Brain fog, dizziness, vision problems, head pressure, headache PLEASE HELP

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Hi everyone!

I don't know where else to go, and was hoping someone could please help me. I'll start off by saying I'm a 23 year old Caucasian female. Going on 5 months now, I have had absolutely debilitating symptoms which have hindered my daily life. I feel these symptoms every moment of every day.

It started with dizziness and a persistent brain fog. I just thought I had a bug, and tried to go on about my life. However, my symptoms have never gone away. This "brain fog" I am talking about is a feeling of complete mental confusion, I have no memory, I cannot concentrate on anything, it feels like there's a dark blanket on my brain clouding all my thoughts. I have extreme disorientation and haziness. I feel like I'm always in a dream like state.

I am constantly dizzy and feel a pulling sensation, as if I'm ready to fall over at any moment. It feels like there's air inside my head, and I'm always very lightheaded. Whenever I try to drive I feel this pulling sensation pulling me down.

Another problem I have is with my vision. I am having very blurred vision and have double vision. Everytime I look at something up close it is extremely blurry and I cannot see at all. My perception on things has completely changed. I feel like everything looks very odd and strange and I don't have the right depth perception. It's like I'm in a horrible dream like state all the time.

I have been having headaches and head pressure as well, and having horrible pains behind my eyes. The pin starts from the back of my head close to my neck and continues up my head and the sides of my temples. My eyes hurt so bad, and it feels like knives are jabbing my eyes. My head also feels extremely heavy all the time.

All these symptoms have been causing me severe anxiety, and I have been having panic attacks from them and feel like I'm dying. It is causing a strange disrespity sensation, where I feel like I'm not even here anymore and there's a detachment from myself and my body. I have had to drop all my classes at college and quit my job because these symptoms make me lay in bed all day long. I have been unable to drive for months and can barely get up to walk around. If anyone could please help me or know anything as a suggestion to try.

I have been to my general doctor, 2 ENTs, 1 neurologist, have had 2 MRIs, a hearing test, VNG, multiple blood tests, and no one knows what is wrong. I can't live like this anymore. Any help is greatly appreciated.

-Elise

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  • Posted

    Let me start by saying "I FEEL LIKE I'M READING MY OWN STORY! ! I FEEL YOUR PAIN.

    My name is Patti and I too have been suffering with this VERTIGO for over 2 years. I too have gone to dr's just like you and had every test they can think of with no diagnosis. ..

    I recently was prescribed Zoloft, Xanax and Value by my neurologist who specializes in difficult cases like mine. Not wanting to deal with the side effects of these drugs, not to mention I just felt like a dizzy zombie, I decided not to continue these meds.

    I too suffered many panic/anxiety attacks all because I'm trying to fight this constant dizziness. I was so bad for almost 20 months I couldn't eat a cracker without throwing it up the minute it hit my stomach. I list over 60 pounds and was down to under 100 pounds at 6 foot. After talking to many people and doing some research on my own I applied and received my medicinal marajuana card. I now have a liquid tincture I use a couple times a day. A drop the size of a grain of rice takes the nausea away long enough for me to eat without throwing up. ... I've been puke free for almost 5 weeks and have gained over 13 pounds. In addition to that good news the tin ture has made me anxiety free..

    I drove 2 hours a couple days before Christmas to the ER at the VISTIBULAR CLINIC at the university of michigan. They referred me to the clinic with a January 10th appointment instead of waiting until may thru a referral from my neurologist.

    I strongly recommend you seek out a specialty clinic in your address or the one I would go to next in Minnesota.

    I have read your story to everyone in my family as you have put what I feel daily into words I couldn't find to explain to them. I thank you for that and hope knowing what I've gone thru will be of some kind of help to you.

    Please keep in touch!

    • Posted

      Hi Patti!

      I'm so sorry you've been suffering with all of this for so long! I'm so glad I was able to help describe your symptoms. One of my biggest hurdles is trying to describe my symptoms to doctors. They just don't understand how I feel! Please keep me up to date about what they say in Michigan!

