Back in Dec/Jan I went to the GP cos I was experiencing dizziness. She said it was probably computer use, lack of sleep and anxiety but suggested I go optician.
I did and he prescribed me glasses for computer use but said the dreaded: "worse case scenario is a brain tumour and if your dizziness returns, come back". Health anxiety triggered.
I've since got better but have spells of anxiety and insomnia but the glasses helped.
Well, now they're not.
I've had a feeling of dizziness/possible vertigo for a week now and it's worse when I'm at work in front of a pc all day. Funnily enough, it's worse when I'm sitting still and when I get up to walk I feel quite okay.
I'll admit my sleep isn't the best and over the past month I've been getting 3-5 hours on the worst days and a maximum of 7 on the best.
One thing that makes me think this isn't anything other than anxiety/sleep deprivation is as soon as I have an alcoholic drink, even a few sips, my dizziness completely disappears.
Which is similar to when I had anxiety and alcohol made me feel more "relaxed".
Also, although I am a GAD sufferer I wouldn't say I particularly anxious 90% of the time and when I am it's only as bad as butterflies or a rush of adrenaline. Nowhere near to the point of having an attack.
Anyone else experienced similar? Or have lasting physical symptoms with hardly any emotional ones?
Yeah, I work 10 hour days in front of a PC and I always get dizzy spells. I wear glasses to. I am perfectly fine when off work, it's just in work when sat still.
My ENT said it was positional hypotension. It's just bad posture that is enough to cause this vertigo sensation. Booked me in for physio which I am dubious but willing to try.
I have also taken Sertraline for anxiety incase it was that causing the dizzines. It stopped the adrenaline rushes but didn't do much for the dizziness.
At a loss really but it's frighting isn't it when you're just sat still and suddenly the room is spinning for no reason!
First of all, it's ridiculous and unacceptable that the optician talked to you like that. Doctors aren't supposed to scare us, this is unacceptable.
I think deep down you know it's a combination of stress/anxiety, lack of sleep and working environment. Even I, that I don't work in a pc, when I sit for too long, I get diziness and weird eye blurriness. Imagine you.
Also, you don't necessarily have to have a full blown anxiety attack in order to experience symptoms. Our bodies are oversensitive due to anxiety so a bit of stress can causes us to have various symptoms. I get that a lot.
yes I can relate to all your symptoms...I use my computer a lot..and I find if I stay on for 5 or six hours I get sudden light head and my eyes goes blurry, I have since got glasses for the computer, and they do help, I also have GAD and can be dizzy with no other symptoms, only a feeling of unease in my stomach,scares the life out of me..but I had CT scan done and alls fine..Anxiety comes in many forms..but anyone who uses computer a lot is advised to stand up every hour and stretch,and walk about for a few mins..xxx
I find GAD is horrible. And the dizzy symptoms seems to be a part of it, i dont even think you need to be actively anxious at the time. But it will make me anxious. It ruins the day sometimes. Just pops out of nowhere
Thank you, I agree. He wasn't aware of my anxiety being a separate healthcare provider but it's not something he should have said. He quickly followed up to say "but it's probably not" but of course that means little to someone with anxiety who "loves" focusing on worst case scenarios.
Yeah, everyone in the office will get up for regular coffees and water whereas I can go a whole dat without drinking (strange!) So I find myself only getting up if I ever do decide to have a drink or need the loo.
Need to make a mental note to take regular breaks.
It's a shame the glasses don't completely take away the dizziness but I guess there's more than pc strain going on considering my sleep and GAD.