Did depression cause my dizziness???

[Nelli02]

My dizziness just came on all of a sudden. One day I was fine, the next I wasn't. My head feels like it is floating ALL the time and I have major pressure behind my eyes, and in my cheeks just under my eyes. I feel like junk 24/7 and I’m only 26. And this dizziness isn’t just every now and then, it’s ALL the time! Whatever I am doing, standing, sitting, laying, driving, morning or night, whatever it is its always the same. It isn’t like a dizzy spell that comes and goes it is constant and nothing alleviates it. I would give anything to feel normal again. Feeling this way makes me unmotivated to do anything. Its hard to exercise without feeling like I am going to pass out. It’s hard to look at the computer, read, watch T.V. or concentrate on anything for that matter. Work and driving have turned into difficult tasks. I’ve been to the doctor 7 times. My 1st doctor’s visit was on August 16, 2005 so almost a year ago. I have had my blood pressure checked, blood sample taken, an EKG was done. I have been to an ears nose and throat doctor. I’ve had a hearing test done. I was tested for vertigo. Went to and eye doctor and a chiropractor. Everything was normal. I was given some Claritin allergy medicine and some nasal spray but it didn't help. I got a referral to get a CT scan but by the time they could schedule me my insurance ended because I was moving and had to quit my job.
I just went to my 8th doctors visit (finally now that I have insurance again) hoping to get a referral for a CT scan but he thinks it is depression. He gave me some anti-depressants to take but I’m a little skeptical. I wasn't depressed when I became dizzy; in fact I was very active. Now that this dizziness has taken over my life for the past year, I find myself a little depressed because it is hard to do anything. But if I am depressed I feel like that came later after my dizziness. I cry because I can’t stand to feel like this anymore and am not sure if this is just how I am going to feel the rest of my life, but before I became dizzy I didn’t feel depressed.. My doctor told me, “what came first the chicken or the egg” but before I got dizzy I WAS NOT sad, unmotivated, tired, irritable.
So after all that I guess my question is… can depression be the CAUSE OF my dizziness?  My doctor prescribed me Celexa and I am skeptical whether I should take it.  I have been researching antidepressants medication and I am a little scared about the side effects of taking them and the effects when you stop taking them.  I don’t want to have to take this medication unless I have to.
Am I making any sense? I feel like I am at a breaking point and don't know what to do anymore. Help!

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

Your dizziness symptoms sound much more like the typical onset of an anxiety disorder, so I would recommend that either you consult a psychiatrist for diagnosis or treatment of anxiety, or ask your general doctor to prescribe klonopin for  a trial rather than an antidepressant.

[renate]

It started 3 months ago,after I had an anxiety attack and rushed to the ER. High blood pressure and everything else that comes with such an attack - I did not even know what an anxiety attack was up until than. Well, I know now. Since 3 months I have been thrue hell. They put me on blood pressure medication because I have high blood pressure and I thought that was it. But no - I had side effects - dizzieness - chest pain - leg pain - that I still have and it gets worse. I'm on my 4th bloodpressure med. and I'm scared that again it is not the right one. My anxiety attacks come so often that I can not do anything without thinking about the next one coming on. I'm so dizzy that I can not drive or go to the store by myself. I'm always dizzy it got worse since 2 weeks. I'm afraid that something bad will happen to me. My dizzieness does not go away - friends think that it might not be my medication - they think this dizzieness comes from my anxiety. I will see my doctor next week and let her tell me what's going on. All this time my doctor thought it was from the medication aswell. I'm scared to take any medication now because I fear the side effects. But I know I have to do something about my anxiety if it has something to do with my dizzieness or not. I fear for my life every day and the dizziness just surports my crazy thoughts. I can not take this feeling anymore. I do not have a normal life anymore. I always see myself rushing to the ER and beeing pickt up by the ambulance. I will have all test done that might bring light to this. I just have to rule out that it is something bad. I'm thankfull for every thought or suggestion that anybody might have.