      So you went to the ER and they gave you an earlier appointment at the clinic? What is the clinic in Minnesota called?

      I hope you find answers soon! Have you been diagnosed with anything yet? I wish you all the best! Keep us all up to date!

    • Posted

      Hi Elise......

      ?Ya on my own i would have to wait till May to get in to see anyone but going to their ER obviously pushed me to the front of the line!

      ?When I first started doing some on line research I discovered the ORIGINAL Vertigo clinic in Minnesota although I'm sure there would be some place in your area as well?

      ?I too have a hard time explaining the PLETHERA of things i am feeling and when you put it into words it gave me the BEST FEELING IN TWO YEARS!!!!  I actually took a copy of your note to take to the Dr apt with me!  Hope you don't mind?

      ?Keep you posted!

      smile

    • Posted

      I'm currently going to the Chicago institute of dizziness and hearing seeing Dr. Cherchi! If nothing works out I will look into Michigan and Minnesota. For me it is completely worth the trip if there's a chance for recovery!

      That makes me so happy I was able to help you describe your symptoms! I'm so glad you can bring it in to your doctor. I had the hardest time describing my symptoms and sat down one night and kept rewriting it until it made a little sense to someone not experiencing the problem. PLEASE keep me updated on what you hear! Good luck smile

  • Posted

    Hiya Elise

    Wow are you sure I didn't write this post lol

    This sounds exactly like me..

    Sorry to hear you are having such an awful time.

    5 months ago I had an attack of some sorts that put me in emergency..

    Have had so many tests i feel like a lab rat

    I have a feeling of disequilibrium.. I have been unable to drive or work for 5 months.. I am constantly in a fog.. my head hurts all the time.. like pins and needles and numb.. but shifting.. moving.. it hurts. .

    I feel like I am going to drop when walking.. or standing.. like a pressure pushing me..

    I have two young children.. it is so hard caring for them.

    My eyes feel tired... and I stuggle to concentrate on anything for long.

    Had Mri's.. seen a neurologist.. ent.. vertigo specialist.. lots of doctors.. infectious diease doctor.. allergy specialist etc

    .. been to emergency at least 6 times. . Thinking I'm having a stroke or heart attack..

    Yes I have anxiety. . But kinda managing to control it most of the time..

    Seeing a Natropath now and a Homeopath.. feeling desperate..

    Feel free to message me at any time.. good to talk to people going through similar things..

    I pray we all get well someday

    • Posted

      I'm sorry to hear that.

      May I know what medicine are you on now? What kind of headaches are you having and are they a daily occurrence?

    • Posted

      Head feels like it is being crushed.. numbness..tingling.. pins and needles.. hot and cold patches.. pain around my eyes.. always disequilibrium.. not spinning.. the pain and numbness is definitely worse afternoon into evening... slightly better in the morning

      Thankyou max

    • Posted

      Hi!

      I'm so sorry to hear that you're going through the same thing too. That must be so hard trying to take care of children with this sad I've also been unable to drive for months as I almost got into an accident a couple of times.

      I have the EXACT same problems in my head! The pain continually shifts around all day long and goes to different parts of my head and makes parts of my face and head numb. Have you seen a neurologist yet? Are you on medication? I hope you find some relief to all of this!

    • Posted

      I also understand your symptoms of being unsteady to walk. I always feel a pulling sensation, like something is pulling me to the ground. It's not like everything around me is spinning, but I'm so unbalanced that I'm ready to fall over and can't stand up right. I know how debilitating these symptoms are. Right now the doctors think I have VN or vestibular migraines or possibly an eye problem with focusing.

    • Posted

      Sorry I just read you've already seen a neurologist! What did they think was wrong? Did they give you any idea at all at what it may be?

    • Posted

      Oh my goodness so does mine Elise! Moves around my head too!

      Yes have been seeing a neurologist for over 2 years.. had Mri's.. found lessions on my spine.. and a lumbar puncture test.. but Neurologist doesnt think its MS..

      Rheumatologist says I have Fibromyalgia.. but also said that it is not causing all of my symptoms..

