Constant Dizziness for Over a Year

[acesover]

I have been having the following symptoms for almost a year now starting after severe bout of vertigo/stroke?I have had ongoing, persistent dizziness, constant sense of uneasiness/imbalance, like putting on a pair of over-strength subscription eyeglasses. Feels like things are continuously oscillating/vibrating/swaying, which worsens upon eye/vision movement. Symptoms worsen with increasing visual stimulus: bright lights (occasionally see auras/halos); walking through crowds; trying to shop; trying to find, focus, or concentrate on a single object amongst many. Otherwise, I feel lightheaded, as if one were to have the flu, or “medicine head,” with an inability to focus or concentrate without feeling in a “dreamy” like state. A heavy-head feeling near syncope at times. I also have headaches located primarily in the back of the head (cervical connection). Dull aching pain. Brain feels as if it is burning and dry, as if someone were performing the childish game “Indian arm burn” on brain. Other symptoms: Heavy eyes, pressure in the back of the eyes, increased sensitivity/burning of eyes. Sore, achy, and burning sensation of throat, muscles in back of head/neck area, behind ears, muscles of jaw, and back of tongue. Feeling as though ring of muscles around the neck-head connection are in spasm and cutting off blood to brain. General fatigue and malaise. High orthostatic intolerance. All symptoms worsen as day progresses or as increase in mental/physical exertion occurs. Have had MRI, bloodwork, all normal.  What else can I do?  Have any idea as to what this might be?
Thank You

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

Glad that the testing was normal and did not show anything serious.  However, a formal neurological exam may help localize the problem further such as distinguishing if this is a problem of the inner ear vs. migraine vs. cerebellar, etc... Dizziness is one of the most common complaints we see in the outpatient department, but unfortunately statistics show that no definitve cause is ever found in about half the patients. Treatment of course depends on the cause of the dizziness. But there is symptomatic treatent with meclizine (a prescription antihistamine like benadryl) and vestibular physical therapy and exericises. If this is an atypical migraine, there are many medications targeted specifically for migraine headaches out there that can certainly help. Consider starting with a neurology consult who can then direct you to further evaluation/testing depending on the exam findings. Or talk to your local doctor about the meclizine and physical therapy. GOod luck.