Are you spinning, dizzy, or nauseous when lying down or rolling over? Below are some helpful things you can do if you get vertigo when lying down or rolling over in bed.
WHAT TO DO WHEN I HAVE VERTIGO FROM LYING DOWN OR ROLLING OVER
People who feel vertigo when lying down or rolling over have an option to stay put in that position and “wait it out.” Vertigo when lying down or rolling over in bed usually lasts for less than one minute.
The other option is to sit up or prop up on at least two pillows to interrupt the vertigo experience. This of course depends on how you feel, because some people are unable to move safely to sit up while they are having vertigo and they have to wait it out.
WHAT CAUSES VERTIGO WHEN LYING DOWN OR ROLLING OVER?
Most often vertigo when lying down or rolling over in bed is caused by BPPV, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. The good news is that simple BPPV can be resolved in 1-2 sessions of “particle repositioning maneuvers” about 85-90% of the time.
The bad news is that finding a skilled provider who can treat BPPV is not easy, because it requires a clinical specialty. You can search for a provider who performs “particle repositioning maneuvers” at vestibular.org.
HELPFUL STRATEGIES?
In the meantime, you can use the following strategies to manage the vertigo when lying down or rolling over. This technique is called the “active rest.”
- Sit on a chair or lie down propped up on at least two pillows, if possible.
- Keep your head still.
- Concentrate on the points of contact between your skin and the supportive surface.
- Either stare at a vertical line, or close your eyes if your eyes are bouncing around, whichever feels better.
- Take slow deep breaths to try to remain calm.
- Avoid moving back into any “provoking positions” or triggering motions, until you are evaluated and instructed by a Vestibular Health Care Professional (BPPV expert).
For example, if you got the vertigo rolling onto your left side, then don’t do that again until after you are treated by a BPPV expert.
HOW TO MANAGE THE VERTIGO GOING FORWARD
Eventually, you will resume all normal activities with the help of a skilled provider. But until BPPV is resolved, you might just make yourself feel miserable.
Note: Vertigo when lying down or rolling over in bed is most commonly caused by BPPV, but it can also have other causes. Your Vestibular Expert can assess you for other root causes as well.
LEARN MORE
For more information on managing vertigo and a video link, check out this blog post at BetterBalanceInLife.com called “FAQ: How Can I Manage an Episode of Vertigo?”
Disclaimer
This blog is provided for informational and educational purposes only. The content and any comments by Dr. Kim Bell, DPT are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The details of any case mentioned in this post represent a typical patient that Dr. Bell might see and do not describe the circumstances of a specific individual.
I need a vertigo dr in the Dallas Ft Worth area. Do you know of any?
Hi Rebecca,
I do not know of anyone in DFW area, but I have a good contact in Austin:
Bridgett Wallace, PT, DPT at 360 Balance & Dizziness Center
I suggest you start by contacting them. You can schedule a telehealth appointment with Bridgett if possible.
Then she may be able to refer you to someone local that she trusts.
You can also use this blog to search for a local provider in DFW.
Best wishes!
My vertigo happened after getting my Flu and New COVID inoculation. Now it happens when I lie down. I never experienced it before but it lasts a couple of seconds.
These additional blog articles may help you:
How to find a vertigo doctor
Covid related dizziness
Vertigo home remedies
BPPV symptoms: What to Know
Best wishes! I hope you feel better soon.
Why is it more common in women than men?
Hi Alfred,
Similar experience – I contracted covid for the first time in autumn of 22’, had my first episode of vertigo about a month later. It was so bad I had to crawl to my front door and called paramedics. I had never experienced vertigo, so I thought perhaps I had a neurological issue going on and was quite frightened.
I’ve signed up for PT to take place in a month, since covid I have experienced dizziness especially when flying and even a few times at night when am turning on my side. Just cut out all caffeine to see how that will impact things, I’m now five days without caffeine.
COVID related dizziness
I hope that blog helps!
I have been suffering from Vertigo for the last 6 months. My vertigo and this feeling that you get when you are in a plane and experience an air pocket drop, triggers when i lie down. There are days when i wake up at night with this feeling. Is there any vestibular specialists in bay area that you can recommend.
Hi Sachin,
You can search for a vertigo doctor or Vestibular physical therapist in your area using this article.
I hope you feel better soon!
Thank you for your great info!
Years ago I experienced vertigo pretty bad. Vontrol injections helped me and in another episode serc.
In both cases, I had not slept that night for social or work reasons, but the first time I remember waking up in a rush and something moving in my inner ear.
Years later, I would stand up in the morning and feel some dizziness. And one time after, I had another vertigo attack during a very bad case of sinusitis.
But yesterday, while sleeping and trying to stretch my neck because it hurt I had a bad episode. Immediately I turned on my right side and put lots of pillows, and it helped. Then I got up with some dizziness but walking to the kitchen it increased.
My stomach felt motion-sick again when I tried to sleep on the bed, even with pillows and on the right side which is not the bad side.
I tried the Epley maneuver and it was horrible! Thank God I immediately turn my head to the right and things improved well.
It seems my issues occur while lying flat with my head down or up on either side.
I tried stretching of the neck while standing up.
I feel better standing up that sitting down or lying in bed.
I do have gastritis, GERD, hiatal hernia, overweight, and not sleeping at a regular bedtime.
My old doctor (RIP) said that it was important to hydrate, walking, sleeping, seating properly, breathing properly, loosing weight, healthy lifestyle and eating, sleeping on time and not waking up too early nor rushing nor stretching and doing some eye movement, sun or vitamin D3, B12, managing weight, gastritis, GERD, and sinusitis and posture.
I do not the have the visual type this time.
I have thyroids (Hashimoto), scoliosis, lower back and hip and knee issues and neck, migraines, besides sinus, allergies, GERD, gastritis, no gallbladder, colitis, hemorroids and have had major falls in the last few years and couple of accidents years a go. Reason why I spend a lot of time on the bed laying down since few years ago, trying to get some work using my smart phone, which surely stretches my eyes and neck.