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Worried: can sinus/inner ear problems cause severe dizziness?

Posted , 6 users are following.

Hayhue
Hayhue

I have sinus infection and was given antibiotics that I haven't started yet. I'm wondering if being this dizzy from sinuses is normal?

My dizziness feels very off balance when I walk. I feel like I'm spinning but the room doesn't (sometimes it does). My eyes feel like they're really strained. I get lightheaded when I move too fast or bend my head down and up too quickly (like reaching for phone charger from wall). It makes me feel sick and sweaty and then I panic and I get sicker and more sweaty and I'm just wondering if this is normal with fluid behind ears/chronic sinus?

I haven't felt something like this in a long time. Can it really cause you to feel this bad?

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • eleftherio33095
    eleftherio33095 Hayhue

    Posted

    The spinning room is due to vertigo.  You occassionally see the room spin due to nystagmus.

    How did this start, and for how long have you had this.  What speciality did you visit for the antibiotics?

    Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

    Clinical Neurophysiologist

    Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

    • Hayhue
      Hayhue eleftherio33095

      Posted

      Im sorry I didn't notice I posted from this account. I thought I was still signed into my new one.

      I posted before about having chronic vertigo for 12 years. I also have the neuropathy I'm being tested for (nerve test) next week. I never had a nystagmus before when tested in the past but I have the new VNG next Thursday.

      It was when I went to the ENT last week for a GERD problem that he saw and gave me antibiotics for chronic sinus infection.

      My dizziness has been pretty bad the last week. I can't walk very far without feeling very off balance and if I move my head or body too fast I get lightheaded so I've been staying in bed where I feel better when I'm not moving. I also noticed that when I move my eyes far left and far right (peripheral) that it induces vertigo (not dizzy). That's new as well.

      The reason I am worried is because of the neuropathy so I'm trying to see if this dizziness (not the vertigo) is in relation to that or my sinuses or both? It's giving me some anxiety so I'm not sure whether I should be worried or not to go to the ER or to wait for my ENT & neuro appt next week (even tho Ive already recently had clear CT/MRI & clear blood work).

    • eleftherio33095
      eleftherio33095 Hayhue

      Posted

      Thank you. I remember now. Please let me know about the neuropathy testing.

      Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

      Clinical Neurophysiologist

      Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

    • Hayhue
      Hayhue eleftherio33095

      Posted

      Hello,

      I told you I would reply after my VNG and nerve conduction test.

      The first part of my VNG was normal. The doctor said my brain seems to be working correctly. The inner ear part I ended up getting sick so we had to stop. He didn't get to see the results.

      After the nerve conduction test, the neurologist said I have small fiber neuropathy. He said this may affect my balance if my feet become numb but my balance is affected now without the feet numbness. I'm not sure if this is normal or not. I posted in another forum seeking advice. Everything I've read about small fiber doesn't seem to match but every case is different, I know.

      He's waiting on the bloodwork to find out WHY I have the neuropathy.

  • melody08508
    melody08508 Hayhue

    Posted

    A friend of mine has labyrinthitis but she found her sinus issues is what flared it all up for her so it's very possible
    • melody08508
      melody08508 Hayhue

      Posted

      She used a nasal spray and found it helped with the dizzyness! It's all linked in (the ears nose and throat) so if ur quite congested it would spin u off! Hope u find some relief soon
    • Hayhue
      Hayhue melody08508

      Posted

      Thank you! I started antibiotics yesterday and have been taking a some Claritin (allergy med) and using Flonase (nasal spray). I hope it helps!
  • angie_69215
    angie_69215 Hayhue

    Posted

    Hello

    Back in Nov. I was having severe vertigo that came with panic attacks. My ENT diagnosed me withLabyrinthitin . He said it stemed from so many sinus infections. I Aldo now have ringing in my right far.

    I was given medication for the dizziness as well as a low steroid.

    I have gotten better on knowing when the vertigo is starting again specially when I catch a cold.

    It does get better and things do get normal again.

    Feel Better😃

  • Hayhue
    Hayhue

    Posted

    Couldn't take it anymore so went to the ER. One of the best hospitals around. They said I have fluid in my ears but no infection. Fluid pretty bad behind my left but not so bad behind my right.

    Hope it gets better soon! I'll keep y'all updated incase anyone else ever stumbles upon this.

    • mohoo
      mohoo Hayhue

      Posted

      I have sinus ifetions as well .. and VN .. doctor told me sinus can effect this ....

      Now the dizziness is better but still not normal ...like 60 % better .

      What about u ...hope u doing well ..

      Any advice from ur experience with with this ...

      thanks 

    • Hayhue
      Hayhue mohoo

      Posted

      I actually ended up being diagnosed with Menieres Disease and the doctor I saw who told me I had chronic sinus issues was very wrong. Hope you feel better soon!
  • tee83917
    tee83917 Hayhue

    Posted

    Hello my ent doctor told me i might have menieres, i have to go in today for a hearing test. Do you have any advice. Im very nervous

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