Lightheaded Most of the Time

[heyitsme]

I'm a 31yr old male non smoker non drinker in Florida, overweight (5'6 215lb), but otherwise no history of disease. I have been lightheaded on and off for the past 6 months. Not dizzy or spinning per say, its more like I have balance issues or fatigue or something. Seems to affect me mostly when I am walking around. Doesn't usually bother me when sitting or driving. But I really notice it when doing things that involve a lot of walking (like shopping). Docs think its all anxiety related, tried Ativan which made me feel better about the situation, but I still felt the lightheadedness. I also seem to have a ton of gas (burping), not sure if its related.

I have had a lot of tests including eyes (normal), glucose tolerance (normal), bp (mild pre hypertensive, slightly rapid heartbeat), blood (elevated cholesterol, TSH 1.26), lung xray (normal), allergist (mold, dust, and elm, no asthma), head mri (normal), ekg 2x (normal), non stress echocardio (normal), gastro endoscopy (mild acid reflux), and sleep study (some apnea, waiting for details), vertigo tilt test (normal).

I don't think the problem is anxiety, I have very low stress in my life (much less than I have had years ago). I'm thinking I should see a Neurologist, from what I have read they deal in balance and dizzyness issues. Any other thoughts? Thanks!

[madgeOwens]

Hi there. I was lightheaded due to pvc's or palpitaions.  Also caffeine would precipitate this and the symptoms.

[heyitsme]

Thank you for the advice, I'm wondering why my primary care physician didnt recommend anything similar (probably because most people don't want to hear that). I am going to try to lose the weight. I still feel like something else is the cause (not sure why) I have been this weight for probably 4 years now, so it seems odd that it would just come out of the blue. For a while I actually thought it was diet beverages that were doing it to me as I had cut out all regular soda not too much before my problem started (though I tried cutting the diet drinks out and didnt feel any better).

Do you think seeing a neurologist would be a waste of money / effort?

[subesc]

I have a similar lightheaded feeling.

When I went to see a neurologist, it was suggested that I get MRI and EEG tests done.  Both of these were inconclusive.  My followup appointment is this Thursday, so I am interested to hear what he suggests for me now.

During my last visit the doctor suggested more excersize to me, but it didn't seem to give me any relief.  I am interested in hearing your progress with these symptoms since I am going through the same thing.

[floridabrit]

Ive been light headed too  , it started after last years (04) hurricanes,  im not sure whats causing it, im not falling all over the place or anything but  I do have that light headed feeling on and off, it comes and goes, the Doc thinks its anxiety
and it could well be, but I cant seem to shake it off  I take Generic Paxil ,it helps a bit  but I still get light headed . strangely, I can relax at home and  while driving and not feel a thing ? but when it happens I get a "weak" feeling in my legs too. im on Diovan BP pills - but have only been on them 4 months.  it usually kicks off when im looking at the PC screen (which I spend all day doing)  I do have reading glasses too but sometimes they hurt my eyes.
Im stumped !
im not in the best shape (6'1-300 lbs)  I have started to excersize now tho.and everytime it happens I usually get a crik in my neck (which the doc also said was stress).

[kpduke]

I've had attacks of dizziness while I slept., also in different positions, after visiting a ear specialist, I found out I had positional vertigo. They ran tests on me and even proclaimed I was 95% cured after trying to straighten it out by performing a tast that would reposition by csytals in my inter ear. it didn't work two weeks later it was back and I walk around lightheaded
and afraid of sleeping at night that the dizziness will appear.
I could be just laying on my back and it feels as the dizziness wants to return, it's like it go's to be dizzy and it stops. has anyone had this problem I think it's more than any inner ear problem, ???????

[floridabrit]

Check this out- it might help?
Meniere's Disease is the term given to the condition having the following four symptoms, after thorough testing has determined no other cause:

Fluctuating (episodic) hearing loss.

Fluctuating (episodic) rotational vertigo (a form of dizziness).

Fluctuating (episodic) tinnitus (a sound heard when there is no sound).

Fluctuating (episodic) aural fullness (a sense of pressure in the middle ear, as if descending in an airplane; however, it is *not* actual pressure in the middle ear).

I dont think its me  but it might help someone

[kpduke]

Thank-you but I don't have all the symptoms, just the feeling I'm losing control of my balance and diziness on and off. sleeping at night is worst because I can't position my head any way except straight.

[floridabrit]

you have the opposite to me,   when Im lying in bed or sitting watching TV im fine.
I wake up fine too, the light headedness starts after about 15 minutes of me getting out of bed.

I have constant ringing in the ears , but then again Ive always had it from as far back as I can remember  even in my teens (Im 48).

[kpduke]

I have the dizziness and the lightheadedness during the day also , I can't look up or turn my head to either side without it feeling like I'm losing my balance. No ringing in my ear. I'm 56 years old. It's ready driving me nuts. after christmas I'm going to see if I can get help from a different doctor. sometime I wonder if it isn't the top of my spine.

