Hi everyone, iv been suffering from dizziness for 2months now and really can't take anymore 😔, it's got to the point I can't go out on my own ie take children to school, shopping, ect it's really getting me down, in 2 weeks time I'm supposed to be going to Disney land Paris and really don't think I can go, it started in November, but did have the odd episode before, it feels like I'm walking on a sponge and the floor is moving, also when I'm stood still talking to people I feel like I'm in a dream and it's not really happening, and the the dizziness comes I have to stand with my legs apart to feel safe, or if it happens when I'm walking I tend to walk on my tiptoes is anybody else experience this? Would be greatful of some feed back thank you x
Hi Michelle,
From what you describe it sounds very much like Vestibular Neuronitis (VN). Have you been to your GP and if so what did they say? If not I would get an appointment and ask to be referred to a Neurotologist, they will diagnose exactly what is wrong. In most cases people will get over this in 6-12 weeks, unfortunately it can be a lot longer for some. The consultant should refer you to a physiotherapist who specialises in these types of conditions who will then prescribe you with mostly head exercises, this will help you regain your balance (compensate). The main thing is to try and keep moving as much as possible but of cause try and take plenty of rest also and drink lots of fluids.
I have had VN for 14 months and am doing regular physio to help compensate for my loss of balance. I have the symptoms you describe and have felt some improvement but due to picking up viruses have had a bit of a set back.
I hope you begin to feel some improvement soon
Best wishes
Laurence
Thank you for replying, I have been to my gp about 6 times and keep getting given different meds to try (none have worked) he has said vertigo and lab, I'm just wanting to get back to my normal self I'm 32 married with 3 children and my life at the minute is at a stand still, iv experienced anxiety and panick attacks since having this, I feel like I'm always poorly having to tell children I can't do this and that it has totally changed me, x
Hi Michelle , I have been suffering with what they think is bppv , (crystals) in the inner ear , have had the eppley manerver , but not working , I to feel like I'm walking on a trampoline , and even sitting I feel like I'm moveing , I've been like this since October , and like you it getting me down , I had a scan last week but no results yet , there now going to send me to a neurologist , ,I also find different lighting affects me , it's hard to explain to people , unless you experienced it I find people don't understand , i hope you feel better soon
Hi gilly flower iknow exactly what you mean, I'm worse if it's sunny outside, it's an awful thing to deal with, I'm going back to my gp next week and if my new meds aren't working I'm going to ask to be referd, it's like I could scream at my gp to help me, it feels like nobody is listening, people have life's to get on with and this is just not letting them, I hope you get sorted soon and get back to normal living ☺ xx
I know exactly what you mean about GP , i want to scream , I was fine until October 12 . I work in a restaurant and they have a B and B , which I run , so very early starts for breakfast etc , and then rooms so physical job , but I love it there , I also have 2 beautiful granddaughters and at the moment can't look after them , I also work in a charity shop , and now I can't do any of this , my GP keeps putting it down to anxiety now , but I agree I'm anxious , but who wouldn't be feeling like this , but he's not listening about the real problem , all he's doe is throw antidepressants at me , I wouldn't wish this on anyone but I would like my doctor to have it for just for a day , fed up with trying to explain to him
I hope you get on well with your GP next time , keep in touch if you can
It's like listening to me 😂 he prescribed me anti depressants and I refuse to take them, yes I'm anxious only because of this problem, it's like he doesn't want to know along as he's giving me something he feels like he's done his job, I need this problem sorting it's beyond a joke how I can't even step foot out of my house without anybody with me I can't stand in supermarkets to pay for my shopping or anything, the playground is the worst, when there is a lot of people moving about or if I look at moving traffic I walk with my head down its awful, and thank you I will keep in touch you to xx
Hi Michelle. It's an awful feeling. Have you seen your doctor? I had a few really bad attacks but now just get the odd twinge. I take betahistine dihydrochloride tablets at onset of dizziness and they certainly help. Need see your gp though to find cause. Good luck x
Sorry just read previous posts. You need keep on at gp. Anti depressants last thing need. Ask if the betahistine may help?good luck. Best way I can describe feeling is being on rough seas or drunk bottle whisky!! Haha x x
Hi yes ive been on betahistine and ser 16 and about 3 others none have helped as of yet 😔 I'm glad you feel alot better just hope mine starts improving soon I really can't see me walking around Disney not the way I'm feeling now but don't want to let my children down x
😂 yh feel drunk to, just wish it was off alcohol xx
Hi Michelle,
I also experienced anxiety but I have now overcome this as I am so used to feeling off balance it has become the norm!. I would keep pressing your GP to see a specialist as GP's are mostly just guessing. The specialist will advise you to come off any medication for the dizziness as this will slow or even stop compensation, they may help in the short term but I never found any that did (and i tried them all at the start).
