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Vertigo Symptoms?

Posted , 6 users are following.

lovewithcaution
lovewithcaution

Hi, I'm new here.

I think I might have vertigo. I've been feeling a bit dizzy (not a spinning sensation), it's kind of hard to explain, It's not really a lightheaded feeling but maybe more of an off balance sensation and a bit dizzy. My vision is weird (not normal anymore), I see alot of floaters and "after-images", when I close my eyes I see perfectly lined up dots. 

When I go into stores I feel more off balance and dizzy, I feel like I'm going to fall over but I don't. I'm ALWAYS tired no matter how much sleep I get, I have NO energy, I've been having anxiety attacks ever since I started feeling this, I also get headaches, sometimes I notice my eyelids feel extremely heavy then I get a headache, i feel a vibrating feeling at the top of my head sometimes, sensitive to sound and sometimes light. I've had alot of tests done, I've had a CT Scan, I also have to go for a MRI. They didn't find anything of the CT Scan.

Do my symptoms sound like vertigo?

Why don't I experience the spinning sensation if it is vertigo?

How do doctors test for vertigo?

I've been taking a medication that I think is making me feel like this (I'm addicted to it), I've been taking it for 5-6 years and these symptoms started happening in 2013. The symptoms come and go, sometimes I feel it everyday for a month or more. I notice I feel it more when I take the medication.

Any information would be great, thanks!

0 likes, 18 replies

18 Replies

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  • h1954
    h1954 lovewithcaution

    Posted

    Hi, you have many symptoms similar to me and it does sound like vertigo. Mine is said to be migraine associated vertigo. A neurologist would be able to tell you. Have you seen ENT as they would be able to say of the problem is with your ears. There seem to be so many possible causes of these symptoms and like you say they are very hard to describe. Good luck!
    • Lisaippie
      Lisaippie h1954

      Posted

      Yes been to ENT all they say is that I have allergies and I knew that I did, but still not much helpsad((
    • rmazusa
      rmazusa h1954

      Posted

      H1954 - 

      How old were you when you started having migraine associated vertigo?

      R.

    • h1954
      h1954 rmazusa

      Posted

      Hi, R, it was 2006 and I was 52 and neurologist said it was late onset migraine associated with the menopause, I would also get flashing lights and odd sensation in one arm and momentary speech disturbance. I had migraine prevention meds and the symptoms went, I hated the meds they made me feel like I didn't care about anything so I stopped them after a few months and I was fine except for the occasional flashing lights. I pretty much forgot I had had the other symptoms. Then in 2012 I got the vertigo again, but much worse, couldn't leave the house alone eventually and after struggling for 3 months was off work for 4 months. Had cardiac, ENT and neuro investigations and apart from postural hypotension nothing was found. Neuro again said migraine associated and had amitriptyline as migraine prevention. Stopped that after a few months and was fine except for occ lights again and vertigo in wide open spaces which I would avpod
    • h1954
      h1954

      Posted

      Didn't finish - would avoid. Problem recurred in May, though not as badly as before, awaiting more investigations. Hope this helps and hope you get something that helps you. H
    • rmazusa
      rmazusa h1954

      Posted

      Intersting.  So I am 47, and menopause is not a factor smile I have only had one migraine in my life, when I was in my late teens.  I am somewhat encouraged by what you say have been long periods of "good".  My biggest issue is that I was feeling so much better in the two weeks after my hospital visit when this first rushed onto me, and then I've been in this 5 days good/five days bad for the past ~7 weeks.  I will continue to visit with the docs - I will get a neuroligist and a rheumatologist. But I don't have a lot of hope for them diagnosing this.   
    • h1954
      h1954 rmazusa

      Posted

      To be honest, it wasn't so much a diagnosis as the only theory that was not disproved!
  • lovewithcaution
    lovewithcaution

    Posted

    Haven't been to an ENT but I'm going to talk to talk to my doctor about it.

    So vertigo doesn't have to be a spinning sensation?

    How do you deal with it? It's terrible. I don't want to do anything but lie in bed all day n the dark.

    • h1954
      h1954 lovewithcaution

      Posted

      Sometimes I get a spinning sensation if I move my head quickly, but mostly it's a feeling like I'm going to fall, which is brought on by being in open spaces. Crossing the road is a problem. I try to avoid the triggers, which isn't easy. When I first had it, I couldn't leave the house alone. This time it's not that bad, I take betahistine and amitriptyline. Hope you get to ent soon.
  • paula59
    paula59 lovewithcaution

    Posted

    Hi - we all seem to have the same symptoms and they come up with all sorts of different diagnosis.  Ive been told Ive got silent migraine or vertigo associated migraine.  I dont think I have I think I have an SCM injury.  Ive been dizzy now for 3 years.  Seen endless ENT and got two neurologists.  I honestly think none of them have a clue.  You actually get better by keeping going and not giving in to it.  It retrains your eyes and brain to deal with it.  Hence the tiredness which also gets better.  I know its hard to deal with but it does improve the more you do.  You do need a scan though to make sure its nothing serious Good luck.
    • Lisaippie
      Lisaippie paula59

      Posted

      Thanks a lot scan showed nothing so maybe and hopefully it will subside. Best of luck to you also
    • rmazusa
      rmazusa paula59

      Posted

      Have you tried, and I know this is simple, but have you tried antihistamines?  They are the only thing that has really helped me during the past 8 weeks - I'm taking a heavy dose as prescribed by my ENT and GP.  

      My dizziness is not acute enough to fall over, but it's there often.  As is the pressure you describe, and the pressure and pain at the base of my neck.  My headaches are very slight and last for less than a minute.  

      The pressure I have with my head feels like it does when you wear a tight baseball cap for too long.  I also have swelling in and around my neck which lasts for 4-5 days when I'm having a worst spell, then it subsides for 4-5 days, then the swelling returns for 4-5 days.  This has been going on for me for 60 days, with very marginal change to that pattern.  

  • lovewithcaution
    lovewithcaution

    Posted

    I can't stand it, I swear it's making me depressed. This constant feeling is driving me insane, it's all I think about. I just wish I was "normal" again. It's worst, I've been crying a lot. It's terrible. I have to wait till September 22 for the MRI. 

    I feel alone, my family doesn't understand when I tell them what I feel, or they don't believe me, they don't know it's a constant feeling, I even get told to "stop being a wimp". Sorry for the rant but I have no one who understands me except all of you. 

    Anxiety is high right now. I was so tired all day, I couldn't do anything.

    Hoping for better days

    • rmazusa
      rmazusa lovewithcaution

      Posted

      Keeping control of the anxiety is just as important as anything else.  Have you gone to speak with a counselor about this?  As for your nearest and dearest family members, show them this thread/website.  Let them read about the many people out there that suffer with this, and often suffer quietly because it can't be seen on the outside.  
    • lovewithcaution
      lovewithcaution rmazusa

      Posted

      I was referred to a psycologist and he said it sounds like I have depression so he asked if I wanted to see and counselor and I said yes, haven;t seen one yet. I will definitely do that.
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