For about three weeks, I had the following symptom. When I laid down in bed an my left side, I would experience 2-3 seconds of the room spinning. When I sat up from lying on my left side, likewise. It never affected me if I laid down from or got up from my right side. Then, as suddenly as it appeared, the whole episode disappeared. There were a couple days at the end of lighter symptoms and then nothing. Never felt anything sitting or standing during the day. It was like a temporary infection that then disappeared.
Any thoughts? I don’t want to ask my doctor. I have no way of contacting him except to make an appointment and then I would have to tell my wife who would worry incessantly.
This is a weird example (for this) but I relate it because this happened a week ago to my sister’s dog (so it is fresh in my mind).
She came downstairs and saw one of her two dogs writhing on the ground. Sort of flopping around. She thought the dog was having a seizure.
She scooped the dog up and drove to the emergency animal hospital.
After checking the dog out they decided it was not a seizure but rather an inner ear infection which caused the dog to fall over. Her writhing around was just her trying to get back up but she could not get her balance to do so because she was dizzy.
Some medicine and it seems cleared up for the dog (although my sister reports the dog seems a little wigged-out by the whole thing).
I can’t think of a reason why the dog would be different than a human in this regard but IANADoctor/Veterinarian.
You might want to ask a pharmacist if there are any OTC medications you could try that might help but, of course, seeing your doctor is the best advice.
ETA: It is worth noting that it might be some other problem and not the ear. Hence the good reason to see your doctor so they can figure it out.
Yes. An inner ear infection can cause this, but some crystals becoming dislodged in the labyrinth of the inner ear can also cause this. I had crystals become dislodged and it was a miserable experience. It took me over a week to recover until I could drive again.
If it is crystals, there are head movements you can do.
No infection needed for your symptoms - the little stones in your ear ( canalith) that let you balance are out of place.
Been there - very disconcerting. Here is how to fix.
The canalith repositioning procedure can help relieve benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). BPPV is a condition that causes brief, but intense, feelings of dizziness and spinning. These sensations also are known as vertigo. They may occur when you move your head.
Vertigo usually comes from a problem with the part of the inner ear responsible for balance. BPPV occurs when tiny canalith particles, also called otoconia, in one part of the inner ear break loose and fall out of place. They often move into the semicircular canals of the inner ear. This can make you sensitive to movement and cause vertigo.
The canalith repositioning procedure can move these particles to a part of the ear where they won’t cause dizziness. The procedure uses several simple head movements. It can be done in a health care provider’s office. The procedure is usually effective. The procedure relieves vertigo in about 80% of people after one or two treatments. But the problem may happen again.
I’ve had inner ear infections a couple of times-- dizziness, double-vision (some of the time), fatigue, nausea, and low fever (barely a fever-- like, 100.5F).
The biggest thing that distinguishes them from a middle ear infection, which is what people usually mean by “ear infection” is pain. Inner ear infections don’t typically hurt, while middle ones can hurt like hell.
So don’t let lack of pain make you think you don’t have an infection.
Happened to my Dad, not only was he dizzy, his sense of direction left him for a spell — he’d come out of the house heading for the car and find himself veering off into the neighbors’ yard.
I didn’t see it mentioned, so I’ll add it here: the canalith repositioning procedure mentioned above is also known as the Epley maneuver, which you can perform yourself, at home.
Just be aware that you may have to do it more than once to get relief.
My experience seems different from BPPV. And I do know about Epley.
My experience was just too specific. It happened only when lying down or getting up on my left side. Never during the day (no problem driving), never when I lay down on my right side and the dizziness lasted only a few seconds with no nausea.
I do know about the Epley maneuver. I have administered it to my wife who has regular dizzy spells.
And thanks Beck , but there is no nursing service I can call.
I think BPPV does not spontaneously disappear three weeks later. Has not recurred. I now have an appointment for a checkup with my doctor (who will soon disappear, residency complete and now has an army obligation).
I emphasize, there is not the least sign of a recurrence.
Because I’ve experienced the same thing the OP has. The only difference being that it’s an ongoing problem. It comes and it goes. I thought it was just a getting older thing.
Oh and also it’s different that it’s not specific to one side like the OP.
I have not asked my doctor. Mainly because like I said earlier, I thought it was just a getting older thing. It wasn’t something that really concerned me.
I’ll ask next time I go in though just to be safe.
