Dizzy spells

Christine · Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 3

Sue,

Im really interested about your post as I feel certain I have a neck problem causing my dizziness as certain neck movements make the dizziness worse and any neck extension. I have always suffered with neck problems, but the neuro I am seeing wont do any tests as he is convinced it is an inner ear problem. I would like to know more about the symptoms you had and also are you OK now or do you still get the dizziness. That must have been pretty scary what you went through.

Christine

Guest · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 6:06 pm Post subject:

Well i am also experiencing dizzy spells since just last night as it happens.I will admit that i am totally nuerotic and of course thought the worst.Thing is i also have a head cold.It isn't so much my nose is blocked it's my head and sinus' that are congested.I only get dizzy when i sit down after being active and my nose starts to congest.I'm putting it down to a sinus infection.If the dizzy spells don;t go with my head cold i will go to a doctor.Should i be worried though?

Guest · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 7:03 pm Post subject: dizzy spells

I have been getting dizzy spells every day for the last month and a half and it is debilitating and depressing as my biggest fear-even as a child-where things moving uncontrollably.I went to see my doctor and he told me I suffered from a viral infection to the throat and thus the ear causing me to feel dizzy. this is known as vertigo. I have been taking betahistine dihydrochloride(available on perscription)for a week now and have not noticed any effect and the panic like attacks have not decreased either, I am more emotional too. but for all those who are suffering go to your doctor's: they should perform a romberg test(balance impairment with eyes closed).

Can you tell me if there is anything that will make me sleep!?needs to be effective!am desperate!

Jolene · Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 1

I have been suffereing from dizzy spells for about 8 months now and they are becoming very frequent. They started at work and although I have them all day they are more frequent at work.
I've had blood tests and they didn't show any abnormalities. I have an ENT appointment coming up to see if it could be labrynthitis or related to the inner ear.
Please can someone contact me on here or by email if they think they can help me. I'm finding it very hard to cope with persistent dizziness on a daily basis.
Also, did anyone else find that the illness came with depression, or became depressed as a result?
Thanks,
Jolene.

Guest · Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 5:02 pm Post subject: Dizziness

I have had dizziness off and on for 3 years. My Mom has had it for 30 years. It is most noticeable when I lay down and try to roll over. My first bout landed me in the hospital and went away after 2 weeks. About 3 months later came out of the blue at work. Yes it does bring on depression and panic attacks. My doctor has diagnosed me with labrynthitis. I have noticed that it gets much worse inder severe stress. The spells dont scare me as much as they used to because I know that I'm not going to die or anything like that. The best thing that I have Found is to get lots of rest.[My mom also will have a glass of wine]Hope this helps.

Guest · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 11:39 am Post subject:

I had labyrinthitis about 8 years ago and it meant me having 3 months off work, cos I was unable to stand up cos the dizziness was so bad. Unfortuntately, in the last week or so it has come back. I turned over quickly in bed one night, and as I closed my eyes, the spinning sensation returned.

I know from experience last time that there is very little that you can do about it. But I remember that I was convinced last time that I made it worse by worrying. So my advice to people (and to myself at the moment!) is to try to get on with things as normal, and push it away as much as possible (not easy if it affects you constantly, but...)...Like the last person, I know it isn't dangerous in itself, so by not rushing around, but not giving into it either, I think you can overcome it.

Roshi · Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 2

Hi folks,

Thanks to everyone who posted their experience/s on this topic. What a relief to find that I am not alone....these dizzy spell are really scary.

I first began experiencing these dizzy spells about 4 month ago...when I had a cold and had fly out of town...I thought the mild pain in my ear & (slight) dizzines was due to altitude/ear pressure imbalance, however upon my return home a week later, the dizzy spells lasted for a few days which prompted me to visit my GP; his diagnisis was - "a mild mid-ear infection, possibly due to a viral infection" (I had had a slight sore throat). He prescribed some anti-biotics, a week later the the dizzy spells stopped -briefly.
About 3 weeks ago I awoke abruptly in the middle of the night feeling very dizzy and experiencing nausea, thinking that I must have I must have somehow fallen out of bed and lying on the floor - only to find I was still in bed!... and that the dizziness was trigged when I had rolled over to lie on my side whilst asleep. It was the most frightening experience I have ever had, to be lying IN BED!! and feel the room spin wildly around me along with the sensation of falling & helplessness coupled with nasuea was just too much to handle. Needless to say I was unable to live a normal existence for the next whole week, spending most of my time in bed lying in a supine position not daring to move my head, not even slightly- for to do so would bring on the nasuea & horrible bouts of dizziness, it was so bad that each time I'd attempt to get out of bed my knees would give away beneath me, I couldn't even crawl my way about without toppling over!!! and believe me I'm not over dramatizing. This morning I awoke feeling dizzy and forced myself out of bed determined to search the 'net in order to be able to help myself...right now as I type this it's with extreme difficuly ...I keep hitting the key opposite to the one I mean to type on...trying to focus is very difficult so forgive me folks if I seem long drawn (or the lousy spelling, tried to correct as best I can)...apart from the dizziness -it's the excitement of knowing that I'm not going crazy and there are other's on this planet whom I can reach out to.

