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Off balance and feeling weird when walking for 2 years, not running

Posted , 36 users are following.

mary90940
mary90940

Hi there

I am hoping someone can help me out with debilitating symptoms that have been going on for almost 2 years. Just some general info about myself: F, 26 years, normal weight, vegetarian for 20 years. I'll try to keep the story short but there is a lot to explain, so here goes nothing...

My health problems started in the beginning of 2016 where I would feel off balance/dizzy mainly when walking which got worse when I would try to look around a lot. The feeling exactly how I felt is difficult to describe but included feelings of swaying, sometimes caught by surprise of my own movement, weak legs etc. Went to the doctor, did some usual tests and blood tests (whole blood count, iron, thyroid, liver, kidney etc.) and everything came back clear, but slight tachycardia at the time (90 bpm rest or so) so I was sent for heart tests (echo, stress test, ecg's, 24 h Holter) but nothing was found so my heart was cleared at the time. I should mention here that I did mention being a vegetarian and questioning my B12 levels, so these were checked too, but the doctor diagnosed them as being fine (which turned out to be a misdiagnosis 6 months later, at levels of 189...).

Time went on, about 6 months of walking around with these symptoms, when things really got worse and I would feel very faint at times, super unbalanced when walking, very anxious, sweating a lot and chest tightness. Revisited the doctor, all the tests again were fine, except my B12 which dropped to 98 at the time. Was put on oral cyanocobalamin (4mg/day for 2 weeks and from then on 1mg/day).

Despite having B12 medication things regarding my balance remained the same or got worse at days. I think it is during this time of all the worrying that I also developed an anxiety/panic disorder. Brought myself 3 times to the ER thinking something was massively wrong, because of my off balance feelings, extreme feelings of being uncomfortable in my chest (very warm, tight, heart palpitations often happening after lunch). ER did the usual tests and found nothing but high heart rate which was attributed to it being a panic attack. 

That brings us to now, where I am seeing a psychiatrist for my anxiety disorder, but I believe there is a medical underlying condition that is not detected yet. During the last year I got too scared to work out thinking my balance got worse. Recently though I forced myself to go back to run 5k's which I loved doing before all of this happened. And this is when I got surprised: When I run I don't notice ANY of the symptoms. My body feels strong and I am able to pull of a 5k in about 26 mins, which is pretty decent for me considering I have not worked out in about 10 years. However, as soon also here when I am done with the run and start walking again this horrible off balance feeling is back! I can't stand this any longer. The off balance feelings I feel are always there but the severity degree is very dependent on the day or time of the day. Usually a lot worse towards the end of the day and also in the weekend which are often accompanied with some weird eye strain/headache. Also seems that when I have had bad anxiety/an attack it takes a toll on my balance that requires a couple days to go back to more normal levels, truth is the balance issues are always there in some degree or another.

I am just hoping to find answers to what could be going on. Could it be permanent damage from my B12 deficiency, of course also scared of MS or some other undiagnosed disease or could it really all be part of my anxiety disorder. Are there any of you that can find themselves in these symptoms/have any tips/advice? 

I'd greatly appreciate any input as it seems I can't enjoy life like I used to and want my old normal carefree life back...

Thanks a bunch

Mary

 

2 likes, 56 replies

56 Replies

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  • victoria78511
    victoria78511 mary90940

    Posted

    Hi mary it's sounds like anxiety what causing your balance problems? I feel like I'm walking on trampoline and walls feel like they are moving l did swaying I'm wores if l closed my eyes all walking in the dark. I went to see a ENT he told me to on the spot with my eyes closed with your arms out straight count 40 still marching on the spot when l opened much eyes l turn to the left he said I've got a weak balance system it's not my ears whats causing the problem. He said it's anxiety and stress whats causing my balance. He sent me for vestibular exercises they did help. Do you feel worse when you are in supermarkets or in big crowds?

