Not really dizziness, not really lightheadedness....

[DanniB]

Hi-
About 4 months ago I had an episode of feeling not-dizzy, or lightheaded, but off balance. Not like I would fall or faint or pass out. In fact I walked through the episode and continued to walk almost 2 miles after. I have also been experiencing problems with extreme neck and shoulder tension. I have known TMJ dysfunction. I am going to a chiropractor for the tension which is helping, but as it lessens, I seem to have more of a propensity to these off-balance episodes. They last literally seconds and I get a warm not unpleasant just disturbing feeling with them. Some days it doesn't happen at all. Any thoughts - could this be a nerve compression? Can muscular tension cause nerves to be "constricted"?
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Frank4500]

A related discussion, why do i feel this way? was started.

[lolachristy]

A related discussion, Dizziness when standing still was started.

[Tara298]

A related discussion, tension in my neck was started.

[321Pegasus]

Try going to an ear, nose, and throat and/or an otolaryngologist who may have a balance physical therapist. Vertigo can be relieved by a simple thing called an Epley Maneuver. This may be a condition called BPPV or positional vertigo. Vertigo is a symptom and not a diagnosis. This is the first step to diagnosis of the underlying cause. I just had this procedure and the PT said it was the worst case of BPPV he had treated with the Epley Maneuver. Can`t tell if it worked except to say during the maneuver I experienced the ultimate of falls that exist only in the head. The table seemed to turn on its side and felt like I was rolling off. Afterwards the trembles and cold sweats--not a bad experience if it will help. One can perform this maneuver by themselves but I suggest you at least have someone standing by to hold you steady even thoughh you are lying down. I beleive that the presence of this reaction suggests you may be on the right path. Many best wishes for us all.

[kristi42]

A related discussion, I want my active life back was started.

[adampopov]

A related discussion, not dizzy not lightheaded was started.

[AminK]

Hi, I have finally found some people who have similar symptoms to me.  I'm a 20 year old otherwise healthy male. For about 2-3 months now I get lightheaded when I exert my face too much; like when I talk with energy or laugh.  Because of this it is hard for me to interact in public.  Often, it feels like there is pressure in my head/sinuses and I have extreme neck tension.

I just feel bad overall and get cramps.  Sometimes when I sleep it feels scary because my breathing and body aren't relaxed.  It almost feels like I have to concentrate to continue functioning..

Anyways, maybe I should have waited until after the results come back from my blood test before posting this but I am too excited that there are others who share my symptoms.


jman, I'm very interested in your story.  Some questions; don't regular blood tests also check for heavy metals?  Why would this test only be in the realm of naturapathy?


Anyways, I think it would be good if we all shared our email addresses and kept each other updated on our progress.  What do you think?  Any responses?

[MikeMOK]

JenniferE, have you been for any testing or had any dx at all?  What you have sounds exactly like mine - I get one-second (or less) shifts when watching some things, and with very, very minor movements.  I could toss my head around and make large movements and it never happens, but with very slight movements of the head, sometimes so small I don't even realize I've done them - poof.  Things 'shift' just for a second.  So far no one has been able to tell me anything.

[DanniB]

Had a cervical MRI last Thursday evening and am awaiting results. My primary is leaning towards a herniated disc. Any one else given this as a possibility?

[JenniferE]

I have the same thing. I mostly get that woozy feeling when I am watching tv or not doing much at all. It happens with only slight movements and feels like the world just shifted. Its hard to explain. My dentist told me I have TMJ also.

[laura22beth]

RRKD- Your symptoms sound like neurocardogenic syncope, also called vasovagal syncope (or pre-syncope). In some people (like me) standing upright can trigger an abnormal response from the nerves in the heart- causing the leg veins to dialate rather than constrict, and leading to dizziness or faintness. This sounds confusing, and it is but it is fairly easy to dx and treat. A cardiologist can do a tilt-table test to diagnose this conditition, and blood pressure meds, increasing fluids and in some people an increase in dietary salt can help. I really hope that this helps!
Laura

[gaelen79]

Wow...I can't belive there are some people that feel the same way I do. I 'm a 24 yr old guy who is in good health. About 6 weeks ago I hade what was called my first migrane lasted 3 days finally went to the hospital where they told me this , treated it,and sent me on my way. A couple of days later is when the real problem started. I started to get this (in the only way I can describe it)left tempal, pain/numbness/burning sensation, also somtimes in my left eye. With this sensation come a very UNEASY feeling, dizziness, shaking, I can't concentrate, feel like i'm going to pass out, and sometime a headache, but not always. I work in a crazy busy nightclub where i'm in charge, like most of you where there are lots of people it is much worse. I feel so lost, and afraid. I feel like i'm losing control of my body,and mind. I have had a ct scan, in the hospital which came up negitive, my neurologist has asked for a MRI, and a eeg, or ecg scan but I can't get it for awhile, I'm not sure what to do now, sometimes I feel like I can't even work....this sucks. I even had my wisdom teeth out because my doctor thought They were hitting a nerve...It wasn't that. Oh well atleast its done. It just nice to know i'm not alone in this hell now. Anymore thoughts?

