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Persistent Dizziness for 3 months

Posted , 8 users are following.

mai18
mai18

Hello, I have been having dizziness since middle of January this year. I started one morning all of the usdden when I got out of bed. I was not well and sleepy for about half a day and then it went away. After almost 15-20 days a serious bout of dizziness started that has not left me to date. To describe my dizzines, it is more of unsteadiness. I had some cold when it started. I had a lot of brain fog that was interferring with my cognitive abilities. I went to my doctor who reffered me to ENT and then sent me to vestibular therapist. The therapist performed Dix Halpike manuver and declared I had BPPV, did the manuver and sent me back. I did feel somewhat better after it. But in few days the dizziness returned again.  I went to ENT who basically just ordered MRI and VNG. MRI came back normal according to nerurologist with no positive findings. I have asked to set up an appt with Neurologist. I am still waiting on VNG test results but the lady who perfomed the tests said I most likely do not have any peripheral going on. Cause may be Cental.  So far the condition is, I am unsteady every single day. Some days are close to normal and some days are quite unsteady. Other symptoms include ringing in ears that is persistent but gets worse with unsteadiness, aural fullness in right ear when I get unsteady and I feel like nystagmus gets more noticable with more unsteadiness. I have been tracking my "episodes" and seems like every 10-12 days I get ringing in my ears worse, I feel little unsteady in my head even when I am lying down or sleeping, right ear gets pressure, basically all the symptoms worsen by 50%. The next day I am more dizzy, more ringing, sleepy, pressure in right ear. The day after that I get more unsteady, but lesser ringing in ears and almost no pressure in ears. and then symptoms kind of fizzle out next few days and go to base level, but the cycle repeats itself in 11-12 days again. After reading a lot of causes, I am trying low sodium diet to see if I have Maniere but I still got one of the "episodes". Also, from what I read, Manieres symptos are relieved between attacks, also patients are not constantly unsteady. Anyways, I am quite fed up with all this. Although I am able to do day to day activitities based on how I feel, I can not do anything strenuous. Plus feeling of constant unsteadiness to varying degree is taxing my spirit. Does anybody have similar symptoms? or any insight on what might be going on? Thankyou. 

1 like, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • debbie82116
    debbie82116 mai18

    Posted

    Hi there

    Your symptoms are identical to what i had TWICE. My diagnosis was vestibular neuritis...i am not a doctor but i can tell you i suffered with the same thing. It DOES GO AWAY so just be patient...very patient. There is no magic pill that will take it away. You can try vestibular rehab exercises to retrain your brain as you have likely suffered vestibular damage in one ear. Mine was caused by a virus. I can tell you it is no fun and caused me severe anxiety...even the second time around.

    I wish you all the best. Stay strong and you will get through it x

    Debbie

    • mai18
      mai18 debbie82116

      Posted

      Thank you Debbie for reply. I am not sure why my ENT has not even addressed possibility that I may have VN.  Does your unsteadiness and other symptoms worsen like it is an attack or episode every few days in a cyclic manner? I thought my symptoms were similar to Maniere but no diet seems to help.
  • helen91488
    helen91488 mai18

    Posted

    Hi this is exactly how I was. It started on the 10th December and finally ( fingers crossed ) went away about two weeks ago, at its worst I lay in bed. Took stemitil etc and betahistine. All tests clear . So was diagnosed with viral labrynthitis and vestibular neuritis. It has been the worst few months of my life and I am so glad that I feel so much better now. I really sympathise with you. The ear pressure, dizziness aches in neck and head and eye problems........ Just try and relax . There are some people on here who say they have had it for years. I choose not to read those lol and stay positive. Virus does take time to go 

    take care xx

    • mai18
      mai18 helen91488

      Posted

      Does your unsteadiness and other symptoms worsen like it is an attack or episode every few days in a cyclic manner? I thought my symptoms were similar to Maniere but no diet seems to help. Also how did your doctor diagnose you with VN? Are there any tests I can ask my ENT to perform?
    • helen91488
      helen91488 mai18

      Posted

      Yep. I tried low salt low caffeine etc as I thought maybe it was worse after a weekly takeaway but the diet makes no difference.  I work in a hospital so kept plague ing my doc. Colleagues. Elimination is how the arrived at VN. 

       had epley manoeuvres in case it was BPV  . All symptoms point to this. Apparently the only true way of knowing for sure is after death during a post Mortem!! ( I think I will leave that for a while! Although on the very bad days it felt like I could die). I've been told it can come back again especially if  run down etc so I'm taking good care of myself and not letting it rule my life any more xx

