LIGHT HEADED AND ~OFF BALANCE

[Spinman]

I have been light headed for a couple years. It is not the typical vertigo. There is no spinning or movement. It seems to get real bad when I enter a new environment. Entering a mall or restaurant is the worst. The feeling is off balance/the feeling if you get up too fast. I went to my doctor who is convinced it is an inner ear problem. He sent me to the ENT Doctor and he put me through the entire test and said it was not vertigo. Checked my hearing and did several tests. He was very thorough. He could not find anything.

I then visited a neurologist. She scheduled me for CAT scan, MRI, MRI with the I.V. and an EEG test. All were negative. I then visited Cardiologist. He did three tests; treadmill, 24 hour heart monitor and echo gram. He said I was in excellent condition. Although my blood pressure was high140/90

Back to my doctor who said it is an inner ear problem. He asked me to try valium. I was hesitant. But he said it would help. I have been taking 2m 3 times a day and I am much better. I tried to slowly stop taking the valium and the condition came right back.

I am good physical condition. I run about 20 miles a week.I hate taking these pills. Any help would be appreciated.

My primary doctor has put me on Lexipro. I am not sure that is the answer.

What would the MRI show in my brain? Would it show a tumor on my 8th nerve?

[Pannyway]

I've been living with the Dizzyness you have for 3yrs. I also have gone through all the test and medications. I'm just living with it now. I can't read maps in a moving car even. Good luck to you.

[stacia123]

It could be anxiety, or possibly some stones in the inner ear.  I've read about some therapy where the head is moved in certain ways to help dislodge stones and calcium deposits in the ear.  You might ask your doctor about that.

The problem with dizziness, as I learned, is that it's "vague" and there are so many reasons to be dizzy that doctors often don't know where to even begin.  Recently I had sinus infections and/or allergies (still don't know!) which caused dizziness, but some of the dizzy spells were anxiety, too.  After several months I can usually differentiate between which kind of dizziness it is, but sometimes I can't.

I know taking pills sucks but if valium helps with the dizziness, I'd keep taking it.

[torque]

is there any chance it could be anxiety related? I know when I have had anxiety issues(not really severe). Sometimes, I dont even really feel the anxiety coming on, I will get dizzy walking into a place-could be a mall, the grocery store, or going to a party of sorts. I also had thought at one time it had to do with the bright lighting. It wasnt like the room was spinning, the best way I can describe it, was like like the top part of my body was running and my legs were walking very slow. I would get very nervous and as soon as I got back into my car and sat down for awhile it would pass.

I am not sure if volume helps with anxiety- I would think it would. So, maybe it could be. Just my thoughts though. I am not a doctor, this is just my personal experience. You can also try another doctor and get a second opinion.