Balance problems, heart palpitations, etc

[ltimmy82]

Hello everyone, I just joined here because I'm really hoping someone can help me. Or at least maybe I can know I'm not alone.

Roughly 6 years ago after a night of some very heavy drinking I woke up feeling a bit dizzy and off balance. Nothing weird about that, right? Well, 6 years later and it hasn't gone away.

I've been to countless doctors and have had countless tests done- MRI, CT scan, etc and nothing has been found. So I've been living with this constant sense of unbalance for several years now. I haven't felt really "right" in quite some time.

On a good day I can almost ignore it (probably because I'm used to it by now).

On a bad day- like right now I feel very lightheaded, off balance, my mind feels cloudy. I'm also experiencing some heart palpitations (I think that's what they are) to go along with everything. It feels like my heart is skipping a beat and I feel like I need to catch a breath. Also this is accompanied by strange sensations in my head or extremities. Not really pain, mind you, more like mild tickles or sensation. Like I become aware of that part of my head or chest for that moment.

There's probably some anxiety helping things along as well as I'm not sure what is happening me or if it's serious or not. I've been to the ER a few times (not today) when these "attacks" happen and each time they find nothing and release me.

Recently a friend in the medical community had suggested I may be suffering from Labrynthitis. I'd never heard of this before and googling it turns up a few of the symptoms I experience. I imagine I would have been tested for it when I went to my ENT years ago when this first started and they tested me for a variety of things but I'm not sure exactly.

So if this sounds familiar to anyone I'd love to hear from you. Not even sure this is the right place for it all but if it is labrynthitis then I guess it's as good a place as any.

[clement4now]

I'm pretty sure you're experiencing panic attacks or general anxiety, and I suppose you are probably well aware of that by now. In regard to your comment about not feeling as though you are an anxious person: many people who experience anxiety are highly functioning adults who don't exhibit obvious signs of stress outwardly ( myself included).  It's not like we have full blown meltdowns or freak outs in public ( or otherwise) due to the fact that most of us who have had anxiety for years can recognize the onset; know how to use self calming techniques; and know that they will eventually pass...Anyway, if the anxiety becomes too overwhelming, your best bet is to speak with a GP and be referred to a therapist.
Take Care :)  

[ltimmy82]

I've used the symptom checker and it always comes up with things I know or am pretty sure I'm not having either because I've already been tested for it or I don't think I'm having a weekly heart attack

[clement4now]

Here's a suggestion, you can go to the link below to check out the different symptoms and possible treatments that may apply to you:
WebMD symptom checker
http://symptoms.webmd.com/symptoms

[ltimmy82]

Everything I read seems to always come back to panic or anxiety attacks. The frustrating thing is that everyone I know or have met who seems to have this always seems to know that that's what it is. My problem is I have no idea what these things feel like... unless that's for sure it- then I know exactly what it feels like.

For me it's the physical issues that keep leading me away from the anxiety route- the fuzzy head feeling- not just cloudy like I'm in a fog mentally (although that too), but literally a fuzzy, almost numb feeling on my head that is a physical sensation. Couple that with everything else- I dunno, it's just very frustrating.

I don't consider myself an anxious or panicky person either or at least I never thought I was. I can stand up in a crowd, do karaoke, make a fool out of myself, etc and it all just doesn't bother me. These episodes, if that's what I should call them, seem to come on almost randomly and at any given time without warning and it's not in anticipation of anything or in avoidance of anything either.

[clement4now]

Hi,
The heart palpitations, dizziness, strange feelings in your head, hard time catching your breath, feeling off balance, etc. can be due to panic attacks (anxiety attacks). Anxiety very often coincides with other health issues; so it is quite possible that you could have both issues to deal with, the anxiety and Labrynthitis. It is typical, from my experience, that the ER finds nothing and releases you regarding your panic attacks/anxiety. Really the only way to handle the anxiety is to go to your GP, talk about your symptoms, and ask to be referred to a therapist. The therapist can also teach you self calming exercises that really help curb the anxiety.  Anxiety can either be treated with meds. and/or therapy ~ it's between you and the doctor/ therapist to decide...

Six years is a long time, if I were you I would make another doctors appointment, and this time when you speak with the dr. be very adamant and extremely clear about wanting to find an answer and a solution for your health problems.
Good Luck