Dizziness/Off Balance Feeling

[Vicky -AKA mom of 3]

Hi,
I have had symptoms of anxiety. For the past few months. But, I also have dizziness. The dizziness happens at different times of the day, even with out the panic attacks. Sometimes I could be doing nothing at all. I could be laying down, trying to relax and I get dizzy. I have had lots of blood work done for anemia, blood counts, TSH- all normal. Except the iron was slightly low. I have had that for the past 3 years and never had dizziness because of it. Could this be from my ears. A few weeks ago I was putting in some Chistmas lights and as I came up I felt like I was going to loose my balance. It scared me so much.At times I feel dizzy while I am laying down, and that scares me.  I even went to the ER, they did a CT scan, and sent me home with a patch behind my ear. Could it be my ears. I have ringing in my ears every few days, left and right. I don't have alergies though.A few weeks ago my ears kept popping. Then it stopped. I had a anxiety attack a few weeks ago and the dizziness stopped for a few days, but came back. I also have warm fuzzy sensations in my head, like it tingles, from time to time. I am going to the DR in a couple of weeks for a check up. What should I ask him to check next, this dizziness is controlling my life, I feel like I am going to pass out all the time. I am scared to be alone if I do pass out because all my kids are under 5 yrs old. What should my next step be, maybe a ENT? Thank you.

[idesofmarch]

What was the patch for?  Look at the paperwork the hospital gave you.  Could be meneirs(sp?) disease or middle ear infection.  Could be blood pressure problems.  Do you have any other symtoms that you don't think are related?  The more you can tell us the more suggestions we can come up with.

[Vicky -AKA mom of 3]

Thank you for the quick reply. The patch was Transderm SCOP-Patch, but he only gave 3, and said it was for short term use. That was the ER Doctor. He also gave me meclizine, but since the anxiety attack at the DR.s office, I was given ATIVAN, so I only take the ATIVAN when I have panic attacks. That is what the doctor told me to do.Which has only been 3 times, So I haven't used the patch anymore. While using the patch, I still felt the dizziness.I felt like i was about to loose my balance, but didn't. Even my feet and toes would curl and tingle like they new they were going to loose there balance but didn't. It was weird.I have however, been taking daily vitamin supplements and eating better, and taking my iron. It has been 3 weeks. But the dizziness is still persistent. Thats why I think it could be my inner ears. I know that with the anxiety comes dizziness, but the dizziness come with out the anxiety. The dizziness started well before the panic attacks. I also want to mention the the DR. said I have gallstones, but they would just monitor these, and that they didn't have anything to do with the anxiety and dizziness.  I have lost alot of weight about 30lbs, through this whole deal, which is great but unusual for me, and I am still losing my hair, but i am blaming this on my pregnancy-postpardum. Could it be my ears, maybe and inner ear infection or something. My doctor told me in August I had a small bit of fluid in my ears, but never said anything about it again. Could this be something they might have missed? Or is this something completely different, like my hormones? I am so lost. But the dizziness has got to be from something, It is driving me crazy. Thanks so much for any advice.

[Vicky -AKA mom of 3]

Also,I forgot to mention, blood pressure is good,and the doc did a EKG, said heart looks good, palpataions, thats why I was diagnoised with anxiety, but good since then. Every time I have been back to the doctor my blood pressure has been normal, heart beats at about 60/bpm, give or take.

[idesofmarch]

I hate to ask, but did the ER doc. even look into your ears(really good)? Do you have fevers at all?  It really does sound like ear infection; you can have infection with & without fever.  Have you tried any ear cleaning kits for wax build-up)  You could try putting just a tiny bit (2,3 drops) a rubbing alcohol in each ear to dry up any water that maybe there. It will hurt a bit. Then do the same with peroxide, you'll hear it bubbling.  Don't use cotton swabs in your ears. But the best advise I have is see an ENT doctor. Or a regular doc. that takes time to search every turn and curve of your ears. If nothing is found, maybe see a neurologist?