[scotts#1]

well check this out went and seen all types of specialists and i hav all symptoms you have but i also have fainting spells wich the last one ended at work and i had a panic attack with it they still cant find anything wrong but they wont give me an mri because they dont think it has anything to do with my head but to get tests done where im at it takes months before you can see someone and what if im in my car or down the stairs iv been fighting with doctors and specialits and no one knows what is wrong with me but even my family doctor is sick of me complaining that she told me to go to the emergency and wait for an mri there. did it and they let me go on account that i seen a specialist for my head and they dont want to step on anyones toes and the second time was it was closed well im sick of not getting any answers arnt you? they just dont know what it is so they will let you go on and erupt my life and they people around me

[Kinney]

I too have been expericing lightheaded for 3 years now and no one seems to know why. All tests and brain scan show everything is normal. I'll be going to Ear, Nose, Throat Specialist in the next few weeks. Hopefully, she can determine what is wrong. My worst times are when I wake up. I can only sleep on my right side because of herniated disk in neck and pinched nerve. Doctor thinks I just need more exercise and I am currently taking Alprazolam for anxiety (doctor thinks I my just be under too much stress. Once I take the medication, I'm ok for a while but this medication is also used for ringing in the ear (which I have in my left ear and sometimes humming in my right ear). I can not drive long hours or set for long times at a computer without getting lightheaded.

[ldogg]

I just came across this sight.I have been having lightheaded feelings for about 3 yrs. on and off...I hate it. I felt like I was right on the verge recently of having a panic attack because of it.I recently had an mri,eye examination, ekg and I'm waiting for the mri results now. But reading the comments I not holding my breath.I feel like fluerescent lights in stores,computer screens, driving make it worse for me. Ringing in ears.  Its like I'm getting a mild headrush with a balance problem but it last all day ! Its like I smoked a ciggarette too fast but doesn't go away for a few days ?
35 yrs. I'm 5'10 150 lbs.
I don't know exactly why I'm writing other than at least I don't feel like I'm the only person in the world going through this !

It's hard to explain to friends and family,I try to ignore it but days are just too much,it makes me think about death,serious illnesses,etc. and after a couple of years of it wears on me mentally. I thought maybe sinuse but have no clue?

Thank you

[Monkeydna]

Interesting that you think your dizziness stems from the top of your spine. I too am dizzy and lightheaded all day since 2003. I feel sometimes it is the way I sit at my computer and that my neck and shoulder muscles are pinching nerves in the back of my head close to the top of my spoine causing these feelings. and comments?

[kerryuk]

ive been lightheaded and dizzy for 5 months now and its got to the point were i just stay in all day.sometimes its the spinning feeling other times its the feeling im going to pass out. im very depressed now as i have 2 kids that i cant do nothink with. doc says its just vertigo and anxiety as i do have an anxiety problem and suffer from panic attacks

[kerryuk]

oh and its worse when i move my head or get up from sitting down even when i get up slowly. anyone have any advice?


p.s great site

[mc123501]

Hi all,

I am a 23yr old male from the UK and have been feeling light-headed since Dec 06

Before i started to feel bad, i was a regular at the gym and exercised at least 3times a day. One day i stood up and felt really dizzy. Since that day i have never felt the same.

I have been to see a heart specialist (referred by my doctor) they gave me all sorts of tests but everything come back normal. I was then told to see a neurologist who said he thought i had a inner ear infection and that my anxiety was prolonging the condition. Since the app i have still been feeling bad and have now been referred to an ent (ear,nose,throat) specialist.

It is a constant, everyday sensation of unsteadiness. When i sit @my desk i cant concentrate properly and when i stand for a long time i also feel unbalanced.

Going from being so healthy to feeling like this is really hard. Any suggestions?

Thank you

[wichitakid]

     I was cutting hair in a barber shop 15 years ago, and suddenly felt like I was going to faint.  I staggered, and had to go sit down.  I've been dizzy off and on ever since.  I had all kinds of tests, and finally went to a neurologist.  After MRI's, EEG's, spinal taps, etc., he told me it was "probable" that I had MS. (Multiple Sclerosis).  As scary as that sounds, it was better than some of the other "options" like brain or eye tumors, or spinal tumors.  ( I also get weird flashing lights in my eyes that make me dizzy.)  Some of you mentioned fatigue, and that is one of my worst symptoms along with the dizziness.  I'm lucky... my MS is not getting worse, and it is NOT a death sentence.  
     It took years to get a diagnosis for me.  Ask your doctor to test you for MS, it can't hurt, and just knowing what's wrong helped me.

[gerry113]

I have suffered with the condition for 3years now and in the last 2 years it has escelated i have gone to a few doctors and emergency departments but they cant find anythink wrong with me i had my whole body checked and eyes ears and all the other stuff  . but i still havent found a answere and im sick of feeling like this i used to be active as and now its a effort to go and work a solid day i dont seem to have the energy i used to have  and im only 30 years old.
If someone could help me please send me a email thankyou
***@****

[LORRAINE70]

I myself for the past 3 years have been feeling lightheaded.  The only thing that happened to me before feeling lightheaded was strained my neck slightly, felt it pull and suffer with shoulder problems ever since and neck pain.  I also get problems with balance daily, especially when I am standing in the same position or walking too much.  I also had a spider bite 3 years ago and wondering maybe the poison effected my balance.....I have been for mri,ent,eyes doctors and no luck on what my problem is.  One mri they have not done on me is on my neck, I have a feeling I may have a herniated disk or pulled ligament/muscle in the neck which causes me to feel imbalanced.  It does effect my life and daily routines, feel exhausted but like someone said its not life threatening just a pain......does anyone else feel like this.  

