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Avatar universal

always feel lightheaded, foggy and faint

Last night was rough, had to fight hard not to pass out.  I'm sick and tired of this.  I always feel lightheaded, foggy at times, off-balance, with occasional dizzy spell so heavy that I feel like I'm gonna pass out.  I've never been officially diagnosed with anxiety, depression or panick disorder eventhough my GP prescribed me Wellbutrin which I never took, cause the side effect is Dizziness.

I figured heck I'm dizzy as it is and I'm trying to figure out the cause, so why adding more pieces to the puzzle.  I know I'm under a lot of stress.  It all started 3 years ago when I passed out at the check out line.  Squad came checked me, minute later I was good enough to go home.  Saw my GP next day, run a few tests, did a cat scan all came out neg.  3 days later at work, I started feeling dizzy again, couldn't breathe, felt like I was gonna pass out, called the squad again, checked me and minute later I was feeling ok again.

So I decided ok enough is enough, I drove myself to the hospital all shaky and all. I was admitted and a million tests later all came out negative. They sent me home next day with diagnosis " Dehydration".

Well that was the beginning of my climb to calvary, my life has been h#*l eversince.  I can't go to the big box store without running out a few minutes later.  I can't stand in check out line without feeling I'm gonna pass out.  I don't go out unless I really have too, like work and short trips here and there.  I become heat intolerant, exercise intolerant, I have horrible nightmares most nights, and I wake up with my heart racing.  Numerous time I have to pull over when driving cause I feel faint.  

I'm seeing a neurologist mid oct, for I'm affraid there may be some wrong with my head.  I just want it to stop, I just wanna be normal again.  I actually wish my docs would come out flat and say you have anxiety problems.  I'm left guessing.  I'm thinking of going to see a pychologist.  I'm writing this and those dizzy spells are coming and going.  

I'm sick of it all, I cant stand the fogginess, the unreal space out feeling, the fainting feeling, the dizziness, the floaty off-balance feeling when I walk, the smothering feeling, the impemding doom. Sorry I was so long... Does anybody ever feel like this or is it just me?  Is that what anxiety and panick disorder are like?
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Avatar universal
Hello,