[1954Beau]

It sure does sound like an inner ear thing to me.  I have similar problems for the past year.  I get dizzy, but for the most part is is kind of a spacey feeling, like I am there, but not really there.  Since this has began, I have had anxiety and the panic feeling from time to time, but according to the neurologist, this is part of the parcel that comes with an inner ear thing.  Along with the spacey feeling, I get an upset stomach, and there are times when I wake up I feel like I am hungover. Some vision problems, loud noises drive me crazy ( I have a 15 year old that likes the new "screamer music" - oh yeah!! Headaches, and fatigue. The neurologist confirmed all of these symptoms as that of an inner ear disorder.  He asked me if I had had surgery lately, which I did (gall bladder) - which he explained can cause inner ear disorder..(I did not ask why, and wish that I had, as I certainly do not see the connection).

He thinks that I might have BPPV.  Look this up on the web, and you will get a good exlanation as to what it is.  Also you will find a couple of exersises that can be done at home to help leviate the problem.  They have helped - however with BPPV you get a spinning feeling, not just dizziness, and it usually occurs when you lay down - both of which is not the case for me.  with this, I am now scheduled to see an ear specialist to narrow down what is going on.

The neuroligist also put me on Ativan - one to slow down the anxiety caused by the disorder, and also, this type of drug slows down the nervous system, and also desenstizes the nerves in the inner ear, reducing symptoms - I agree, it does.

Hope this helps, kinda scary stuff for sure,

[Vicky -AKA mom of 3]

Thank you for the comment.I am on Ativan also for anxiety, but I only use it when I feel anxious. Which is all the time, but have only used the medicine 3 times. I hope to see an ear specialist soon too. I have gall stones, but the two are not linked, from what the doctor says. I did however just have a baby which was surgery. There maybe something to that. But thanks, and I hope you and I feel better soon. I can't wait to feel normal again,whatever that is, Right? Thanks again.

[dizzytart]

Iwas exactly the same as you. Up and down to the doctors who constantly told me it was anxiety. I collapsed last October and had 10 days in hospital. The doctors still said they couldn't find anything wrong so i asked to be referred to ENT, where they did a CALORIC TEST on me which confirmed i was having severe vertigo attacks. Since then i have been under the ent guys and i diagnosis has been extended to Menieres disease. When i have an attack i go very dizzy, everything moves, i feel sick, and sometimes vomit, and i have tinnitusand hyperacusis which is when everything is louder than usual.I take stemetil, WHICH IS NOT A NICE TABLET, BUT IT SEEMS TO WORK. My attacks can last for days and days, and i feel really "hungover" after them, well and truly knackered. Had an attack this morning, sat up in bed and had to lay straight back down again.HORRENDOUS!!!!!!    

[jo929]

I have put up with these same symptoms 9 mo11 mo ago my Bloodpressure stated to fluxuate up down ended up in hosp was cramping arms tingling could not talk or walk limbs were weak the I was sent to dr and he kept increasing same b/p pill finally hr changed it while in hosp got these dizzy spells worse whai i got out only i can not lay on back a certain place on lowere l back of head when something touches it like pillow sharp pains then head starts spinng i jump up quick hear beating like atom tom i cant go to beauty shop it puts my head on the left side aand it starts again cant look up finall went to neuroligist the tests they gave ne almosst done me in because i hurt in left  ear anyway they sai BPPV they did what supposed to be cure said i would feel great anyway i had to wear soft neck brace and sit in chair and not bend head 48 hours needless to say it never worked money wasted it has to do with inner ear so after a lot of docters i am going back to an an ent docter i also was having anxiety who woulnt with all of this   good luck to you i have had to sleep on my sides 9 mo now     you are a lot younger than me so maybe they can help you.                           jo

[refresh]

dizzytart--you sure have it tough--how terrible. Does anyone in your family have this disorder?

