home 3 times a day for the next 14 days. So now it’s back home to rest try not to move!

I’m trembling as well and my BP is high for me. 160/92 which I’m guessing is probably the stress of feeling like this.

It’s horrible how vulnerable you feel at times! I’m really struggling lately.

You are near me aren’t you Bob?

Cheers

Leon

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer in reply toDangerousdriver

Barnstaple North Devon Leon where are you?

Dangerousdriver profile image
Dangerousdriver in reply toBobD

Ha ha not that close then! I’m in Haywards Heath, West Sussex! Why did I think you were in Sussex also?! I must be losing it ha ha

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer in reply toDangerousdriver

Shame we could have compared dangerousness!

in reply toBobD

Really? We were on holiday in West Down last summer.

And 3 years ago I had a lovely cardioversion in your fine hospital

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer in reply to

Shout next time you are down.

in reply toBobD

Will do, I'd love to say hi

Peddling profile image
Peddling in reply toDangerousdriver

I sympathise with you. I have had that too and it is horrible. I did the manoeuvres religiously and they really did help. Hope it moves on soon.

Dangerousdriver profile image
Dangerousdriver in reply toPeddling

Cheers, I can’t believe a tiny piece of fruit inside the ear can cause that many issues! When the GP did the manoeuvres it was horrible I could feel the room spinning away.

Luckily, it’s starting to subside now. I just feel more muzzy than anything!

pusillanimous profile image
pusillanimous in reply toBobD

You can go for years between attacks of Meniere's Syndrome My late husband suffered from it, and he went 20 years from the first attack until it recurred again.

Finvola profile image
Finvola

Sympathies DD and good that you are getting to see your doc so quickly.

Two possibilities are viral labyrinthitis as Bob describes or Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo - BPPV which is caused by a minute loose fleck in your inner ear canal. The first being viral will fade away on its own but does recur less violently and the second can be shifted by head manipulations to move the fleck.

With the viral kind, I found a sudden change of position to be awful, resulting in a flat spin inside my head - drunken old doll! It took about four or five days to settle and recurs in mild form occasionally.

Best wishes with the doc.

PS - I had no ear pain or problems - just the vertigo.

Dangerousdriver profile image
Dangerousdriver in reply toFinvola

Thank you Fin,

It’s horrible, been lying here waiting to go to the Dr’s and I thought it had passed, but moved my head and it came back! Just lying as still as I can now until I have to get in the shower to get ready.

This has happened once before, Woke up at 4am with the room actually spinning even when I was still. Managed to go back to sleep and when I woke up the symptoms had gone!

The room isn’t spinning this time, it’s more just that tipping feeling when I move or stand. Let’s hope the GP can shed some light on it!

Becksagogo profile image
Becksagogo

Hope you are feeling better Dangerous Driver. I too get the occasional balance problem but not so severe. I feel like Mrs Overall.

BTW you are just up the road from me. I'm in Burgess Hill!

Dangerousdriver profile image
Dangerousdriver in reply toBecksagogo

Hi Becky,

I'm feeling a bit better today thanks, Still feel a bit odd when I bend down, but not like yesterday where I felt I was falling sideways every 2 mins!

Burgess Hill, small world! Who's your EP then? I go to the PRH and Sussex County...

Becksagogo profile image
Becksagogo in reply toDangerousdriver

I'm off to see Annie the aptly named Heart Failure Nurse at PRH in a minute. I don't have an EP any more. I had heart surgery last year with Mr Ahmed and this year with Professor Hildick Smith in Brighton and then I also see Dr Ellery.

Dangerousdriver profile image
Dangerousdriver in reply toBecksagogo

They are nice but bloody annoying! I’ve emailed them a week ago and still no reply! Tried calling them numerous times, but no answer. Really frustrating as I want to get a 72 hour holter. I think my next step is to contact my EP’s secretary.

Becksagogo profile image
Becksagogo in reply toDangerousdriver

The Secretary is always a good idea! I'm waiting to hear from the Prof about planned surgery and feel contact with his Secretary may be the way to go. Good luck!

Dangerousdriver profile image
Dangerousdriver in reply toBecksagogo

Tried calling the nurses again, left yet another message, but no joy! Getting really annoying now! Today if I don’t hear I’ll call the EP’s secretary.

I understand if they don’t reply right away, but 2 weeks is a bit much.

Tudee profile image
Tudee

I had a similar experience, also with heaviness in my left arm, I was terrified, I was later found to have Spondilosis Cervical spine. I now sleep on I low pillow, but if I fall asleep on 2, I get similar symptoms. I wish you the best, please let us know how you fare.

Dangerousdriver profile image
Dangerousdriver in reply toTudee

Thank you, I am getting there. turned out to be BPPV which I knew of, but it seems I had a couple of those before and never attributed it to anything.

I'm taking the rest of the week off and resting now.

Thanks again for the message.

Tudee profile image
Tudee in reply toDangerousdriver

So pleased it’s been resolved for you, it can be very frightening to wake up to something like that, isn’t it great to have this forum, the support you get get is extraordinary. Thanks for the update

Dangerousdriver profile image
Dangerousdriver in reply toTudee

My pleasure, great to have so many knowledgable people on here!

majjic profile image
majjic

I have had that a few times and it's always been to do with the inner ear....It's like a spirit level and if the level is off your balance is off....Don't worry about it if you can help it....it's not nice but not terribly serious.

Could be benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Did you feel like vomiting? Did your eyes seem to want to track sideways?

If so it's quite easy to treat.

Look up Doing the Epley Manoeuvre at Home.

Should fix it in a couple of days.

Regards Cliff.

Dangerousdriver profile image
Dangerousdriver in reply to

Hi Cliff, you would be right Sir! It was BPPV, the Dr did a test and as you said my were tracking sideways.

Then he did the Epley Manoeuvre and things started to right themselves right away! he's given me some other exercises also to try, the Brandt Daroff technique to help.

I had this before 6 months ago, but didn't know what it was. I woke and felt the room violently spinning and managed to drift off again and woke and it had gone. I'm guessing the tossing and turning in my sleep moved the offending item out of my canal.

Well, at least it's nothing serious, but hoping it doesn't happen again anytime soon!

Cheers for the message...

in reply toDangerousdriver

So have you learned how to do it yourself at home?

The first time I got it I fell over in the dunny and nearly ended up with my head in the bowl.

Dangerousdriver profile image
Dangerousdriver in reply to

Yes mate, thankfully I only had to do it once, it’s horrible if you do it on your own though! Feels like you are going to fall and smash your head!

dedeottie profile image
dedeottie

Does sound like labyrinthitis but you probably still need to see a doctor to have it confirmed and to rule out anything else. You will then at least have your mind put at rest and the doc may give you something to help. Good luck x

Rubyray profile image
Rubyray

This happened to me a couple of years ago. I couldn't walk a straight line for a couple days. I went to the ER and ha d an MRI of my head. I had sustained a stroke. No paralysis thank God. It did affect my balance. I got all of that back. Now take a blood thinner. I was in rehab for my balance for several weeks.

Dangerousdriver profile image
Dangerousdriver in reply toRubyray

I’m sorry to hear that, but it sounds like you’ve moved on well from that! I’m happy to report that I hadn’t had a stroke. Thanks for your message

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