Strange Dizzy spells

[stephystar]

For a few years now, I've had what I call the three second dizzy spell. When I talked to my doctor, he didn't understand what I was saying and brushed it off as something else. He thought I meant I get lightheaded if I stand up or sit down too fast. That's not what's happening. I'm normally perfectly still when it happens, no movement. It's happened when I'm sitting at my computer at work, or reading a book. All of a sudden the world takes a dip to the right and it takes me a second to right the world again. when everything rights itself, I feel slightly dizzy and lightheaded.

I do have Fibromyalgia, but this is a symptom I've never heard about, and my last Fibro doctor was the one I talked to (and dismissed my concern). It's not constant, and only pops up like once every few months. Luckily, not while I'm driving. I don't know if the cure is simple, or if it's a sign of something wrong. I've been questioning everything I feel after my mom died of undiagnosed problems.

I suffer from chronic migranes. I normally get at least one migrane a month (if it's a good month) to several durning a month. My most recent one lasted nearly three days (and the worst was nearly a month). I don't know if that's causing my dizzy spells or not. It can't be medicine since I'm not on any, except the occasional asprin.

I just want to know if this is something to worry about or not.

[ChristineMP]

There are different types of migraines. Some do not have pain as a symptom. I get both the painful type of migraine and ophthalmic migraines that give me symptoms of auras, strobing light artifacts (like if you look at a bright light and even when you turn away you see it? Well I get that sometimes without having looked at a light and it can last for hours. Fluorescent lights trigger them for me...but I've gotten a few of them when there are no fluorescent lights involved also), dizziness and often nausea...all without pain.

The cool thing is I took Topamax for them and was headache free as long as I was on it! Unfortunately, Topamax wasn't particularly effective in preventing my ophthalmic migraines...

I hope you are able to get help soon. Definitely get an MRI! :)

[LivingInHope]

Glad if I was able to be of some assistance!  

[stephystar]

Thanks for all  your help. I still have my fingers crossed that it's nothing, but I'd rather have it checked out and be nothing than ignore it and find out it was something. I will def. see a neurologist once I am able.

[LivingInHope]

I'm so glad you are expecting employment with insurance in just a short while and I hope you can get this disturbing symptomology pinned down and treated!

[stephystar]

I thought migranes were just bad headaches. I don't have any pain when this happens,just dizziness. Does that still count? And I'm adding neurologist to my list of people I should see.

[stephystar]

I did go to a neurologist once for my migranes. But I lost that job and the insurance before we could do an MRI, and I never managed to get back. I don't have insurance right now, so I'm keeping a list of things to talk about when I can go back. I'll add talking to an ear, nose and throat specialist since it is always to the right.

No known problems with low or high blood pressure. When I go to the doctors, I always have good blood pressure. High blood pressure does run in my family, but so far I haven't had any medical notices on it. No blood sugar testing. We got rid of all of mom's blood sugar stuff, so we don't have any in the house. Again, I'll add it to my list. I am expecting to have a new job and insurance in a few weeks.

I'm just hoping it's nothing to worry about.

[ChristineMP]

Have you seen a neurologist? It sounds to me as though you need a full neuro eval, including an MRI. Your dizzy spells could be a type of migraine (I get something similar and my neurologist diagnosed it as a ophthalmic migraine)

[LivingInHope]

If you've never had one, you may want to ask a neurologist after telling of your migraines and these strange feelings in your head if you could get an MRI of your brain to try to rule out some serious things.  Since you mention a dip to the right, you may also want to visit an ear, nose, and throat specialist and ask if they think a VNG test and other vestibular testing is in order with that symptom.  Do you have any problems with low or high blood pressure?  Have you had blood sugar testing?