About a little over week ago mamaged to drive over to visited my GP....after a long series of tests; my BP was low but within the scale to be considered normal, General health good, however after prodding around my eyeballs he suggested that the orbiccular muscles surrounding the eyeballs were going into spasms (yes, sometimes I experience real bad headaches & can barely keep my eye open + the dzy spells)... the spasms were in turn causing the fluid/air pressure to imbalance within the inner ear resulting in the head/eye aches and dizzy spells. The spasms are a result of..."extremely internallized stress"...says he. I was prescribed some medication to help restore the imbalance in the inner ear....a week later and still no real improvement...and, of course this morning the dzy spells are worse...however knowing that there are folks out there to whom I will not sound crazy or complaining is a tremendous relief. its also a relief to be able to express my feelings/experiences in writing since I'm not one to usually talk about aspects of myself to others. I've always that so many folks have much worse difficulties to deal with and that I should learn to bear my troubles with quiet diginity but alas, now it does not seem such a good thing to do for if it leads to the health problems as presently experienced then opening up to other - especially a support group can help...so once again THANKS FOLKS!!! all of you who have posted on this site have no idea what a comforting difference you have made to me.
I wish you all hope & much strength...and to Tommy good luck...please do maintain a progress report post.

Janet · Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 3

Well, I must say I too was glad to read all the posts - misery enjoys company. I have just had dizzy spells upon waking up for 2 days now, and after reading your posts, have come to the followig conclusions.
1. I have been on the Atkins diet - which means no sugar, use of sugar substitutes, probably lower sodium. Supports both the broth suggestions, and eliminating aspertame.
2. I have a history of pinched nerve in my neck from a lot of computer work. I saw a kinesiologist, who aligned me and my spine, and totally cured me of neck and arm pain, which was HUGE at the time. I will make an appointment first thing tomorrow morning, as I think the neck/spine angle to the dizziness is probably the most key factor.
3. Stress - what a snowballing effect! Worring about why you're dizzy just brings on more stress! I don't feel any more stressed than usual, so if addressing #1 and #2 above don't fix me, I guess I'll go that route.
By the way, it is not easy to find a good kiniesologist - so good luck. Maybe a really good chiropractor can do the same thing. Or even acupuncture. Anyone tried that?

Good luck to you all - I'll report back my results!

Kendall · Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 1

Hello I have been with my boyfriend for almost five months and have known him for 9 months and he would always get these dizzy spells his symptoms were the following: Feeling the urge to throw up if standing up, Constantly sweating, Light Headiness,Felt nauseaded when there were to much noise or movement, felt extreme heat on his body, weakness, and Had to sleep for a period of time (hours) then when he woke up he still feels light headed and has a headache. He went to a doctor years ago and they all told him that he was lying! One time years ago he called an ambulance during a dizzy spell and all that they found was his blood surgar level was 40. There has ti be something out there some kind of pill or patch something that will make thisa stop! He has dizzy spells 2-3 times a month and when hes not having a Dizzy spell he cant stay outside for a long period of time or feels weak or lightheaded I would say 90% if the time. PLEASE SOMEONE HELP It pains me to have my boyfriend go through this!!!!

Guest

At this moment I am alone on holiday in Taiwan. Yesterday morning I woke up suddenly feeling worst than ever before. The whole room was spinning. Direct reaction was to sit up, but that of course made it even worse. You can imagine how frightened and alone I felt.

It still keeps happening but only when I ly down or get up out of bed. I feel a bit light headed but that's not that bad. Also feel a tiny burning in my left ear.

Thing is that I feel scared and alone. Before taking the trip I was totally stressed out and left the office crying. I was hoping that this trip might calm me down a bit. Things only seem to get worse. This week I have a flight scheduled to Malaysia and back. And next week will be flying home again. This all means 9(!) flights in one week. I'm scared that flying might hurt incredibly since I always have some earpain during landing.

I still have to days to go before flying starts and really really hope the spinning will be gone by then. Or at least I will feel secure enough to take this trip. The fact that I am not the only one with this does help a lot though.

Guest · Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2004 7:55 pm Post subject: dizzy turns

Hiya i have been taking dizzy turns for 10 years i have been to the doctors loads off times for the past 10 years and they hav'nt found what the problem was but they have gave me tablets to see if they work and they are not and i have to wait 1 year to go back and see they have gave me a brain scan,blood toke a ct scan and everything they can think off but the doctors think it is a stage of low blood i worry all the time cry myself to sleep i hate them and i am only 15 and i never go out its that bad the thing is to i want to be a model really bad and a don't think i will be cause off my dizzy turns:(

Lesley · Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 1

What a relief to know I'm not alone! After 2 quite serious dizzy attacks (in which I very nearly fainted)and which were coupled with nausea, my GP came to the conclusion (eventually) that I had layrinthitis. I was prescribed Stemitil but the attacks continued - with less severity - for another 3-4 weeks. That was about a month ago. Unfortunately I had another dizzy/nausea attack last weekend. Knowing that there is the chance I may have another attack at any time has worked me into such an anxious wreck that I feel I'm almost bringing on the symptoms by worrying so much. It really is a viscious circle and I totally sympathise with those people who are suffering. I will try the suggested idea of not lying down when feeling dizzy but 'walking' through the attack until it stops. I'll try anything at the moment coz this is driving me insane!!!!

