lightheadness problem

[southfloridaman]

i am a 38yo male.  back in may i was in the best shape of my life but due to extensive exercise herniated 2 lumbar discs that was diagnosed via an MRI. I have been recovernig thru PT rather nicely and have only minor discomfort now and then.

In july, i began to feel neck pain and was diagnosed again via an MRI with minor stenosis in the neck. Again PT has helped with this but I do get neck stiffness and some pain and occasionally this stiffness goes up the back of the head.

About 3 weeks ago I began feeling lightheaded primarily when I walk.  Most of the time when I sit and all the time when i lie down it goes away.

my neurologist did an array of blood tests and came back normal except for an ANA level of 1:80.  He also did a brain MRI which also came back normal.  He sent me to a rheumatologist for the ANA level but he said there was nothing to worry about.  He thought it may be low cortisol levels but another blood test found nothing.  I then went to my spine doctor thinking it could be related to the neck problems but he said no.  He is thinking it may be metabolic and wants me to start taking zinc tablets as well as recording my body temperature each morning for a week.  I told him i also get minor headaches now and then on the right side of my head. he said that could be related to the neck problems.

I am glad nothing serious showed up yet, but i really wish someone  can figure it out since it happens several times each day.  Could it possibly be heart related, arrythmia?  None of the doctors i've seen think so.

Thanks for your help.

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

Lightheadedness seems to be the problem you are most concerned about, this symptom is quite non-specific and can be fro a wide range of causes.

The fact that it is present or worse on standing from a sitting or lying position? would suggest a problem with the reflexes that automatically increase blood pressure to keep the same amount of blood flowing to the head. Any alteration or reduction can result in lightheadedness or fainting. This can be evaluated by EKG, blood pressure lying and standing, or a tilt table test (lying on a special tilting table with frequent blood pressure recordings).

The nerve supply to the blood vessels runs through the spinal cord but it is unliely to be affected by just stenosis. Neurological causes of lightheadedness can be looked into with autonomic nervous system tests such as blood pressure response to valsalva (holding your breath in) which can be done as some centers.

Neck pain or joint problems can cause vertigo and dizziness (called cervicogenic dizziness) as there is a lot of sensory feedback from the neck to the brainstem where the balance and steadiness centers are. This can be evaluated by a neurologist and helped by specialized neck physical therapy.

I cannot be more specific as I dont really know your case well
Good luck

[Pei]

Hi,

I am a 29 yr old female and have been experiencing lightheadness for the past five years.  Five years ago, I was working out at a local gym when all of a sudden I felt lightheaded and had to sit down for 30 minutes before I can pick myself up.  Since then I have been experiencing lightheadness consistently.  For the first year I experience it every 3 to 4 months, then every months, and then everyday.  For the past three years I've seen family physicians, neurologists, parkinsons disease specialist, cardiologist, psychiatrist, etc. and no one seem to know what is wrong with me. I've had blood test, EKG, cardio tests, eyes, nose, and ears tested, head MRI and everything came out normal.  I was prescribed anti-depressant drugs for two years and nothing has changed.  My sympstoms are as follows:  blurred vision, lightheaded, palpitration of the heart, tinkling to the feet, and not able to balance myself.  Please help!

[Claver]

I have been having the lightheadedness / mild dizziness for 5 years now ... I started every 4 monts or so ... and lasted for few days. Two years ago it started more often and lasted longer.
And for the past year it's been pretty much constant, with some periods much better than other (almost unnoticed).

I have had MRI/MRA to the brain, CT scan to the brain and sinus, EKG, EEG, Echocardiogram, Stress Test, ENT Test, Blood work (sugar, thyroid, etc), Audiometry all negative .... but still feeling the same.

Sometimes the lightheadedness comes with headache(sides and back), pain around the eyes, pain in the ears or some sensation on my face (stiff) or a combination ... sometimes I get a dizzy spell (that lasts for about 3 seconds)

I have tried migraine medicine but hasn't work. My neurologist prescribed me Depokate ER. So I have just started it ...

She said that if this doesn't work we could try with Beta-Blockers Indurel (I believe) ... But the two neurologist I've seen says that it may be realted to some kind of atypical migraine.

One doctor told me that this may be a problem with coping with anxiety. So I guess that's my next option ... I have a stressfull job (at some times of the year), and two babies at home that won't let me sleep through the night sometimes ... but this problem started 5 years ago, when I didn't have that stressfull job or crying babies ... Also, sometimes I feel lightheaded/dizzy even when I'm relaxed and worries free, so I'm not 100% sure that's the problem .. but I've also heard that the worries may still be there inside, even when you feel relaxed, and may be causing harm to yourself. Who knows ...

If somebody has something similar, and to exchange experiences, you can contact me ... ***@****

[mtchina]

I'm having really strange symptoms, and very similar to yours. I'll post the following. Sorry it's so long, with the strange symbols due to the cutting and pasting. I've been posting this everywhere trying to get some help. Am scheduled for an MRA next week. Condition getting worse:-(

Please help! 30 year old male, US born, currently living in China. It has been almost two months since these strange, almost unbearable, symptoms suddenly appeared. They are testing my career, my marriage, and my sanity.

