Woken up dizzy and feeling like I’m falling left

[Dangerousdriver]

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!

[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 in reply to Mouchkin]

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 in reply to Dangerousdriver]

Dehydration can be a culprit. Also lack of magnesium.

[wilsond in reply to Dangerousdriver]

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 Volunteer]

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 in reply to BobD]

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 Volunteer in reply to Dangerousdriver]

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 in reply to BobD]

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 Volunteer in reply to Dangerousdriver]

Barnstaple North Devon Leon where are you?

[Dangerousdriver in reply to BobD]

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 Volunteer in reply to Dangerousdriver]

Shame we could have compared dangerousness!

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

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

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

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

Shout next time you are down.

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

Will do, I'd love to say hi

[Peddling in reply to Dangerousdriver]

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 in reply to Peddling]

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 in reply to BobD]

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]

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 in reply to Finvola]

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]

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 in reply to Becksagogo]

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 in reply to Dangerousdriver]

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 in reply to Becksagogo]

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 in reply to Dangerousdriver]

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 in reply to Becksagogo]

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]

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 in reply to Tudee]

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 in reply to Dangerousdriver]

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 in reply to Tudee]

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

[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.

[Hidden]

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 in reply to Hidden]

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...

[Hidden in reply to Dangerousdriver]

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 in reply to Hidden]

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]

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]

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 in reply to Rubyray]

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