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Will it ever end?

Posted , 77 users are following.

magnets123
magnets123

sad rolleyes

I am 37 years old and about four and a half weeks ago I began experiencing serious dizziness. I knew that this was not normal by any means yet I was not falling over or vomiting. I figured that it was just from me being stressed out or something. A day or two later I realized that it was not going away. The dizziness began increasing especially after a cigarette and a cup of coffee lol. My blood pressure is normal and to my knowledge I do not have any serious illnesses. Yeah yeah I know that its not good for me. However, every time that I would look left and right my head began to spin and ultimately I would have to retire to my couch for the whole day. Luckily I was on vacation during the worse of this. I went to the regular doctors office and was told that I may have a sinus infection yet I showed absolutely no signs of one what so ever. The doc prescribed me Prednisone and told me that if there was any fluid in my sinuses that it will clear them up. That stuff is straight nasty and it caused rapid heartbeat and sleep deprivation for me personally. Yuk! I took the stuff and let it run its course yet it did nothing for me. I went back and saw a different doc and was diagnosed with vertigo. She told me that I probably had a middle ear infection, prescribed me some meclizine and a nasal spray, then sent me on my way. Funny thing about all of this is I have 0 ear pain, no sinus issue that I am aware of, and no wax issue. I took the meclizine and it would make me drowsy but it did seem to work a little. The nasal spray just caused anxiety for me so I stopped taking both. The docs gave me a referral to an ENT. Before I visited the ENT, I decided to go see an eye doctor. I wanted to do this as a process of elimination. I started noticing at work behind the computer or when I was reading books, cell phone, or whatever that I was getting dizzy so this is something that was brought up to the eye doc. Long story short I was sent away by the eye doctor and was told that I have perfect vision. My next step was the ENT. I showed up to the ENT about two and a half weeks after it started and that morning I was feeling better. The ENT tested me for possible vertigo and my symptoms were gone. She said that she thinks I have Labyrinthitis. However she did give me a referral to take an MRI and have bloodwork done. She never mentioned whether I should continue with the meds or not. I just finished the MRI and bloodwork and currently awaiting the results. I am on week four and a half right now. I tried olive oil and peroxcide in my ears and exercises but to no avail. I will say though that most of the vertigo from where I look left and right has left yet I am dizzy. I will sit in certain positions or lie down in certain positions and I get dizzy. when I make a turn in my car or come to a sudden stop I get dizzy. When I read or look at my cell phone for more then 20 seconds I get dizzy. I wake up and get out of bed I am dizzy. The worse of this occurs between 8am til about 2:30-3:00 pm everyday almost. The nights seem to provide much relief. this is really cramping my social life along with my job. My questions to everyone are as follows: Has this happened to any of you out there? If so what did you do? Although I am awaiting test results, if they come back negative for everything then what would be my next step and what is causing this excess dizziness? Help anyone!!!!!!!

4 likes, 140 replies

140 Replies

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  • Ana_Belle
    Ana_Belle

    Posted

    I had similar symptoms. The dizziness got so bad, I finally gave up caffeine completely - no coffee, no black tea, no Coke Zero -- things that kept me going during the day. It was heartbreaking. I LOVE coffee.

    But now the dizziness is gone, and I can think straighter. I guess it's worth it.

  • magnets123
    magnets123

    Posted

    Thanks Ana I am beginning to come to that conclusion as well. May have to quit smoking and cut back on coffee. I love both unfortunately. I gave up alcohol completely 6 years ago so no worries there. Wonder what I have to sacrifice next lmao
  • workingmom
    workingmom

    Posted

    when you saw the ENT you mentioned they thought you had Labyrinthitis but did they also explain that this can actually be what's causing your vertigo? There are many causes of vertigo but the most comment is BPPV and one of the triggers is labyrinthitis. Even though you weren't dizzy during your visit, once you begin having issues with vertigo it's not unlikely to experience future lapses or recurring episodes. Especially as you get older. If your next test come back fine and you are still having issues with dizziness I would talk to your doctor again about BPPV. There are test that can be done to confirm this and there are ways to help manage it. You may find this helpfuly... http://vestibular.org/understanding-vestibular-disorders/types-vestibular-disorders/benign-paroxysmal-positional-vertigo

  • magnets123
    magnets123

    Posted

    Thanks for the info working mom. My original doctor thought I had positional vertigo due to crystals in my ear. However my ENT told me that she thinks I have lab. She had me lean over on both sides with my head off a table. I am still waiting on my lab work and MRI results. Some days are worse then others and I am on week 5 now
  • ravingdave20
    ravingdave20

    Posted

    Hi Magnets, I have had very similar issue to you going on for 6 coming up to 7 months now. Doctor initially diagnosed it as Labirinthitus, gave me some pills but no joy, went back after a couple of months and was told thats too long for Labirinthitus so was told its likely to be an inner ear infection, went to an ENT and the ENT did nothing just told me to monitor it for a month and come back, sadly I have no other information for you from a personal level other than from months of trailing the internet it would be possible that you have Labirinthitus does the dizzyness feel like the room is spinning or a mind fog like things just dont feel right and its hard to concentrate on something? If its room spinning I would take the route of Labirinthitus and ask them to explore that option more. Out of curiosity how did your MRI go? Im hoping of course good news. Do you ever notice it goes away when you are concentrating on something else? Anyway, best of luck to you mate hopefully it clears up for you soon I feel your pain its a seriously annoying and sometimes scary illness.

