Author Topic: SUP Surfing with BPPV Vertigo  (Read 8597 times)

seadart

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SUP Surfing with BPPV Vertigo
« on: January 09, 2019, 09:13:08 AM »
Anyone here have experience getting back into the surf after having BPPV attacks?   I haven't had any symptons for about a week, and tried body surfing in cold water without it triggering dizzy spins.   If you had BPPV, did falling, beatdowns and moving /head neck cause issues when you started surfing again?  I'm mostly worried about setting off a severe attack again and not being able to get home from the beach. 

TallDude

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Re: SUP Surfing with BPPV Vertigo
« Reply #1 on: January 09, 2019, 10:34:57 AM »
I've recently had issues with it. Mine was caused by inner ear inflammation. Actually had a MRI brain scan. I would hit me randomly. Hit me surfing and driving. Both scary times. For now my head is clear. Surfing and distance paddling, no problems.
It's not overhead to me!
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stoneaxe

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Re: SUP Surfing with BPPV Vertigo
« Reply #2 on: January 09, 2019, 10:54:14 AM »
Welcome to my world....:)

Mine isn't BPPV but I have some level of vertigo all the time. From a minor feeling of lightness in my head to times when I can hardly walk....or actually can't....I've fallen more than a few times. It's gotten far worse in the last year or so. Worst part is waking in the middle of the night feeling like I'm falling. Nightmares from that shit.

I don't let it stop me....just the opposite actually. I started because of vertigo. SUP made a huge difference but the last year has been tough. I haven't been able to drive to the beach lately, worried about killing someone if my head goes south and I've had lots of days where I knew it could. I literally just ordered a bike before coming on here and seeing your post.  I'll be converting the bike to an e-bike. Beaches are 1 and 1.5 miles in either direction. If I crash a bike it's just me.... :P

I surf dizzy frequently....I stay well away from anyone when I do.
« Last Edit: January 09, 2019, 10:58:51 AM by stoneaxe »
Bob

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seadart

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Re: SUP Surfing with BPPV Vertigo
« Reply #3 on: January 09, 2019, 08:02:12 PM »
Welcome to my world....:)  Mine isn't BPPV but I have some level of vertigo all the time. From a minor feeling of lightness in my head to times when I can hardly walk....or actually can't....I've fallen more than a few times. It's gotten far worse in the last year or so. Worst part is waking in the middle of the night feeling like I'm falling.

I'm sorry you keep experiencing this.  I've had three bouts where things were spinning so fast I could not walk.  First time it happened I asked my wife to take me to the emergency room, where I got the whole high tech exam for brain tumor, stroke etc.   I think she thought I was dying because I usually refuse for injuries etc.  After about a month of this  I've learned attacks will pass in a few hours and just ride it out.  Slowly seems to be going away for me, but I get random bursts of poor balance.  Waking up in the middle of the night doing Mach 2 barrel roles is not fun, I hope they can  find something to help you out.

beached

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Re: SUP Surfing with BPPV Vertigo
« Reply #4 on: January 10, 2019, 03:46:24 AM »
i have it and it ruined my entire last summer. did the whole brain scan thing and came up nothing. as most who have this find out, medical science doesn't really know what to do about it. BPPV is like getting a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome, which means: we know you're hurting but we don't know how to fix it.  For me, the BPPV maneuvers made it worse. so you learn to live with it. i was amazed how many other people told me they, or someone they know, also suffers from it.  There was no way I could SUP surf during this last bad episode of about 2 months. I started getting better when i decided not to let it trash my life and did as much physical stuff as i could; laying around completely inactive seemed to make it worse. Riding my mountain bike in the woods was the main activity that my head seemed to accept.  it's always there, lurking in my head, but i try not to do sudden head movements. and when i'm SUPing, i immediately go to shore if i feel it coming on. The surfing part causes no problems, it's the waiting for the next wave and rocking on the water that can set me off.  staying hydrated is very important.

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Re: SUP Surfing with BPPV Vertigo
« Reply #5 on: January 10, 2019, 05:43:20 AM »
In case someone other than the affected wonders what the acronym means...

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vertigo/symptoms-causes/syc-20370055


Thankfully, I have only had a few severe attacks, but I was either; 'having a stroke' ...'a heart attack' ...or the 'old ex' had somehow fed me rat poison.   'Hope things settle for you all.

Jim
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stoneaxe

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Re: SUP Surfing with BPPV Vertigo
« Reply #6 on: January 10, 2019, 04:04:48 PM »
I'm stuck with mine....remnants of tumor radiation and surgery. No vestibular organs on the left side. Hard core paddling retrained my vestibular system. Once the bike gets here and I get it modified I'll be going every day I can. I need to get back into a routine of simply going.