Thanks

G.

[iamme58]

I too feel like I am swaying.  Always when I am standing still, sometimes to the point I feel I need to hold on to something or I would fall.  My doctor said I could also suffer from vertigo and put me on a motion sickness medication.  This does seem to help, but not entirely.  Yes, on occasion I have noticed that a beer or two does stop the feeling.  Maybe it's a sensory issue where the alcohol deadens the senses.

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

You should see a neurologist who specializes in otoneurology. This may be an inner ear problem, or involve the pathways for balance. Given that you have prominent neck symptoms, it is possible that a narrowing in you neck could be compressing the spinal cord intermittently and giving you this off balance sensation. If you have not had an MRI of the brain or cervical spine or have not seen a neurologist, I would recommend it. The MRI should also visualize the blodd vessels of the neck and brain to ensure that they are normal. If you have not had an MRI I would recommend not having spinal manipulation until this is done. Massage is fine, just no bone movement. Good luck.

[RRKD]

Hello to all. I read this post, and I couldn't beleive it. I have been experiencing the same exact symptoms. A uneasy feeling of lightheadedness/dizziness. Sometimes I also have headaches, but not always. Stiffness in back of my neck. I noticed when I stand still, it seems worse. I was standing in line at the bank, feeling like I was going to pass out. I also drank a few drinks one evening out and noticed my symptoms went away for the evening. I don't drink on a regular basis. I am 34 year old female with no other previous medical conditions. I went to the neurosurgeon in 10/03. He diagnosed as a inner ear infection and gave me a prescription to control the dizziness. I took it a few times, but my husband and I own a busy bicycle store, and I found it made me too sleepy. I had one episode at our store when I thought I was going to pass out. Feeling scared, my husband took me to the emergency room. They did a CAT scan and the results came back okay. Now I am scheduled to go back to the neurosurgeon next week. I am a worrying type of a person, but I am trying to stay relaxed about this. I was recommended by a friend to maybe see a  ear-nose-throat specialist if neursurgeon doesn't find anything.Does anyone have any suggestions of what this may be? Thanks for listening everyone!!

[jman]

I was doing some browsing and found this site.  The symptoms that many of you have described(cronic fatigue, muscle weakness in legs, anxiety, MS symptoms and the list goes on) are typical symptoms of heavy metal toxicity.  Mercury, and lead probably being the worst offenders.  I myself am recovering from Mercury toxicity.  Before I tell you what my symptoms were, let me say that for heavy metals the symptoms can vary from person to person.  So if you don't have some symptoms I had it still may not rule this out.  About three years ago(I was 29) I had lots of fatigue, dizzyness (especially during and after a meal, coffee, or chewing), panick attacks,weak legs, heavy arms somtimes at night, could not concentrate, rash mostly on arms and chest(flat), heart palpitations, felt like my body was going to stop, cold hands(thyroid checked OK), digestive problems, bad gas, often worse when I was around people. The symptoms go on, but that's most of the big ones. After doing many of the traditional tests such as heart, lungs,gallstones,MRI,CT scan, and many others I still had 0 answers. Then I went to a naturapathic doctor who used Electro Dermal Testing.  Within 15 minutes of arriving in the office I knew what was causing my problem. Mercury from my fillings.  I was a toxic waste dump for my fillings. The mercury had been slowly erroding my health and now my body was saying enogh is enough!  I would love to tell you more, but I want to see what questions, responses , come back.  I also will tell you that asking questions about this never hurt anyone and may just be what you're dealing with.  I trust this will be of help to you folks.

[DanniB]

It never really happens when I'm moving. My chiropractor says that it's a slight sway when I stand with my eyes closed. Oddly enough - took a sinus pill yesterday and that seemed to help becasue both my husband (who has major ear problems) and my mother (who is a nurse) said that it sounded like middle ear. Have had two neurological "checks" and strength and function are fine.

[ChattyLindaB]

Do you notice this is worse when you are standing still??
Like if you are moveing, then stop, you kinda sway..

BTW I have been checked for autonomic dysfunction, and for me it isnt this, the docs have no idea whats going on..

I hope you can get some answers soon!!

[DanniB]

Have you ever had jaw problems, TMJ dysfunction? I have, and am wondering if this is a "fabulous" new manifestation. Do you have the neck tension problem as well? Sometimes it almost feels like full head sinuses, but no nasal congestion.

[vetter]

I feel the same way. Like you said it's not really dizziness as much as an visually overwhelming feeling. Kind of like when you first put on a new pair of glasses. YOu can't tell what comes first and you focus too much on everything. When it happens for me I'm usually in someplace public, moving around a lot, or if someone gets in my face. And I get the same flush of heat. It's weird...I use to love to shop now my boyfriend can't even take me to a restaurant without me wanting to leave!
I don't know if this has anything to do with it but everytime I swallow my ears pop and I have tinnitus. I can't notice it after I've had a glass of wine so maybe it's better when relaxed. I don't want alcohol to be an answer!

[julig]

You could be experiencing an aura preceeding a migraine (with or without an associated headache)