Frequent lightheadedness/dizziness

[radam852]

Complaint: past week, recent constant lightheadedness, that resolves at some points during the day briefly but resumes.  It is not alleviated by lying down or other means, except maybe after a night's rest, it takes an hour or two to begin again.  There are no spinning sensations generally but a light dizziness.  On occasion it worses markedly and I feel as if I almost may faint, though never have.  Also I feel there may be some numbness on my forehead, but I can't be too certain.  It seems associated with mild pressure on the top of my head, almost like a headache and general pressure almost nasally around the sinuses.  All ocular tests are normal, hearing is normal.  BP normal.  Blood glucose levels during episodes are normal.  No changes in vision.  General weakness on occasion but no deficits noted specifically.  Slight feeling off balance when lightheaded.  At times exacerbated while focusing on objects or reading on the computer.  Difficult to concentrate and remain focused.

Possibly due to sinusitis?  Also have a cracked upper wisdom tooth, but no apparent abscess or infection, although I am not 100% certain, however there is no pain from the area, nor appreciable swelling.

I am interested in some differential diagnoses you may have for this lightheadedness.

Hx: I'm a 28 year old male, with IDDM for 17 years and rheumatoid arthritis for the past 10.  Current meds include humalog, lantus, micardis, methotrexate, mobic, prevacid, folic acid, and prn pain medication.  This lightheadness is not associated directly with blood glucose levels or pain medications.

[Nagka242]

I have the same symptoms also with normal vitals. I am 18 and have had rheumatoid arthritis for 11 years now. I don't take any of the same medications so possibly it's a sign of the illness itself?

[AdrianJerry]

I understand you completely. I have been having light headedness, dizziness, and panic attacks due to these symptoms. I can't think clearly and it seemed that one day I awoke with these symptoms. I get so exhausted I can't do normal daily activities. I feel like I am in a constant fog and I can't even enjoy time with friends like I used to. I feel close to passing out at times and it scares me a lot. I am disappointed that all of these people with the same symptoms cannot find a definite solution to the problem.

[catgirl123456]

I have been suffering from the exact same symptoms on and off for the past two decades.  I originally got it around age 21.  I saw every kind of doctor and had every kind of test. All were normal.  The dizzy woozy feeling lasted for about 8 years and then eventually went away after my third child was born.  I am not sure exactly how long after. I just remember one day thinking that I finally felt normal again.  This past July I was driving to work and I got a strange feeling like I was going to faint. I felt very disoriented for a few seconds. It was almost like a panic attack. I have had symptoms of lightheadedness and panic ever since that day. I went back for more medical tests and all the doctors say the same thing- anxiety. I am the happiest person except for the way I feel . I have nothing to be anxious about except for these annoying symptoms. I pray every day to feel normal again. Anxiet medications have so far not helped. I am a huge hypochondriac, so this makes me absolutely insane. I just want a magic pill that will make it better!!

[mathewmefiu]

I had the same. It looks like you have xantines alergy (caffeine, theobromine, teine) so you cant have coffe, tea, chocolate, cocoa. Dont know how to test for it as no doctor could help me and I was thinking im going crazy. You can find book about it. If you stop it takes about half year to recover - ulness you are a smoker. But after a month you should feel big difference.
Symptoms are as above plus tingling or numbnes in arms and face but located only on one side of body. Felling you gona faint or puke. Narrowing of vision, panic attacks, sensitivity to light and cold, delusions and paranoia, swelling and bloting. Standard medical tests like blood etc dont show anything wrong with you.

[Kimberly44681]

I have been dealing with dizziness,numbness,"brain fog" and a few other symptoms for years now. I have been to many doctors everything checks out fine. I've been told it could be depression. Who wouldn't be depressed feeling like this daily. I can so relate to just wanting to feel normal. I feel like the doctors don't want to listen to my symptoms because there are so many.I want my life back.

[radam852]

Sorry that was "viral infection" not viral medication.