They now think I may also be suffering silent migraine which is the reason for my slow recovery from this. I am sure that once you get to see the right person you will start to recover given the correct physiotherapy.
All the best
Laurence
When I walk around I feel like everything going to fast by me , I feel drunk , my head is heavy all the time , sort of pressure , can't stand traffic , I also seem sensitive to noise , I can't drive at the moment , my doctor asked me why do I feel I can't drive , I nearly lost it with him then , unbelievable ,
Hi Lawrence , I was told yesterday that I could be suffering from silent migraine. But would that give you symptons 24 / 7
Hi Gilly,
I am not sure, this is also new to me. I saw my consultant (Mr Rea) on wednesday as I feel just as dizzy now as when it first started (maybe a small improvment). I have been doing the VRT for 7 months with no real improvment hence he carried out a procedure to look up my nose for sinus issues and and inflamation, this was all clear. I have been complaining about weird smells and on occasions like I am looking through a a heat haze, I also get a very stiff neck,. My sleep is generally poor in that I keep waking up through the night and I always seem to feel tense. Mr Rea told me that this could be migraine as around 40% of VN sufferers will develop migraine. I don't get headcahes I so assumed it must be silent migarine. Mr Rea has prescribed a course of tablets which he tells me will help with the dizziness, stiff neck, sleep and migraine. He also told me to avoid the 6 C's (caffiene, chocolate, cheese, claret, chinese food and citrus). I haven't started taking the tablets yet as I can't get them until Monday, hopefully these will work. Like you I do suffer 24/7, I don't know if you have looked at the VEDA website but there is a small video on there of a woman who suffered 24/7 with Migraine (the whole set of symptoms of dizziness etc) and once correctly diagnosed was given medication and the correct VRT and recovered.
Mr Rea does say I have VN but thinks the migraine is delaying my recovery.
What are your symptoms?
Best wishes
Laurence
Hi gilly! My dizziness started 2-3 weeks after a really bad chest infection in April 2011. Apparently this is text book vestibular neuritis. I had been out shopping and came back home to out of the blue feeling dizzy as though I had been drinking. I thought it was a viral infection so waited a few days before went to out of hours Gp. By this time I had pins and needles as well and I couldn't keep my legs still or walk properly as felt so off balance. I took betahistine for months. I would try to come off them and then 2 or 3 days later the symptoms came back. The GPS were useless. I felt anxious every time I left the house as loud noises in shopping stores, warehouses, air conditioning units would make me feel off balance. Driving a car and being in a car did a similar thing. Cinemas were a no go as the darkness and noise set it off as well. Also was afraid to go on an aeroplane as it does affect the ears but that was OK. The cold also affects any nerve damage and get problems sometimes then. Paid to go to a consultant who gave me exercises to do which did help. Also paid for mri scan which was normal. These symptoms continued on and off for roughly 2 years. Now I only get a problem if I get a head cold as causes a v small problem with my balance and loud air conditioning units. The whole experience made me v anxious which is not my personality type and I found it v difficult not being in control of myself. This has slowly passed. I could not work for 5 months. I am now back to working full time. At one point I had arcing pains in my head and could not get out of bed and was sleeping all the time. It was family and time that helped me. Try not to drink caffeine or alcohol as both affect the nerves in the brain. Sorry for the essay. Hope some of this helps.
2 years you poor thing, I'm all ready and dressed to go shopping with my husband and children. I'm petrified all ready, my children are on a weeks holiday from school and already asking what we have planned, my husband works full time and therfore will be on my own with them through the day, it's breaking my heart that I'm unable to do the normal things with them ie Park, swimming and other things, I used to be a very confidant woman and always out and about but feel this is keeping me way back I'm glad you are starting to feel better xx
I'm also ready to go out ,and struggling ,, it must be difficult with young children , as like I said I can't even look after my grandchildren , I have a 7 month old , and is crawling and I can't bend to pick her up , and the 3 year can't understand why I can't take her out on my own at the moment , it breaks my heart , she's always saying , nanny is your head better , their mummy is due to go back to work soon , I only hope things will improve so I can look after them
Thankyou for replying ,I just wish the doctor were more understanding , throwing antidepressants at me , is not the answer , I did have something similar 1998 and it took nearly 2 years , had no help then either , was hoping this time when it came on it wouldn't last long , just wish I knew exactly what's wrong ,my family are so good , as they know this isn't me not to be active