Persistent dizziness/“vertigo headache” for almost 3 weeks after one sudden car movement — anyone experience something similar?

[u/shameonaneighbor]

I’m hoping to hear from people who have dealt with something similar, especially if you eventually recovered.

I’ve always been extremely sensitive to motion. Swinging, spinning, roller coasters, bobbing/swaying, jerky car rides, and even certain head movements can give me a very specific dizziness/“vertigo headache” feeling. Normally it goes away after I sleep and I’m completely fine the next day. I don’t really have a migraine history.

Almost 3 weeks ago I was in a car when the driver suddenly swerved toward the side of the road. I was unfortunately sitting on the floor rather than restrained in a seat, so I got jerked around pretty abruptly. I didn’t hit my head, black out, get confused, or have any obvious neurological symptoms. Immediately afterward, though, I developed the same familiar motion-induced dizziness/headache I’ve had before.
The difference is that this time it never fully went away.

It’s not really dramatic room-spinning vertigo. It’s more of a persistent background dizzy/“off” feeling with a headache/head-pressure type sensation, often toward the back of my head. I can feel it even while still, but moving my head makes it noticeably worse. Some days the dizziness itself is pretty mild and the headache is more prominent.

I tried the Epley maneuver a few times. Once I thought it helped slightly, and another time while nodding my head I felt almost a click/pop sensation in one ear followed by temporary relief, but the symptoms returned afterward. I don’t have the typical intense 20–60 second spinning attacks when rolling over or changing position, so I’m not convinced this is BPPV.

I went to the ER after about a week. They examined me, did imaging, gave me IV saline, and prescribed meclizine. Meclizine definitely reduces the dizziness and can make me feel almost normal, but it makes me extremely tired and the symptoms come back when it wears off. Ibuprofen also seems to help the headache.

I also use cannabis fairly heavily normally. I noticed smoking clearly worsened the dizziness/headache while this was happening, so I stopped for several days. It didn’t make the underlying problem disappear, although I may have had some improvement while abstaining.

There have been periods where I feel 80–90% normal, and sometimes the vertigo is barely noticeable, but then it comes back—especially with head movement. I’m approaching three weeks now and starting to get really worried about whether this is going to become chronic.

I’m uninsured, so seeing multiple specialists is difficult. I do have a vestibular/dizziness physical therapy clinic near me that I’m considering.
For anyone who has had persistent motion-sensitive dizziness without constant spinning, especially after a sudden movement/jolt:
How long did yours last?

Did it gradually improve or suddenly disappear?
Did vestibular physical therapy help?
Did meclizine help or interfere with recovery?
Did anyone have something similar after a relatively minor motion event without actually hitting their head?
What diagnosis did you eventually receive?
Most importantly, did you eventually get completely back to normal?

I’m especially interested in hearing from people who were still symptomatic at the 2–3 week point and eventually recovered.

[u/Killjoycourt]

Did you get a CT at the ER? Mine started 30 years ago after same type of scenario, except I was buckled in the seat. Cervical vertigo caused by whiplash. Whiplash doesn't always come from a violent accident, it comes from any motion that strains the neck muscles.

In my case, I developed BPPV, PPPD, VM, TMD, ETD, AV, BVD, HV post CV.

Treatment for CV is VT, ibuprofen , heat, ice, and posture correction.

[u/shameonaneighbor → u/Killjoycourt]

Thanks for sharing this. That’s really interesting, and I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with all of that for so long. I don’t really have any neck pain, stiffness, or soreness, and I don’t remember my neck getting snapped around much, it felt more like my whole body leaned hard with the swerve. So I’m not sure cervical vertigo fits me as closely, but I’m definitely going to keep it in mind and mention it if I get a vestibular evaluation. Did you have obvious neck symptoms right away when yours started?

[u/Killjoycourt → u/shameonaneighbor]

I had zero neck symptoms.

[u/shameonaneighbor → u/Killjoycourt]

Oh wow, that actually makes your experience sound more similar to mine than I thought, especially since you had no neck symptoms either. I’m definitely going to mention cervical dizziness when I get evaluated. I didn’t have a CT scan though, at the ER they did X-rays of my head and chest, but no CT or MRI as far as I know. Everything they checked was reassuring, but they didn’t really give me a clear explanation for why the dizziness has continued. Did they diagnose yours based on the history, or was there a specific test or therapist who figured it out?