[DaisyOMalley]

I am a 40 y.o female who just started having vertigo/dizzy spells, tiredness, feeling faint/unsteady on my feet and I get vertigo after I sneeze or cough. I'm scared and worried. My blood work comes back tomorrow. I'm also worried; does this affect my sleep? Can some one get dizzy in their sleep?
My dizzy spells started Feb 3rd 08 and are on and off. Some times bad spells, some times no spells at all.
Help!!!

[jdlk]

Dizzyness/lightheadedness can also be caused by a low potassium level.  After going to the ER twice for dizzy spells, they did blood tests on me.  My potassium levels were so low they thought the machine was broken.  My magnesium levels were also low.  If you stand up after lying down and you get this dizzy/lightheaded feeling chances are (according to the doctor I saw) that you are low on potassium.  Fatigue is also a symptom of having such low potassium and magnesium levels.  I had absolutely no energy and literally dragged myself out of bed.  I have since switched to one-a-day vitamins.

[DaisyOMalley]

Still dizzy after 20 days
I lost my balance the other day, I was jogging for the train, and before I knew it, I was down on one knee with the room spinning in circles.. I was so upset by this, I was crying.
My cholesterol is high, I have anemia; but I never had problems before. I'm going to a different doctor for a 2nd opinion.
I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.
:(

[medicmommy]

Hello!
Your problem could simply be sleep apnea...have you done any sleep studies? has anyone told you if you snore? If so, this may be the problem...There is a machine called a CPAP that sleep apnea patients wear at night...and it dramatically helps...

[DaisyOMalley]

I finally got Ears, Eyes, Nose/Throat hospital.They ordered a vertigo tilt test and a hearing test. I go on March 29th.

[Sgt13Echo]

I have the same problem and was not paying attention to my diet and sleep.  So, I started logging what I ate every day and what time I woke up and went to bed.  It seemed like when I had less than 7 hours of sleep and did not have a healthy breakfast lunch time and until 5PM I felt the world rotating.  It was driving me nuts, now I go to sleep and make sure that I get at least 8 hours along with having a good breakfast and a 30-40 minute walk after getting home from work.

:)

[Imaz]

did that work for you?  no more lightheadedness? what other symptoms were you having at the time?

Thanks

[Stfrances]

This is so strange to read all these symptoms that are so like mine.  I have experienced lightheadedness since Sept. 07.  I have been tested for all the inner ear stuff and my blood work is fine.  My neurologist believes it's a neck/back issue and that my relief lies in taking muscle relaxants at night in order to "retrain" my muscle to relax and to get the restoative sleep they need.  I've really not experienced the relief that he predicted.  I have two small children and I get up everyday with an attitude that is, "Today's going to be the day it goes away."  I try hard to not step out of the way for it, but there are times where the brain fog and fatigue that accompany it, makes it hard to stay positive.  It doesn't appear to be Chronic Fatigue, or if it is, it's very mild.  I still try to work out and stay active daily and I don't think I could do this if I had CFS.

Has anyone found any answers?

Thanks Molly

[hmccoy]

I am a 35 year old mother of 4 and a non-smoker who is not overweight.I have been experiencing light-headed spells for almost a year now.  It happened while on a 45 minute trip (after being sick all night).  I thought that it was due to feeling ill.  However, ever since then, I have these spells while driving!  I have 4 young children and worry that sometime I will pass our while driving.  I can't drive for more than 5-10 before feeling this.  It is so frustrating.  It just seems like I am ready to faint.  I experienced this for a few months in 2001.  The dr. discovered that because I was a nursing mother, I wasn't taking in enough calories or eating enough.  After I started eating better, it went away (until 2007). Occassionally, it happens while shopping at the mall, but other than this it is ALWAYS while driving and never at home.  I was just wondering if anyone has experienced this and has an answer for me.  

[kw47781]

i would suggest that all of you be evaluated for orthostatic hypotension.  this is a drop in blood pressure while standing (or sometimes just sitting upright) that can trigger faintness, dizziness, a rapid heart rate, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), headache, and syncope (fainting).

your doctor would let you lie down for a few minutes, take your BP and pulse, sit up for a few minutes, take you BP and pulse, and then stand for a few minutes and take your BP and pulse.

[Cosmogal]

Yes! I have low blood pressure and it does cause this, The solution my doctor gave me was to increase my salt. I had what they call the tilt table test. My blood pressure dropped dramtically from one position to another. Also another poster talked about sleep apnea and yes that too can cause alot of issues as well. You don't have to be morbidly obese to have that happen.
Best of luck!
Paula

[dido62]

Have been watching your condition on dizziness, i too have been getting dizzy for the last 5 yeats, had vertigo tilt test, seen e n t specialist, had an mri scan, all of these came back normal, was diaognost with benign postinal vertigo by brain specalist in feb 2007, am still getting this really bad, have now been told i have anxiety due to thinking i am dying from something bad ie brain tumor, stupid i know but when you get something in your it is hard to dismiss it. I have resently been to see a eye specialist for gave numerous test all clear, am now on citalopram for the anxiety, also my age of 46  is not helping because anxiey, dizziness- light heaed are all sign of the menopause. Stay positive and dnot worry lol.

