l know this is off the beaten track but l have had a couple of episodes of vertigo when turning over in bed. I had this briefly years ago before l was diagnosed with AF. Has anyone on here had this condition? Does it relate to AF in any way?
Vertigo: l know this is off the beaten... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Vertigo
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Cavalierrubie
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51 Replies
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Yes, I've had vertigo recently , i was unbelievably dizzy, really is quite scary when you lose your balance.
Thanks. Sorry you have this as well. Yes, it is very scary and has made me fear being in a horizontal position, which just adds to the existing anxiety.
BobDVolunteer
Not generally AF related but I get it occasionally ever since having viral labrinthitis about ten years ago. It is caused by crystals in the inner ear confusing the balance mechanism. It seems that once you have had it it can lurk and re-appear from time to time. Mine was so bad orginally I had to have an injection to stop me vomiting and was unable to get off all fours but luckily has never been as bad since. Stemetil helps.
I believe there is an exercise one can do to relieve it. Maybe google?
Oh you have had it so awful Bob. Thanks for explaining all that. I have been having ear related problems of late, so must stem from that. Another thing we have to learn to live with! They say a creaking gate lasts the longest, but this morning l felt like l was cracking up. Have been up since 3am with the anxiety this has given to me. I wasn’t on all fours like yourself, but glad l had a radiator next to the bed. Take care.
Bob, someone has replied to this post named “dollcollector” and said that since having a pacemaker fitted they haven’t had vertigo. I know you have had one fitted and was wondering if that applies to you? I find that a very interesting piece of information. What do you think? Thanks.
I suspect they have confused virtigo with pre-syncope. Virtigo is nothing like the latter and caused by inner ear problems.
Ok. Thank you.
The pre-syncope and syncope that l had a pacemaker for, was nothing like the vertigo l used to get. The pre-syncope used to come in waves at any time while l was sitting doing some activity. It was dizziness, not spinning followed by blacking out. Afterwards l would carry on with what l was doing although l felt terrible until the next wave of dizziness , which were quite frequent. When l had vertigo l couldn't lift my head from the pillow , the room was spinning around and l had to have help to get out of bed and go to the bathroom. It was continuous for days at a time with no respite. So they were quite different experiences. Thankfully l haven't had either of these conditions since having the pacemaker, a few years now. Coincidence? maybe, but it doesn't appear to be , as l used to get vertigo quite often.
You have really suffered so it’s good to hear you are feeling better. Thanks for sharing your experience. It seems many of us, with heart related problems, get this vertigo. Your pacemaker has made you much better and you know your own body. We are all different and react differently to the treatments available. It’s a strange illness in that respect. I wish you continued good health after all you have been through.
Thank you. Best wishes to you too.
Google Epley manoeuvre. It's a way of stopping it yourself.
Jean
Ok thanks xxx
Yes, I have had a few episodes of Vertigo which I had to go to A&E for. It was so bad that I couldn’t lift my head of the pillow. I also suffer from AF but I don’t think the two were connected. I have not suffered any more from Vertigo which I last had about five years ago, I had an MRI scan for the Vertigo to see if I had had a stroke but results all came back OK. I’ve had plenty of AF episodes since the Vertigo and eventually had a pacemaker inserted in June this year.
It's often caused by crystals in the ear moving and you just have to turn your head a certain way to get them back where they should be - if your lucky.
I've had it a few times, but the periods were for hours and I didn't know about the Epley manoeuvre then.
Jean
Did you have earache Rosie? My ears ache. I have had them checked by my gp and he said there is no infection.
No, no ear ache. No other symptoms only just the room spinning around the minute I took my head off the pillow. Woke up with it.
I had exactly the same as you just 4 weeks ago. Spent 2 days in hospital and then a MRI scan. Thankfully not a stroke but diagnosed with vestibular neuritis. The worst has gone but suffering with considerable dizziness which is impacting my life. I'm waiting for an appointment at the vestibular assessment clinic.
Thanks. Glad your scan was ok of stroke and hope the other is treated ok. It does impact your life and is difficult to live with. Can you still drive? This is what worries me. Do you live in Norfolk?. If you do, l am not far from you. Take care
I cacan drive which is essential in rural Norfolk. I'm not dizzy when I'm sitting down only when standing up or moving. A lot worse in the dark.
Yes, it is not very nice experience. Glad you can drive. My dad was born in Griston, Norfolk. He met my mum and moved to East Anglia where l was born and bred. I am here now. Norfolk is beautiful we have some friends in Norwich and Gt. Yarmouth. Take care and thanks for your help. 🥰
To be honest, I would say that my Verdigo was worse than the AF! Not at all nice. Luckily it hasn’t come back again.
See my other reply. I think it is sometimes it is afib related due to oxygen rich blood not getting circulated to your head. The same as you l haven't had it since having a pacemaker implanted,
Maybe we should keep our head warm when sleeping. Now there’s a point? 😃
I don’t think mine was AF related as the verdigo happened more than 5 years ago and I have only just had the pacemaker in June of this year for a totally different reason.
See post from Bob. He has answered question regarding pacemaker. He is very knowledgeable. Take care.
can’t be certain now as it was over five years ago but I think I had high blood pressure when I arrived at A&E.
Thanks for your help.
I got it too. I don't think its AFib related, I think it might have to do with reduced circulation in the vestibular system in the ears, like from mild allergies Mine comes and goes. I 'm just extra careful to hold on to/lean on walls and things when I first get up until it goes away. Never hurts to ask a doc.
Thanks for reply. I think you may be correct.
I have had benign positional vertigo on and off for years and can get rid of it by doing the epley manoeuvre. There are loads of video of it on YouTube. It can be unpleasant aa it provokes the dizziness but you are moving the crystals out of the way in the process.
