WICHITA FALLS MAN

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My Companion, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, also known as BPPV. It's caused by calcium carbonate crystals becoming dislodged in the ear, ending up where they should not be, sending false signals to the brain. Those signals, for me, cause dizziness and spinning rooms.

I've had it for a dozen or more years. It's not a big problem because I have to put my head in positions I don't do daily. Laying flat on my back will usually cause the room to start spinning. So, I sleep on my side. Sometimes, looking straight up will trigger it. That trigger caused it to be called "top shelf syndrome."

I was climbing my antenna tower one day. When I looked up at the antenna, the tower felt like it was falling backward, taking me with it. Luckily, I knew what was going on. I held on until the sensation passed. I was wearing a safety belt.

The dentist, laying the chair back, will cause me to panic, fearing a spin. Research led me to the Epley Maneuver, an easy-to-do exercise that repositions those errant crystals. I've done the maneuver three times, and it has worked. How long the relief will last is anyone's guess. If it returns, as it probably will, I'll call on Dr. Epley for a booster shot!