[rehan27]

Yep, all of you sound like me...what is this an epidemic??? :-)  SOmetimes I wonder if I'm only half joking, there are sooooo many people with theses symptoms who have no diagnosis.  Lightheaded, can't exercise because I get dizzy and faint, which then makes me feel like it's my heart even though all tests came back "normal".  I guess I lean towards the opinion that this is dysautonomia, and am trying to work with a homeoapath.  So far I've seen better progress working with him than the disappointment of a medical system we have here in the US.  But oh well to each his own.  I used to be an avid athlete, and because of this can't exercise, and my fitness is horrible and weight is now a problem.  Sometimes I also think this is MS, but am tired of doctors and trying to let them guess what is going on for thousands of dollars. What a shame...

[cheryll7923]

A week ago, I stood up from my desk to walk to the bathroom and felt like I was on the verge of passing out.  I had to walk very slowly to the bathroom and focus on not passing out, otherwise I would have.  I also had to really concentrate on my way back.  Since that time, I've almost passed out once more (two days ago) and I have this light-headed, off-balance feeling when I walk.  I really have to concentrate on walking sometimes or else I'll fall down.  Some of the symptoms I have are the obvious lightheadedness, dizziness, off-balance feeling, fatigue, shortness of breath (which I have experienced for about 5 years now) and almost fainting.  I went to the doctor two days ago after nearly fainting for a 2nd time and had a blood test done and was connected to an EKG.  The blood test came back normal and the EKG showed a little slower than normal heart rythym, but nothing too concerning popped up.  I will be going to a cardiologist next week to check that out.  I've done a little research of my own and thinking of my symptoms, I believe that I may have anemia (of iron and B-12).  I don't really have the best eating habits, and sometimes I skip meals.  Anemia is something that takes a long time for its symptoms to show, and I believe mine started 5 years ago when I started experiencing shortness of breath all the sudden.  When you are anemic, oxygen is not transporting through your body properly and your heart has to work harder to keep it functioning properly (which can cause heart palpitations or arythmia).  Not enough oxygen gets to your brain causing you to feel dizzy, light headed or to pass out.  Anemia can be difficult to detect on a standard blood test.  I would suggest that you buy iron and B-12 pills (it won't hurt you a bit - even if you aren't anemic), and used them as directed on the package.  This might help - I hope!!

Today, I was feeling especially bad and after taking a couple of iron pills, I do feel  better.  I will wait to see if I continue to feel better on these pills and keep you posted - I'm not a doctor, but sometimes even doctors can't find out what's wrong with you, so why not give it a try.  Like I said, it won't hurt you one bit.

[curt1978]

Wow, are we not alone.  I am 29 and have been feeling most of these symptoms myself since the beginning of the year.  I did a test on myself this last week.  I took all caffeine out of my diet and simply ate healthier.  it took a couple days of doing this and drinking a lot of water.  I made sure I ate properly for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  No fast food, no coffee (that one was hard), and no soda.  I ate a lot of fruit and vegetables and got at a minimum of 8 hours of sleep.  

I must say that by the 4th day I was feeling much better with no dizzyness etc...

To test myself further, the last 2 days i have added the coffee, soda, fast food, and lack of sleep back to my routine and everything came raging back.  If you look at the post in this forum we are all in our late 20's to 40.  I know my body isn't as tolerant as it was when I was 18, so I think it's time I start accommodating my age by taking better care of myself.  Hope this helps somebody.

[j2rivers]

I would try a chiropractor.  Dizziness and feeling lightheaded can be a result of spinal misalignment in your neck, especially the upper cervical vertebrae.  Not all dizziness, lightheaded feeling, vertigo can be taken care of with chiropractic but the majority of you who can't find anything else wrong should consider giving it a try.  Hope this helps.

[fedupwithmyhead]

Nice to see im not alone-Im also light headed on and off.
usually go light headed while looking at PC screen (wearing glasses)or tv-dont need glasses
dont happen while im driving or not thinking about it.
i guess it could be stress but not sure

twice now while looking at pc monitor  I get a fast  rushing feeling go from the back of my head to the front-it lasts a split second- but makes me woozy for a second or two and leaves me with a headache for 3-4 days .
the best way to describe it afterwards is like having a hangover (but i dont drink)

the actual feeling i can liken to jumping in a cold pool and the feeling you get in your head when the cold water goes over your head.

nice to see im not alone
had a cat scan-all ok, have bad ringing in ears  -had it since i was a teen over 30 years  ago.

[kahnsk8]

thanks for the info.  i also have these similar issues. maybe not as severe as some, but i get lightheaded quite a bit now.  it seems to come on at weird times and i cant find what triggers the spells.  I do notice that like Curt said, most people here are getting out of their "bounce back" period of life and thier bodies might not be able to handle the same life style as before.