I've given up some stuff...like skiing....I haven'yt biked much either but to hell with it....worse being stuck in the house.
« Last Edit: January 10, 2019, 04:06:38 PM by stoneaxe »
Bob

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Re: SUP Surfing with BPPV Vertigo
« Reply #7 on: January 11, 2019, 12:50:55 PM »
bob: are you still getting in the water, come what may?  i had to stop about a year ago and have been miserable ever since but i really had no choice.  did buy an infinity waveski and was able to manage on that but it's not SUP and i wasn't happy on it.  had to pretty much give up on two wheels bikes, too, again for balance reasons, and am morosely contemplating an electric trike.  i still float around here looking at vids and reading up on various adventures and exploits but i'd sure rather be having them instead.  ah well. onward.

Zooport

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Re: SUP Surfing with BPPV Vertigo
« Reply #8 on: January 11, 2019, 06:24:37 PM »
My simple cure: I had terrible trouble with BPPV, so much that I couldn't surf, a few years ago and was able to cure mine.  I struggled with it for months and then stumbled on my cure by reading about it online, and it was stupidly simple.   I'm not saying this will work on anyone else, but I found my vertigo was related to letting myself get dehydrated.   I started drinking lots of water and it totally went away.  Now a few years later, when I start to get another attack, I drink lots of water repeatedly for a few days and the vertigo goes away. 

Try it.  What have you got to lose?
« Last Edit: January 11, 2019, 06:29:20 PM by Zooport »
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surfercook

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Re: SUP Surfing with BPPV Vertigo
« Reply #9 on: January 11, 2019, 06:52:25 PM »
Wow...I knew stoneaxe had vertigo but there's quite a few of you! Sounds scary. Not the kinda vert you wanna get.  :(
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Re: SUP Surfing with BPPV Vertigo
« Reply #10 on: January 11, 2019, 09:03:17 PM »
My wife and I have both had attacks over the years, but doing treatments like the Epley maneuver either by ourselves or with a skilled PT has always cured it within an hour, and then we are good for months or years. Both of us have gone surfing and skiing within a few hours of successful treatment, with no problems. For anyone who has this problem, I would suggest finding a skilled PT who specializes in it.
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beached

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Re: SUP Surfing with BPPV Vertigo
« Reply #11 on: January 12, 2019, 03:14:49 AM »
My wife and I have both had attacks over the years, but doing treatments like the Epley maneuver either by ourselves or with a skilled PT has always cured it within an hour, and then we are good for months or years. Both of us have gone surfing and skiing within a few hours of successful treatment, with no problems. For anyone who has this problem, I would suggest finding a skilled PT who specializes in it.

i'm glad the Epley maneuver worked for you guys, and know it works for many, but for me (and others i've read about) it can make it much worse. i have no idea why this is so, but it's just a warning to anyone who might experience vertigo in the future. try it once and if it makes you worse, don't try it again. a set back dealing with vertigo can last for weeks, months, etc.

Zooport

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Re: SUP Surfing with BPPV Vertigo
« Reply #12 on: January 12, 2019, 03:29:04 AM »
i'm glad the Epley maneuver worked for you guys, and know it works for many, but for me (and others i've read about) it can make it much worse. i have no idea why this is so, but it's just a warning to anyone who might experience vertigo in the future. try it once and if it makes you worse, don't try it again. a set back dealing with vertigo can last for weeks, months, etc.
Me too, I went to a specialist, wore the goggles, took the tests and then they eventually performed a number of specific Epley maneuvers on me.  Made me worse for a little then settled down into the same level of vertigo I had before.  Only rehydrating myself to the extreme, as I mentioned above, cured me. 
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stoneaxe

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Re: SUP Surfing with BPPV Vertigo
« Reply #13 on: January 12, 2019, 05:27:36 AM »
bob: are you still getting in the water, come what may?  i had to stop about a year ago and have been miserable ever since but i really had no choice.  did buy an infinity waveski and was able to manage on that but it's not SUP and i wasn't happy on it.  had to pretty much give up on two wheels bikes, too, again for balance reasons, and am morosely contemplating an electric trike.  i still float around here looking at vids and reading up on various adventures and exploits but i'd sure rather be having them instead.  ah well. onward.
Trying to anyway. The Bike is about making that happen again. I've even been thinking maybe we should move to get within easy walking distance of the beach but we love the new house.

Sucks that you can't get out. You didn't like the Waveski? I thought I might have to go that route eventually but I tried it and it kills my back.
Bob

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Re: SUP Surfing with BPPV Vertigo
« Reply #14 on: January 12, 2019, 05:37:17 AM »
I love your spirit stoneaxe!

 


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