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Undiagnosed Dizziness....Vestibular Rehab?

Posted , 5 users are following.

wearykitty
wearykitty

Hi....this is my first post to this forum, and i'll do my best to be brief....I've had bouts of dizziness/disequilbrium on and off for probably two years now, but for the last two or three months, it's been with me pretty much every day....I had previously been told that it was related to an anxiety disorder, but now I'm not so certain...all day, every day for months? That doesn't sound plausible. In any event, I saw an ENT two weeks ago, and he's suggested that I do two things 1) have an audiogram to identify any inner ear issues (my appointment is next Tuesday) and 2) vestibular rehabilitation therapy to "retrain my brain"...my question is this: if the dizziness/disequilibrium truly is related to anxiety (or hormonal changes, as has also been suggested (I'm perimenopausal)), will the rehab help? Or is it only effective for "organic" causes of dizziness? It's gotten to the point where I'm nervous about leaving the house (but I'm nervous about being home alone too)....if I didn't have an anxiety disorder before this, I certainly do now....ugh! Any thoughts/advice you can offer would be MUCH appreciated....I hate feeling this way.

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • rocksolid
    rocksolid wearykitty

    Posted

    I think the vestibular therapy will only be effective if that is the issue. I have been dizzy for 3 yrs now everyday and still am not sure why. I went to an ENT and was told it was the inner ear and did vestibular therapy for 6 months but it did not help. Had a 2nd opinion and that doctor told me there is no issue with my ear. I have also been told anixiety. I think they say that when they don't have an answer. I tought my Vitamins might be low and my vitiamin D and B12 are both low and that could be your cause. I also have TMJ and that could be the cause so I am working on both of those. Get your ears checked to see if there is an issue and go from there. Just don't let it get you upset. If you give the dizzness life then it can over take you so just try to keep busy and it will stay more in the background. Do not give it power over you.
    • wearykitty
      wearykitty rocksolid

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply.....I know I should spend less time worrying about it, but I really struggle to get through the day sometimes....I'll give the vestibular rehab a try, in the event it helps....and I'll do my best to push this to the background....I think I might have issues with TMJ as well, because I tend to clench my jaw when I'm tense (which is most of the time now!)....I also tense the muscles in my neck (sides and back), which I suspect contributes to the dizziness and tension headaches....
    • rocksolid
      rocksolid wearykitty

      Posted

      I just got a mouth guard that my dentist made for me and I think it is calming the muscles on the side a bit. I am also trying accupuncture as well.
  • castor1961
    castor1961 wearykitty

    Posted

    Hi I just read u post, I am a very anxious woman, in menopause too, very active, but right now I even dont want to leave the house anymore. My partner who is a nurse keep telling me, my hormones plays rolacoster. I am so frustratin about myself cause I cant enjoy doing all my thinks that I loved to doo
    • gill63793
      gill63793 castor1961

      Posted

      Hi castor 1961 snap I am the same. Very outgoing cycling walking and love Zumba but with this feeling it's awful hope we find some way out of this. Life is to short and I want to enjoy :-)
    • castor1961
      castor1961 gill63793

      Posted

      Hi gill 

      I think that i have from anxiety cause I am very anxious lately, so i began to run again every day a 2 miles outside, Thats what i love to do and help me, i am not 100% better but i feel some improvment, i also do some labyrinthe exercice that u can find on Utube, I am 53 and ménopause has a lot do also 

      Hope u feel better soon

    • gill63793
      gill63793 castor1961

      Posted

      Well done for the running and yes having this problem gives you anxiety keep up running. Good luck 
    • gill63793
      gill63793 castor1961

      Posted

      Try to leave the house even if it is out the front door and in the back door. (Little steps ) 
  • gill63793
    gill63793 wearykitty

    Posted

    Hi wearykitty,I have just found and joined this group. I am also in the same predicament as you. Yesterday I went for a scan on my head and inner ears,waiting till next week for the result.the doctor I saw three days ago suggested to me vestibular rehabilitation and waiting for that. You are right this awful feeling stops you doing so many things especially going out. I find it a lot lot easier holding on to a shopping trolley,in fact if there is nothing to hold on to I usually don't go. It makes me very very anxious and very very sad as it rules your life.May I ask how old ish you are I am 60    :-(
  • emma81241
    emma81241 wearykitty

    Posted

    It's absolutely horrible =( I had my first experience with dizzyness november 2011. Then 2 weeks later it happened again.  For the next since months I had it constantly. Everyday. 24/7.I couldn't leave the house or be on my own it was indescribably horrible. It's now been a couple of years and I still get it on and off. At the moment I've got a bad cold and the dizzyness is getting bad again. Was trying to find if that was related when I came across this post. It's nice to know you're not going through something alone sometimes =) even though I wish this on nobody. I had a million tests done and the all came back normal. In the end they diagnosed me with severe anxiety and depression. I completely agree with the diagnosis in that yes I do have anxiety and depression but I've only got it because of what happened. The fact I had to live everyday like that. The fact they used my body as a drug trial, literally changing what pills I was on every couple of weeks and putting me through hell. I definitely did not have anxiety/depression when I first got sick. Interestingly enough the anxiety/depression specialist at the hospital completely agrees with me. But my Drs don't care. You're very lucky in that your Dr is trying to help you with rehab =) I hope with all my heart it works for you! xx
    • castor1961
      castor1961 emma81241

      Posted

      Hello Emma, i completly agree that anxiety make it worser, Thats my problem too sometimes i wake up in the morning and just thinking on this diziness make me already anxieux, i just can say that lately i try to do my best do get over this anxiety and get better
    • gill63793
      gill63793 emma81241

      Posted

      I agree with you feeling dizzy or off balance makes you depressed and it does affect you to go out. Good luck
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