I've been trying to eat better and exercise more but i'm going to make sure i do it regularly now and see how much it helps.  Eating has always been my downfall.  I'm a sucker for a food.  Although i'm not fat (6'0, 195lbs), i do feel that with what i eat I'm probably not getting the proper nurishment my body needs now.  I'm going to try either a multi-vitamin suplament or the B-12/Iron method.  Although i still need to figure out what the "correct" diet is for me.

Mine all started one day when i came to work.  Just like any other monday, i turned my computer on and within 15 mins. I felt like I was having a panic attack.  My heart rate seemed to spike, i got really light headed and almost passed out.  It scared me pretty bad, but i knew that if i went to a doctor i'd be out a couple thousands of dollars with no real answers. (i've had a lot of experience with docs in the past)  Ever since that day it's off and on but usually happens at least once a day where i get light headed and am not sure how bad it will get or how long it will last.  I thought it was becasue i might be getting sick, seeing as a lot of people around me were getting sick, but the light-headed feeling still hasn't gone away totally.

It's at least comforting knowing that i'm not going insane and that there are other people with the similar problems.

I'll keep all informed.  hopefully changing my diet does the trick.

I'd say a correct diet and excersise program is probably everyone's best bet before paying to be a human guinea pig to the medical society.  I'd much rather get heathly then sucumb to the daily regiment of pharmasudicals pushed by the legal drug dealers.

[jdeber2]

Hi All,

My plight began on a Saturday night in January of this year.  I was watching a movie with my wife and sipping on a beer.  I got up from the couch walked up stairs and started brushing my teeth.  I recall feeling strange and tried to shake it off.  I barely made it to bedroom and went to my knees.  I really couldn't describe the feeling except that I thought I was dying.  I felt my heart race and I began sweating profusely.  Just as my wife was preparing to call 911 I told her it was getting better and we waited.  After about an hour of deep breathing I was able to relax myself enough to fall asleep.
I haven’t felt like myself since that night.  I experience constant ringing in my ears, and lightheadedness. Every time I attempt to watch a movie with my wife I feel anxious and my heart races, I become short of breath and feel like I am going to faint.  (Weird fact:  I can watch TV just not a movie) I know it sounds weird but I think it may have to do with concentration of some sort. Although it seemed to be getting better this summer it has now seemed to have reared it ugly head again.  Just thinking about it and writing about it makes me feel "on the edge"' Anyhow, I have good days and bad days and could go on forever on all the strange symptoms this has caused.  
I have been to my primary care physician, an ENT, and a Neurologist.  I have had several blood tests, an EEG, an ENG, and MRI, and several other test all showing nothing.  At first we tried anti-vert which didn't really change my lightheadness but it did make the nauseasness subside and helped me sleep.  We then tried a drug for anxiety but that actually triggered my second fainting episode.  I really thought I was dying this time but again it subsided.  I even did 8 rounds of acupuncture and thought I was getting better but it still hasn't gone away.
I am 33yrs old 6'2" and weigh 230lbs.  I am a bit overweight but have been a swimmer my entire life, very active and lifted weights quite regularly.  This "thing" that I have had for almost 10 months now has completely changed me and has almost driven me mad at times.  The only time I feel better is after I drink 4 or 5 beers.  When drinking I literally feel 100 percent better.  I can actually feel my self change dramatically after having a few drinks. I know this isn't a very good long term solution and I am willing to try just about anything to get my self back to normal.  I have alwys been very positive entergetic and up beat but this has really changed my entire outlook on life.

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeff

[kahnsk8]

report back #1:

after i learned that the human body has a harder time getting by with a bad diet as it gets older it started to make a lot of sense to me of what is probably going wrong.  I never ate in the morning right away and would get by until lunch on snacks and garbage.  Then dinner would be a hit and miss routine; sometimes cooking a nice well balanced dinner, sometimes making hamburger helper (its not so good for you).  Also I didn't take any dietary supplements and i rarely exercised for real.  I'm still pretty active, I just dont exercise much.  Maybe two or three times a month.

Well I started taking a regiment of multi-vitamins that contain the whole b-complex and iron.  the first couple days it didn't seem like much had changed but by the end of the first week i'm almost completely free of lightheadedness.  It's GREAT!  I've also started on a new diet and I'm eating a bowl of cerel and a bananna each morning.  I think it's working.  I'm going ot keep it up for the month and then stop taking the vitamins to see if it returns.  I still need to get into a better work out routine.  But it's all about baby steps.  

I'm not suggesting to take the symptoms lightly and neglect getting an examination.  But I seem to know my body well I had a feeling it wasn't something that had to do with a heart problem. So I didn't want to go thru the expensive tests if I didn't have to.

I'll report in again in a couple weeks.

I wish all luck.

[yablo2]

kahnsk8----Wondering how your new diet and vitamin supplements have helped in the long run?

Sadly I have been experiencing dizziness issues for close to 8 years and noone has any clue.  Like everyone else, according to the doctors, I am in perfect shape and actually better shape than majority of the patients the see on a daily basis.

