24/7 dizziness it's killing me

I'm in Malaysia and I bet it works differently here, can't afford private & can't demand a thing on public hospital.. I've seen lots of different gp's so it always differ opinions & most seems clueless.. cut salt with no differ! I have a question, ccan't sleep at night took zolpidem (sleeping pills) when it kicks in the dizziness gone, swaying & constant moving feeling just gone, how is that possible? do I need anti depressant? is the Ent right that I need psychiatrist instead??

Hi Jon, in many cases antidepressants are presecribed for dizziness and vertigo. But like Gillian said you need to see a Neuro Otologist. Maybe in your country psychiatrist oversee patients with vertigo as it could be that they don't have any Neuro Otologist to treat patients.

will antidepressants lift the dizziness a way as zzolpidem?? I know from readings others there's no quick fix but....... I just don't get it how can I felt normal when on it for 2 or 3 hours before falling asleep (stay awake on purpose to test how long it last).. I'm afraid gonna got hooked on it if this the only relief I'll have

I'm no expert in this field, but what I do know is that antidepressants are prescribed for vertigo. And the reason you feel normal is because the medication is working to stop the dizziness.  If you want to stop feeling dizzy you may not have a choice but to take the medication.

 

is there any specific name for the meds? I know everyone differ but I wish I'm as strong as others. I know zolpidem won't help in a long run & I shouldn't take it more than once a day or 2 weeks in row or I'll hooked & pay the consequences (withdrawal?).. not into meds or benzo really but this is killing me

The anti depressants are not a med for the actual vertigo symptoms themselves. They are for the anxiety that our condition causes us, and the anxiety exacerbates our symptoms as you probably know. I am always worse when i get anxious or stressed. ,I fought taking anti d's but am now taking them, low dose, and they have helped keep the anxiety amd stress at bay. I Find if i get annoyed or upset about things that I wld normally drag on in my head for a long time, i can now shrug itmoff quicker, so that helps somewhat the connection of anxiety = higher dizziness levels.

however tiredness is also a factor,for me and that is one i have yet to,solve,mha ha!!

No, sorry. I don't know the names of any meds.

I'm taking Sertraline 100mg once a day. Also Citalopram is similar. Imcan honestly say imdon't feel bad on them at all,,and if it helps, it's a no brainer really!

too dizzy to reply but here it is, I didn't quite sure how it came, slowly? just here and there where I just ignore till one day it came too strong & never goes away! I didn't know test name but she drop me on bed left & right, asked too walk in straight line, eye test where she ask too look at her finger, audio test (came out normal) last she did some brain wave test(??). she wrote as non-conclusive on paper but keep saying she firmly believe its not inner ear related.

no for both questions.. more dizzy in dark room or when eyes closed, the swaying got worst

You say that the symptoms are worse when you are deprived of light.  An important point.  I am at the moment trying to differentiate your swaying from what you describe as dizziness.

Do you sway to a specific side?

Do you have vertigo ( a sensation of the room moving when you are not moving, or a sensation of you moving in the room)?

Is there a possibility that the symptoms involve your legs mostly, rather than your head?

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

eyes open the swaying more the left & right..

eyes closed swaying felt on all directions.. felt more on my head

when lay down felt the sensation of moving downward & yes when you mentioned it it felt more on the legs when laying down (moving sensation) but no swaying..

the swaying like on boat when sitting & standing still.. walking is rough

Your descriptions Jono are quite similar,to my feelings,,although laying down i am better. Do you feel dizzy when you go from standing to sitting? I do, but mainly more At night when i'm tired. And do,you have a sensitvity to bright lights.? I Find i close my eyes when shut off  my lamps at night.

I believe that we have not ruled out an inner ear problem yet.  The bed examination and head movement examination needs to be done without you being able to focus on your environment.  This can be done with special goggles (called Frenzel goggles), but this can also be done by shining a bright light into the eyes with the lights out in the room.

