Lightheaded and getting worse.
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi everyone, I have been suffering lightheaded for maybe two years - very gentle at first but getting worse - now extreme. It is very bad when I wake in the morning and I stagger about as if drunk - then reduces during the day till late afternoon when things become normal - but if I lay down at any time the whole sequence starts again. The problem is now so severe that I cannot drive the car. I have been seen by two ENT specialists who diagnosed that it is not BPPV as it is over a long period, and I don't exhibit any eye movement. I have a suspicion that it is a neuro problem because sometimes I feel that my legs and arms are weak and shaking. My GP has lost interest and just tells me it is a sign of old age - so I thought it might be the onset of dementia or Alzheimers, but I am assured by contributors on those sites that it is not. For reference I am 76 years old and apart from the light headedness lead a full and active life. I have been privately to a physio who carried out the Epley and other treatments for BPPV but no improvement. My thinking is that an MRI scan might give some clues - what do you think - has anybody else suffered similar problems ?
0 likes, 8 replies
rocksolid john49662
Posted
An mri might tell you the problem. Being lightheaded can be so many things. Go to a neurologist and see what they say. A neurotologidt with a T specalizes with the ear. You can go to Facebook and search for a group of people that have bppv. I heard the manuver does not always work
hmoosey john49662
Posted
you need caloric testing, MRI, catscan. your ENT-is correct, BPPV wouldnt last this long. you need a vestibular specialist. nuero-otology, otolaryngologist. google a dizzy clinic in your area. generally they are in the major city near you. try taking mecclizine, its over the counter. it can help with the dizziness. i have vestibular migraines. i was confusing my doctors u til i got to the specialist, the otolarynogologist. the confusion was my eyes were not reacting with the usual movement that someone with BPPV or vestibular nueritis has. my specialist expected my eyes would be ok if i had VM-you mention drunk feeling. i call it brain fog. the mecclizine can help with this until you are properly diagnosed. most GP only know about BPPV- so you wont get anymore help there. you may have to search yourself for the right doctor. staggering, yes, i had this. still do when i get a migraine. off balance,tripping over my feet. i am on norotryptiline its a medication to treat VM. go to webmd and lookup vestibular migraines. this helped me. i had every symptom. dizzy clinic. they will do the proper testing to diagnose you properly.
Terry6872737 john49662
Posted
My bet would be that it has something to do with your neck. You need the MRI to include the neck as well as the brain in order to narrow things down. Awfully coincidental that it happens after laying down for it not to be neck related and for it to resolve as the day goes on. Cervicogenic dizziness would be my thought.
rocksolid john49662
Posted
Could be the neck. I've been spaced out for 9 yrs and I think it's my occipital never cause my issues
cora11953 john49662
Posted
hi john. i could not get up from bed for about 3 months due to an overwhelming dizziness! i have had CT scan, brain mris, ultrasound of the keratid veins, ear tests, and all came uo with ZERO abnormalities. Was given some exercises of neck and the dizziness abated but i still am dizzy when i walk and definitely cant drive yet. I referred to a neurologist and will see him this TUESDAY. WILL LET YOU KNOW of any new findings
cora11953 john49662
Posted
hi john. i could not get up from bed for about 3 months due to an overwhelming dizziness! i have had CT scan, brain mris, ultrasound of the keratid veins, ear tests, and all came uo with ZERO abnormalities. Was given some exercises of neck and the dizziness abated but i still am dizzy when i walk and definitely cant drive yet. I referred to a neurologist and will see him this TUESDAY. WILL LET YOU KNOW of any new findings
john49662
Posted
Thank you all for your replies- particularly the thought that it is neck related because I suspect that as well. An idea might be for me to start a diary in the hope that I can record which side I sleep on - and how bad the problem is the next day. I will also book an MRI scan of head and neck. Thank you also to Cora - it would be useful to know what head exercises you were given -and I look forward to hearing the results following your neurologist visit tomorrow - wishing you good luck.
cora11953 john49662
Posted
i have been experiencing symptoms of vertigo for 10 months now! it began with excessive dizziness that left me bedridden for months. I can walk now but with a gait of a drunken person as most of the time I get off balance, leanjng to the right or the left. I always feel as if my head and neck are heavier than my legs and have diffucukty standing up . i have undergone CT scan of the head, MRI of the brain, ultrasound of the keratid arteries and ENT tests and all came up with zero abnormalities! I just saw a neurologist today and was told to take another MRI of the neck and spine and also a brainwave test to get to the bottom of what's ailing me. Any advice or input you can give will be appreciated!