[radam852]

In the past I suffered from chronic sinusitis.  My initial problem a few months again was a recurrence.  I have a severe deviated septum, however I moved and I have been living in the Caribbean for the past year and half and the weather changes apparently have affected my sinuses.  Although odd findings, the severe dizziness and weakness were attributable to sinusitis.  It eventually settled down and was most likely a viral medication since two antibiotics didn't resolve the symptoms, however they dissipated over 3-4 weeks.  Currently, I still get bouts here and there of the dizziness and have returned to daily steroid nasal inhalants as a preventive measure.

[WantsToFeelNormal]

I have the exact same symptoms. Mine started with a panic attack... and now constantly lightheaded. It's lasted about two weeks now and I've had 3 panic attacks. Also the almost fainting, the tingling, and loss of concentration. I have been to an ENT, Neorologist, and balance specialist. So far all tests were normal: CAT scan, MRI,EKG,EEG,EchoCardiogram,and bloodwork. The Doc. said it could possibly be anxiety. However, the only thing i am anxious about is feeling normal. Please keep me posted if anything works for you...

[Nickliss]

I too have been experiencing something similar (except for the pressure on top of my head).  It started after I finished an RX for Biaxin.  I began having panic attacks and dizziness and lightheadedness.  The panic attacks have subsided, but the dizziness comes and goes throughout the day.  Sometimes my hands or feet tingle too, and sometimes my upper gum.  Also, when it gets really bad I feel like I am going to faint (although I never have).  I feel like I can't focus and it gets worse when concentrating or on the computer at work.  Lights bother me too when this happens.  I sometimes get a hum in my ears.  I have been to my doctor who, after blood tests, can't find anything wrong.  He now suggests I see a psychiatrist.  I have gone to an ENT who did find some fluid in each ear and has prescribed Nasonex daily.  So far, it is still the same.  I never thought of my sinuses.  I understand how you feel.

[BretB]

Interesting to read your situation.  I came down with a 103 fever 8 weeks ago and have been lightneaded ever since.  Getting out of be is the worst, with the floor seeming like it is tilted.  I am always zoned out, with some  spells of things being off kilter.  Never the spinning sensations I hear of with vertigo though.  More fatigue associated with this as well.  I have a doc visit coming up in 2 weeks, tehy suspect something wrong with my inner ear.  The lightheadedness never goes away which is alarming to me.  Some days I feel on th brink of blacking out as my eyes always feel strained.  Anything working for you by th way?  Bret

[dizzy_girl]

I don't think its due to high cholesterol because I get dizzy very frequently and don't have high cholestrol. They range from severe to very mild and I have had many blood tests to see if anything is wrong. But every time the test results come back perfect. My doctor first said that it may be Vertigo. But because my symptoms have become worse they are suspecting that my problem may be neurological, and I'm currently waiting to get an MRI scan. The dizzy spells are very annoying and I get weak after some of the stronger ones. I wish radam852 the best and that it isn't anything too serious.

[FRONTIERSSS]

I HAVE THE SAME CONDITION FOR 4 YEARS NOW,DO NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSING IT , MANY DOCTOR VISITS ,TO NO AVAIL ,IT COULD BE HIGH CHOLESTEROL THAT INTERFER IN THE CIRCULATION AND EXASBERATED BY STREE . OR FUNGUS INFECTION OF THE SINUSES, IT COULD BE SMOKING THAT ALTERED THE SINUSES PRESURE, OR IF YOU TOOK MANY ANTIBIOTIC IN YOUR LIFE YOUR GUT IS FULL OF FUNGUS THAT REPLACED THE LACTOSE LAYER IN THE INTENSINE ...TO GET RIDE OF IT TRY THREELAC ITS A PROBIATIC ,MANY SAY IT HELP, YOU CAN E MAIL ME AT ( ***@****). LOWER YOUR CHOLESTEROL RED WINE HELP WITH THAT ,OATMEAL,AND SLEEP EARLY EVERYNIGHT THAT SEEMS TO HELP,, IF IT IS ALLERGY TRY TO TAKE THE DESENSATIZATION SHOT ...GOOD LUCK,,,LET ME KNOW..THANKS
KYLE