[springmc]

I had the very same symptom as you, i was very scared to take any meds but after talking to many people who took them i tried xanax and that is a miracle pill i was always on the pc looking up meds they all have bad things to say and good.  I had no problem with the xanax you should try it

[annie_m]

Ive had the same symptoms as you nelli ... And so far ive gone through the CT scans, exrays, bloodwork..and nothing has been found. Its been awful. I can hardly work..i work part time because I have to. No doctor has said it, but my husband really thinks that its an emotional/spiritual thing. he watched this thing - and the guy had all these symptoms of a heart attack, serious problems, but nothing could be diagnosed. He finally saw a phsyciatrist, and they decided that he needed more 'fills'. he needed to do more things he enjoyed that relaxed him,, and it completely changed him. I found that when my dizziness started (6 months ago) i wasn't depressed at all..but now I am! Its awful..and i also find if I go on vacation..or just away somewhere without any stressful thoughts..my dizziness almost goes away. Anyways, its worth a shot to see a phsyciatrist/counceller im sure. I wouldn't take anything without consulting one though. although, your post was quite a while ago so im sure you've dealt with it now!
Anyways, thats all

[robbie y]

I HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES FOR THE LAST 3 MONTHS....I HAD A SERIES OF PANIC ATTACKS AND I'VE BEEN IN A COMPLETE FUZZ EVER SINCE. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET MYSELF BACK TO NORMAL THROUGH NATURAL REMEDIES BUT THIS FUZZ IS WITH ME EVERYDAY. I'VE BEEN PRESCRIBED WELLBUTRIN BUT HAVEN'T STARTED TAKING IT YET....I'M GUESSING BY THESE FORUMS THAT XANAX WOULD WORK WELL. ITS VERY FRUSTRATING, WILL I EVER GET MY BRAIN BACK AND FEEL NORMAL???

[nosmoking]

I had the same problems most you are describing. My symptoms have gone down after one month of quitting smoking. I am workout out daily and spending quality time with my friends daily by talking about pleasent useful stuff. I have also stopped drinking to one beer bottle per week to nothing. Hope this helps a few

- thanks

[rydawg]

hey...i dont really know whats up with me latley so im jsut ganna say how i been lvivng and somone please respond maybe itll help my head.....for two years i was dirnking heavily then one morning i felt like aboslute ****...not just a hangover...shakes elevated heartbeat vomitting...the doc told me it was withdrawal and i was like wow i need to stop drinking....im only 21 as of last march...so i stopped...since i stopped i been off...but ok enough to live life...jsut recnetly ive been really off...and i jsut cant put my finger on it...the only thing i can really get out of it is im dizzy...i never feel right its making me depressed...but im sure i was depresed b4 just in denial....my doc persr5cibved me some stuff i forget the name the other day i took at night b4 dinner like it said...i felt worse then ever, thought i was ganna die on the spot,....what the ghell is up....o yea...and all i can keep tikning is i have some crazy disease and im dying or i have a brain tumor thats going to kill me really soon....

[Rob3045]

Hey Nelli02...I have the exact same problems as you...and everything you say makes total sense to me.  Iv suffered a bit of depression which makes me think it could be down to that - but whatever it is, i need to find a result for it because it makes my depression worse and its like there is no light at the end of the tunnel and il never be NORMAL ever again, and ever be able to just live a day like an ordinary person without this dizziness.  Lets hope il find a way to get rid of it.  Good luck with you too, I wouldnt wish this on anyone!  If you find a way of curing it let me know.  It looks like it'd save my life.

[lorijunebug]

Hey Guys,
Ive suffered with this same condition for almost 25 yrs. now. It started 3 months after the birth of my 2nd child. I never quite felt normal after giving birth but the real nightmare began one day when I was in the grocery store and all of a sudden it felt like the store was spinning around me. That was the day I had my first of many panic attacks,but back in 1982 no one seem to know what was wrong with me. I had never suffered from depression until I began experiencing these horrific spinning sensations that till this day I still live thru daily. I have been to over 30 drs. in search of a cure at no avail. I feel like I am in another world all the time and that I will never feel like a normal person again. I have taken every antidepressant and every anti-anxiety made but still suffer. Some of the meds gave me a little relief but never enough to be able to function. I am still unable to drive my vehicle without someone with me and even then I feel spacey and feel a need to rush to get to where I am going as to not panic. I am unable to stay alone by myself because the dizziness is so frightening that it causes me to panic but I feel safer with someone with me. Needless to say this has had a horrible impact on my family but I have been truly blessed to have a wonderful husband who has stood beside me all these years. If anyone out there has the answer to this debilatating condition please reply to all of us that are suffering every day. There have been times that I have thought that I would be better off ending it all but for the grace of God he has gotten me thru each day and will continue to. I pray for each of you that are suffering from this and please continue your search for a cure as I continue to also. God Bless You!