    Kind regards

    Dave.

  • magnets123
    magnets123

    Posted

    Hey Dave,

    I was diagnosed with lab and it still sucks off and on. My MRI and blood work came back normal. I find that it is usually at it's worse from say the time I wake up til around 2 or 3 in the afternoon. I had 3 to 4 decent days this past week but today it came back to the normal dizzy feeling. I feel dizzy more so then vertigo yet but it's not everyday. I find that when I smoke cigarettes or drink caffeine it irritates it and sometimes sets it off for the rest of the day. If I sit in a certain position I will get dizzy. If I turn around too quickly I will get dizzy or off balance. Yes Dave it seems to not be as bad if I am concentrating on something or not thinking about it. The room doesn't spin for me except it seems that my eyes are playing catch up at times. I am thinking that it may have something to do with our sinuses. Perhaps it is allergies or possibly stress added with a bad diet. If I exercise I feel a bit better but it doesn't stay away. Keep in touch

  • workingmom
    workingmom

    Posted

    Glad Magnets your test results came back clear and you finally have it diagnosed. With lab you could experience problems off and on for weeks before clearing up for good so hang in there. The website I shared also has information about lab if you look around. Just keep in mind that some cases, you might experience episodes of vertigo for the rest of your life but hopefully in your case it'll clear up and not come back!

    Dave, I'm sorry you are still having issues from time to time. 6-7 months is a long time to be experiences vertigo attacks. Has your doctor checked to see if your labirinthitus damaged the vestibular nerve? That would be one explanation as to why you aren't getting any better.

  • magnets123
    magnets123

    Posted

    Hey working mom I just had my follow up visit with my ENT today and she told me that she can't do anything for me anymore. She said that my lab should have gotten better if not gone by now. She is referring me to a neurologist now. Thinks that I could be suffering migraines even though I am not having headaches. Also she thinks that maybe I have a pinched nerve in my neck. I told her that a friend of mine had similar symptoms to mine. I went on to tell her that she saw a neurologist and they administered a couple shots in the back of her neck. About a half hour later my friend said she felt amazing and said it was like the vertigo was never even there. She has been fine ever since and said it's been over a year now. My ENT seemed to know about the shot I was telling her about. I guess that I will see what the neurologist suggests
  • malcy555
    malcy555

    Posted

    Hi magnets123.

    I am suffering the same sort of thing as you and i am at the stage where i dont know what i am going to do any more .

    I have a post in the Dizziness section.

    I had bloods done and ct and then a mri at a private hospital all coming back clear.

    Now i am on migraine meds and they are not working for me also.

    Dizziness every day and it is at the point i dont want to go out as scared incase i will fall over in public.

    The ER doctors told me not to go back as there was nothing they could do for me so where does that leave the normal person to go for advice.

  • magnets123
    magnets123

    Posted

    Well that is just lovely isn't it Malcy555. I am guessing maybe we just have to ride it out. I hear of this lasting for a long time but eventually it goes away. Listening to people's testimonies on whatever we have I am hopeful that it goes away in time. I was told to try acupuncture as it may be stress induced. If I get that done I will let you know how it turns out
  • malcy555
    malcy555

    Posted

    I was told by the specialist at the private hospital not to worry about a aneurysm as that was different symptoms ect.

    I am sure a mri would show that if that had been happening but i know i may have to get one with contrast dye to see everything but dont know.

    I will also try and see someone that does acupuncture as this may be the only hope we have in getting better from this horrible condition.

  • magnets123
    magnets123

    Posted

    Yeah I did the MRI to make sure and give a sense of peace. Prob won't show anything malcy. They injected me with dye as well
  • workingmom
    workingmom

    Posted

    Wow Malcy555 there is nothing more frustrating then a doctor or hospital saying there is nothing they can do. Unfortunately this happens to a lot of people including many in my family. Have you seen a ENT specialist at all, if so what have they got to say?

    And has any one of you had a doctor try any head maneuvers to relieve your dizziness at all?? I"m surprised none of you have mentioned trying a Epley or Dix-Hallpike maneuver? Especially since you've been having ongoing issues for so long. They won't cure your vertigo but if done right they can help relieve dizziness to help you get through the day.

  • malcy555
    malcy555

    Posted

    This is my second week on the medicine the neuro doctor gave me but i still dont feel right to be honest.

    Its a weird type of headache like a thick feeling but constant dizziness and worse when i move around.

    I really dont think i will get better as its been a while now.

    I have made a new appointment with the neuro doctor for next week and will ask him his opinion on getting another mri with contrast this time or should my first mri i had done be sufficient to you think?.

    They told me i had no tumours or eneuyrsm but if they are small ones i doubt it would have showed on a mri?.

    It is amazing in this day and age no one can get help with headaches and dizziness

  • magnets123
    magnets123

    Posted

    I haven't really tried the head maneuvers lately since the doc said I have lab or silent migraines. I find when I wake up in the morning I sometimes have a dull pain on the exact same spot on my head and the dizzies follow shortly afterwards. Wondering if it's allergies.
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