Question: Hi. I am a 50 year old female. Basically healthy, but I have been diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse since age 22... my symptoms (heart palpitations and dizziness) are almost fully controlled with 50mg atenolol per day. But I've been on this drug for over 25 years! I don't like taking this (or any) drug, especially as a "lifestyle" but I've tried to go off it several times and can't, so for now I take it until I can find some sort of natural substance that has a beta blocking effect. Any ideas? Recently, I've also been diagnosed with benign positional vertigo. Thank God it flares up only a few times a year... the attacks last for only a minute, but then there's residual dizziness for several days. I had an attack last week and began with practicing extremely good self care with lots of water, sleep, and an extremely clean diet, it seems to have helped. After lots of reading online, I believe that my two conditions... my MVP and my BPV... are related! I believe they are both just symptoms of my self-diagnosed "dysautonomia" because I read about the symptoms of dysautonomia and I believe I have a mild case of it for all my life. I believe I am sort of a "universal reactor" with a hyper-sensitive system, since I poorly tolerate many stimuli that others tolerate well. I have voiced this theory to several doctors, both traditional and homeopathic. No one seems real interested in my theory, though. I don't have a specific question, but would appreciate any insight or guidance you could give.

Thanks for your reply. Can you tell me the risks and side effects of the surgical interventions for benign positional vertigo and also the success rate? Much thanks.