*Ashlee · Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 1

I am 19, I just started taking the pill again for my skin and to regulate me, the semester just started up again I'm a junior so college stress is nothing new to me. Ever since my micro lab when I thought I smelled gas and had a dizzy spell that caused the room to spin and slight nausea, I've had about 3 more in the last 3 days and they continue to get more intense. I don't know what it's from, I what's wrong with us? Is it really stress and anxiety?

Pankaj Jathar · Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 1

Hi All,
I have read some of the posts here. I also had a few dizzy spells yesterday for the first time and I was feeling a bit of pain in my neck for no apparent reason. This pain was about an inch to the right of my windpipe. I did not connect the two of them till today morning when I was surfing the net to get to the bottom of my dizzy spells.
What I found most relevant to what's being descirbed on this message board is something called Thoracic Outlet Syndrome - check this website - http://wwx.tellmeabouttos.con/

esp those guys describing a pain in the hands or numbness I think you will see that this is the possible condition.
Not very good news I am afraid but I guess not as bad as the bloke who tested for Lung Cancer and what not.

All the best and hope my pain in the neck and the dizzy spells disappear as suddenly as they appeared.

PJ

andrew · Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 1

ii have that sometimes
i think it comes from drinking too much
and stress maybe as well too
try drinking less it works for me

Jilly · Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 1

Hi there

My husband also has dizzy spells, this was aminly happening when he went from a heated room to the cold and vice versa,he went for an ultrasound and they found out he had fatty deposits on his liver. He has had to completely change his diet and it has helped but he is now unable to drink alcohol as his system cannot handle it.
Hope this helps

Guest · Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 6:29 pm Post subject: Dizzyness

Had fairly severe dizzy spells about 15 yrs ago. After about three months of suffering with them, especially when laying in bed, I went to my GP. Of course, he referred me to a "specialist" ear, nose, and throat doc.

After many tests, with warm/cold water in ears, dark room with lights moving, etc ... he proclaimed that I probably had a brain tumor, and he'd arranged for a CAT scan in 10 days time. Of course, I presumed the worst and researched my will and other such things!

CAT scan eventually showed nothing, and although I'd had the spells for 3-4 months, they simply stopped soon after.

Now, 15 years later, I have the same thing, not quite as bad. Needless to say, I'm not headed to the doctor's office.

I think I was prescribed Antivert as a medecine, and I guess it worked.

I've also heard something about ear "rocks", which I believe are actual particles of something in the tubes near the ear which can dislodge and cause dizzyness. Slow head manipulation by someone who knows how can make these rocks go back where they belong.

It's an annoying condition, but right now I'll put up with it. Maybe call the doc for some Antivert, but that's all.

Guest · Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 9:53 pm Post subject: re:Dizzy Spells NEEDS HELP!

So has anyone found a cure?

Ray · Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 4

My husband has suffered from recurrent dizzy spells for years visiting the doctors often. Firstly he was told it was panic attacks and given Ativan (which he bacame addicted to) and then put on Valium which he is still trying to wean himself off. This has taken 18-20 years in total!!!

He had then been told his blood pressure it too high and given medication for this. He took himself to an emergency surgery after suffering a bad attack and was told his blood pressure was too low but they could not take him off his other medication because of the history of high blood pressure.

He has had his blood sugar and thyroid tested together with E.C.G's and all have come back O.K.

I wonder what other reasons they will give. I am an ex nurse myself and have thought for years that it could be something as straightforward as an inner ear problem, but who I am to question our "knowledgable medical proffession"?

His next port of call is to see a pyschiatrist!!

Eileen · Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 1

I have read through all the postings and I almost feel lucky compared to some of your problems, but am hoping that I might be able to find someone with the same symptoms as I have. My doctor is treating me for Meniere's with Betahistine tablets. I have read all the descriptions of Meniere's but am convinced that it's not that. I have attacks which make me feel 'woozy' but I don't get dizzy spells thank God. My head feels filled with cotton wool. Feel almost normal when I get up in the morning but the symptoms get worse as the day goes on. Feel really tired all the time with a slight nausea sometimes. Got 'birdsong' in my ears which is not so loud that it is a eally bad problem. I was referred to a specialist four years ago but he couldn't find anything wrong with my hearing. Have had every test known to man done at my hospital but inconclusive. Been on Betahistine for 10 days now not but no improvement yet. I'm beginning to worry that it's not going to work this time and where do I go from here.

If anyone has had these symptomsI would really grateful to hear from you.

Good luck to you all - I hope you all find some relief eventually. God bless.