Light-headed, dizzy & spaced out for 2 years, can anyone help?
Posted , 110 users are following.
Hi there,
I'm hoping / praying someone can shed some light on my extremely frustrating & somewhat debilitating symtoms. Aprox two years ago I started to feel a little light headed, I was working in retail at the time and the shop was incredibly busy (I have always worked in sales, so this did not phase me, what did cause me concern was how light headed I had been feeling) At the time, I presumed it was just a side effect from citalopram - something I had been prescribed six months earlier for feeling a little low. I did think it was strange that I felt woozy and light headed six months into the course as I had only previously experienced this feeling at the very beginning. I mentioned it to my doc and they agreed if i felt ready i should taper off citalopram - so i did. Slowly but surely i reduced my dose and presumed the light headed, dizzy almost drunk feeling would disappear - much to my surprise, i am still in the same state - blurred vision, wobbly, floaty and very very dizzy.
I have been to see my GP numerous times - my iron & bloody sugar levels, thyroid have been tested. They even sent me for an MRI scan and it all came back clear. My blood pressure is a little low but nothing too alarming and the ENT doctor said they couldn't find any inner ear problems (which I kind of thought would be the case because it's not a spinning sensation that you might expect from say labyrinthitis, it's more of a constant faint feeling)
It is a nightmare crossing the road or entering a busy supermarket. I am no longer quick on my feet and my memory is very poor too. I feel dazed and confused a lot of the time and extremely tired.
I'm only 31 and have a real love for life - can anyone suggest what could possibly be happening to me? I would be incredibly grateful as this god awful 'whatever it is' is really taking it's toll on my work, my relationship with my partner, friends and family (more so because there is no diagnosis as yet so I feel like people don't really understand what is actually wrong with me) every day I pray that this has just been a nightmare and I will wake up and feel normal again.
Look forward to your feedback...
5 likes, 227 replies
harry08995 DizzyDebs
Posted
Hi, I have been feeling light headed, dizzy like I a swaying or something (so DIFFICULT to describe) and this has happened to me for about 7 months. It started when I got off a plane in Australia to visit family. Like all of you, this has been a very difficult obstacle for the last 7 months (and for most of you longer).
I wish Johnny or whatever his name was would have told us the solution. I am now wondering if it is Mal de debarquement. At first I thought it was Jet Lag, but jet lag doesn't last for 7 MONTHS. I have been to doctor and ER. They said my Vitimin D level was low, took tablets and still Bo positive results.
I hope this thread is still active and if any of you have a solution DO NOT HIDE IT. SHARE IT TO HELP ALL OF THESE PEOPLE.
Thanks
harry08995 DizzyDebs
Posted
Hi, I have been feeling light headed, dizzy like I a swaying or something (so DIFFICULT to describe) and this has happened to me for about 7 months. It started when I got off a plane in Australia to visit family. Like all of you, this has been a very difficult obstacle for the last 7 months (and for most of you longer).
I wish Johnny or whatever his name was would have told us the solution. I am now wondering if it is Mal de debarquement. At first I thought it was Jet Lag, but jet lag doesn't last for 7 MONTHS. I have been to doctor and ER. They said my Vitimin D level was low, took tablets and still Bo positive results.
I hope this thread is still active and if any of you have a solution DO NOT HIDE IT. SHARE IT TO HELP ALL OF THESE PEOPLE.
Thanks
harry08995
Posted
jovana25248 harry08995
Posted
If you've experienced these symptoms after after a boat or a plane ride, then it could be Mal de Debarquement. The problem with all of our symptoms is that they are common and indicative of many similar illnesses, some more serious than others. I think whatever the cause the worst one of all is anxiety as it mimics symptoms that represent illnesses that you might not have at all.
I've had these symptoms for more than a year, they come and go and get worse when i panic. The thing is, controling the panic is hardest of all. And every time tou repeat something like standing up, and if you used to get dizzy when doing so, panic will instantly mimic these symptoms even if you consciously you know you are "not panicing". Just remembering the motion makes the symptom reoccur.
This doesn't mean you suffer from anxiety, or that you need to and take 5 types of anxiety meds but maybe trying to calm yourself when this happens you might notice a difference and find out if its anxiety or not.
Otherwise, look into the vitamin D deficiency, POTS, Meniers or form of Meniers, low blood volume, Ferritin and B12 deficiency, Multiple Sclerosis, cardiological problems, or maybe blood pressure problems caused by constriction of blood vessels or problems with the autonomic system. Possibly even chronic fatigue syndrome.
Like i said, the more you know the worse it will get. The less you know though, the more annoyed you will be and thus the worse it will be. My advice to you is, if everything seems fine and there are no major anomalies in your usual tests, keep doing what you are doing. Explain to people how you feel, and that you are limited in things that you can do, but dont ignore people.. continue hanging out with friends, go outside (this is possibly the hardest one) and drink water (seems silly but if it is a blood pressure problem, this will help). Eliminate things one by one and see how you go. Do things that make you forget you dont feel good physically and see if that helps too.
As for the guy with the instant solution, even though he had the same symptoms as most of us, he had a different problem. If, like he says, manouvering the head helped him, he had chrystals loged in his ears, and the doctor performed either the Epley manoeuvre or this other one (cant remember the name, but google most likely knows 😊
.
