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When should I start freaking out?

For the past 6 months or so I've been experiencing periods of dizziness where I really felt like my allergies must be acting up and causing me to feel woozy.  It would happen when I was sitting, standing, or lying down.  My head would feel very heavy and slightly headachey, but I would always take some naproxen straight away so that I wouldn't have a full blown headache.  Nothing helped the dizziness whatsoever and the 'spells' would last 2 - 4 days.

Now though for the past 6 days I have had a headache that has been getting worse and worse.  It starts in the back of my head on the right side, travels up through my ear and to my right temple; sometimes beating behind my right eye.  The occipital region on that side of my neck and head feels quite bruised from the outside and cranio-sacral therapy hasn't helped where it usually does with regular tension.  Any time I move my head it feels like a weight sloshing around inside my head or something, but I was just thinking this must be more allergies.

I have pretty annoying allergies on a regular basis, but I've seen people with worse, so I try not to complain.  Zyrtec seems to keep the worst of it away most of the time.  I really allow life to get me stressed out, and can't seem to go with the flow of things so I'm wondering if it's really a stress related thing or an allergy related thing or should I be a little bit worried that there may be something else going on?

As of now I've sought no treatment (still waiting for insurance to kick in; hopefully in the next couple of weeks).  I've taken skelaxin to try and relieve the tension in my neck, and all the different over the counter meds.  I've taken vicoden which will normally kick any pain that I may have after taking it just once but it only works for a couple of hours so I just didn't take any more.  I tried Sinol the capsaicin spray, and it kind-of worked.

This just really sucks, and I'm scared it's going to get worse and I have kids to take care of 24/7 so I can't be all out of it or anything.  I know I should be seeing a doctor or something if it doesn't get better, but I really hate doing that when I'm so damn broke (it is right after Christmas after all!)  Does this sound familiar to anyone?
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,

I hope everything is better this morning.

When you say dizziness is this associated with faintness or weakness? Have you been overworked lately?

Some people use the term dizziness for a condition called  vertigo.Vertigo usually points to an inner ear problem or  a cerebellar ( part of the brain that is responsible for gross voluntary movements) problem.These causes may need to be ruled out first.
True vertigo usually comes in attacks and may be associated with palpitations or pallor.The sensation of whirring around or of the surroundings moving around may be experienced and this may lead to difficulties standing up or walking.

I suggest you consult with your neurologist to help you with your condition.The dizziness you mentioned may actually be bouts of vertigo. Some maneuvers may be done and a thorough physical exam including audiologic examinations may shed some light.

Just keep the positive attitude.Good luck!
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Avatar universal
My allergies are typical seasonal allergies, and they usually start first thing in the morning with sneezing and watery eyes.  I have the sniffles most of the time and sometimes the sneezing is non-stop.  I will usually have a heavy head if my sneezing is very bad.  Zyrtec usually works within an hour, but if it doesn't I'll take sudafed to clear things up and that will work within 3 hours or so.  Other than that the only symptoms I have are puffiness and circles under my eyes.

My brother has allergies (seasonal) as well, but I don't know of anyone else that really has a serious problem with it.

No ringing in my ears, they're just clogged from time to time, but sudafed will generally clear that up.

The dizziness is definitely a spinning sensation.  Especially when I am sitting or lying down.  When I stand up it's like I just spun around in cirlces (like you do when you're a kid) and I can't walk straight.  I am usually a little tired (or heavy headed) until I take something for my allergies if they're really bothering me.  

When I was experiencing dizziness it was from the time I would wake up one morning, and then a few days later it would just be gone.  I was worried that it was because I was hungry so I made sure to eat every couple of hours.

I did notice that when I took Xanax my dizziness would subside slightly, so I wasn't sure if it was an anxiety thing or not.  I have been dealing with a bit of stress lately, but I figured that everyone is so it shouldn't really be that bad.
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL

Hi,

I understand how your symptoms concern you.Dizziness can disrupt your daily activities and the experience can also be scary to some. In your part, the  quality time spent with your children may also be disrupted. I have a few questions for you:

-How do your allergies manifest?I have noted that you associate dizziness with your allergies. Do you develop skin rash or redness, difficulty of breathing when you have your allergies ?

-is there any family history of allergies or rhinitis in your family?

-have you ever been told by a physician that you have disease of the sinuses ?

-any ear infections? ringing sound in the ears?blurring of vision?previous trauma to the head?

-please describe your dizziness. do you feel like the room is spinning around you? Or do you fall towards a particular side when you feel dizzy? Is there a feeling of weakness?

-is your dizziness accompanied by vomiting?

-what aggravates your dizziness? Is this associated with any activity or food intake?

Dizziness is caused by underlying diseases of the central nervous system, the inner ear (which aids in our sense of balance and movement), problems with vision and other systemic problems that may involve the heart and vasculature.Anemia and anxiety disorders accompanied by hyperventilation may also lead to dizziness.

I advise you see a physician for a complete work-up to rule out these other causes. Try to relax and keep a positive attitude.

I hope this helps!

Good Luck.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You're right...you DO have kids to take care of...all the more reason to get it checked. Have your husband tell your kids you didn't have the money to take care of your medical problems...they'll understand. I'm going thru much of the same thing right now. I had to tell myself the SAME thing three weeks ago. good luck, and call your doc!
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