Trouble during sleep

[Nikko]

One morning about 3 months ago I was diagnosed with an inner ear infection due to being very dizzy for days. Since my initial bout I have been experiencing several symptoms which include: an overall lightheadedness feeling, tingling sensations on various body parts at times, pounding heart, dizziness due to a rushing sensation to my head, and tightness about where my sternum is. These symptoms are not always present and occur mostly when I am sitting or sleeping. I have had a complete blood test and a Holter monitor and all tests were negative. I work out 3 times a week, am not overweight, do not drink alcohol, have 1 cup of coffee in the morning, do not drink soda, and eat a well balanced diet. I am not happy with my current physician (HMO) so I am looking for some advice on what this could be. I am starting to get paranoid about having some weird illness due to being only 39. Can I rule out things like MS, Parkinson's, brain tumor, etc.. Please help. Thanks!

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

If you truly had some kind of inner ear infection, this could represent a type of post-viral syndrome. There are other conditions such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) that can manifest in this way, especially when turning in bed or sitting up from a lying position. Certain maneuvers on the physical exam can bring out the symptoms, helping to make the diagnosis, and ther are maneuvers you can do to symptomatically relieve the dizziness (see BPPV and Epley maneuver at www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic57.htm) .

Anxiety could also play a role with the pounding heartbeat and chest tightness (glad the Holter was normal). This is unlikely to be parkinson's dz or a brain tumor. MS is a possibility, but typically there would be other signs/symptoms. If you are able, talk to your HMO doc about getting a neuro referral just to have everything checked out. If there is something concerning about the neuro exam, an MRI of the brain could be helpful. Good luck.

[CrissyM]

A related discussion, Dizzy while dreaming was started.

[Annie4944]

A related discussion, tingling sensation in lower body during sleep was started.

[georgiagal]

I have the same problems.  I was dizzy constantly.  It was determined to be an inner ear infection.  The dizziness is better, but my hands and feet are always very cold.  Any ideas as to what would cause this problem??

[wadebt]

Hi Nikko,

What you have described is very similar to what I've been experiencing for the last 7 months. I too, was told I had an inner ear infection after being lightheaded and dizzy. Just curious, do you notice cold extremities or have any cold intolerance ?

Hope you read this; please feel free to contact me by e-mail, ***@****

[prabin]

I am an 18  yr old student. I cannot sleep well and usually have nightmares .Sometimes when i get up i feel very much dizzy
for 2 - 3 hrs .Some months ago i wasn't even able to open my eyes for1 to 3 hrs after i get up .Even now i have got headaches.
this is becoming more and more troublesome for me please help me relieve from this pain .

thank u