Dizziness when lying down

**TheMightyMcClaw** · Posted On: 5/29/2010 6:29am

I'm developing a curious and somewhat unsettling pattern, in which I'll be subject to spells of vertigo when lying down with my eyes closed. They don't strike as I lay down; they'll come on suddenly, typically after I've been down or asleep for a while.
As soon as I open my eyes and shift positions, I'll suddenly be right as rain; the dizziness only affects me while lying still.
This first happened to me about a month ago, and then again several nights ago, and has bothered me the past two mornings.
I plan on seeing my physician about it, especially if it persists, but I was curious if anyone has ever encountered this type of problem and what the cause was.

**Zapruder** · Posted On: 5/29/2010 8:59am

Most common would be BPPV, but with all problems such as these GO TO THE DAMN DOCTOR!!!!

**Aodhan** · Posted On: 5/29/2010 10:31am

Originally Posted by Zapruder

Most common would be BPPV, but with all problems such as these GO TO THE DAMN DOCTOR!!!!

I agree on the doctor, but BPPV is due to shifting material in the inner ear, and would appear in other positions, along with some other symptoms (Nausea, etc).

I'd suspect orthostatic hypotension, but then you'd probably have it getting up as well.

Definitely get it checked. Dizziness is rarely a singular thing, it's usually a symptom of some other malady.

John

**killshot78** · Posted On: 8/31/2010 11:10am

Buy a digital blood pressure device and measure when you are supine and when you are standing. A drop of 20 or more systolic when you stand could be concern.

**Hiro Protagonist** · Posted On: 8/31/2010 1:21pm

I say it could be your monthly bleeding.

Now, you can believe me, and tap your arse with a nice fluffy tampon, or you could...

SEE A DAMN DOCTOR!

**shotfghter** · Posted On: 5/29/2011 12:53am

I've actually been looking for an answer to this myself. I got it a while back and had it for quite sometime. I'm sure by now its cleared up right? It was BPPV, along with me not tapping from chokes. it bothered me for a while so I just thought I could give a good answer. hopefully this helps.

**Robstafarian** · Posted On: 5/29/2011 3:00am

I have had this problem occasionally for about five years, theoretically related to a series of vasovagal syncope episodes. I had no health insurance during that period, however, and the first I'll have seen a doctor since then will be next month (assuming I can get an appointment that quickly after my new card arrives).

Tangent:

Spoiler:

**SifuJason** · Posted On: 5/29/2011 4:16pm

Originally Posted by Aodhan

I'd suspect orthostatic hypotension, but then you'd probably have it getting up as well.

Orthostatic hypotension by definition gets worse with standing, so that is ruled out. My guess is an otolith in the ear. But yes, go to the doctor.

**Prince Vlad** · Posted On: 5/29/2011 4:44pm

My wife suffers from something similar and was diagnosed with Meniere's Disease,
unless you go to the GP you won't know. That one is totally fixable BTW, she gets a prescription whenever it flares up and it solves the problem. Get it looked at by a GP, it could be anything. You don't want to let something insidious go without dealing with it.

BTW - I had blood pressure issues in the past and I only felt the effects when I stood up suddenly and it was generally dizziness combined with loss of vision.