I have seen roughly 20 doctors, including 5 at Mayo Clinic, 1 got rid of my headaches, noone else has done anything.  Be careful with the docs that say its anxiety and give you drugs, I listened to one of the first docs, took some anti anxiety and was thrown into a year long battle with depression from the drug he gave me (which I still have slight episodes of)

My dizziness comes and goes, some days are good, some just plain suck.  Ive kept log files, tried different diets, removed salt, caffeiene, tobacco and every other "bad" thing from my diet at one time or another, and none have resolved the issue completely.  My head constantly feels pressurized, just ever so lightly and there is a consistent light headed-ness going on.  I have had very loud ringing in my ears, sometimes it gets loud enough I hear nothing else in the ear, but those only last for seconds then are followed up by sudden dizziness, then back to light headed, all within 10 seconds.  I have been training in front of groups of 20+ people during one of these episodes and giving lexctures/presentations when they have hit and noone ever seems to notice anything and I continue on.

I do motorocycle and other "normal" activities as I figure I will not let this beast control my world, and quite frankly, I drove 1300 miles on the cycle and I never once felt dizzy or light headed while moving, as soon as I stop and get off, its instant dizziness.  

I know it's hard and today I had my worst break down, the last 2 weeks have been horrible and for once, it actually feels like it wont go away, that its here to stay for now.  But keep your head up, and stay positive, things can only get better from here :)

[GeeBeeY]

I am reading this post for the first time. Interesting to see it goes back three years with no real answer.  
I have been light headed for about a month now and have some tingling in my hands and feet too.  This morning I nearly passed out while driving. That was the first time that ever happened. Needless to say, I am a bit concerned.
Like many of you I have ringing in my ears, which I have had for  years. Sometimes it changes in pitch for a few seconds and it does seem to be getting louder over the years.  I have been worrying lately because of loss of work in my business, losing sleep too.  After reading all the posts it seems like anxiety and loss of sleep has a lot to do with it.  
I'm an avid cyclist in the spring, summer and fall but the past couple of months I have been pretty inactive, except for shoveling snow.  
My diet consists of a couple of cups of coffee a day, no soda, minimal breakfast, usually left-overs for lunch and a healthy dinner, no vitamins, a couple of glasses of wine at night in front of the TV.
I just had a check up and there are no red flags in blood pressure, heart beat, EKG, weight. Waiting back on the blood work.  Sounds like a waste of time for MRIs, etc.
I guess I will at least start taking vitamins, reduce the coffee and exercise more.  

[Yar101]

Wow.. I'm having most of these same issues. I'm 32 and my dizzy/lightheaded seems to come and go, but it is slowly getting worse. I really get dizzy when I turn my head all they way to one side. I haven't tried it but I think I would eventually faint if I left my head turned. The same thing happens when I'm driving, which scares me the most.

I had unusually high BP, which is now under control but I am on meds for it. I'm not overweight and 32. I shouldn't be on meds! And of course nothing has changed even with the normal BP.

Just went to a sleep study and will get the results this week. I'm hoping that will shed some light on the problem.

[kahnsk8]

The diet I started and stuck with for about 6 weeks was working pretty well.  While it didn't get rid of the dizziness completely, it made it much more tollerable.  I was eating a bowl of cereal with a bannana each morning.  A normal lunch of leftovers or a sandwich, and a nice dinner (most nights).  I was doing much better but then the holidays got a hold of me and I fell out of the routine.  I also started taking the supplements and have continued to take them.  It seems that the supplements help but not as much as correcting my diet.  Now that the new year is well on it's way, I'm getting back into a healthy routine.  I was exercising regularly and have fallen out of that as well.  I'm slowly getting back into the routine of eating right and exercising again.  I haven't been able to get my breakfast routine down and that is what seemed to help the most.  Thats funny Yablo2, nobody at work seems to notice when I have a dizzy spell in the middle of conducting a meeting either.  I always worry they will.  The main thing that concerns me is when I'm in a meeting and these happen it messes with my vision.  It makes me feel like I'm starting to loose it, but I can manage to keep going.  Also one thing I noticed is that when i started to feel these dizzy spells, I would focus on my breathing, which definitely made them more tollerable.  So I started Yoga.  I've only been to one class but I felt better after that one day.  My mom has been on me for a couple years now to start yoga because of work.  Since I'm an engineer, most of my time is spent sitting behind this lovely computer.  After the first year I had been working I started to notice problems with my back.  It's mainly due to that I don't move around most of the day like I used to.  So yoga is one way to keep myself from "locking up".  Hopefully I see some positive results with my back and the dizziness.  In anyway, it can't be negative.  

I'll check back later.  Good luck all.

[Nat79]

After suffering from constant dizziness for nearly a year now I have just been diagnosed with an inner ear problem. It took seeing many diffferent doctors, 2 Neurologists and a Neuro-otologist to finally get an answer.

I had a test done where they pumped water into my ear to make me dizzy and monitored my eye movements, from this they found there was a difference in my eye/brain response for each ear. Maybe mention this to your doctor and see if they can send you for a similar test?

[DAV73]

So what are they doing for your inner ear problem and does it have a name so maybe I can ask my doctor to test for it.

[waipahu]

I have been diagnosed with Meniere's Disease back in 2008.
I don't have the real spinning head, it's more like a sea sick
feeling.  My head is foggy, i have a hard time to think and
concentrate when I feel like this.  Sometimes I question
if it really is a problem with my inner ear.
Anyways, today i went for a walk, about 3 or 4 miles. I figure
I should start exercising.  But after about a mile i began
to feel lightheaded. I didn't feel well, so i just came home and took a shower and rested.

