Although I've felt like this a long time it still doesn't get any easier. The past 1 or 2 weeks I have felt so faint I force myself to go out alone because I have to do the nursery run or food shopping but I always feel like I'm gonna pass out and light headed and spaced out. I can't even go to far alone now or drive because of it. I've seen different doctors and had different tests/investigations and all is normal. If it is anxiety then I don't understand why I never get a break from it physically. The past couple of days I have had more palpitations to which come and go. I just feel so unwell daily and I feel scared that something is gonna happen to me. How can anyone feel faint and lightheaded daily and there not be anything wrong? I have never actually fainted though.
If you are dealing with VN or any vestibular issue that is a normal product of this illness. The vestibular system, once damaged takes a long time to heal. Then there are those that experience these symptoms that have been diagnosed with Meniere's. That unfortunately is an ongoing condition. What have you been diagnosed with? Doctors, unfortunately, really don't understand this illness or how those of us with VN actually feel. All they usually surmise is that if you feel that way and I can't see anything, then you must have anxiety. Not ever understanding that the feelings create the anxiety for most of us.
What have you tried in your recovery process?
My ENT consultant said he is sure its not Menieres. I have got to have some balance testing where they put different water temperatures into the ear. I just feel sick inside like nervous like as if I am waiting for something bad to happen because of this lightheaded feeling I feel always on the verge of a panic attack like all hot inside and nauseous. I also feel tired a lot but I don't exactly sleep well and get a full 8 hours so that could be why. I am 26 and I feel old before my time because I'm literally stuck and can't do much and I am more sad that I have to rely on others to help me get by day to day ie driving me about etc. I do feel anxious but I feel anxious because I rarely feel well inside. I may have like a moment where I feel/think nothing then I start to feel unwell for no reason although feeling lightheaded never leaves me.
To be honest I have not tried anything I have done bits of exercise but have to stop when the dizziness is at its worst. I just don't know where to turn now my gp just brushes it off as anxiety.
What kind of doctors have checked you out? GP's don't know much about dizziness. I think the best is an otalyngologist (head and neck dr.), preferaably who specializes in the ear.
So many people on this site say they have anxiety. I had thought it was because of the dizziness, which it could be. But I did notice on the prescription for Vestibular Therapy (helping enormously; almost done) there was a listing for Psychological Therapy. Perhaps that goes along with the vertigo--though I did not have it myself. What my doctor said I did have--BPPV--beniign para-something positional vertigo. The position of your head is important since the ear and eyes control your balance.
Also, remember that when you're anxious, it makes you very tired. Please get to the right doctor.
next time you have palpitations try to get into an emergency dept And ask them to check you for atrial fibbrilation. You have the same symptoms as me
Have they tested you for Thyroid inbalances. They could show the type of symptoms you are displaying. I was showing the same symptoms and they told me I had atrial fibrillation. It transpired there was a problem with my thyroid. It had become hyperactive. Once they corrected that I was OK.
The tests are simple and you should get the results back quickly.
Wish you well and hope you get some resolution.Keep in touch.I have found this website very reassuring.
Pauline
Hi Pauline thank you for the reply. I did have all my bloods taken last year around feb time and all was normal including thyroid but there is a history of it in my family ie my dad but his was more obvious because he was loosing a lot of weight and blood tests showed it up straight away so I think maybe that isn't the cause for me if mine all came back clear. I am wondering maybe if these blood tests should be repeated now after a year? If so should I be asking for specific tests or just a full blood count?
I have been seen by cardiology and had various investigations ie urine samples that I had to collect over 3 days, event recorder for a week, ecgs, bp monitor for 48 hours, echo and x rays. All this was checked last year with the echo being done in 2012. The only thing they sometimes pick up is my bp raising which they say is when I am anxious or a fast pulse. I tend to get head rush often when I stand up like pulsing feeling
Ask them for a full Thyroid test T3,T4 and TSH. I'm still on a low dose beta blocker to manage the palpitations. My thyroid was eliminated by radioactive iodine, but as they didn't give me any replacement hormone (thyroxine) it has now gone underactive. They can detect changes through each of the indicators, so it is important to have them all done.
I have recently suffered panic attacks, dizziness and vertigo. I am taking betahistine for those and it is helping.
Let me know how you get on, we all need to support each other to get these resolved.
