Dizzy spells guide

Dizzy spells that came back after a doctor found BPPV

This visit is only for adults 18 to 64 whose BPPV was already found by a clinician in person. They told you which ear it is in. The Epley maneuver they did, or taught you, helped.

Start online

Start a $59 online review for Dizzy spells after BPPV.

BPPV is a common inner ear problem. Tiny crystals in the ear come loose. When you move your head, you feel a short spin. Doctors call it benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. It is not dangerous by itself. It can come back. We cannot test your ear by text. We cannot watch your eyes move. A stroke can look like BPPV. So we only help people who already had the in-person check. If BPPV was never found in person, please do not use this visit. See a doctor in person within 7 days instead.

This visit does not include a prescription. Your physician sends guidance and next steps through the portal.

Start this visit See response times

Quick facts

You must be physically located in Virginia or West Virginia at the time of request.
Starts at $59
No insurance needed
No app download
Physician review around the clock
A work or school note can be included when medically appropriate
Response times apply 24/7, every day

Common symptoms

A short spin when you roll over in bed or lie back
A spin when you sit up, look up, or bend over
Spins that last under about a minute
Feeling normal or only a little off between spins

May fit online care

Adults 18 and older
You are 18 to 64
A clinician told you in person that you have BPPV
They did the Epley maneuver or taught it to you, and it helped
You know which ear it is in, and the spinning is worse when you lie on that side
The spins are short and feel the same as before
This spell started less than 4 weeks ago
Another adult will be home when you do the steps

Look for another care setting

Weakness or numbness in your face, arm, or leg, or a drooping face, even if it went away (call 911 or go to the ER now).
Trouble speaking, understanding speech, or swallowing, even if it went away (call 911 or go to the ER now).
Double vision or a change in your vision, even if it went away (call 911 or go to the ER now).
Trouble walking, or not being able to stand without help, even if it went away (call 911 or go to the ER now).
A new, very bad headache, sudden bad neck pain, or neck pain after a neck injury (call 911 or go to the ER now).
Confusion, even if it went away, a seizure, a fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher, or a very stiff neck (call 911 or go to the ER now).
Spinning that starts by itself, even if it passes in a few minutes (call 911 or go to the ER now).
Spinning or dizziness that stays strong when you hold still, for 1 hour or more (call 911 or go to the ER now).
New hearing loss, fainting, or feeling like you will faint (call 911 or go to the ER now).
Chest pain, trouble breathing, or a racing, pounding, or skipping heartbeat (call 911 or go to the ER now).
A hit to the head, or a fall with a hit to the head, in the last 3 days (call 911 or go to the ER now).
A hit to the head in the last 4 weeks if you take a blood thinner (call 911 or go to the ER now).
Throwing up so much that you cannot keep fluids down (call 911 or go to the ER now).
Each spin lasts more than a few minutes, even when a head movement sets it off (go to the ER or urgent care today).
A new headache or new neck pain that came with this spell, even if it is mild (go to the ER or urgent care today).
A hit to the head more than 3 days ago but in the last 4 weeks, if you do not take a blood thinner (see a doctor in person today).
A fall in the last 4 weeks without hitting your head, if you take a blood thinner (see a doctor in person today).
Pain or drainage in an ear (see a doctor in person today).
BPPV that was never found by a clinician in person, or you are not sure (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
The Epley maneuver was never done or taught to you, or it did not help or helped only a little, or you are not sure (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
Not knowing which ear, both ears, or spinning that is worse when you lie on the side of the other ear (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
Age 65 or older (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
Pregnancy or possible pregnancy (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
Spins that are not the same as before (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
Spins that last about a minute up to a few minutes, or not being sure how long they last (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
Feeling lightheaded mostly when you stand up, or another pattern (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
Ringing or a full feeling in an ear (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
A spell that started 4 weeks ago or more (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
A fall in the past year, feeling unsteady when you are not spinning, or worry about falling (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
A neck or back problem that makes it hard or painful to tilt your head back, turn it, or lie flat (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
Neck surgery, even if it does not hurt (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
A neck injury that still limits you, even if it does not hurt (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
Narrowing of the spine in the neck, even if it does not hurt (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
Arthritis of the neck bones, even if it does not hurt (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
A damaged disk in the neck, even if it does not hurt (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
A pinched nerve in the neck, even if it does not hurt (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
Severe rheumatoid arthritis, even if it does not hurt (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
Ankylosing spondylitis, even if it does not hurt (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
Paget's disease of bone, even if it does not hurt (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
A spinal cord injury, even if it does not hurt (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
Down syndrome, even if it does not hurt (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
A long-term low back problem, even if it does not hurt (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
A severe curve of the spine, even if it does not hurt (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
A body size that makes it hard to lie back and roll over, even if it does not hurt (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
A past stroke or mini-stroke, narrowed neck arteries, a detached retina, or a heart problem that is not stable (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
No other adult at home with you (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
Under 18 (see your own doctor).

What to have ready

When and where a clinician found your BPPV, and which ear
What the clinician did, and if it helped
Every medicine you take, including any blood thinner
A bed, a pillow, and another adult at home

What happens next

Standard

$59

Within 6 hours

Priority

$99

Within 3 hours

Rush

$149

Within 1 hour

Start the request on the website, answer a few questions to check that this visit fits you, and choose how fast you want an answer (the response window). If your concern still fits this service, a physician reviews it and sends you a secure update after you sign in. A basic work or school note can be included at physician discretion.

Your physician

Every visit is personally reviewed by Ankur Fadia, MD. He is board-certified, has extra training in heart care (a cardiology fellowship), and is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, a medical honor society. He is licensed in Virginia and West Virginia, and your care is never handed off to someone else.

About Ankur Fadia, MD Verify Virginia medical license Verify West Virginia medical license Verify board certification

Why only if a clinician already diagnosed it?

We cannot test your ear by text. We cannot watch your eyes move. A stroke can look like BPPV. So we only help people who already had the in-person check. If BPPV was never found in person, see a doctor in person within 7 days.

Why no medicine?

We do not send a medicine for this. Pills like meclizine, Benadryl, and sleeping pills do not fix BPPV. They can make you sleepy and more likely to fall.

Why can't I do the steps if I am over 65?

This visit is only for adults 18 to 64. The steps can make you dizzy and a little unsteady for a day or two. A fall is a bigger risk for older adults. So if you are 65 or older, see a doctor in person within 7 days.

What if I am not sure which ear?

The steps must be done for the ear with BPPV. Done for the wrong ear, they do not work. If you do not know which ear, if it is both ears, or if the spinning is worse when you lie on the side of the other ear, see a doctor in person within 7 days.

Other conditions we treat

Not quite what you have? Here are other conditions we treat.

Blepharitis Canker sores Dental infection Dry eye and eye allergies Ear infection (middle ear)Earwax