As I look back, I know that in October 2007, i experience a whiplash type incident
when my car transmission malfunctioned that sent my head foward and back. I was
disoriented when that happen. Later that week my neck was sore and then the pain went away.
However, a few weeks later I began to feel weird.  I felt kinda woozie...from then on I just wasn't
myself.  There are some months when i feel normal and other months i feel not so good.

My next thing I'll do i to see a chiropracter. I know I have pinch nerves..i took the nerve test and they
said i have pinched nerves.

At least I know I'm not alone..all you guys hang in there!!!  This really hampers your life..i'm afraid
to do a lot of things...i love to go swimming..but there are some days i can't feel the water..i dont
have any balance. there are some days when i can swim a mile and other days i can bareful do
25 yards..so i just tread water to get some exercise..this really makes me depressed...i donno
who will show up each day....

God bless you all!

Darin

[Zackattak]

Hey all, same stuff here but I see in these threads alot of similiar stuff. We are all mostly late 20 to 40;s have stressfull jobs and some of us are avid gym rats. I'm all of the above, could it be stress and anxiety after all these testa and theories. I too cut off caffeine , energy drinks (which I was using to cope withe the stress of my job) had the spacey head feeling for a week before my vacation. Got off work and went on a cruise for 5 days got back home still had 3 days to burn doing things around the house and all and never s symptom! FIRST day back at work by mid morning it all came crashing back at me! And so it's been for a month now. The ENT said the same ****, a inner ear inflamation (inflammation) or infection which I cannot buy into. I'm passed the panic because I have no other symptoms of a tumor but we ALL think that and I had a ct 2 years back for massive head pressure (where my anxiety began) and it was clean.
I know we don't wanna hear it but what our brain creates we can stop, For you people saying that cutting out coffee cured it it really is a placebo for your brain and that is fine if it works, we need to find a way to calm down and stop thinking about it. That is why most of you like me, say that it is not noticeable when we are home...our comfort zone. It does not bother me when I drive, I feel great because we are focusing on driving not looking for our balance issues.
I know it ***** but to the panic'ers (and I use to be a bad one) you are ok. A brain tumor has intense pain headaches, vision problems, weird smells, spinning when standing still not like us, bleeding, limbs that dontrespond. Statistically we all could not have this so put your minds at ease and take time from work and see how it plays out . To a place where you have no cares of tomorrow and your not worried about cleaning your house you can be a slob at a hotel on the beach and I almost promise you a much better feeling.
I pray you all feel back to normal...we are ALL TOO young in our lives to have this mess.

[sonrisaELLA]

im 20. good weight. awesome life. female. i passed out sep 08 and ever since i woke up i have been light headed 24/7!! docs say im the healthiest 20 yr old they ever seen! i learned to deal with it and its getting worse!! any advice??!!  i want my life back and i cant do anything without passing out!! everything has been been thoroughly checked. i just found out i have a huge cist on my ovary? does anyone think that could be a problem or am i just going nuts? any advice?? thanks

[Altalena]

I don't mean to disappoint any light-headed who is just starting but I've had this for more than 4 years now and it's not going away and no possible cause was ever found by doctors. And I've been through all the tests you can imagine... brain CT (twice), EEG, water-in-the-ear test (caloric stimulation) , EKG, X-rays of neck and spine, blood tests by the dozens... they checked the blood vessels in my neck to see if they carry enough blood to my brain. Everything was either normal or something so minor that it can't be the cause.
Tried psychotherapy, homeopathy, herbal stuff, anti-depressant (stopped taking it because side effects were horrible). Tried exercising, losing weight, gaining weight, church, praying :) I feel I tried everything there is. I even moved house, partly to see if a change in circumstances would make any difference.

Result: there have been months that were better, e.g. when I was jogging 5k every single day, or at times when I was absorbed in an exciting activity. But it never totally goes away, and keeps coming back pretty bad.

Funny how the way it started is similar to some of your cases: it just happened out of the blue, one minute I was fine and in the next I had this, and have been having it ever since. I put it down to stress at the time, but I changed my stressful lifestyle hoping it would be a cure and it wasn't really. Just somewhat better, than back again.

The most straightforward answer I got from a therapist, who, after taking everything into account said: I have no idea what is causing this.
Well, that's that, I guess

[Vivster2009]

I'm 60 and have felt lightheaded off and on for many years. I figure if it was serious I would've died by now. One thing I will try is an endocrine check. We could all be suffering from Adrenal fatigue and not know it. Basically your adrenal gland, situated above your kidney doesn't produce enough adrenalin and other hormones to keep you going. Common symptoms are lightheadedness when standing, irritability, bad memory, low blood pressure and more.. One thing to avoid is caffeine, alcohol and cigarettes or any other artificial stimulant. I'm giving it a go and we'll see what happens!

[Altalena]

Do let us know the results of the check.
I've been reading about adrenal fatigue lately as well. It would explain why doctors can't find the cause of our problem - it's somehow not serious enough for them. Even though the symptoms are certainly serious for anyone who wants to have vitality and energy to live a balanced life, rather than drag herself through the days and years.

