What it's like to deal with dizziness and frequently asked questions I get regarding it
This is what it's like to be me at the moment, this is what's like to have dizziness that can't be
diagnosed and is a mystery.
Spin around 2-3 times and stand still that's what my head feels like consistently, though instead of the room spinning around it's my head and closing my eyes doesn't bring me any relief. I go to sleep dizzy and wake up dizzy. I don't ever get any relief and there are days where the dizziness is so intense I find myself walking into walls and needing to hold onto things for stability (thankfully I have yet to fall over). I get waves of increased dizziness throughout the day and I never know how exactly it will be (it's completely random). The waves can come at me when I'm sitting on the couch watching Netflix, walking, driving, lying down, standing up, anywhere anytime I can all of a sudden feel really dizzy on top of my normal dizziness and can last anywhere from 1 minute to all day. Add onto the dizziness memory issues, fatigue and sometimes nausea and my life can be difficult to say the least.
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I look normal here but my dizziness
was in full force.
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Spin around 2-3 times and stand still that's what my head feels like consistently, though instead of the room spinning around it's my head and closing my eyes doesn't bring me any relief. I go to sleep dizzy and wake up dizzy. I don't ever get any relief and there are days where the dizziness is so intense I find myself walking into walls and needing to hold onto things for stability (thankfully I have yet to fall over). I get waves of increased dizziness throughout the day and I never know how exactly it will be (it's completely random). The waves can come at me when I'm sitting on the couch watching Netflix, walking, driving, lying down, standing up, anywhere anytime I can all of a sudden feel really dizzy on top of my normal dizziness and can last anywhere from 1 minute to all day. Add onto the dizziness memory issues, fatigue and sometimes nausea and my life can be difficult to say the least.
I have good days and bad days but never days without dizziness.
Because I am over getting asked the same questions regarding my dizziness I thought I would answer them here:
Have you had your vitamin D levels/iron/insert other mineral level here? Yes I have had my blood checked for everything and I mean everything (including kidney and thyroid functions) if it can be shown up in blood then it's been tested. I've also had multiple blood tests to recheck these levels just to rule everything out again.
Are you sure you don't have Meniere's disease? I have tried a medication specifically for Meniere's disease and it did nothing, saying that I have heard that it medications don't work for everyone with Meniere's. With Meniere's you tend to have dizziness and something else related to the ears such as blocked or ringing ears while also feeling dizzy and I just have straight dizziness.
Does it affect your driving? I've gotten pretty good at focusing on the roads but it's still there in the background. I have made the decision to not drive at night, unless I really know where I am going (so driving to the church for bible study is fine) and avoid driving to unknown/unfamiliar places unless its for medical appointments (so for essential reasons). I'm being really cautious when it comes to driving though and I really don't want to put myself or others at risk.
Have you seen a chiropractor or physio? I have seen a specialist physio and I was diagnosed with Vestibular migraines which my doctor and I determined isn't the correct diagnosis. I don't feel comfortable seeing a chiropractor and to be honest and I don't see how they could help as it doesn't seem to be related to any joint/muscle issues.
Maybe you should see another doctor/get a second opinion? I've been with my doctor a long time (over 10 years) and he understands my needs really well. From the start of this journey he has been determined to help me find a solution and he's looking at this from all angles. My doctor has discussed my case with his colleges and reached out to various people asking for their opinions. He's pretty much left no stone unturned and if the solution was straight forward he would've found it. My doctor also does his research in which specialists can help me the most, so instead of referring me to a standard ENT I am referred to an ENT that has an interest in inner ear problems (as that's what he believes it is). I have no doubt that I'm in the right hands and I really appreciate my doctor SO much.
Are you sure it's not psychological or a side affect of your anxiety meds? It's been ruled out as being psychological by my psychologist and my doctor, both of whom have treated me for years. I've been on these meds for over 10 years and had minimal side affects within that time, so it rules that out.
Do you have any idea what it could be? No, which is why a solution has yet to be found. At this point in time it's looking like it could be an inner ear/vestibular issue, otherwise I have no idea.
How long has it been going on for? It started at the end of September with mild dizzy spells and has since increased steadily to the point where it's now consistent. So 9 months since it's started and 6 months of consistent dizziness.
Because I am over getting asked the same questions regarding my dizziness I thought I would answer them here:
Have you had your vitamin D levels/iron/insert other mineral level here? Yes I have had my blood checked for everything and I mean everything (including kidney and thyroid functions) if it can be shown up in blood then it's been tested. I've also had multiple blood tests to recheck these levels just to rule everything out again.
Are you sure you don't have Meniere's disease? I have tried a medication specifically for Meniere's disease and it did nothing, saying that I have heard that it medications don't work for everyone with Meniere's. With Meniere's you tend to have dizziness and something else related to the ears such as blocked or ringing ears while also feeling dizzy and I just have straight dizziness.
Does it affect your driving? I've gotten pretty good at focusing on the roads but it's still there in the background. I have made the decision to not drive at night, unless I really know where I am going (so driving to the church for bible study is fine) and avoid driving to unknown/unfamiliar places unless its for medical appointments (so for essential reasons). I'm being really cautious when it comes to driving though and I really don't want to put myself or others at risk.
Have you seen a chiropractor or physio? I have seen a specialist physio and I was diagnosed with Vestibular migraines which my doctor and I determined isn't the correct diagnosis. I don't feel comfortable seeing a chiropractor and to be honest and I don't see how they could help as it doesn't seem to be related to any joint/muscle issues.
Maybe you should see another doctor/get a second opinion? I've been with my doctor a long time (over 10 years) and he understands my needs really well. From the start of this journey he has been determined to help me find a solution and he's looking at this from all angles. My doctor has discussed my case with his colleges and reached out to various people asking for their opinions. He's pretty much left no stone unturned and if the solution was straight forward he would've found it. My doctor also does his research in which specialists can help me the most, so instead of referring me to a standard ENT I am referred to an ENT that has an interest in inner ear problems (as that's what he believes it is). I have no doubt that I'm in the right hands and I really appreciate my doctor SO much.
Are you sure it's not psychological or a side affect of your anxiety meds? It's been ruled out as being psychological by my psychologist and my doctor, both of whom have treated me for years. I've been on these meds for over 10 years and had minimal side affects within that time, so it rules that out.
Do you have any idea what it could be? No, which is why a solution has yet to be found. At this point in time it's looking like it could be an inner ear/vestibular issue, otherwise I have no idea.
How long has it been going on for? It started at the end of September with mild dizzy spells and has since increased steadily to the point where it's now consistent. So 9 months since it's started and 6 months of consistent dizziness.
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