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Light headed, headache, spacey feeling. Tons of tests done, no result.

Hi,

For the past 2 months I have had a light headed/spacey/light dizzy/headache feeling where none of which is dominate. Its really hard to explain, probably because its a new feeling, but its a mixture of all four rolled into one. I usually have it with in 30 mins of waking up and it lasts the whole day. Kinda how you feel when you're sleepy, but want to stay up cuz your favorite TV show is coming on. Sometimes its minor, but sometimes its more severe and I find it hard to concentrate.

I have been to a regular doctor who said it was an inner ear infection. After weeks of meds he referred me to an ENT who said it was not an inner ear infection (or that the meds I was on cleared it up). The ENT ordered a sinus X-Ray, VNG, and MRI all of which were normal. I had to goto the ER one night and was dismissed due to "Anxiety Headache". I was there referred to a Neurologist and have had an EEG and ultrasound of my neck and head (blood flow) done, all were normal. My next step is a 24 hour EEG, that's coming up in 2 weeks. Blood pressure is normal sitting, standing, and laying down. I have had my eyes checked, no change in eye glass prescription. I have no problems walking, standing, talking, etc... I just have this persistent feeling that I cannot shake.

All the tests coming back negative is good... and bad as it's not telling me what has been happening to me for the past two months. My neurologist said that it could be a chemical imbalance and would require psychologically, is this the correct step for me next? I dunno. Could chiropractics help? Should I see a cardiologist next? Is it my anxiety?

I have RBBB, HSV2, and some anxiety problems (minor) and am not on any meds. I sometimes take Valtrex for the HSV2, but that's on an as needed basis.

Help.
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Avatar universal
Hi,

I read your threads and have similar symptoms. It all started 4months ago. I developed this endless pressure in between my eyes which eventually caused pain on the top of my head to the back and then back to the front.  The pain felt like it would never go away.  At first I thought it was my eyes because in the end of June 2009 I was on the computer and then all of a sudden I received this sharp pain and saw white light. I never thought it was anything big.  But I started to notice dizziness whenever I went out to eat. As soon as I sat down, I would feel nauseas and dizzy and wanted to get up and leave.  Now the thought of pregnancy has crossed my mind but I ruled that out after have my blood tested.  I also thought I was hyperglycemia or anemia but nothing showed up unsual.  So I waited for a month and tried the over the counter drugs for Sinus infections from capsules, to netti pot.  Then when I couldnt take the headaches and pressure, I went to see another doctor.  She then had me take a CT scan on my head to check out my brain. Of course that came back fine. No cancer or tumors.  But I still couldn't shake this awful feeling. I'd get anxiety and warm flushing feeling on my arms and fingers. Then I'd have trouble breathing and get real hot.  I then went to an ENT to have them check out my sinuses. Because this never ending pressure below my eyes and cheek bones still around. She said I was fine and that there was not sinus infection.  Now I forgot to mention that the 2nd doctor who did the CT scan prescribed me three things.  Antibiotics, Allegra D 24 and Paxil.  I only took the antibiotics. I dont believe in all those meds especially the anxiety ones.  Having said all this...I started to do the netti pot again, it did help some what of the face pressure.  I decided to try St. Johns Wort instead of Paxil to see how it goes.  The only thing that bugs me is the random dizzy spells and when I get them my head feels like someone is taking a windup knob and turning either on forehead, or top of head or back. Its a very unpleasant feeling that leads to spaciness...which feels like i'm closing in or trapped. Like I can see objects in front of me or if someone is talking, I can see and hear but that darn feeling makes me feel very uncomfortable and causes panic.  So as of today, I'm going to try my own remedies, to think positive and take herbal remedies and see where this takes me.  If it fails then my next step is group therapy.  So I am with you on not knowing what the heck this is about.  I was fine way before and all of a sudden it all hit me.  I hope you find answers as well as myself so we can live a happier, positive, discomfort free feeling!!
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Avatar universal
You described my symtoms exactly and i have determined through months of record keeping/observations that this is directly related to the HSV2 virus
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Avatar universal
Hi. I thought I would give an update. My Ambulatory EEG was fine and the doc said my vitamin B12 was a bit low (judging from my blood work). He said that, physically, nothing was wrong with my head but thinks there might be a chemical imbalance. He prescribed me Pamelor and asked that I contact a psychiatrist and start counseling my anxiety or other causes.

I'm not one to pop pills, but certainly not one that like to take pills that alter or suppress chemicals in the brain. I have decided to go forward with the psychiatrist plan and see what (s)he has to say. If (s)he also recommends Pamelor or a drug similar, I'll just have to get over my fears of those types of meds and do it in the hope of feeling better.