The inner ear can cause dizziness. I had a labyrinthitis 2 1/2 years ago (horrible). A virus
attacks the nerves in the inner ear --doctors do not know why. I do not want to go on about
it because it scared me so much. I always had anxiety/depression and this put it up a notch.
The inner ear has a nerve that connects to the brain that controls depression/anxiey, nausea.
This was pointed out to me by an ENT specialist. Our inner ears also controls balance and
when there a mixed signals it can cause dizziness. I went to a balance clinic and was told
I had compensated from the labs and had no bppv. But I am still dizzy 24/7. I have been
taking ativan---but thought maybe that is what is making me more dizzy. My head spins inside
and I rock and wobble when I walk. The doctor said it might be phobic postual vertigo.
People who suffer from depression/anxiety, ocd, ptsd can get this even when the initial illness
is gone. The dizziness is driving me crazy. I cry all the time. Family and friends tend to get
worn out by it all. I am in menopause and it comes with its symptoms. What a roller-coaster.
If it was not for forums like these whatever would we do. Anxiety and depression cause dizziness
as well. Well one is suppose to be positive and keep busy but it can be tough sometimes.
I despise this darn dizziness and anxiety it is like a shadow.

[dizzytart]

thanks ever so much for responding to my writing, it makes me feel "less alone".I didn't know about the nerve to the brain from the ear, but now you've said it i can understand why the stemetil works, because apparantly that is supposed to suppress the nerves in my ears. You sound like you've got enough on your plate yourself. It makes me laugh how a doctor who doesn't really , fully understand what is wrong with you is quick to offer a diagnosis of stress and anxiety. I think that more often than not its because we aren't being listened to in the first place that we get stressed. My mom went through menopause a while a go, i'll be doing the same myself soon. The thing is, she found a herbal remedy which really worked for her, i'll find out what it's called and i'll let you know. As far as your dizziness is concerned, i am on the same page as you babe, just try to stay sane, it's not easy i know. I feel like i'm walking on sponge,i know the dizziness is inside my head but it's something you cannot understand unless you've ever had it, is it? My doctor said i must not let it change my life, well it has and it does on a daily basis. That is the sort of comment you expect from someone who's never had a dizzy day in their life. It was lovely to hear from someone so sympathetic to me, and if you ever need to de-stress, i look at the website every couple of days, please write and i'll listen to you. KEEP SAFE!!!!!!!  

[refresh]

Well thank goodness we can have a good vent and moan about ourselves
it is not good to have it all bottled up inside. I hope you are having a better day
today. I am coming off ativan right now and with it comes all sorts of lovely withdrawal
symtoms. Well it seems we are darned if do and darned if we don't with some of these
medications.lol Oh well sometimes one has to have a chuckle about it all, saves us
from going completely mad. As for this dizziness changing our lives-it most certainly
does. Let them walk, or should I say wobble in our shoes for awhile then they will
understand. I use to be sooo active now some days I am like a sloth. I am totally
understanding of your situation--Be kind to yourself!

[refresh]

Maybe it would be a good idea to book and appointment
with and ENT. Also see your doctor about having some
lab work done to see how your hormones are on the scale.
I have suffered from anxiety, panic attacks, depression
since young and I tell you when we get older our symptoms
start changing and things cab excerberate. But you have
control Vicky--keep strong, fight the fight till you find the
answer. Dizziness is something doctors sometimes do
not want to deal with. I get strange sensations in my head
too---especially since I had labs---. Take care

[Mikie31]

I have the same problem too.  I went to the ER due to being dizzy and off balance and was told that its an Ear issue caused by a virus.  I was givin the same meds

Does anyone on here have a cat?  Cat litter and or Mold will cause this.  Remove yourself from your location for a week or longer where its new, or goto AZ where its dry.  Symptoms should go away.  I hope this helps you too.

