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dizziness when moving eyes

I get a couple seconds dizziness every time i move my eyes or turn my head. Although it only lasts for a few seconds, its bothersome because i am constantly moving my head and eyes. What could this condition be?
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Avatar universal
I have the same. I had  a virus just before and was told I had sinusitus because I had bad pressure in face and temperature. I was prescribed antibiotics and Nasonex nose spray which I felt made symptoms worse. I was left with this dizziness when moving eyes, optician said may have a little eye strain but the doctor thinks I have an infection of the inner ear. I am unsure what it is but it is troubling me too. Off work at the moment as have a physical job, just cooking and ironing sends me dizzy. Hope someone can advise what it might be.
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Avatar universal
This is something I too am unfortunately familiar with and I feel your pain! This could be several things. It is not related to your eye sight though. Dizziness is one of the most common reasons that adults go to their doctors. It's quite common. It is usually benign, meaning that it is not caused by something serious. However, this really isn't any consolation to those of us who experience it since not only is it scary but its VERY annoying.

The most common cause is labyrinthitis. This is an inner ear infection that is usually caused by a virus. Unfortunately, there is nothing the doctor can do about a virus. You just have to ride out the symptoms. The dizziness can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. However, it could be a bacterial infection but the doctor cannot see your inner ear so it is really just guess work. They usually prescribe antibiotics in case it is a bacterial infection.

There are other conditions that can cause dizziness. If you feel spinning when you turn your head then it is probably an inner ear problem. If you feel dizziness when you move your eyes this could also be an inner ear problem.

Besides labyrinthitis, it could be an inflammation of the inner ear or you could have a vestibular balance disorder (see link below). These are usually benign and can be cured with special exercises. At any rate, you can probably rest assured that it is not serious but you should see an ENT doctor. They may refer you to a neurologist that specializes in inner ear disorders.



http://www.medicinenet.com/vestibular_balance_disorders/article.htm
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Avatar universal
I have been having a smiliar problem.  When I move my eyes from, say the keyboard to the screen, I get a little dizzy and then I have a feeling of tiredness.  It's annoying at work especially.  Even if I am not tired at all, I feel like my eyes are going to shut.  My boss said something to me today, "I'm going to get you a Starbucks so you'll open your damn eyes!" - Great, just what I wanted to hear.
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Avatar universal
Did you found solution for this? I am also feeling the same past few months. No one is trusting me. I will get more times in Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar. I did not start any medication. Please help me
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Avatar universal
I have a similar issue,but it is somehow related to depression.  When I take the depression meds..no problem.  When I do not take the meds, I get the dizziness described by the person who posted the initial question.   In addition to the dizziness, and for lack of a better desciption, I hear a "whoosh" as I move my eyes or head.
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1 Comments
I am also having this problem, I hear a whoosh as I move my eyes also it feels like my throat is vibrating. Any answers please.
Avatar universal
I just went off my zoloft for about a week and I am feeling dizzy also when I move my eyes mostly from left to right and I also hear the whoooosss in my ears I think It might be a withdrawal sysptom I've taking zoloft for 6years and have stop cold turkey.
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Avatar universal
Stop taking zoloft for a whole week and 2 days .         YEA !!!!!
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Avatar universal
heard the 'whoosh' also... diagnosed with labyrinthitis.  only thing that helped was scalp acupuncture.  Got rid of the dizziness/unsteadiness and faint feeling within 3 days.  I now still have some eye pain, and only hear the 'whoosh' when my eyes are really tired.   This was triggered by a varicella vaccination.
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Avatar universal
when I close my left eye and try to walk..I fall over ..I have no balance at all.  When I close my right eye, I'm fine.  My right eye has started to droop when bothe eyes are open. Its fine if I close my left eye
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1613010 tn?1298373064
I have the same problem too. In my case, i have trained myself to recognise regular symptoms (especially pain) and identify the new ones that need doctors consultation. I have been having the dizzy symptoms expecially only from 6pm to 8pm and then it vanishes as though not happen.

