Vertigo

I have been suffering from severe vertigo (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo/BPPV) for the past week.

I had a mild case about 18 months ago, where the worst symptom was extreme dizziness on the train and train platform. My doctor performed the Epley manoeuvre, which was unpleasant but worked to shift the crystals in my ear back to where they should have been.

This time was much worse. I woke up about ten days ago and the moment I turned my head to look at my bedside clock, everything started spinning. I spent about two days unable to move my head to the left without wanting to throw up. The two days after that I had to be careful not to move my head or eyes suddenly. I did not go to the doctor this time because I knew what it was, because she had no available times, and also because I felt so ill I could not bear the thought of trying to take myself anywhere.  Luckily I have had this before so I knew the signs, and told myself to give it a few days.

Now it has pretty much subsided, unless I move suddenly. I can do the exercises and it takes a few minutes for the dizziness to start. Yesterday I went outside for the first time in a week. I was rather nervous but it went fine. I am wondering if this will become more common the older I get.  I promised myself I would give it ten days and luckily it seems to have cleared up. I am having my annual checkup next month, so will mention it to my doctor then. I have been so grateful to have been able to work online from home, because I was a bit nervous about trains, cars and roads with dizziness striking so often.

Sweden has a national healthcare system which has both public and private service providers. It costs the same nominal amount no matter which one you choose to be registered at. I go to a public one because it’s a small community clinic with good staff, and I have had the same doctor for many years. The downside to that is that there are long waiting lists. Because I am in good health I would still rather go there than to the local private centre which is more like a medical supermarket with a high turnover of doctors. I have to wait about a month for an appointment with my doctor.