I've decided, instead of going to the 168th doctor to again find nothing, to start a lifestyle recommended for recovering from adrenal fatigue and stress. This will take a while I guess - I've had this lightheadedness for over 4 years now. But giving in to it is not an option. I still remember how I used to be before it started and would love to have my health back the way it was then.  

[dredawn]

I think the saddest part is remembering how we used to feel. It's amazing how abruptly this can all start and your whole life can change. I got dizzy/light headed while driving a few years back (nearly passed out on the freeway... Scary!) and have been feeling light headed and just not right ever since. I have had all the blood tests, seen ent, had mri, ct, and so on. Everything always comes back normal, but I feel anything but normal. I just wish I could feel the way I used to. My doctor says, aren't you glad to hear everything came back normal? I guess ordinarily that would be considered good news, but not to me. I want to hear that there is something, so that I can finally fix the problem and get back to my life. I know there is something off, it's just a matter of finding out what. Well, that's my rant. I hope you all have better luck than I have in diagnosing this. I'll keep looking for answers though. I can't give up yet.

[buddyjoy]

Im 18 years old and i had my first anxiety attack this winter, and after that i have been lightheaded/dizzy, tired and always having headaches,also ringing in my ears everyday... i am taking 20mil of citalopram for my anxiety for seven months and i cant stand feeling this way everyday, its horrible and im only 18...all my tests have came out normal from the doctors...what could be wrong with me??how can i fix this?

[donato1026]

Kudos to you, Zackattak.  I agree.

I have been "suffering" from these SAME symptoms for almost three years now.  The first mistake I made, although I didn't know it at the time, was getting on Klonopin - a benzodiazepine.  Benzodiazepines are EXTREMELY addictive!  The body gets use to these rather fast, so you need more.  You start on .5 mg once a day.  Then .5 mg twice a day, every eight hours, as needed, and so on...  I am now taking myself off of it slowly.  Slowly being the key word.

Benzodiazepines, like alcohol, work on the GABA or gamma aminobutyric acid in the nervous system.  It acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, mostly effecting the sympathetic nervous system, which controls our "fight or flight" response.  This is also known as anxiety or panic attacks.

I am a software engineerl got married three ago; have two kids now; moved to a new state; and changed jobs three times in a year and a half.  A lot of life changing events, if you will.  So, yes... anxiety was certainly there.

With age, typically, comes more responsability.  If you're married and have kids, stack that on top of everything as well.  It's a real doozy!

I too have cut out all caffeine and most sugar.  That has helped tremendously!  But I think that's a no-brainer.

So, back to what, Zackattak had mentioned... I agree.  We control it.  I mean, come on... we (including myself) although looking for answers, are up late at night fueling the worry, yet land on a site like this.  I mean... look at the times these posts have taken place.  Seriously....

One of our downfalls I think is being self-absorbed,  I think whether we realize it or not, we're all gulty of it to some degree.  But it is when we are concerned and serve others where we get to experience true joy and love.  When you're doing that, what's to worry about - dizzy or not?

Cheers and God Bless,

Dan

[JennInTheFog]

I just came upon this forum and would like to add to it.  I have a feeling of lightheadedness, accompanied with eye movements.  It is as if I can feel my eyes move, at one point I could hear my eyes move, it was like an electric zap in my head that would give a strange sensation all over, there is a throbbing feeling each time I move or roll my eyes.  It makes me feel tired and unfocused.  This has been rather erratic for me.  The first time I think I noticed it was about a year ago.  I have since had an MRI and a vertigo test from ENT.  Both are normal.  I went without any symptoms for a few months and now over the past week or so I am feeling like **** again.  I can not quit figure this thing out.  It is very frustrating not feeling good or normal.  Anyone out there who can relate or contribute???  THX   Jenn In The Fog

[Altalena]

Most likely a "normal" anxiety symptom.
Check out the list of possible symptoms here: http://www.anxietycentre.com/anxiety-symptoms.shtml
These can be really frightening but it's not really a physical illness. Has to do with how the body reacts to anxiety and chronic stress.  Tough to get rid of, too.

[phil282]

my names phil,and like you all have been suffering with dizzyness for the past 4 years,also my brother suffers from it.we both have had mri scans and lots of other tests,as im sure some of you are aware ,once your doctor has tried everthing ,they dont wont to know anymore,family and friends get bored of hearing about it ,and tell u to get on with it.         But of course they dont relise how hard every day can be,but so long as we have this site to talk to each other ,we know we dont have to suffer alone.    hope 1 of us figures it out, good luck

[34Heart]

Iv constantly got the feeling of light headedness, happens all the time so i dont like to walk far or drive far, my vision goes all weird, i feel weakness and like im swaying, it gets worse if im driving at night (oncoming lights startle me) or in shops with floursescent lights or sometimes when i sit and stand. An attack can bring on headaches and nausea and tiredness, i seem to be constantly yawning. Doc told me yesterday my blood pressure was fine and i could have vertigo and gave me stemital, also that i could be anxious (i am because of this horrible thing im going through)and to have my eyes tested too! Its a vicious circle, hope these tabs do somethin over the next 2wks too or im demanding to see a neuroligist. Sometimes i think im crackin up with the whole thing, that its all in my head.