I traced back on all my other symptoms, medications ad occurrences and i found a certain pattern. The problem is feel is right back to lack of sleep. Loss of nite sleep, especially at my age, can cause all kinds of havoc, dizziness being the prime candidate. So i just take it and make sure i recover my sleep losses. If i succeed, the symptoms disappears and i feel well again.
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Avatar universal
Hi guys
I too feel the same. I so badly need a remedy to this. I ve been to doctors many times. Things are normal acc to the report. They say it's in ur mind  which I don't believe . Is it related to eye sight? O ve a short sight with a power of - 0.75 ( when I checked in 2009 . O stopped wearing it. Do u think that's  the reason? Help me please!  
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Avatar universal
Yah I feel the same way also , when I move my eyes or head its almost like a delay or a jolt in my head. its so hard to properly explain. Its really bothering my eyes not so much pain but irritation behind them that also effects my head. I feel dizzy, and I have recently felt so weak . I also had mono this year which may play a role. but it was months ago. like 5
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Avatar universal
When I tell a doctor they dont seem to take it very seriously for some reason. My ears have bothered me as well. They dont hurt often but I would feel something bothering me inside my ear. If it was something with my ear wouldnt my ear be a constant bother? I hate moving around or moving my eyes it feels so uncomfortable. I feel nauseaus at times because of it. I also feel incredibly weak at times. my eyes are sometimes very sensative to light and wathcing tv or anything really. Sometimes I have to put my hands over my eyes so it wont bother me so much . Its all so weird ,,I dont get what this is.
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1 Comments
OMG... I feel the exact same way right now and I have not been on any anti-depressants.  Did you ever figure out what it was?  Because I have been to the ER and several doctors, suppose to get an MRI of brain soon....sooo frustrated!!!
Avatar universal
I to am having the exact same problem and like you all its so hard to properly describe but here we go . When i move my eyes either sitting or standing its like a fuzzy rush in my head and at times makes my fingers numb for a split second . Like another user posted about anti depressents i to have been taking them and stopped so im seriously wondering if this is side effects from them ? Im going to get myself perscribed some more and see if it clears up if it does i will come back and post !
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Avatar universal
If you have dizziness when you stop taking your anti-depressant medication - specifically an SSRI or Selective Serotonic Reuptake Inhibitor you are experiencing what's know as SSRI Withdraw Syndrome.   That's whey you should always tapper off of SSRI's .   Some are worse than others.  Effexor is the worst, but you can have the withdraw syndrome from any of the SSRIs.  
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Avatar universal
I'm pretty sure this is a classic optical tumor.. j/k relax lol

It's a symptom of sinus congestion or inflammation, worst case scenario is you may get a headache or some green boogers. It's no big deal usually, I've gotten it since I was a child usually after I've had a cold, migraine or just being dehydrated. To get rid of it you need to correct the real problem. If you got allergies or a sinus problem take a decongestant or see your doctor, drink plenty of water, cut back on sugary drinks and smoking.

eyes and sinuses are linked, this is just my guess but when things are cramped in there and you move your eyes around the muscles or the shape of the eyes are pushing on things they normally dont, this then effects the ears which control balance. its just a little disorientation, you can feel the woosh/pulse/shock all over your body and sometimes hear it.
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1 Comments
Well said!
Avatar universal
HAHAHA... when I read the first sentence of your post I actually said (out loud) "Aaaaggghhhh!". And then when I read you were kidding, I literally laughed out loud. Good one! ;c)  I'll take green boogers over an "eye tumor" ANY day! hahaha
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Avatar universal
For those who have stopped taking depression meds, how long were you off them before you started experiencing this?  I missed my meds all weekend long (3 days)  and Ive been dizzy as hell all day when I move my eyes, almost exactly like everyone above is posting.  I've been taking buPROPion for about 6 months now and this last 3 days is the longest stint I've had without the meds.  How long is this going to take to wear off? I'm afraid to drive like this.
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Avatar universal
For those who have stopped taking depression meds, how long were you off them before you started experiencing this?  I missed my meds all weekend long (3 days)  and Ive been dizzy as hell all day when I move my eyes, almost exactly like everyone above is posting.  I've been taking buPROPion for about 6 months now and this last 3 days is the longest stint I've had without the meds.  How long is this going to take to wear off? I'm afraid to drive like this.
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1770770 tn?1316098185
I have been getting this kind of thing for some months now. I was also getting a glue ear in the mornings that took an hour or so to clear. I had my right ear syringed and a big plug of compacted wax came out ... disgusting but it seemed to clear up. However the next day I was still noticing it a bit athough nowhere near as badly as before ... I decided to exercise more and that has really helped ... infact it seemed to stop it altogether.

Last week I had to have surgery for a (hopefully) unrelated condition and I have had to stop exercising and the dizzyness sensation has returned.

My advice then is to maybe get your ears syringed ... try putting a few drops of olive oil in them everyday too ... see if that helps ... and do plenty of cardio exercise too.
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Avatar universal
Well it's nice to know that I'm not the only one with this problem.  The most frustrating thing is the fact that doctors seem to have no clue.  I wish somebody could just tell me what the hell is going on.
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6446591 tn?1381362479
It's the exact same with me.   I have not been taking my depression meds and i get so dizzy when i move my eyes.  And i here that odd sound too.  I guess i should start taking my meds again and see if that is what is causing this....I am taking Zoloft and Wellbutrin XL by the way
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Avatar universal
I was searching why I am getting dizzy and I was relating it to maybe food allergies until I found this site.
I stopped taking anxiety meds and have had the dizziness off and on, especially when moving my eyes.  I feel great some days, then others I get this dizziness and it is a bit scary while driving.
I am glad I read your posting because I am hoping after being off my meds for a few weeks that maybe these symptoms go away.
Has anyone else tried removing dairy or wheat/flour or sugar?
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Avatar universal
Hi permm,

It is your problem solved? i Have same problem. I went off from my AD medications and im feeling dizzy when movin with my eyes. Especiali from left to right i hear that sound. How long does it take to feel good again?
Many Thanks and sorry for my english.
Mike
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