Just keep calm. Since theres like a milion of us that have and still are experiencing this, at this point they might even consider it normal in the medical books. Don't get angry with the doctors..you can with the arogant ones that dont wanna listen... because it i something that is hard to diagnose. Just good thoughts and even, if you can find the funny side of this, by all means, laugh, it will make you feel better.
amanda95449 DizzyDebs
Posted
Hi everyone, i have been following this discussion since i developed my symptoms over a year ago. The doctors have finally figured out what has been causing the dizziness and i now have the right diagnosis and am starting treatment. There was a problem with my EYES! The focusing mechanisms of my eyes haven't been working right and are causing the dizziness. If you haven't had your eyes thoroughly checked i urge you to get them checked. An optometrist won't do, needs to be an orthoptics specialist or ophthalmologist. Hope this info helps some of you.
martini1985 DizzyDebs
Posted
siddhesh25035 DizzyDebs
Posted
tonya81770 DizzyDebs
Posted
I started my vertigo in 2007, it is now 2017 and am still dealing with it! Off work for 2 weeks now because the imbalance is so great. 2 ER visits an numerous specialty mds neurotology, neurologist, otologist, audiologist, GP.
Multiple medications. The only ones that really help anymore is the Valium. I have been on every medication you can think of and none of them work. I am going to a dr for Botox injections soon to see if it helps and seeing about a vestibular neurectomy.
I sure hope your circumstances improve-
Tonya
liane0208 DizzyDebs
Posted
Ok so I've noticed several posts say their vitamin D is low, I've been following threads regarding this topic as I've had the same symptoms for the last 2 years. I too had a full physical and blood work done, visited an ENT and the ErR only to be told by the ER that I have tension headaches and told by my Dr that my Vitamin D is low...I've seen several people say Vitamin D is low so I am going to focus on that for a while. It's a start!!
InLimboRoni DizzyDebs
Posted
I know this is and old post but did you ever get a diagnosis? I am experiencing the same thing it's quite scary. Every time after I eat or drink even if it's in my mouth for a few seconds I get dizzy and light headed like a daze or feel like I'm going to pass out. My memory isn't that sharp anymore either especially when I'm almost drunk I guess after everything is in my system. The doctors don't know what's wrong with me and being as I'm 28 they keep saying in healthy but I know I'm not.
Dontlikedizzy DizzyDebs
Posted
Im new to this site but what youve explained is exactly how I feel , the woozy head, dizziness, lightheaded, dream like state, I also feel like im looking through some1 elses eyes, very hard to explain, floating feeling,and same drunk feeling even though I dont touch the stuff, im sick to death trying to get answers, and its ruining my life. Had a bad episode of the dizzies last night but a lot stronget than normal, couldnt move my head due to spinning and I dont normally grt the spins like that. The doc this morning just said take cinnarizine regular and if no better go back monday. Im 40 with 2 kids and feel like my life is passing me by as I feel so unwell daily, I swear the doctors dont believe me, but I have pestered them to get referred to a neurologist. I know the in limbo stuck feeling as I suffer everyday with this......
kevin54408 DizzyDebs
Posted
victoria91312 kevin54408
Posted
Hi Kevin, 5 years is a long time. Please visit a neuro-otologist and get a firm diagnosis. There are things that can help. It sounds like vestibular migraine to me but there are many other diagnoses too. The sooner you are diagnosed the quicker you can get better. This is far beyond the scope of most gp's.
futurenp32 DizzyDebs
Posted
Hello DizzyDebs,
I have the same issues you are experiencing. I've done a lot of research on this and it seems like we have what's called Migraneous Vertigo. Here is my story:
Back in 2010 when I 26, I randomly started feeling "dizzy"- I say this in quotes because it's more of a foggy, off-balance sensation where my head feels fuzzy and my eyes feel werid as well. I feel off-balance but the room doesn't spin. I've had many tests like you and I've seen a cardiologist, neurologist, and I've been to one of the best Ear institutions in the country- Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston, MA. The doctor said it's all migraine related. I thought- how can this be migraine related when I'm not experiencing the typical 'migraine' pain in my head? But it's true; this off-balance sensation/feeling fuzzy is associated with migraines. I started experiencing it WAY worse since January. It is partially stress related and I'm finishing up Nurse Practitioner school so I think that's why mine is worse. I've been feeling this way on and off (more on than off) over the past 1.5 weeks. I do find that drinking more water and getting up slowly helps a little. Meclizine doesn't help me. I read about vestibular therapy and I'm thinking of trying this out. I'm only 33 and like you, we are too young to have this happen. It sucks
If you find anything that relieves yours please let me know.
Good luck!
gmathew futurenp32
Posted
Hello,
for those of you who are dizzy, try plugging your ears with silicone plugs for a week or two (one ear at a time) and avoid every little sound, including the sound of running water, motor sound of fridge, AC/heater, car rides and even talking and see if it makes any difference. I had the dizziness and oscillopsia for 4 years and had multiple tests, MRIs, CT scans and none of the doctors could figure out what was going on. I didnot realize that it was sound (even the sound of the fridge and that too a new one) could create the dizziness and oscillopsia for me. Please change the plugs before it starts breaking off in your ear. When you plug, make sure the sound doesn't penetrate through, seal it well. If this helps, please notify your neurotologist. Sometimes, it is difficult to diagnose a fistula/dehiscence in the ear. If this helped, please let me know so that we can help others.
?Thanks and good luck!