      Was on amitripyline for 2 yrs but horrible side effects for me and didn't help.. my current flare up has been my longest.. 5 months now

    • Posted

      Hi, was the spinal tap done because of the lesions or wasomething it for other reasons such as Inteecranial Hypertension?

      I am so worried if I develop it (though docs say I dont now) and hope I do not need to have a spinal tap as I have heard many people having bad experience after doing one.

    • Posted

      Have you done research on seeing an Axis orthogonal chiropractor for axis bone or c1 vertebrae out of line? Someone on this forum was saying that he knew someone who did it and it cured her, and he is now looking into it. I'm just curious because you stated you already have things going in with your spine!

      I'm so sorry it's been going on so long, I really hope it isn't ms! What did the lumbar puncture do?

    • Posted

      Hiya Max

      Yes the spinal tap was done because of my spinal lessions..

      The fluid came back normal..

      It was horrible for me..I developed a 5 day migraine.. could not even sit up in bed.. it really hurt.. would never have another one..

      But some people are fine with them

    • Posted

      Wow Elise

      No have never heard of orthogonal chiropractor! I see a chiro every two weeks.. and have seen a Bowen therapist.

      I'm in Australia.. I will do some research to see if we have them here

    • Posted

      Yea she had the exact same symptoms as the ones I listed (which match yours as well). It would be worth it to look into it because of how long you're suffering! I'm also looking into finding a chiropractor as I have a bad back anyways so who knows this could be the problem all along!

    • Posted

      I see.

      Hope you find your answers as soon as possible. i am having daily tension headaches and dizziness its so debilitating and i am so worried if i have a serious condition though i've gotten 2 MRIs.

    • Posted

      I'm there too. I'm desperate and tired of fighting. Any relief yet?

    • Posted

      Hi All, I just noticed this blog even though I am a little late I felt I wanted to add. I have experience practically all the symptoms mentioned. For 21/2 years looked for an answer with every specialist, workup from spine to brain and no answers( I am making long story short) Finally went back to my original ENT who started me on the journey 21/2 years earlier and reviewed everything again. He then recomemened I see a doctor from the House of Ears Institute of LA as he just saw a paper he wrote.

      Fast forward gathered all the test results, MRI, CT scans etc and was able to get appointment with specialist in Tampa whom had been at the House of Ears. After spending 2 1/2 hours with him and his PA he said " you might think I am crazy I believe your symptoms are caused by Shingles Virus that went into my ear and has been feasting for the past 2/12 years" . He then told me how I felt since it was difficult for me to describe he said I felt like I was drunk all the time, which was an accurate description of my feelings. Lost of balance, brain fog, effective speech, disoriented, lack of concentration, visual distortion etc. At that time I could not spend more than 5 minutes on computer, TV was out, shopping at the market was brutal as crowds,noise all affected me. I could drive at the most 20 minutes, then would have to pull over for at least 20 minutes another my life was miserable and severe depression was starting to take over. Bottom line he said we would not know for months if not a year whether his diagnosis was correct he put me on large dose of antiviral after six months started to notice a difference but had to stay on for another year and a half in order to find out how much permanent damage was done. There has been permanent damage but I am 60% better can function now except Barometric pressure changes especially high pressure, bring on the symptoms due to the damage done by the Shingles Virus to my middle ear but not as severe. I hope this helps someone. Just to be fair the doctor said if you take a million people with my symptoms bring it down to 30, I would be 1 of the 30.

    • Posted

      Stephen,

      I'm currently being treated for CIRS, but I've wondered over the past couple months if I could have something related to my ears.  I have weird vision issues, like my brain is telling my eyes to work, and they do, but slower than they should.  I feel like I'm intoxicated without the alcohol.  I've been to about 15 doctors over the past 7 years and have twice gone to the Head and Neck doctor.  They wanted me to go to a specialist who was going to make me dizzy on purpose and I couldn't convince myself to do it.  I didn't want to end up dizzier than I already am. 

    • Posted

      Which antiviral did he put you on ? How significant is your improvement from 2.5 years ago ?

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