  • rocksolid
    rocksolid mary90940

    Posted

    I think low b12 can make you feel off balance. Look into this and maybe get your numbers up
  • diana92823
    diana92823 mary90940

    Posted

    You might have vertigo which is the sensation of off balance dizziness search it up and it will show you other symptoms but I’m positive you have vertigo. It’s when ur equilibrium is off balance. But def search it up. 
  • catherine53111
    catherine53111 mary90940

    Posted

    Hi I have the exact same issues, started after I had my son via c section, he's now 5 , and I still have this horrible symptom, been to so many drs and so many tests with no answers 🙁

  • linda24766
    linda24766 mary90940

    Posted

    Hi mary, i was just reading this and i am going through the exact same things, lately its been so bad i can barely walk, i get the dizziness with sudden head movements, and feel like im gonna pass out at any second but never do. I also was recently diagnosed with axiety but this happens to me and catches me off guard throughout the day and is whats causing my axiety. I see an ent april 9th.
    • joyce70589
      joyce70589 linda24766

      Posted

      I have same thing when walking I feel like I can't walk a straight line I'm okay driving I do have issues with my neck I was going to physical therapy for my neck and it got to where it was just doing really well when on a six-week road trip and a couple nights started feeling like I was getting vertigo again so I did the maneuver did not have vertigo didn't have room spins but still feel uneasy walking some days it goes away by early afternoon other days I don't have it at all and some days it last all day. my doctor has referred me back to ortho physical therapy for my neck and also to ear , nose, and throat dr to check my ears.

    • linda24766
      linda24766 joyce70589

      Posted

      I was recently seen by an ent specialists and had blood work and a hearing test done, both came out normal, ive been experiencing other symptoms as well such as a floating feeling when i lay down, pressure behind my eyes making it hard to concentrate, and the feeling like im swaying or something is pulling on me when i walk. I also saw a neurologist and had an mri scan with and without contrast to see the frontal part of my brain. The mri came back normal as well so now im beginning to really believe that this is all associated with anxiety which is hard to believe. I found the only thing that helps is I do alot of meditation to keep the anxiety and stress levels to a minimum. I was sleeping all day because all this worrying was causing alot of depression. But i found that going for a walk, getting fresh air, and even a light workout helps. I hope this helps, feel better!
  • mike_99263
    mike_99263 mary90940

    Edited

    Any updates ? this is my worse symptoms so far. It's really hard to maintain my balance at work. Unfortunately in addition to that I am also experiencing tingling in the extremities. I find it's worse indoors, I am fine outside.

    • Teeee
      Teeee mike_99263

      Posted

      hey mate, i have the same symptoms, including the internal buzzing sensations in my feet, did you get yours figured out?

  • joyce70589
    joyce70589 mary90940

    Posted

    your post was some time ago but I'm experiencing the same thing when walking I can drive but when walking I feel really uneasy I have had bouts of vertigo last year for 4 nights in March and then off and on Till May I went to physical therapy neurology physical therapy and they taught me how to do the maneuver to get my inner ear crystals back to where they should be that took care of it off and on but on a trip recently we were driving for 6 weeks and I experienced two nights where I just felt like the room was starting to spin just like I would have had vertigo so I did the maneuver I don't have any vertigo symptoms but I contacted the doctor and b4 our trip I had been going to physical therapy for my neck tightness in my neck and I'm going back to do that and dr referred me to ear, nose, and throat for ear problems. Good luck. I also need b12.....

  • Maikal
    Maikal mary90940

    Posted

    how it comes to you first. i think your having Anxiety. coz me similar to u. 
  • alan94308
    alan94308 mary90940

    Posted

    Hi Mary

    Male 36 years old Singapore, i know how ya feel and is the same to mine

    I suspect is pppd Persistent postural-perceptual dizzines

    Anyway please contact me at +6593809412 Whatsapp if ya wish to talk more 

    Alan here

  • alan94308
    alan94308 mary90940

    Posted

    Alan 36 Singapore

    Had this swaying heavy and light boat feeling walking and seated, sometimes better sometimes worse and once in a while totally gone

    Morning ok, mid afternoon and evening not good

    Need to talk to people, anyone interested can contact me at +6593809412 Whatsapp, probably i create a group chat if enough people join

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