This needs to be done.  You need to find an ENT physician or neurotologist that will do this.  Where in Malaysia do you live?  I can try to direct you to someone close by.

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

honestly it always constantly there, I can't even seems to notice what can triggerr more or make it less, it always there.. swaying & the moment I lay down the rushing falling feels came in.. there's no rest unless I took zolpidem.. didn't notice any sensitivity to bright light but more anxious on loud or continuous sounds

I'm in the state of Kelantan, Malaysia.. what if I drop my self on bed, will that make me dizzier? will that means anything?

Yes mine are too , constant, just at different degrees. Worse as day goes on or when I am unwell with something else. Yes loud sounds also not good. IMhave Tinnitus though so that probably explains why, and now have slight deafness in both ears. Maybe Eleftherios can 'shine some light', for you.

is there any other specific test that I should request/inform the Ent if I ever meet one? something that is important & shouldn't be left out

Mohd Khairi MD,

Universiti Sains Malaysia, School of Medical Sciences, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Health Campus, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia

You can tell him that I sent you.

Very best regards

I have tinnitus too, should've mentioned it earlier but more noticeable when laying down.. guess the dizziness is more annoying than those pitching sounds.. the falling moving sensation came a few weeks ago after month of swaying, I guess that by-product of my anxiety as one of my gp told.. read somewhere that valium can stop the dizziness (as I guess it work same as zolpidem), does it worth it to go on that route?

Test for nystagmus in the absence of visual fixation.

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

To be honest Jono,,i,would follow Dr Eleftherio siggestin and book to,see the dr he has just sent you details,on,then you can ask,a,professional,mwho,will,examine you properly and discuss what is good, or not,,,to take,okay?

how do I reach him? is there any contact number? how to get an appointment with him? I've been to ENT Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, there's I've did all the test

khairikck@usm.my

State simply that you would like to book an appointment with him personally, as you have heard that he is an expert in the area.  Do not give him details on the e-mail.  Simply ask for the procedure for making an appointment with him directly.  Tell him that you were recommended from a colleague abroad.

Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

Clinical Neurophysiologist

Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

thank you, thank you & thank you kind Sir for giving us the humble some lights.. & to everyone who care to replies 1000 thanks for you.. give me some light & hope for my deprived life's if can even call it.. I'm on zolpidem now & it just start kickin in.. think look seems to be crooked & wavy but no more dizzy! I'm free (for 2, 3hours 😋

Same here. Sound sensitive real bad. Had to go to my primary yesterday. A kid screamed the room started to spin. Did VNG already. Waiting on results. Go for MRI with contrast and MRI of inner ear stuff next Tuesday.

Know what u mean, wh i'm going into anywhere i know will have high pitched noise,eg supermarkets with. children, clattering buses i stuff tissue in my ears!! Lol

It's so bad. Was at ENT docs. Waiting room was small. Lady had a baby who just learned how to scream. I lost had to go out and waiting in the hallway. Was so bad. Yesterday I had a afternoon app at docs. Was 10 kids in there all screaming and running around. I was dieing. Lol. And the florecent lights. People don't know they cycle. It's not a constant light. Most people don't notice it. I do. Drives me nuts. I turn the radio off in the car so my wife won't talk loud . Lol

OMG thats awful! Yes i wld have to go outside,too!   Can't handle,fluorescents either. Am not bad in stores that have them as they are usually higher up, but in small room, no way., even drs waiting room if they have then. Dont even use overhead ceiling lights, just lamps[u]!  If i,see kids market,,I go,to,another aisle, preferably,on the other side!! Sorry, underkine n[/u]ot meant to happen. Ipad on charge so am typing one fingered!!

Usually I try to make all my apps early as possible. Avoid the people with kids. Lol. My primary is also a high risk birth facility. Always alot of kids. Low ceilings. Lots of lights. Kills me. Go to the far side of the room and find a spot to stare at.

Dont envynyou that waitin g room then? I'd be wearing my sunglasses indoors too!  sunglasses and earplugs, ha ha!!