dizziness and worried

[jfem4]

I could really use some help, here...
I'm a 41 yo female w/ no history or medical issues.

2 weeks ago, I felt like I was on a boat.Tipsy-like feeling. It came and went for about 3 days, then I started to have ear pain, and rt.cheek and rt forhead pressure and fullness and I was unbeleivably tired.
Went to the MD, he said it was a virus, gave me sudafed, sent me home.( had a physical in Jan, everything was normal)
The sudafed made me shaky, but I kept taking it...it did relieve a littel of the dizziness, but not all, so off to the ENT.
He scoped me, saw fluid in my sinus, and rt ear pressure. Gave me nasacort and continue with the sudafed.
It will be 3 weeks on Monday that I am feeling this way.
It's not constant, and almost always worse at night when I'm tired.It's not worse, but it's not better.
Of course, I'm starting to think it's a brain tumor...I have a friend who was just diagnosed with it, and I am freaking a bit.
I have no other symptoms, no weakness ( I still go to the gym and run 3-4 x week), no vision, balance, speech issues...only headaches once in a while especailly when the pressure in my cheek is bad, but nothing to really mention.

Please tell anyone's thoughts...I have an appointment with the MD on MOnday, but I am really making myself crazy thinking it';s a brain tumor.

Thanks in advance.

[FanwoodMom]

I think the Drs. name was Mitchell Schweiber.  I just saw the episode on a re-run today after - believe it or not- my therapy session for anxiety caused by un-diagnosed vertigo!  I've done all of the tests that the patient on that episode did, including the MRI which freaked me out and gave me a panic attack. So far, tests have shown nothing going on.  I am currently on three doses of Xanax per day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and it seems to be helping not only the anxiety, but the pressure and fullness in my ears.  My ENT thinks I have Meniere's and also has me taking a diuretic once per day.
Hope after all this time you have gotten a treatment that is helping you - best of luck and write in so we know how you are doing.

[plateneckac]

A few years ago I  had vertigo; head pressure and hot/cold chest feelings. The first time lasted a few weeks; Treatment was steroids for 6 days and accupunture. Don't know which one worked, but one did. Have it again and will try both again. I was told there is another treatment in which a doctor lays you flat and manipulates your head from side to side. It moves calcium deposites in the ear that become stuck causing the vertigo. The problem is finding a doctor who is familiar and trained in this technique. I know two people who have had this done to them and the vertigo went away. Vertigo is debilitating and very scarry. It can also be caused by stress. Chin up.

[mrsratz]

I too have had the same syndrome.  Try Cawthorne excercises.  It worked for me.  

[nalummulan]

  you might ask the ENT  to do allergy testing. i have dizzness when i am having allergy problems ( makes me feel like i not getting enough oxygen) makes me ligh headed and tired too

[twintwo]

Jan 14th TLC The Learning Chanel

Mystery Diagnosis
The Woman Who Couldn't Stop Rocking
TV-PG, CC

35 year old Rosanne Jensen begins to experience bizarre dizzy spells after a family vacation.

Watched this show tonight.  She gets diagnosis after 6 years.   Did anyone catch the Dr.'s name?  I believe he was in Tennessee?  He ran a sequence of Vestibular tests.  The balance center in her brain stem has failed to adjust to non movement, hence she has relief when driving.  There's no cure but studies are being done.  Most ENT docs see only 1 - 2 patients with these rare symptoms every 2 years.  See these two links for more info.  The first link is a summation from a Mal De Debarkment Sydrome conference, the second link is the MdDs foundation and support group.  There are patients who have had this for 10 - 15 yrs, others just a few weeks or months.  I've been suffering for 18 months bobbing up and down, to and fro, 3 ER visits from anxiety - heart/chest pain - with no treatment - no doctor understands or can help.  Info in the first link tells of the need for rapid treatment.  I pray it's not too late for me to get help.  With this info it's back to  doctor I go.
http://www.mdds.org.uk/uk_conference_2006__2008.phtml
http://www.mddsfoundation.org/

[DizzyManinGA]

38 year old, italian, white, male - suffering for 3 years straight.

I have had numerous MRI's, CT's, blood work, tilt table studies, balance therapy, etc., and do take blood pressure medication for mild hypertension, but have stopped medication for a few weeks and the symptoms seem to persist.  

Basically there are times where I feel the floor has dropped out from under me while standing, other times I get this rocking feeling, especially when I lie down or even sit down.  Not the spinning feeling that people get wherein a film strip of the world is moving.....rather the world is still, I am simply moving.  Yes, it has ruined my life for three years.

Driving, walking, exercising, I am fine.  When I stop, sit down, or sit down walk to go the restroom, then sit down  - very dizzy.  Mal De Debarkment is the only thing I personally have come up with.  I have been to 4 different ENT's in 2 states, all have no explanation other than one positive VEMP study showing one ear signficantly different than other in cold water response, but hearing is 99% in both ears.

Oddly there was a show called the Woman who could not stop spinning - on Mystery Diagnosis.  Dead on.  She's had it for 6 years+.

[jfem4]

Thank you so much for responding to my post...

I am usually not  a thinker like this, but I worked on a neurosurgical floor for 10 years ( I'm a nurse practitioner), and I saw many people with dizziness come through.
However, they all had other symptoms ( wekaness, numbness, speech issues,headache etc...) but you know how one's mind can get-especially when it's been 3 weeks if this... I think I'm just sick of feeling like this,too.

Thanks for the thoughts...I'm going to the MD this afternoon...I'll let you know what happens!

[Joy1]

I have had dizziness off and on for 3 years and my research and own experiences may alleviate some of your fears.  Your MD diagnosed a virus - I have read viruses in the ear can cause symptoms for several months.  One diagnosis I received after 6 months was, "mal de debarkment, maybe caused by some kind of strange virus" (this turned out to be a contributor to my dizziness but not the only cause).  My point is, the diagnosis you have received seems reasonable.
Regarding symptoms being worse at night when tired - I also have increased dizziness when tired.  I recently saw an MD at a university who believes dizziness can be caused by fatigue.
Dizziness can be nerve-wracking, especially when the cause is unknown.  When you see your MD, discuss your fear of a tumor.  He may be able to put your fears to rest or explain when it will be appropriate to do a brain scan.