     I've been having these crazy symptoms on and off for years but only recently have they gotten worse. I feel a tunnel vision type experience when walking as if I need to hold on to the walls; afraid to fall. My head feels heavy and I begin to experience the sensation of impending falling. Even with the slightest bit of activity, I break out in a sweat; hair drenched. I get short of breath easily, weak in the extremities and even after sitting down, the feelings don't subside. This is truly debilitating. I've been to the ER countless times in the past; all thinking anxiety. Recently, however, I began having some bloating and gastrointestinal problems. So, I'm confused as to whether my symptoms are physical or of anxiety. I had an abdominal ultrasound done which revealed an enlarged spleen and contracted gallbladder; the doctor just prescribed probiotics...still no complete relief; still a tightness there with nausea. Second set of bloodwork showed low thyroid; never before had my thyroid tests shown anything other than normal results so kind of skeptical; low vitamin d was the only other finding. I can deal with anxiety but not the faint feelings, weakness or shortness of breath/heart palpitations...Those are the worst. Any insight?
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Avatar universal
Don't say impossible as I have woke up face down on the floor in a heavy sweat. I have same symptoms, and it has been over 4 months. I feel this way every minute I am awake.
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17022078 tn?1453112369
Have also been burping a lot after eating and drinking recently combined with the constant discomfort at base of breast bone could it be a digestive issue but why would that make my heart race . Anyone else had this its not heartburn just burping a lot.
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1 Comments
I have this same issue, everything you have said I'm going through. Have you figured out what's happening?
17022078 tn?1453112369
Mmm you could have something there I am going through menopause no period for 14 months now . Surely it would not make you feel this ill would it ?
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17022078 tn?1453112369
Your comment 'oh she said something was wrong ' I too think that all time cos when it comes on you feel so awful you think eh up this could be it all over then it passes n you carry on life as before. In a way it helps knowing others have similar unexplained symptoms shared experiences n all that but its not good to find docs are not solving or getting to bottom of it either. I wish you better health for future.
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17022078 tn?1453112369
Your symptoms are exactly like mine that weird discomfort in chest and tip of stomach yes you describe it perfectly. I'm not having the docs say depression or anxiety to me I'm definitely not that sort of person I feel I cope well with stress and probably only go docs once a yr and that's me flu jab.so they are not fobbing me off with that one. I've had this intemittent faint feeling n chest palpitations on n off for a few yrs but last few months got much more frequent before it was feeling faint n sickly now its chest discomfort n racing heart which makes me feel pretty dreadful for the 10 or 15 mins till it passes.
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17022078 tn?1453112369
Omg this is me at last I have googled the exact response I was looking for to match my symptoms.Actually feeling yukk and heart racing as I type. I too was told after an echo I had a slight leak on one valve but it was nothing to worry about. It comes n goes two or three times a day but I have gone a week n been fine. Horrid faint feeling weird tightness in chest just below sternum have to deep breathe till it passes. Also have neck n back pain upper area and arm aches though this clicks at shoulder so think it may be entirely separate issue.I don't think its panic attacks in not worrying about anything really and it can come on in middle of night when I'm asleep. So bad one time I felt I was having heart attack n got ambulance out but was ok by time they arrived well ish. Fed up with it it seems I can rush about be active n I'm fine and then when I want to have a nice rest I start feeling queer .blast of cold air and drinking water helps my diets ok and I'm not fat. Gonna read all these posts sounds so like me. Having 24 hr monitor on next week my pulse is always 50 or below and low blood pressure.
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Avatar universal
I've been feeling like this for about a month now! I've gone to the ER like 6 times in this month alone and the test results keep coming back negative. I haven't felt normal ever since and now am going to visit my neurologist to see what is wrong with my head. Any suggestions on what might help with the dizziness as I am in a soccer club and I haven't been able to play. I just really want to go back to normal to continue with my dreams and live normal life. P.S. I've watched a bunch of videos of people being killed or deaths. Could that be the leading cause to my anxiety? Please help.
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Avatar universal
I have the exact same thing I 've been treated for etd. Bbpv. And nothing has helped. I hate the dizzy spells and feeling like my head is not attached to my body I have been in a panic attack for about 3 months now because of it all.it's really getting me depressed I'm wondering if I will ever feel normal again
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Avatar universal
Feeling Like faint Most times & feel dizzy mostly for Past 5 months, I have gone so many doctors, All Blood tests, ECG, Liver test, Bp test done But all are fine according to a doctors results, Also ear test done too not to worry about that, Finally a doctor advised me to see a psychiatrist, Because of my Chronic alcohol, Smoking, Caffeine usages + Mental stress Depression worries cause damages to the nerves of the cerebellum(Brain), So that it cause dizzy sensation, feeling like faint. anxiety Etc.. Suddenly The Psychiatrist advised me to drop all the habits like Alcohol usage, Smoke, caffeine, Coke usages etc, I stopped every all above habits for past 2 months, Also taking some multivitamin & Lonozep 2 mg( Sleepy pills to sleep peacefully Rest for brain from negative thoughts only on night times only for a month / Then no need to take any pills) Now i feel better, Also the Psychiatrist conditioned me to should not touch any of the alcoholic beverages, smoke, caffeine, coke or soft drinks for the life time, He told after 5 -6 months this problem will diagnose completely, Thanks for God, If anyone have feeling like faint or dizzy ,giddy feel long times that might be a cause of alcohol. smoke & caffeine abuse so please stop using this then you wont feel this evil issues after a month or in 2 months,You should not take a puff of smoke a bit of alcohol because it will increase the problem severe, For Ex : if you put a sand in wound what will happen? The same way of this issues,
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Avatar universal
I am glad for you.  The people in my life don't believe in mental illness, they believe it is a choice and that I can just choose to be fine.  God knows I wish that were true
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Avatar universal
Yeah it is now a sweet distant memory to be that thing everyone else refers to as "normal"   I need help but am so tired of saying I don't feel well to people that its just better to suffer in silence. When I am alone (rarely) I curl up in bed in the fetal position and just let go of the leash I constantly have to hold on to to maintain my sanity.  My conclusion is I am not alright in the head and most likely never will be again.  Sadness, helplessness, hopelessness, fill me when all I am trying to do is feel the joy and happiness and pride I should be feeling for my great kids.
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Avatar universal
Um don't feel alone.  I have had these symptoms and oh so much more.  Like something goes odd in my vision like I am hooded and things lose color or the pressure in my head that isn't pain just not letting my brain cooperate and for lack of better words, the feeling like my soul just wants to jump out of my chest and leave me totally insane.  No doctors can help.  Tried all kinds.  I have just come to the conclusion that may be my only chance of sanity is finding people who are just as insane as I.
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Avatar universal
Hey, I know how you feel for 8 months I've been dizzy, lightheaded,and what not. Just about 3 days ago I went to my family doctor which I trust alot great doctor. He said it was anxiety and depression. I did blood work, neurologist and got my heart looked at all perfect. I just started ciperlax to see if it will help, I feel your pain. Your strong you'll be good I always say to my self things only get better. I have been to about 10 different doctors in 8 months cause I didn't believe anyone. But everyone of them all said the same thing. Anxiety and depression. They couldn't find anything wrong with me.
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Avatar universal
You are very much not alone. I'm 16 and have suffered from anxiety for as long as I can remember, and just over the past few years I've acquired depression and I'm currently recovering from anorexia. Anyways, I've always been able to cope with my anxiety with the help of therapy every few weeks, but randomly about a month ago I got home from school one day and it was like everything just snapped. I was so depressed and so incredibly anxious my mom had to give me these pills to calm me down and help me sleep because I couldn't stop crying. I was bed ridden that week, so light-headed, my brain felt like it was so foggy. I would lay in bed and have everything happen around me but it was like I couldn't even process anything. It's incredibly scary, which of course doesn't help settle the anxiety. I was so tired from the moment I got up, had anxiety/panic attacks a few times that week. They were very intense. I got the motivation to get my *** to see my doctor because I knew I needed medication at that point to help me over the hump. He prescribed me Cipralex and now I'm taking 10mg a day. I've been taking it for about 3 weeks now. Each day is still foggy and I'm lightheaded and whatnot, but at least now I can get out of bed and walk around my house, whereas 3 weeks ago I could barely lay in bed without becoming very anxious. I'm not sleeping through the night, I've begun grinding my teeth in my sleep and for the time being I'm not going to school.