I also have a problem with blood in my stool when I drink soda or coffee, see this thread:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/755061
I wonder if my lightheartedness is anxiety from seeing blood in my stool, in that case it would be in my head. Or maybe its the direct cause and I've been looking in the wrong place this whole time. The prob could be below my shoulders.

Dunno. :(
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, I experienced the same symptoms about 12 months after giving up smoking, 20 a day for 20 years. I was light headed sometimes with a gripping headache and as I turned my head it felt like a second or two before my eyes caught up. I was sleeping ok, blood pressure normal, brain scan normal and blood test normal. I was working full time and on shifts and did not feel any more stressed or anxious than at any other time.
This went on for about 10 months and the doctor after all tests prescribed fluoxetine 20mg (prozac) which was an anti-depressant, didn't in any way feel depressed but after 4-6 weeks started feeling better and remained on them for about a year, changed habits and started relaxation techniques. Came off them about 5 years ago and have been fine ever since. Hope this helps.
G
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Avatar universal
Thanks again Dr Noopur for responding, it really does help!

I believe I was tested for Anemia (HGB A1C test). Here is the list of blood work that has been done:
Vitamin B12 and Folate
HGB A1C with MPG Estimation
TSH
Anti-dsDNA Antibodies
RPR
Sedimentation Rate - Westergren
Ferritin, Serum

I went to the doctor this morning (reg MD) and was asked to see a psychiatrist and was prescribed 0.25mg of Xanax. He seems to think that it might be anxiety, which I have slight problems with in the past but nothing like this (daily feeling for the past 2.5 months). I have not gotten this prescription filled yet, as I'd like to exhaust all options before taking a benzodiazepine. My BP was fine this morning, as has always been my entire life.

I'm going to goto a bookstore this afternoon and get some self help books that can help manage stress and anxiety. I dont know if this is going to help, but it cant hurt. I have had bouts with anxiety (heart palpitations) in the past and have learned some breathing exercises to help calm me down. They really help, but I'm not sure if what I have now is anxiety because I feel like this every day within 1-2 hours of waking up. I've felt like this for 2.5 months now.

Thoughts on Xanax? He said .25 was a low dose and to "try it, see how you feel". That doesn't ooze confidence and I'd really like to stay away from pill popping in hops that one works.

Thanks again for replying.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,

It is also important to know if you have been checked for anemia. Anemia can cause lightheadedness.
Low blood BP and dehydration are other causes. Arterial compression can also cause dizziness as also inner ear diseases like Meneire’s disease and labyrnthitis.
Some of these cause like arterial compression, ear problems have already been ruled out by tests in your case.
You can discuss the possibility of anemia with your doctor.

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Avatar universal
oops I meant 500mg.
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Avatar universal
Thanks again Dr. Noopur for replying.

I'm on a one a day 50mg "as needed" per my Dr. When I feel a breakout coming on, I'm suppose to take it and suppress it which I have been doing (1 or 2 pills month work great).

I get 8 hours sleep, though I feel I can sleep at least 10 a day. Stress exists at work but no more that usual. I do my breathing exercises daily to help with my heart palpitations. Since I've discovered these exercises, I don't get them anymore. However these spacey feelings usually hit me as I'm driving to work in the morning and stay with me all day. Aspirin or Advil usually help with the headache part, but the constant spacey/light headed is getting old and I'm really tired of feeling this way. Is there anything I can ask my Neurologist to test for that hasn't been done already? Is a Neurologist the correct specialist for me?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,

Thanks for writing back.
In what dose are you taking Valtrex?
It is important to take this medicine only as prescribed by your doctor. The possibility of Valtrex causing these symptoms cannot be ruled out completely even though you are taking it infrequently.
Other causes like anxiety and stress also need to be looked into. Make sure you get enough sleep and do deep breathing exercises everyday.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you Dr. Noopur

I take Valtrex as needed, usually once or twice a month however the lightheaded/spacey feeling is with me constantly.  Could it still be a side effect of Valtrex even though I don't take it daily?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,

Thanks for writing in.
It will help us to know since when are you taking Valtrex.
Valtrex is known to cause headaches, dizziness, vertigo and confusion. It is very likely that your symptoms are due to Valtrex. The possibility is more because all your other tests are normal.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valaciclovir

Please discuss this with your prescribing doctor as you may need dose adjustment.
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Avatar universal
No, I do not feel shaky or see black spots Yodu1432. Just a constant light headed/spacey feeling. Lemme know what your doc says! :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am 15 and i have the same exact feeling! except i have a high heart rate. Do you feel a little shaky sometimes? and when you walk or get up do you get dizzy and see black spots? Thanks! I also have no clue what it could possibly be! all the doctors i saw just said it would go away but it doesnt.

im getting aggrivated...

Thanks!! its really great to know that someone has the same symptoms as me!!
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