Chronic Lightheaded/Dizziness/Vertigo/Sensitivity to light and movement/Vestibular Rehab?

[GirlLovesNY]

For 6 years I've been suffering with chronic lightheadedness. I'm extra sensitive to exerting myself mentally/physically... and too much visual stimulus (ex: from shopping/computer use), makes my symptoms so much worse.
So, if I go to a mall, for example, I'll be a bit overwhelmed by all the lights and people. The longer I'm in the mall, the greater the chance of me feeling dizzy, or rarely get a full blown vertigo attack (i always feel worse the longer I'm there). My eyes feel exhausted (they even burn sometimes), and I've subjected myself to wearing sunglasses 24/7 to help reduce the stimulation.
I went to numerous doctors to no avail. An ENT ordered an MRI and did some testing on my ears with the Audiologist - all came back negative. He said that perhaps I have anxiety, but recommended Vestibular Rehabilitation. (I even went on anti-depressants, and even though I felt happier, I still felt chronically lightheaded, and xanax made me feel too exhausted)

So I went for Vestibular Rehab, but I had great difficulty focussing on anything, I felt like I was seeing sparkles all around. I find it very hard for my eyes to focus on one area - they constantly want to move around. I've been to numerous doctors, from internists, endocrinologists, rheumatologists, psychiatrists, neurologists, opthamalogists, etc. Each one (including the psychiatrist) has been telling me my problem is not within their field. Maybe I got myself some bad doctors. It's hard to explain my entire story to any one particular doctor. I'm hoping and praying someone can understand my problem and offer some solutions.

Quick Overview of symptoms:
1)Chronic 24/7 lightheadedness (like I'm not in reality)
2)Chronic dizziness (feeling off balance), rare vertigo attacks (room spinning, not alleviated by laying down)
3)Overwhelmed by lights, people, driving, movement, mental activity
4)Physical activity (working out) makes me feel more lightheaded, more dizzy
4)Exhausted, burning eyes
5) Visual problems focussing , seeing sparkles
6)Ocular migraines may come as a result of everything


Could all this be caused by Anxiety/Depression even though I'm not feeling anxious/depressed when I enter these situations (I'm not breathing abnormal, no hyperventilation, and I could be laughing having a great time when these symptoms appear)

[Butterfliqueen5]

I realize this is an old post, but research Meniere's Disease. An ENT could diagnosis you after other tests eliminate other possibilities. A VNG (Videonystagmography) would help in diagnosing after other issues have been ruled out.

[borrtles]

I have had these same symptoms for 24 yrs. I slipped on ice hit my head...was unconscious for several minutes I'm guessing and woke up to find a strange dog licking my face....have had every test under the sun....no diagnosis as yet....been a struggle most days to get myself up and go to work.....Have become much less sociable....Best of luck to you!!...

[DJDocs]

Feeling the exact way as yourself, you couldn't have put the wording more better.  Though with having a lump of wastage on the back of my brain from Encephalitis, accompanied with the seven sounds from the tinnitus that are getting noisier, one thing that has been helping me big time is lightening the load and putting the feet up more often, even though I've three lovely girls and work full-time at home, promote my novel, distribute movies and run an online business.  Believe it or not it helps quite a lot, as I get real bad painful stinging coming from the soul of my feet, in the middle of the small toes.  Though what I've found out is that is connected to the ears, where lightening the work and putting the feet up, even if it's lying down for 20 minutes, it works wonders.  If you could keep me up to date with any other hints and tips you have to help keep the dizzy spells and light headedness away, which don't help the seizures much, I would be very grateful.  My email address is: - ***@****.  Many thanks and good luck for now. David J. Dougherty - Author to "A Killer of Camp".

[DJDocs]

Feeling the exact way as yourself, you couldn't have put the wording more better.  Though with having a lump of wastage on the back of my brain from Encephalitis, accompanied with the seven sounds from the tinnitus that are getting noisier, one thing that has been helping me big time is lightening the load and putting the feet up more often, even though I've three lovely girls and work full-time at home, promote my novel, distribute movies and run an online business.  Believe it or not it helps quite a lot, as I get real bad painful stinging coming from the soul of my feet, in the middle of the small toes.  Though what I've found out is that is connected to the ears, where lightening the work and putting the feet up, even if it's lying down for 20 minutes, it works wonders.  If you could keep me up to date with any other hints and tips you have to help keep the dizzy spells and light headedness away, which don't help the seizures much, I would be very grateful.  My email address is: - ***@****.  Many thanks and good luck for now. David J. Dougherty - Author to "A Killer of Camp".

[Martina85]

I've been suffering with chronic dizziness, exhaustion, nausea, hot flashes, headaches, migraines, shortness of breath, can't handle bright  lights, malls, can't use computers for too long. Severe motion sickness from just looking at a boat.... Horrible way to live. I've been to all kids of doctors with no luck. Finally getting an MRI to rule out MS and brain tumor possibility. After excessive research and reading about my symptoms I stumbled upon  Dysautonomia, very hard to detect and most doctors are not familiar with it. For  An average person with this disorder it takes 2-4 years to be properly diagnosed. Might be something worth talking to your doctor about. I will certainly ask my neurologist about it. Good luck to everybody!