Anyways, I could just keep typing but I'll save everyone from reading my novel haha. I'm so very relieved that other people experience the foggy head/lightheaded thing on a daily basis like me! I explained the feeling to my mom by telling her it feels like there's plastic wrap wrapped around my brain or something... making me not be able to think, remember things very well, concentrate... it feels as if the solution is as simple as unwrapped the plastic wrap from my brain and then I will be able to think clearly and function again! But of course that's not the case, because it's not plastic wrap, it's anxiety.

Hang in there everyone. It might not be easy sometimes, but I know all of you will be okay (and ARE okay right now). Anxiety can be crippling but it is curable! It's not a forever thing.
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Avatar universal
i have had every test under the sun from MRI cardiographs even angeograms I've also experienced wlevety symptom for every disease there is and I'm convinced there's been something wrong with me for over a year yet drs find nothing but severe anxiety I even spent 3 days in psych unit having psychotropic meds that I was convinced were making my heart race yet my bp has always been normal one day I woke with a cold sore on my lip and have not felt like myself since the past year has been a nightmare for both me and my family I'm starting to fear it will never endorsed
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Avatar universal
I am new to the forum. I feel the exact same things as you do. I have had them about 12 years but the last year suddenly it has picked up tremendously. They put me on a mood stabilizer but by coincidence i am more dizzy.
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Avatar universal
Thank you for such a positive outlook :)
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Avatar universal
Thought I'd give you guys an update since it's been so long.  

First I must say I'm so sorry to hear how much you guys or a family member are suffering from this.  My heart goes out to you cause I remember those feelings and they are horrifying. Fighting constant dizziness and fainting feeling is the worst feeling ever.

