undiagnosed dizziness
Posted , 8 users are following.
Hello.
I am 27 years old, I work out 5 days a week, I do not drink or do drugs in any fashion. I am a successful small business owner, and from the outside looking in, one would assume life is great in my neck of the woods. But unfortunately for the past year and a half, I have been suffering from issues related to dizziness. Specifically, lightheadedness, sensitivity to light, confusion, and difficulty concentrating on things visually. These feelings are exacerbated when I enter environments that have harsh lighting, are visually active (such as a super market), or when I have increased anxiety. They also range in severity and duration, for no apparent reason. I have been to numerous doctors and clinics during this time, including neurologists, ENTs, Sleep specialist, general practitioners, as well as Vestibular Specialists. I have received numerous testing as well, including MRIs and MRAs of the head and neck, VNG testing, EEGs, blood work, sonograms of my heart, kidneys and liver, stress tests and EKGs of the heart, as well as physical exams, but unfortunately we have not been able to come to a logical conclusion as to what has been causing these issues. The only diagnosable “problems” that has resulted from testing has been slight sleep apnea, cervical lordosis, as well as slightly abnormal readings from the VNG testing. From conferring with the numerous health professionals, I have seen, they have concluded that my issues most likely do not stem from these things they have found.
The VNG testing resulted in a diagnosis or “low gains”, as my doctor eloquently described it, or Vestibular Hypofunction, but I do not suffer from the symptoms classically associated with this disorder. I have perfect balance, zero issues with actual “dizziness”, or the room spinning. I have also been going to physical therapy for the past 6 months to correct the cervical lordosis, which has abated zero of my symptoms. I have also been prescribed a low dose of an SSRI, Lexapro, which has helped minimally. The sleep apnea remains untreated.
So, at this point, I feel as though I am still at square one. On paper, I am your average healthy adult, but this is far from the truth. Although one would assume an issue such as being “lightheaded” is rather benign, it has completely consumed not only my life, but that of my families as well. We have been unable over the past year and a half to decipher even the smallest part of this puzzle and I am beginning to lose hope that it will ever be corrected. The last straw was roughly two months ago when I took a weeklong trip to the Cleveland clinic (supposedly one of the gold standards in health care) Upon conclusion of my visit (after many more tests and conversations with many people) the only help they could provide me with was to take an SSRI to calm me down about the fact that there is something wrong with me, and no one can figure out what it is.
I am writing this today in the hopes that someone, anyone, could shed some light on a situation such as this. Whether it be to go for more testing (and what those tests would be) support (if you’ve been through something similar) or actual answers as to what you think this may be. I am beginning to lose hope that I will ever figure this out, and I will forever be cursed to live life dizzy and uncomfortable. I wish more than anything to just be a “normal” guy and to have no fear or anxiety when I do “normal” things. I have the resources and means to seek out whatever avenue of treatment that you may think would be beneficial for someone in my situation, and I am desperate enough to try just about anything to get to the bottom of this. Life has become less about living, and more about struggling to make it through the day, and dealing with fear, anxiety and embarrassment or living with an un-diagnosable disorder. I’m hoping someone out there can point me in the right direction and I can once and for all get find a “cure”.
If you believe you can lend a hand in anyway please do not hesitate
0 likes, 21 replies
anne05147 henryroth
Posted
Of course this problem affects every aspect of our lives, but mine was helped considerably by being diagnosed as having 'silent migraines' being put on Nortriptyline low dose as a neuropathic pain relief, for pain I didn't realise I was having apart from the aura's of the visual vertigo. I also have BPPV and didn't realise I had 2 conditions running alongside one another until the consultant told me not to get the 2 confused. I wish you well in finding some help.
henryroth anne05147
Posted
anne05147 henryroth
Posted
I saw a neuro otologist at my request rather than ENT. I had been wasting time with ENT the consultant told me. I was given a battery of tests, with goggles on following dots and lines and questions, and also participated in the University of Kent study and was tested by them also. My eye movements were measured with electrodes. I wasn't convinced initially by the diagnosis but the tablets have worked so well there must be a connection. I also have a bulging neck disc which I think doesn't help the overall condition, that's my own theory, that has been discounted by my GP, Sometimes more than one condition is running parallel alongside and all culminates in affecting blood flow etc to the brain, so it misinterprets what is happening, causing us to compensate. I also try walking in a straight line with my eyes closed which helped me, very difficult, and careful not to fall over, my own exercise to test myself to the limit. It has helped my balance I think. Different things work for different people I think as we are all unique, but a correct diagnosis is a starting point, if you can get one. I hope you can.