[Tash1011]

I have the same symptoms - tiredness, dizziness, headaches - and have been diagnosed with vertigo.  Although I feel dizzy and fatigued, I do exercise.  I am now trying natural, homeopathic medication.  Vitamin D has helped alleviate the dizzy attacks.  Also, I stopped eating gluten (I was eating it every single day ie. bagels).  Many restaurants have gluten-free menus.  Honestly, every thing is made with gluten but so far it has been a few days and I am beginning to feel better.

I am still consulting with doctors.  I want to be completely free of vertigo.  This is my 2nd bout.  The first time occurred about 5 years ago.

[country72402]

I have the same symptoms as girllovesNY except mine is not 24/7.  I wake up feeling pretty good or after taking a nap.  I am usually totally exhausted by noon or shortly after.  A nap makes a world of difference.  I am retired and I am sure that those who work really have a tough time dealing with this.  A friend of mine that has this same thing told me to try Advil Cold and Sinus.  It does seem to help.  I just recently ordered Vertigoheel.  The reviews on this all seem to say it really helps their symptoms.  Worth the try.

[Evanpham]

Hi I've been having the same symptoms for 3 and a half years and was wondering if we could email each other? My email is ***@**** and i would really appreciate it if you emailed me. If anyone on this forum wants to you could email me too and we could compare stuff to try and figure it out. I've been to quite a bit of doctors so I've ruled alot out. Thanks (:

[Finny1122]

Hi,  

  I have not had sinusitis nor do i take any medicine for allergies.  I take multivitamins everyday but that does not improve the situation.  Thank you.

[afsardero]

this is not due to  anxiety or depression but probably i think before this u may gone through sinusitis( mucus secretion from nose) or may be u use some allergic medications like ketotifen.? your condition doesn't have any specific treatment . u may try some herbs which contain vitamins and minerals in it as like Shilajit( found in Karakorum,Himalaya regions). also do routinely exercise ,hope it will may benefit u.

thank you.
Pharmacist

[Finny1122]

Hi there,

  I too have pretty much the same issues/sensations as most of you and especially to the original post.  I have had numerous bloodwork, ECG's, sleep apnea studies etc performed and everything always comes back normal.  I now wear glasses but that does not help either and get lightheaded feelings often when I am in bright rooms and malls etc.  

  I have been experiencing this for three years and it is only getting worse.  I too am now on antidepressants to deal with anxiety that I believe was brought on by constantly worrying about whether or not I was going to get another dizzy/lightheaded attack.  I feel very faint during these attacks and nothing seems to help.  The antidepressants make me feel happier but have done nothing for the lightheadedness.  I have an MRI scheduled for next month also.  

  I had a bad ear infection several years ago that led to a perforated ear drum but my doctor tells me it is completely healed and is not Vertigo.

  Has anyone actually recieved a diagnosis or have any idea what could help this issue?  Thanks for any responses that are posted.

Fintan

[wassel]

Has anyone had any treatment methods that work. My husband has been suffering from many of the same symptoms. He has tried almost every drug for migraines and seen every doctor with no results. All of his test come out negative with comments like you are the healthiest person we have ever seen...any ideas?

[similarsymptoms]

If you're still having problems, you may want to consider having yourself tested for deficiencies of any vitamins. Vitamin B2/Riboflavin can be related to light sensitivity/photophobia. I understand your struggle, as I've had many times I'd have to wear sunglasses, even indoors, because of light sensitivity. Usually I could take them off after awhile, but I still easily can get enough irritation to wear I feel dizzy and nauseated, and need to lay down for awhile.

Hopefully if your problem isn't fixed, maybe a blood test could suggest something.

[worriedzraw22]

Hi, my mom is constantly lightheaded and has to sit down quite a bit, she is sometimes helping at grade schools with flourescent lights... She has random dizzy spells... I looked up what it could be and i got these
-chronic lightheadedness
-heart attack
-iron defiency
The beginning and last arent too bad but the middle one freaked me out... Please someone assure me that it isnt a heart attack...  Kind and hopeful reguards
Zachery

[hk309]

Hi,
I hope that are doing better now.
I was wondering if you were diagnosed or received any treatments that helped you.  My mom has been experiencing the same exact things for years and has seen her regular dr, neurologist and psychiatrist but has got no better...actually every year it's worse.
Thank you.
HK

[Anne7963]

I only get dizzy when in a large store or mall with lights, and driving during daylight, and at night, the other car's headlights make me dizzy.

[olivia224]

i too have sort of the same symptoms...and i think it is anixety b.c i am constantly thinking...i hope i dont get dizzy when im...at the mall..driving...etc. soo i thikn it is tha idk....:(

[m3lanie]

Please post information so others can be helped. thanks

[mustangman90]

hey im 19 and i have the exact same symptoms...i cant drive on highways cuz i get a wierd feeling in gut as well as all the other feelings and i just have like a little attack and idk if thats what is or what but i also have all the same symptoms as you talked about and i do drink and smoke regularly i wonder if thats the cause of it but i wonder...please someone help

[wabs09]

I have the same symptoms and then some, can all 3 of us email each other?  I have a post in neurology maybe you would like to read it and we can compare notes.  my email address is seanngina @ Att net

[cfc1231]

Hi there, do you have an email address? I have the exact symptoms as you.  ****** ruining my life

[GirlLovesNY]

I wanted to add that I have tinnitus