I’ve been feeling better lately, thank God.  It's been a journey, a day to day battle, both emotionally and physically. For a moment I had lost hope, and thought I was never gonna get better.  But personally for me, I first had to accept the fact that I have an anxiety problem.  

One thing I hear over and over about getting healed from anxiety is “you must read and educate yourself as much as you can about the disease”.  
You have to learn the Do’s and Don’ts.  You have to learn the small steps.  You have to learn to take it a day at a time. The mistake I made I wanted to find this “one magic pill” that would cure me overnight.  It wasn’t happening and I was getting more and more frustrated, hence releasing more and more stress. It was a dominoe effect.

But the reality is getting cure from anxiety, panic attacks and any mental illness is a day to day affair, it’s a journey. I found several books that were really helpful to me.  One in particular is a book I got from amazon by M. Ludovic "Escaping Anxiety & Panic Disorder".  It really opened my eyes.  I found a lot of similarities like us, and the day to day steps made a huge difference in my life today.

It's a lifestyle change, but one that is a must and really doable.  No one should be living like this.  We all know that already.  But to be honest, once in a while I’ll get complacent and do the things I’m not supposed to do…  so I’ll get one of those nasty feelings come rushing back for a split second and it’ll scare the crap out of me.  No way my friends, will I ever go back there again – no sir!  

So there is hope, things can get better, and will get better.  But you have to fight, do not give up.  Know as much as you can about your condition, the doctors are not going to help us.  They think we’re nuts.  So hang in there, there’s hope.  I’m better today and so can you.

Hope everyone have a wonderful day.
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Avatar universal
I have been having panic attacks a lot recently although I have had themmost of my life, it seems to be getting worse that now I don't even get in the car to go to the store unless I have someone with me, I am taking Xanax............the reason I am writing today is because I went to a festival and thought that I was going to pass out and when I got dizzy I went straight into a panic attack, think I brought it on myself by worrying that I was going to have one........this is an on and off thing for me, but it has gotten worse due to the stress of my daughter passing and my other daughter fighting with me.............I am at my wits end, cant even drive for fear of having a panic attack, it was good that I googled this and found this site although it is 2yrs old, it did help to know that others are experiencing this, my eyes are still stinging from the attack even though it was hours ago, thanks
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Avatar universal
Glad I found this. My daughter is 14 and has been suffering lightheadedness for a few years. Doctors keep telling me it is common at her age and due to hormones and periods. She as now started her periods but is still feeling the same lightheaded feeling a lot. She is scared to go out in case it happens and it happens nearly everyday at school. She loves horse riding but it even happens when she does that sometimes. She won't even go inot a shop without feeling like it and pulling me out and wanting to go home. It never happens at home so surely it can't be anything serious. Please help someone, it is ruining her life and mine, I miss us going out together. She even wants to be homeschooled beacuse of it, but that is just running away from it isn't it.
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Avatar universal
hello everyone,

Ive been going thru ur posts, it sad to say this but i feel a little bit relieved knowing that other people on this planet are suffering frm the same weird feelings i am feeling.

I am 27 years old, it all started like 4 years ago when i passed out and my body started to lack energy and even power to stand up.

i feel lightheaded all the time and about to faint with this weird discomfort in my chest and tip of my stomach, sometimes i just feel i need to press my back against something to survive, i sometimes feel that my blood pressure is low when it is not.

I went to 23 drs, and did all kind of blood tests, echos, ecg, eeg, MRI ect,,, and all my tests said i was healthy just like anybody else.

i ended up seeking the help of a neurologist since most of the drs said its all caused by stress (when am sure i became stressed after having experienced these feelings). he prescribed anti depressants so we started to journey of trying the antidepressant type that would help. tried many and many... nothing helped eliminating my symptoms, some meds reduced the weird feelings at times.

i dont think i suffer frm panic attacks, since they are short... my case is hectic because i suffer frm the same symptoms of panic attacks but it lasts for weeks, months :(

i am now not able to work or to live my life normally but am too determined to get out of this vicious circle, but how!!!!??? any suggestions?

