Am I allergic to my house or is it just allergies in general?

[SLucia]

I am not sure if I am in the right place to get advice on my current condition, but I am hoping that someone might help me identify what is causing me to feel poorly. I have recently started experiencing "spells" in the evening that have included a dull, pressure headache behind my eyes, dizziness with some vertigo, a slight nausea or stomach discomfort, and sometimes a feeling of pressure in my ears.

I had initially thought that this might be related to an ear infection, however I have not had any ear pain, and I noticed that I feel fine throughout the day and only start to feel this way an hour or so after coming home. I was told that it might also be related to sinus build up or allergies to something in my home, but I am not congested and the house, to my knowledge, does not have any toxins or possible irritants. I was worried that it might be carbon monoxide, but I replaced the batteries in my tester and it hasn't detected anything.

I'm really starting to worry that something is wrong and I don't even know where to begin looking for something in my home that might be causing this. I haven't been able to do much in the evenings because it seems to be irritated by standing up and moving around, and I go to sleep every night feeling like my bed is spinning. I'm starting to lose my appetite and I'm much more easily irritated that I was before.

Can anyone help me?

[lv2gardn]

A related discussion, Is this asthma or am I alergic to my house? was started.

[rycer23]

I have had similar problems over the course of 16 months - I have constant dizzyness during this time - my ENT said that I had Begign Positional Vertigo -  i dont believe I have had this though but I do have a left ear weakness but no hearing loss - I was hit between the eyes when this dizzyness stuff happened (equilibrium, balance, etc) - I too had suspected environmental issues because I dont seem to have as many episodes outside my home as I do in the house. I have had just about every test known to man with MRI and Cat scans of my brain and sinuses, blood tests and all. You might want to go to an ENT and get checked up on.  My main problems were a rocking sensation or moving sensation, kinda like being on a boat type of thing, Although this has improved, I still have dizzyness between the eyes (where I got hit - I should mention that I did have a nose fracture due to it) - The other thing I would suggest is maybe seeing a osteopathic dr. who manipulates your head. In my case, he believes I had lots of compression in that area that affects cranial nerves and what not. The body is weird thing, Doctors simply dont know everything thats why they call it a  practice - and not everything that is unexplained is life threatening - im a prime example that you can have this stuff for 16 months without them figuring out whats going on. I can tell you if your stressed about it, it will make it worse. Good luck, Bryan

[National Jewish Health]

It is very astute of you to suspect carbon monoxide (CO) and that may well be the problem.  You should not depend upon the negative response of your carbon monoxide detector, especially if it is old.  Battery replacement and pushing the test button only indicates that the alarm is working; not that the sensor is working.  It would be important to note if your symptoms persist when you are away from your home for 24 to 48 hours or more and if they worsen on weekends.  There is no other toxin that might be found in your home that would cause the symptoms you describe, aside from orally ingested toxins; that is chronic poisoning from a substance such as lead or arsenic.

What you describe is worrisome and must be investigated without delay.  Benign and malignant tumors and circulatory disorders can cause the symptoms you have recently begun to experience.

I recommend that you 1) have your home tested for CO, either with the purchase of a new CO monitor or independently by someone from a local gas and electric supplier, and 2) contact your primary care doctor without delay, explain your symptoms and request consultation with a neurologist.  There is urgency to this, especially if the problem resides in the circulation at the back of your brain.

Please let us know what is found.  Good luck.