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

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Elise93
Elise93

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

14 likes, 1771 replies

1771 Replies

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  • micadams222
    micadams222 Elise93

    Posted

    Have you had high calcium levels in your blood work? If so, you have hyperparathyroidism. Its a tumor/s on your parathyroid gland/s. Doctors have a lot of trouble diagnosing this. Even if you get a scan and it comes back negative that means nothing. Check out parathyroid.com. If you have high calcium this is your diagnosis.

    • Elise93
      Elise93 micadams222

      Posted

      Hi! What kind of doctor can I go to to get it tested 
  • micadams222
    micadams222 Elise93

    Posted

    Even your own ENT may still say you don't have this if your scan is negative. Just read up on it on that site.

  • kabi04
    kabi04 Elise93

    Posted

    Hey Elise, my bf has been that he has been having similar symptoms as the ones you’ve mentioned. Just to ask have you found any solutions to your problem ? If you did or if you’ve done anything to reduce it kindly share with me. Thank you. 
    • Elise93
      Elise93 kabi04

      Posted

      Hi Kabi! Unfortunately I’m still suffering for almost 2 years now 😕 I’m so sorry I can’t offer a success story.

      Has your bf been to any doctors or had any tests done? If not I would definitely recommend starting with an ent and having vestibular tests performed. A neuro-Otologist (neuro/ent doctor) would be an even better doctor to see. I would suggest seeing a neurologist as well. Any blood tests should also be done to rule out any vitamin deficiencies or any nutrient definitions. 

      I truly hope he finds help! He’s so lucky to have someone like you who’s going on sites to try and support him. It’s extremely lonely and isolating having anything like this and he’s blessed to have you! 

  • sab65033
    sab65033 Elise93

    Posted

    Hi Elise,

    I am really sorry you are feeling that way, I had the same symptoms since June 2017 exactly what you are describing.

    I was off work for 50 days, I have seen many different opinions of Neurologist specialist and ENT.

    At first my. Lois shows I had Vitamin D sufficiency and my GP give me high dose for 5 days to bring it back to normal, and then ever since taking Vitamin D for a long time once a day with folic acid.

    MRI head, neck, ear and back all normal.

    My ENT discharged me as nothing he can diagnose me with a part from sinusitis .

    Prescribed me Avamys spray for life but after a while I had to stopped as makes my nose very dry.

    I have to push for a second opinion with my GP and referred me again to ENT.

    ENT send me to do a balance test that's when audiologist diagnose me with balance disirders which problem with vestibular which I Can tell you I have never had any ear problems so now I will see my consultant in September hopefully is a treatment for it.

    I want to tell you something is only yourself who you can get help try to exercise and even your body is weak and no energy and you have all the above symptoms try it at least go fora walk every day 10min. Go for swimming once a week so you body will use to movement so you will find your self having good and bad days and that's the start of healing.

    Please don't give up this condition which we have is the more we stay in bed the more our symptoms get started worst.

    Is not easy but try your best.

    I will let you know once I start my treatment.

    All the best and wish you a quick recovery.

    Sab 

    • Elise93
      Elise93 sab65033

      Posted

      Hi sab!I’m so glad to know you’re starting treatment soon! What vestibular disorder  did they diagnose you with? It’s so frustrating always having to be our own advocate. I keep trying to push it just gets so defeating some days rolleyes I’m happy you’ve found a diagnosis and are pushing to recovery! 
  • sab65033
    sab65033 Elise93

    Posted

    Hi Elise,

    The vestibular system includes the parts of the inner ear and brain that process the sensory information involved with controlling balance and eye movements. If disease or injury damages these processing areas, vestibular disorders can result. Vestibular disorders can also result from or be worsened by genetic or environmental conditions, or occur for unknown reasons.

    Google it too you will get more information.

    sab

    • Elise93
      Elise93 sab65033

      Posted

      Do they tell you exactly what vestibular disorder you have? There’s so many of them. For example, vestibular neuritis, vestibular migraine, meneires disease, etc? 
  • camille18217
    camille18217 Elise93

    Posted

    Hi Elise

    I have all the same symptoms as you,  my vertigo has been going off and on for 4 1/2 years now.  I am currently in an episode for the past 4 months.  I have had every test, seen doctor after doctor and found no solution until yesterday.  I went to a chiropractor that specializes in upper cervical vertigo.  I have 4 out of the 7 vertebrae in my neck out of alignment causing all my symptoms.   I am thrilled to finally find out what is going on with me.  He is confident that he could fix me without surgery.  I  will have 6 months of treatment and hopefully never again will i have this horrible condition.  Don't give up keep searching and demand answers.

    • Elise93
      Elise93 camille18217

      Posted

      No way that’s crazy!! I’m so happy for you that you FINALLY found a doctor to help. Was it a specialist chiropractor for like axis vertabrae or did he specialize in vertigo? Or upper cervical issues? I’m so worried to go to a chiropractor not specializing in the right area and finding an answer. It gives me so much hope that you’ve found someone after all these years, I’ve been having it CONSTANTLY 24/7 for 2 years now. I’m losing hope, but it helps so much to hear stories like you who has been suffering for 4 1/2 years. Soooo many doctors have no idea what the hell theyre even talking about, it’s so frustrating 
    • yolanda0423
      yolanda0423 Elise93

      Posted

      I agree it helps a lot to hear all these stories it helps me to keep going I know there is answers for us all !!  I wanna give up but I’m a mom of two they keep me going !! My next step is my ears to be checked I’ve had all the blood test done and all the head exams Mri’s EEG and a EKG  it’s been the worst months of my life I wish this on no one I’ve had all the symptoms you had also but they have all gone away thank god the only thing I’m stuck with now is feeling drunkness and having brain fog still it’s hard to concentrate my speech has been so bad which never was before I don’t even have anxiety anymore but the depression is still there because when I’m not busy I start thinking hard about how I feel even my headaches / migraines have been better I haven’t got no more eye pain / pressure either !!! I know after you have your baby I know you will find more answers !! I pray for each and everyone one of us to feel our selfs again I know we will we have to keep striving for it and digging !! It sucks we have to be our own advocates !! 
    • camille18217
      camille18217