[Marge274]

My husband had dizziness very badly.  Had all the tests, MRI, balance tests, hearing tests, doc said inner ear virus from years ago did damage, injured the nerve.  Well, he had all the symptoms of B12 deficiency, so I gave him a huge oral dose of B12 along with all the other B vitamins.  He is better.  No more dizziness.   He is a smoker and I found out that smoking destroys B12.  Also we are mostly vegan.  He had no test for B12.  It is safe to take.  He took Blast B12 by Vita-Logic. It has a dose of 5000mcg of B12.  Make sure you take all the other B vits too so you don't get a defieciency in the other B's.

[saranda]

my name is  saranda, i have ringing in my ears, my vision messes up all the time, i feel like i am off half of the time. its like iam here but iam not. iam tired alot and feel like iam gonna pass out alot. yes i too have anxiety. my eyes always feel tired  and my head and temples bother me too.the joints in my ears hurt. tingling in head, and goes numb in places.  

[Carmela0417]

I'm 40 years old and recently gave birth to my second son in October 2008. I was a stem cell donor (via blood)  for my brother in late December 2008. Since the stem cells, I have been feeling "off balace" and dizzy most of the time. Went to see my primary care doctor and she gave me Meclizine 25 mg. It did not work. It made me to drowsy to care for my family. Then I went to my neurologist. He gave me Valium to try. I was taking 1 mg per day at night. After one week or so, my dizzies got worst and I started to feel nausea. I now have stopped taking Valium. I'm schedule for an MRI in a few weeks. My neurologist thinks it is anxiety and that I should try anti-depression meds. Any suggestions?

[jb41_2]

ive been feeling that all i have left is a life in doors through off ballance and dizziness,also when you bend your head to read ,you almost fall into the book.my ears feals like they are explodeing with pressure the same as my head,vision gets interupted,i know i have itheritis in the kneck,they put it down to that,but i know for sure its not ,nise to know ime not alone,hope to hear from you all more,from a fed up janet.

[wenmos]

I have all of these symptoms, ringing in the ear, numbness/tingling in the head, blurred vision, off balance/dizziness and the pressure build up in one ear. I have been to all kinds of doctors. It may be TMJ is the latest for me. I have had this off and on for three years. Sometimes I think its do to sinuses. I hate to fell this way. I'm glad I came across this forum. I was bringing to think that I'm nuts. I wish you all well. This is no fun.

[Quin1823]

I am glad I am not the only one. I just started feeling this. I had found out that I lost my son on May 28, due to a blood clot in my placenta then I panicked thinking I had a blood clot somewhere in my body. Then I was getting a lot of pressure in my ears and then i had these really weird warm feelings in my head along with tingleing. I went to the ER it came uo clean. Then I went to a ENT and they said I had some fluid in the bone area in my ear so they putme on a sterroid. I haven't finished this yet but I still have the tingles. I went to my PCP and he said I was all tense and I will start my muscle relaxer today. I am starting to thing it is part anxiety and stress/ ear issue. It freaks me out because most ppl think i am crazy. Have you found out anything new?

[Mike385]

I have this problem of feeling off balance and dizzy for awhile now, over 2 years to be exact...i got a bad cold over 2 years ago and my ears never stopped popping and always feel stuffy.  They pop all the time. ive been to several docs and one said it was fluid and the other said its allergies...im at a loss...it gets really bad when i exercise, its like im dizzy and off balance for like 2 hours when i finish working out, why is this and what could this be..

thanks

[gaels67]