Take care!
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7916034 tn?1395344043
Hi coconutboy...I see you haven't been on here lately, so hopefully you are feeling better these days :) You mentioned you have MVP. I'm not a doctor, but I have the same thing and I've had all of those symptoms at one time or another. I can give you my personal experience that I have had with MVP. Before I was diagnosed with MVP, the doctors thought it was all anxiety. Women are told their symptoms are anxiety a lot more than men. I was told the same thing you were told...MVP doesn't cause all this and it really doesn't, but it's all related. There are symptom free people who have MVP, but I wasn't one of those lucky people. One doctor finally helped me and put me on a beta blocker...Lopressor. That changed my life, but it didn't take away every one of my symptoms. I had a super fast heart rate and Lopressor helped that tremendously. I'm still on it, but I'm on a much lower dose now. In fact, I think I am at the point where I can finally get off of it completely after being on it for 22 years. My cardiologist told me a lot of people outgrow these symptoms later in life. At the time, I thought that was crazy, but he was 100% right because I am way better than I used to be. Thank goodness I have a good cardiologist :)

Over the years, I've read a lot about MVP and many people with MVP have a lot of scary symptoms. There is a lot of controversy about MVP. The doctors aren't sure what causes what, but it's all related...anxiety plus other symptoms...and MVP. My symptoms were so bad that I had to quit exercising at the time. Every time I would exercise, I would get worse. It all started at the gym. I was doing aerobics and lifting weights for 7 years when I started having a lot of weird symptoms. I was getting bad pain in my left arm, dizziness, feeling lightheaded to the point of almost passing out, trouble breathing, and my heart rate was way out of control...240 bpm. I knew this wasn't all anxiety related, although I was under stress at the time, too. Exercise helps stress, though, right? That's what I knew, so I knew there was something else going on other than just anxiety. I was in great shape and there was no reason that I couldn't physically exercise...other than MVP. A lot of people with MVP have low exercise tolerance. I was overdoing it at the time, which I believe contributed to some of my symptoms. I'll never ever do that again.

There's a condition called Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome. Check it out and see if that sounds like you. It's an imbalance of the autonomic nervous system and a lot of people with MVP have it. It's really not a fun thing to live with, but once I actually found out what was going on and I was treated properly with Lopressor (which was what I personally needed), my symptoms calmed down. It's scary not knowing what is wrong with you and the doctors don't understand it, either. They get frustrated, too, because they don't know how to fix it. My symptoms have come and gone over the years, but I always stayed on the beta blocker. I'm not saying you need a beta blocker at all. You may not, but I did because of my fast heart rate. What helps me and others with this condition is to stay away from sugar and caffeine, eat healthy, get enough sleep, and try to keep stress to a minimum. I would say moderate exercise, but I wouldn't overdo it. That's my opinion.

I've had this condition for years and I'm still alive, although I thought I was going to die numerous times. lol I learned how to live with it and I stopped running to the ER every time something weird happened to me. I've had almost every test in the book done in the past, including a heart catheterization at a young age...which all came back normal except for a couple of my echocardiograms. I was then told that I have a mild case of MVP. The case may be mild, but the symptoms weren't. Check out this website. It may help you. Let me know if you think you have MVPS. Of course, always go to your doctor if you feel you need to. I'm just telling you my personal experience to try to help you and any others with MVP. It sounds like you may be experiencing MVPS. Best of luck to you and to everyone here with your specific health problems. I hope you all feel better and live a long, happy life! :) Those of you with MVP, check out this website. It can help you tremendously. http://www.mitralvalveprolapse.com.
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Avatar universal
My doctor never had a clue what was going on with me. They stuck me on different medications guessing that it would help me but they never did a THING!

A friend recommended Dr. Ben Gonzalez in silver spring, MD and he found out that I had a fibroid the size of a grapefruit that was causing blood loss that cause anemia that caused my dizziness! No other doctor even got close!

He wrote an article about what happens when doctors don’t know whats wrong.

http://www.atlantismedcenter.com/blog/everything-is-normal/

Might help you a little:o)
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