      Posted

      Hi Elise,

      It is a chiro that specializes in upper cervical issues. When I saw my X-rays I was like omg how could I have not known!! Why did my doctors never  explore maybe it stemmed from my neck. The crazy thing is I have no neck pain maybe that’s why.  Try looking into this, it won’t hurt . Go get consult. My be an obvious thing like mine. Keep me posted 

    • sab65033
      sab65033 camille18217

      Posted

      Hi Camille,

      I hope you are better now.

      I am suffering with the sameness symptoms as every one experiencing it, but I didn't have any neck pain when my symptoms started last June 2017.

      But for the last 6 months my neck is the biggest issue for me, I am seeing private pain clinic in September and I will see if the neck which giving me all the trouble.

      I know last two weeks, I have been diagnosed with balance disorders, but again It could be the neck which gives me more trouble too.

      I will let you know once all sorted, trust me don't give up we will heal, it takes time but we all be fine and come back to normal one day.

      Best of luck

      🙏💐

    • camille18217
      camille18217 sab65033

      Posted

      Hi,

      It will be a hard 6 months, but it will be worth it if I can get rid of this debilitating vertigo for good.  I had no neck pain either and I was also diagnosed with a balance disorder as well.  My symptoms were mainly dizziness and ringing in my ears 24/7.  I am a extremely active person I compete in body building just imagine trying to run and lift while dizzy.  My Chiro Dr couldn't believe all I have done with my neck so messed up.  I guess that is why it took so long to diagnose my problem, the direct problem area was never really an issue so I thought.  With a  simple X-ray the answer was so clear. Best of luck with your pain clinic appointment and keep us posted.  

      Camille

    • Iamluckyyy
      Iamluckyyy camille18217

      Posted

      Did you have to get your physician's referral for the chiropractor specialist? I've been experiencing the same thing. Dizziness 24/7, but associated with horrible neck pain. Mainly the left side. Neck pain is also consistently there. My head also feels heavy and seems to always have a headache/migraine that never goes away...my doctor thinks I'm crazy. Saying that people my age don't usually see the doctor that often and I'm 29. She thinks everything I'm feeling is due to anxiety. I don't think so as, my anxiety only gets triggered when those symptoms are bad.

    • camille18217
      camille18217 Iamluckyyy

      Posted

      Hi,

      I have an HMO insurance that does not include chiropractic care so i had to pay cash $2700.00 i would of paid $10,000 if it would help.  I was desperate!! Your not crazy,  dont let anyone make you think that.... There are so many of us that suffer with no help from doctors.  My last ENT told me he wished he had answer but he didnt sad  I told myself I would do whatever it takes not to let my vertigo control my life. Your 29 years old do what ever it takes to feel normal (whatever that is lol its been so long) Of coarse you have anxiety, no one understands unless they have had it.  I hear people all the time say ya I have had vertigo one time. No one understands the level of my vertigo living with it 24/7.   I feel so bad for my husband, everyday I say I dont feel good.  Finally some answers after 4 1/2 years and countless doctor appointments Go get a X-ray of your neck, it wont hurt to see if that is a possibility.  Keep me posted

      Camille 

    • Iamluckyyy
      Iamluckyyy camille18217

      Posted

      I have gotten an x-ray of my cervical and 2as diagnosed with diacogenic degenerative disease.l with ooss of height at c5 and c6. But my doctor said it didn't look bad and it's nothing to be concern about even though I said I feel pain. Also I keep making them aware that all my symptoms started after my neck issues...and keep telling them the core of the problem but she keep suspecting this and that. First she said it's fibromalygia and now anxiety. But never listen to what I'm actually telling her that I'm feeling because she's already come up with her own belief and disregard what I say...also did an MRI of the brain and it was normal. Blood work was normal too. Oh and I even mentioned that my mom has graves disease and I asked if she could order blood work for my thyroid and she only ordered the general one and not all that is associated with the thyroid funtions. She said she's certain it's not my thyroid and refuses to order it. Idk what to do anymore..

    • camille18217
      camille18217 Iamluckyyy

      Posted

      You need to go to another doctor ASAP. If she wont listen find someone that will.  This is not acceptable!! Dont stop until you get answers.  The loss of height between C5 and C6 could be blocking receptors to the brain causing dizziness and other sensory dysfunctions. 
    • Iamluckyyy
      Iamluckyyy camille18217

      Posted

      I know..I seriously think so too. Cause it makes it so hard for me to concentrate at work. And I'm usually the type to run around doing this and that but now I feel so unmotivated to do anything that requires too much because I can't handle being overwhelmed as well as I used too. I miss the normal me. This is my second doc and so far both thinks I'm crazy. But I still don't understand how they are redegarding the x-ray and telling me it's nothing to worry about because it doesn't look bad. Um what about the pain I've been complaining about? I hope the next doctor I choose will listen to me because the second doc went based on the old files and notes without listening to me first. Our first meeting, I even listed all my symptoms to make it quick and easy for her but she cut me off and said I only have 15 mins with her and to choose one thing I want to focus on as if I knew what was wrong with me to narrow it down myself. She's a bit worse than the first doc. I'm starting to think docs don't care. They act like I want to spend money on these co-payments, x-rays, and etc if I was well. I well unwell everyday and it's so stressful. Thank you for your advice and encouragement. I won't give up! I hope we all get well soon!

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