The Epley procedure will work if it is bppv, benign positional vertigo, but not if the vertigo is caused by other things. A referral to your audiology dept will diagnose
Hi
Its your inner ear problem. Noy balanced.
I have had it three times. The last one after I knocked my head earlier and I was leading into a round about.
Another time bending over scooped down. I thought in the high temperature, overdressed and could have been dehydrated.
Another time when I was getting out of bed.
All 3 lasted about 5-10 minutes.
Turning over, are you waking up?
Not anything to do with AF unless you are anxious worrying about something.
What drugs are you on? How long does the spinning happen?
cheers JOY. 74. (NZ)
Thanks Joy. I am seeing my GP today so hopefully get some answers. Have been having trouble with my ears for sometime and was told nothing wrong. The spinning happened when l turned over in bed and lasted about 5/10 minutes.
Hi
But you say it was waking.
1 episode was getting up.
It's a horrible sensation and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
cheri JOY 74. (NZ)
Yes, so l had to get up! Too scared to go back to sleep.🥰
,I agree with some post,i had it diagnosed in hospital zas Benign paroxymal vertigo the epley manoeuvre got rid of it,have occasionally since reappeared but have instructions how to preform epley manoeuvre myself and it works.
Thank you. I will look into that as had some good recommendations. 😀
Hi, is it vertigo or tachycardia. When I get tachycardia I feel unbalanced, like seasick and feel I will faint, be sick and lose control of my bowels all at same time. Sometimes lasts for 20 secs other times 10-15 mins leaves me feeling sea sick, but room doesn't spin. When I had vertigo years ago room spun and I would feel sick, only lying face down helped. Episodes could last a week. Years ago doc said it could be caused by flu virus in ear and suggested travel sickness pills to help, they did.
Thanks for that help. It is definitely vertigo because the room was spinning. I am off to see doc. today so get some answers. I am always terrified of having a stroke. It is very scary when you lose control. Take care.
An alternative exercise for clearing ‘ear crystals’ is called Brant Darroff exercise. They helped me!!
Yes I used to have positional vertigo quite a lot - room spinning etc. The doc gave me some pills to help which were essentially travel sickness pills. Ever since I worked out that I have to lie on my right side (not left or back) and raise my head very slowly when getting up, not turn quickly or look up at first, I’ve been much better.
Yes, that’s what l am doing at the moment. Slow and steady. Thanks.
I used to get vertigo and couldn't lift my head from the pillow. Since having a pacemaker implanted l haven't had any episodes.
Now that is very interesting to know. That seems more than a coincidence for you. I will remember that - you never know when you might need to ask. Thanks. I have low blood pressure, which as we all know goes lower when we sleep, and l am wondering if there is a connection. I worry about stroke and AF. Take care.
I'm new to this board- not new to Afib and wish I had found you all earlier. I hope it's ok to add my reply which may be slightly off topic. I don't have any problems while lying down, but occasionally do get extremely lightheaded for ~1 min or less when getting out of the car after a longer drive. With absolutely no basis whatsoever, I've always blamed it on the beta blocker I take daily for Afib- attenolol. In fact it's one of the reasons I finally broke down and had an ablation 5 weeks ago. After ablation, I have had no dizzy spells (or Afib)- until yesterday and it was a doozy. Was so hoping that removing the aberrant cardiac tissue causing the Afib had also removed the dizzy spells but guess not. Has anyone else dealt with similar symptoms? Thank you.
Welcome Hoyeta. I am sure you will get lots of help on here as there are some very experienced and knowledgeable members. I don’t have experience of your particular symptoms. The best way to get a response and advice is to write a new post, as this one has almost run it’s course and your post probably won’t be picked up. I hope you get some good advice, but do give all your details eg. blood pressure, medications etc. We are not medics on here,but can share our experiences. Take care.
Hi Cavalierruby,
I'm very sorry you had that experience and I know how frightening it can be, especially the first time.
I also am not sure vertigo is connected with afib, but anything is possible. I wanted to share my 2 cents that although the majority of vertigo incidents do seem to be related to the crystal in the ear (lots of good info in other posts), there are other causes. Vestibular migraines is one, and Menière's disease is another. (and there are more, of course. ) I was diagnosed with vestibular migraines by an ear, nose and throat doc. Years later, a neurologist pooh-poohed the diagnosis. It's apparently controversial. But I'd had it for 5 months (not every day thankfully) and the day that otolaryngologist told me to Google "migraine diet," my life changed. I didn't have one more episode until 5 years later under an extremely stressful circumstance.
I realize that coming from the U. S., sometimes my contributions are challenging, so I offer this in good faith, with no judgment of any kind.
I appreciate your post and helpful information. Migraines are so debilitating. My mother had them from a teenager. I, fortunately, only get them once in a while. Anything wrong with the head is difficult to live with and makes us unpredictable and unreliable- not how we want to be. Thanks for taking the time to reply, which is in no way challenging, but a valid contribution. God bless.
Thanks Cavalierruby! I wanted to add that I don't get traditional headachy migraines, so this was an unexpected diagnosis. I hope you feel much better and don't have to deal with it again.
I get vertigo occasionally, and it happened before and after I had AF. It became more prevalent since I started menopause, but not sure if that is why. It may just be because I have gotten older. Mine almost always happens when turning over in bed. My vertigo is peripheral caused by crystals in the inner ear that move out of place. I use the Epley maneuver to move the crystals where they belong and the vertigo goes away.
Thanks for post. I have had some good recommendations of the Epley manoeuvre. Mine was turning in bed. I have now got antibiotics for ear infection as well so maybe that added to the symptoms. It’s very scary but not serious thank goodness. 🥰
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