Starting June 24th, I was bothered with lightheadedness and a weird feeling that my head was going to float away. I upped my water consumption because I know dehydration can cause problems. July 2nd, 3rd, and 4th I felt fine; but then the lightheadedness started up again slightly worse than before. I did not have vertigo (things spinning around) but a persistent lightheadedness.
I noticed that my diastolic blood pressure was pretty low. I stopped taking my diuretic, just took the ACE inhibitor. The blood pressure went higher, but the lightheadedness remained. I tried to see my primary care doctor, but she is not available until October. They had me come in to see the NP instead. Friday a work order was faxed for the Epley maneuver.
Today I went to the physical therapy department at Grace Village where I live. The therapist did some tests. I did test positive for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo on the left side. I will have the Epley maneuver done Friday afternoon.
BPPV happens when otoliths (crystals) that are in the inner ear move out of position into the ear canal. It confuses the brain making it think there is movement going on when there is not.
The Epley maneuver does some strange turning and positioning of the head to try to get that crystal to go back where it belongs. It is actually quite successful most of the time.
I do not feel safe driving so I have curtailed my activities quite a bit. Hopefully soon I will no longer be a dizzy dame.
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