I have had a fullness in my right ear for the past two years. When I first had the fulness sensation I was flying on a plane and the ear just clogged up. I went to the doctor and they gave me some spray. It did not work. After a month or so I ended up going to an ENT. They did a hearing test and everything seemed to be fine. They had me do an MRI also, which also came up clear. They never called me back and said it would probably just go away. A year and a half later...it still did not go away. So I went to an Allergist thinking it was allergies. They said I was allergic to cats, dogs, and dust mites, gave me a steroid and said to wait and see what happens. Nothing did. They sent me to another ENT. He put me on Hydro-chloro-thyazide (spelling). About this time I tore my knee up also. I went into have surgery and when I woke up I had this horrible dizziness feeling. It has now been 6 months from the knee surgery and I am still horribly dizzy, Maybe dizzy isn't the right word....I feel sometimes like I am rocking. I have asked my fiancee if I am indeed rocking and she can't see it at all. I have been to a neurologist and he has done a number of tests and he can;t find anything wrong. Since I am getting married, I work in finance, and I have a number of other things going on....he thought it was stress. He also thought my seratonin levels were off. So he suggested 5 mg of Lexapro to see what happens. It has been 3 months since I started on the Lexapro. Nothing has changed and I am now up to 40 mg. I am not depressed and I never have been, Also in the past 4 months my ulcerative collitis has come back (diagnosed 10 years ago). My GI said he has never heard of ulcerative collitis causing the balance problems and dizziness/rocking feeling. I decided to go to my third ENT just last week. He thinks I may have had a virus in my ear two years ago and since it wasn't treated correctly the fullness never went away and may never go away. But he said that wouldn't cause the balance and rocking problems. He is ordering me to do another, more stringent, balance test and to see my MRI (as the other 2 doctors have done). I am really at a loss for what is going on. From what people have been saying on this forum it seems like you have a lot of the symptoms I do, but there has been no suggestions of cures.

[Franco850]

I feel you Mike.  I am on the same boat.  About three years ago, I visited Egland to see my in-laws, while visiting, I hit a byciclist while driving(small accident, guy had minor scratches), a few days earlier my father-in-law fainted during a dinner for no reason, he was fine as well.  Anyhow, I was fine after these to incidents, however,  when I came back to the US a few days after being home, I started to feel dizzy and off-balanced, I thought I was going to pass out at anytime, it was the weirdest thing on earth.  I went to the ER, and went to a million doctors, had an MRI done, Ear testing done, EKG, you name it (to be honest with you, this visiting a million doctors things made me sicker, so I just said "no more docs").  In short, docs could not find anything wrong with me, so they precribed a low dose of Zoloft and put it down to Anxiety ( I could not believe it, and I am a calm guy, and never suffered from depression).   I got off the pill about a year later, as I learned to cope with it.  It has been three years now, and I have never been myself again.  When I go to the gym I always feel lightheaded and off-balance (I thought when you suffer from anxiety, they recommned excersise?) to me, excersising makes it worse.  But it has not stopped me from doing anything, i try to ignore and just plow ahead. Sometimes, I do wonder if its an inner ear thing.  Anyhow, I just don't want to go to any more docs, and I keep telling myself, its anxiety.  As gaels67 put it, everyone has symptoms, but none of have a solution.

[babysmalls]

i have been reading up on these symptoms as  in the last week ive been feeling very dizzy and spaced out i get bad head achs and am lossing my balance if i walk to long i et realy hot and feels like am walking in space and its scares me cuz i feel like am gonna pass out when i lie down it feels loke am gonna pass out, but ive just had a implant put in a month ago and am not sure if its from that or virtigo but its driving me mad but i havent been doctors yet but from reading ur post its sound a wast of time going there anyway can any one help or shall i go doctors

[Ashley118]

Hey Guys,
I have had similar problems....and I went to see an ENT who said that everything was normal (especially in my ears even though the GPs I had see said that I had fluid buildup). Well, regardless of whether or not that was the cause, I had been taking gravol, which is an anti-nausea medication to help me sleep. I had been taking this medication for a while....It actually suppresses your vestibular system (this is where your balance centers are located in the brain). Because I had been taking this for so long....I felt really dizzy and off-balance all the time....since the doctor confirmed that it was because of the gravol (which I neglected to tell the GPs), being off the gravol has helped substantially. It's only been a week since I have seen the ENT, but the point is that it could be something that you least expect! So, if any of you are taking any medication ...check into the side effects....