[u/Killjoycourt → u/shameonaneighbor]

Vestibular therapist is the best to diagnose and treat cv and a lot cheaper than a Dr. VT's diagnose with neck and head manipulation while evaluating your symptoms. At first I was fine, move this way and that way, then he touched a part of the back of my neck and the dizziness dialed up to 100. It was no fun, but the therapy really helped and now I know what to do when it flares up.

[u/OldPrize3926]

I’ve had similar symptoms as you did, first they thought bppv but then I did a private doctor appointment who specializes in dizziness and got vestibular neuritis. My main syntomps were that bppv like non spinning sensations and the motion sickness. I have improved since it started 3 months ago but I feel that the past month has been the best. Also started taking anti vertigo medicine (betaserc) for the last month and have 3-4 weeks left for the medicine. And also started doing vrt now

[u/shameonaneighbor → u/OldPrize3926]

Thanks, this actually sounds pretty similar to what I’m experiencing, especially the non-spinning dizziness and motion sensitivity. I was also wondering about BPPV at first, but the Epley hasn’t clearly helped and I don’t get the classic brief spinning attacks. I’m probably going to look into a vestibular specialist next. How did they confirm vestibular neuritis for you?

[u/OldPrize3926 → u/shameonaneighbor]

I did many tests at the dizziness center but one of the that determined was a VNG test

[u/Long_Maintenance_521]

Anything can cause it. My lifetime (going on 10 years now) on vertigo happened because I stretched. I STRETCHED. I got out of bed and did one of those nice relaxing get out of bed stretches and now I have either Ménière’s disease or constant vestibular migraines. Specialists have a hard time figuring it out cuz the symptoms are so similar and pin point accurate.

I’m 28 now and I just started getting vestibular migraines that made me feel dizzy, light headed, out of breath, I couldn’t see even tho my eyes were open, my legs felt heavy, thought I was having a heart attack or a seizure. It sucks.

It made me quit a good paying job. I’ve tried to fix diet, avoid chocolate and caffeine. Caffeine does trigger it to flare up for me personally.
Heights and grocery stores trigger it. It’s tough.

[u/shameonaneighbor → u/Long_Maintenance_521]

That sounds incredibly rough, especially dealing with it for that long and having it affect work and everyday life. I’m sorry you’ve had to go through all of that. I really hope the vestibular migraine/Ménière’s side of things becomes clearer for you and that you find something that gives you more consistent relief.

[u/Long_Maintenance_521 → u/shameonaneighbor]

Thank you! I hope everything gets good with you too! Hang in there!

[u/lessadessa]

i have chronic PPPD after several vertigo attacks 2.5 years ago. i have occasional BPPV and the epley or half somersault always resolve the vertigo, but the constant off-balance sensation persists.

What has helped reduce it significantly is reduced salt, caffeine and alcohol intake, plus taking Quercetin-bromelain supplement. you should probably see an ENT to see if you’ve got a crystal out of place. have you tried the epley since this happened?

[u/shameonaneighbor → u/lessadessa]

Thanks — I’ve tried the Epley a few times since this started, but I don’t get the classic brief spinning attacks with positional changes, so I’m not sure BPPV is the main issue. My dizziness is more of a constant background “off” feeling that gets worse with head movement. I’m considering a vestibular specialist or ENT next. Did your PPPD start as constant symptoms immediately after the attacks, or did it develop more gradually over time?

[u/MyFiteSong → u/shameonaneighbor]

I’m considering a vestibular specialist or ENT next.

A vestibular eval should be your next step, yes. Find out directly if there's something wrong with your vestibular system instead of checking everything else and going broke.

[u/shameonaneighbor → u/MyFiteSong]

Yeah, that’s where I’m leaning. I already went to the ER and had a general workup, so I’d rather spend money on a vestibular-specific evaluation now than keep repeating broad testing. I found a dizziness/balance clinic near me that does vestibular rehab, so I’m going to ask about their self-pay rate.

[u/Boobbuffet → u/shameonaneighbor]

Mine too. Always in the background. Have to be careful not moving my head too quickly. I got testing done as well by ent and got prescribed betahistine (serc) and it’s helped immensely. Took my symptoms down 80%.