Take care
Pauline
Thank you for the reply. I have been seen by ENT, neurology and cardiology. I had a CT scan late 2013, cardiology investigations last year with echo in late 2012, blood tests last year and neurology done a physical exam this year ie checking my balance when I stand up, asking lots of questions and lying on the couch and checking my reflexes etc. I was told there is no physical signs of anything neurological. I can see why on paper it sounds like anxiety when you think of all the checks I have had but even when I don't feel anxious I am still lightheaded it makes no sense how I can feel so unwell. Even when I think positive and want to beat this feeling and want a good day nothing changes which makes me think there's got to be a cause. I am going to be starting Vestibular retraining therapy soon
Been thinking about you, suddenly remembered you said about the nursery run. Don't know how old your little one is, but could you be suffering with post natal depression. It would seem to fit the symptoms. It doesn't always occur immediately, but could happen if you spend too much time on your own. Your Health Visitor might be able to advise.
Pauline
Hi my daughter is 3 but I haven't felt well since I had her. From the minute she was born I felt scared, feeling of dread like something bad is going to happen and was crying a lot. I felt a little better for a while maybe 6 months or so although I still struggled with feelings of stress and dizziness on and off and symptoms I recognise now as being anxious. I did try medication but made me feel terrible so I stopped. Today I feel dreadful I am trying well to hide it and keep it together but inside I feel sick to my stomach and light headed and feel a sense of dread. I so bad want to cry but what changes...nothing. Thank you for taking the time to listen to me and replying I have no one else I feel that understands me.x
I feel the same as you!! It's horrible! It's been 8 months for me so far. The faint feeling goes away. It sounds like you have vestibular neuritis. You should see an ENT. How long have u felt this way? Anxiety is common with VN.
Definitely an inner ear issue!! U will get better!!
You sound like me!!! Your on the right track with vrt....hang in there. Sometimes I take a small dose of ativan just to feel relief some days but gotta be careful cuz it can slow down the compensation process. Stay strong
Hello Moo? You could still have post natal depression, even after 3 years. You need to talk to someone who understands and can help you, Dr/Nurse/Health Visitor. Where are you located? There are various organisations able to help, depends on your location.
Don't bottle it up, talk is very therapeutic. Have you thought of counselling?
I found it of great help.
Regards Pauline
I did have CBT but it didn't help and think my local mental health team have had enough of me now because they have said they dont know what else to do for me and basically said for myself to contact a mental health charity and see what services they offer. I have never felt so scared in my life I feel so terrible I am convinced something is wrong and its just a matter of time before I pass out or worse. I went out today and I so bad wanted to say to my partner can I just got back to the car because the faint feeling was soo strong I literally don't get how I haven't passed out yet with how terrible I feel. I keep feeling my chest racing or that blood rush feeling going through me. I am anxious because I feel faint and spaced out and I don't know why. I am seeing another doctor this week so hopefully they will listen but what else can they do when I have already seen cardiology, neurology and ENT? I miss my old life I look normal on the outside but inside I feel like I'm waiting for my body to just cave and say I've had enough and by then it will be to late because no doctor would have found out what's wrong with me :-( sorry to rant about it all I just feel so scared, lonely and stuck not knowing who to turn to who can really take me seriously x
I have had on-going anxiety issues for around 3 years since having my daughter. Its just got worse and worse since then feeling ill where I don't feel convinced its anxiety now. Did you get nausea with these feelings to? What did your faint feeling make you feel like and what did the doctor say was the cause? With mine I feel terrible inside ie hot sensation like really worked up and nauseous along with feeling spaced out and feeling out of it and of course the dizzy/faint feeling. My head also feels strange like heavy at times likes I am being weighed down and lately the tiredness is unbearable I struggle to sleep at night but then even when I do sleep I wake in the night or during the day I just feel totally out of it. I have seen ENT numerous times and nothings come of it except this week I will be having a warm water in the ear balance test. I have always been told anxiety and to try yoga and cut out caffeine etc. I am thinking of asking for an MRI although I had a CT scan end of 2013 and they said if was something going on it would have showed up then x
Does ativan make the lightheaded/dizzy feeling go then? I did take lorenzepam is it called a couple of times ages ago at 0.5mg like the doctor said but it had no affect so may have been to weak and needed maybe 1 or 2mg but was to scared to take anything more lol