dizziness, tinnitus, and flashes symptoms

[LD83]

Hi doc,

I have developed some symptoms that are annoying not as much as disturbing for me. In short 3 weeks ago (when I had a flu) i developed acutely also some dizziness and ringing in my ears. I remembered that I had that before for a week a few months back and then it disappeared, this time it's been there 3 weeks non-stop and the last two days got quite a bit worse. It usually starts gettings progressively worse throughout the day and in the evening/night, they dizziness really affects me, especially when I'm sitting still (studying or laying in bed to sleep). In fact, the last two days I couldn't get to sleep for atleast an hour (whereas i normally sleep really well), because I got this tension and flashes going through my head. I've also had dull pressures in my head moving around and some minor headaches. Another important symptom is eye pain, along with this pressure in head I get these random eye pressures and pains. I've never suffered from migraines or sinusitis, which I honestly don't think are the problem, because otherwise I feel great and have no colds etc. Lastly, I have a random strange taste in my mouth which comes and goes, sometimes multiple times a day.

I have no idea what it is but it is very frightening, especially later on in the day and causing a lot of anxiety with me, which ofcourse, elevates the problem. My doctor doesn't know what it could be as usual so apparently I have to come up with potentialities. Could any of the following be the problem, since it's getting worse and worse.
Lyme/tropic diseases (i have been in australia for 2 weeks), hypo/per -thyroidism, STD (herpes viridae), bloodpoisoning?

I have checked my temp, it's fine, and blood pressure was okay too this morning (124/85).

Any suggestions for going to the doctor with will be appreciated, as well as an estimation of the acuteness of the problem to do testing?

[dai3symae]

I have the same symptoms as you...excecpt the ringing has been going on for months.  My ENT ordered an MRI because 1 in 1000 people have a benign tumor on the nerve that runs between the ear and the brain and she wanted to rule it out.  The other possiblity is meniere's disease....it has ear ringing and dizzyness and a bunch of other symptoms.  You don't die (LOL)....you just feel like it!!!

[LD83]

Thank you doctor. My gp though, still thinks because of heavy stress (as i've had reflux problems and been worrying about that lately) I can induce those symptoms upon myself, they are so vague that there's no real reason for it to be something serious such as a tumor, Because during the day, when i'm busy and active, I usually feel fine.  So I find it difficult convincing him to redirect.

[Mark1968]

I'm not sure what it could be, but getting an MRI would rule out a bunch of stuff.  It's easy to try to self-analyze it and try to figure out what it might be...

[LD83]

ok, why would you think that? that kinda scares me. If, unlikely, it would be a brain tumour, the doctor did mention i would have had half vision and start vomiting etc. it would basically be worse. Also, the pressures move around, they're not fixed in one location, indicating not one location for a problem, is his and my guess.

[Mark1968]

I'm not a doctor, but I think that I would get an MRI performed on my brain pretty quickly to find out if there is anything going onup there to cause those symptoms and pressure.  Please update us as to the results.  See a neurologist to get the MRI scheduled if your General Practice doctor won't order the MRI...

Mark

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I would obtain head imaging at this point - including a CT scan or MRI.  In addition to serious causes like a brain tumor or bleed, you can also evaluate for insufficiency in the posterior circulation of the brain.

If negative, I would consider a referral to a neurologist or ENT evaluation, preferably at a major academic medical center.  

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com