    • mai18
      mai18 helen91488

      Posted

      Thanks Helen. I am getting frustrated because process to eliminate causes is taking forever and I have to wait 2 months before getting appt with next specialist like Neurologist.  Are there any more trends I can look for to see if it Neurotis? Like does is kind of fade away very slowly? or does it just disappear one day. My brain fog basically disappeared overnight and I am so thankful for that. But these recurrent bouts of worsening systoms is taking a toll on me. Today is especially bad. Also did you get any other auxilliary symptoms like I had sore right eye for a week and half,  sinus type headache for a week, always get some stuffiness with "episodes". I just hope this goes away soon.
    • helen91488
      helen91488 mai18

      Posted

      Yep sore eye. Sinus type symptoms etc. It seems to fade away but then it comes back to bite me on the bum again at times. Am really hoping this time it's gone,! Xx anxiety about it all doesn't help o I've thought myself not to worry about it and carry on with life xxx
  • rosalind56070
    rosalind56070 mai18

    Posted

    Hi Mal,

    my symptoms are similar to yours.

    i started with noticing I wasn't walking in a straight line and started to lose my balance. I then woke up one night feeling sick, like a hangover.

    everytime I turned my head I felt sick.

    it got worse from there. I had to get my husband to take me to work.I recognised it as vertigo and looked for a chiropractor who could help.

    he believed it was my kneck that was the problem as he said it was like a lump of concrete.

    i went to a physio for positional therapy and got work to check my work station as I spend a lot of time at the computer.

    That was 7 months ago. I have been to ENT who told me Ménière's , but after balance tests he wasn't sure. He has now referred me to a neurologist.

    I can't get in until Oct.!

    I have resigned from work as it is not safe for me to drive as I have a hour each way. My job is also stressful so that doesn't help.

    I am a little depressed at present because I realise there is no easy fix and like you I have joined this site to lean on the experiences of other people.

    You can't afford to wait for appts with specialists, you need to help yourself and do your own research.

    I think our sort of symptoms are too hard for them to commit to an accurate diagnosis as it is different for each one of us.You need the support of other people knowing you are not the only one in this situation.

    So next week I sadly leave work to concentrate on ME! Healthy eating and as much exercise as I can manage.

    I wish you all the best on your journey and look forward to hearing your experiences . keep in touch

    Best wishes

    Roz

    • mai18
      mai18 rosalind56070

      Posted

      Hey Roz, sorry to hear that you had to leave your job. That truly sucks. But if you can feel normal again it will be worth it. Your ENT, before diagnosing you with Meniere, did  he do standard tests like MRI, VNG to rule out the worst and also kind of get sense if it is peri[heral or central? If he hasn't done MRI, I strongly recommend you get one ASAP.  I feel like doctors help only if it is not time consuming and time committment on their part. But hopefully we will get help somewhere.
  • rosalind56070
    rosalind56070 mai18

    Posted

    Hi Mai,

    Yes I have had CT,MRI and the balance tests.

    Because I didn't feel dizzy with some of the tests he has reserved judgement on the Ménière's .

    At present I have very loud noise in my ears with pressure that feels like my ears will burst. So it is certainly Tinnitus .I would just like to walk down the street without looking drunk!

    Roz

  • Feelingdizzy888
    Feelingdizzy888 mai18

    Posted

    Hi

    I also woke suddenly to dizzy spells.. I had that horrible virus that was going round and I felt exhausted, achy muscles, no energy.. Mine started beginning of Feb.. I went to my GP who diagnosed viral labyrinthitis.. I was given tablets, but they seemed to slow me down even more.. I was off work with it for a week, and literally just wanted to sleep all the time.. I then, as I always do, decided to self diagnose, I have no faith in our medical service.. When the dizziness started, my left side of my neck and shoulder felt so tight, so I used aromatherapy oils, peppermint and lavender.. I also bought ginger tea, which I was drinking about 3x daily.. This week, fingers crossed, is the first time I am dizzy free.. I still feel it slightly, but nowhere as bad as it was.. I do believe it's to do with the virus/cold that's going around.. And after reading up on viruses, they have to make their way out of the body, however long that takes.. I totally understand how you're feeling, it's a horrible sensation.. I also found, positive thinking, deep breathing exercises helped..

    Hope you feel better soon

    xx

  • alicia1201
    alicia1201 mai18

    Posted

    Hi Mai

    I have had similar symptoms they think it's me nieces but not sure. I don't have ringing. But the pressure in right ear off and on and unsteadiness is there more then not and your eyes will make you dizzy because the eyes inner ear and brain all work together. There are mistakes your brain is making because of inner ear issue and that creates dizziness and you can be constantly dizzy with me nieces actually.. i am depressed because it's been almost 4 years! With no relief.

    Trying rehab.see if it does anything. Very frustrated. These doctor's just say they don't know.how to fix it. That's crazy.

    Hope you try vest. Rehab. Only hope I think

    Alicia

    • mai18
      mai18 alicia1201

      Posted

      I am sorry to hear that Alicia. I do not know what nieces is though. Hopefully you find some relief in future. It is crazy that so many balance related disorders are poorly understood.
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