In early October I woke up one day (regular nightˇ¦s sleep) with a really stiff neck. Didnˇ¦t think much of it, except that maybe I slept on it wrong. Tried to shake it off and get through the day. Following morning woke up with a mild headache (over the eyes and into the right side above the ear), and even worse neck pain. The pain was more pressure than throbbing. This continued, non-stop! A few days later, sick of feeling, wellˇKsick, I decided to go out with friends. Had a few beers, nothing out of the ordinary, and woke up the next morning with a horrible migraine. I began vomiting for the next few hours, finally could take took a short nap and awoke with that same mild pressure headache and neck pain, but no more vomiting. Went to the doctor the following day and explained everything. Told him I have bad sinuses and he prescribed an antibiotic for a sinus infection?? This didnˇ¦t help at all! Then, the lightheadedness began!! Ugh, this was even worse than the damn headache. Kind of like a floating, on a ship, foggy head feelingˇKreally weird. Once again, let me stress, this never subsided! Woke up with the headache, lightheadedness and neck pain and went to sleep with it. Funny thing though, didnˇ¦t usually wake up in the middle of the night with pain (only when my eyes first open in the morning). Was really tender at base of skull, mostly left side. Pressing on this region made symptoms worse, I thought. Most recent neurologist said it could be occipital neurologia. He gave me a nerve block. Didnˇ¦t seem to help at all. Next day I was on a plane back to China, so it was tough to tell, really a mess knowing that things were not getting better and that I was returning to work in China without a true diagnosis.

Flash forward to today, almost two months later and the same symptoms continue, except that the headaches are always in the morning and now usually go away after a little while, only to be replaced by horrible lightheadedness, stiff neck (tenderness has subsided) and nausea. A definite decline as the worsening symptoms are really scaring the hell out of me! About a month ago I began having shooting, nerve-like pain up to the top of my head where it literally feels hot to the touch. This usually happens after an hour or two into the day, after the headache has gone down. Then this crazy shooting, tingling pain on the scalp, then the lightheadedness comes on with, of course, nausea. Thatˇ¦s the order and itˇ¦s unrelenting until I go to bed. Laying down or standing up does NOT make anything particularly better. Moving at work constantly, though, does increase the lightheadedness and nausea. Docs said it could be a ˇ§stuck migraine,ˇ¨ which I highly doubt, seeing that the headache seems to be only a small part of the problem. Never a fever since all this began. Take a few meds., listed at the end of this rambling, desperate letter.

Iˇ¦ve left out lots of information with doctors, neurologists and others. Iˇ¦ll list the tests and results at the end. Iˇ¦ve ruled out environmental factors (I think) because I lived in China for two months before this all started. Also flew back to the States for a couple of weeks for tests and no let up while home. Iˇ¦m a fourth grade teacher and am really struggling here. Any help, advice or possible diagnosis would really help. I feel like this will never end. I canˇ¦t believe pain like this can be constant, never letting up, and doctors canˇ¦t seem to find whatˇ¦s wrong?! Can something last two months non-stop, and not be serious?? Getting worried that the doctors will never figure it out.

Doctors Seen
*Family Physician here in China (from California)
*Five Neurologists (most in the States)
*Four Neurosurgeons (two here in China, two in States)
*Chiropractor

Tests Done
*Brain MRI w/contrast in China revealed a possible brain lesion
*Brain MRI w/ contrast in States (much higher quality) revealed no brain lesion, but normal abnormality (what is that?), doctors not worried
*Chest X-Ray - normal
*Neck X-Ray - Chiropractor thought top vertebrae might be a little close to base of skull, no relief during adjustments, stretching. He ruled out a pinched nerve.
*Neck MRI - normal (received info. over the phone, they said I was moving a bit, some parts a bad scan)
*audio testing - normal
*vestibular testing - normal
testing - normal
*CBC - said blood tests were normal (amazing how I have nothing to bring with me to the next doc. appts.)
*doctors did not see evidence of intercranial pressure, but the location of my "strange abnormal abnormality" is where the docs said my spinal fluid is "formed."

Medication Taken
*over the counter pain meds - don't even touch this pain - discontinued
*muscle relaxers - no relief - discontinued
*prescription pain meds - very little relief - discontinued - except..
*Oxycondin - this is the ONLY pain med that helps a little ˇV still taking, but only a half dose of 5mg with 325mg of aceptimophen (sp.?) - I know, I know...addictive..Ktrying not to abuse but the only thing that works
*Nortriptyline - anti-depressant doc said is used for chronic pain - lasted five days but stopped taking after insomnia (reverse from danger of making drowsy?) and sores suddenly appearing in my mouth
*Valium - taken only a couple of times when I was flying -discontinued
**Only taking the Oxycontin now (half dose, I think very small compared to what I've read) and my usual Lipitor for mildly high cholesterol, 10mg

[emer]

A related discussion, lightheadness was started.