Fed up of dizziness.

[SebastienClement]

Right, I've had this complaint for approximately 3 years now, and I'm sick of it.

I regularly get these dizzy spells (a couple of times a week). I went to the doctor with it about 5 times when it first started happening before he did anything. I got a hearing test (fine) and eventually saw a cardiologist and neurologist. Neither had any answers. Personally I think I need to see an ENT specialist, but what do I know?

These spells happen at random, but seem to be linked to movement of my head. Not necessarily shaking my head / nodding, but certain positions. They last <2 seconds, it really is that momentary, but they are fairly severe, and I feel like I've completely lost my balance. It's certainly not lightheadedness, it's downright dizziness. I feel fine before and fine afterwards. I don't feel confused with it or anything like that.

I'm sure this is my ears. I have other little complaints that I feel may be linked to it. If there are several people talking near me at once i find it difficult to pick out one voice. Low rumbles make me feel 'unsettled' - I can't describe it any better than that. I suffer from mild tinnitus and my ears pop or click (without exception) when I swallow. These dizzy spells feel like I'm moving, or not in the position I thought I was. Sometimes as if someone has yanked the floor from under me.

What can I do? Doctor says "must be vertigo, live with it" but it's doing my nut.

Edited by SebastienClement on Friday 1st March 18:06

[Hyper10]

This is NOT medical advice but I had very similar symptoms and it was infected sinus. Strangely very little ear or nose pain and no teeth but a bit of a headache, 1 weeks course of antibiotics cleared it up.

[vescaegg]

I take it you have been tested for something as simple as low blood pressure?

[SebastienClement]

vescaegg said:

I take it you have been tested for something as simple as low blood pressure?

Indeed. Had a blood pressure monitor at one bit.

This is definitely not a lightheaded feeling you get with low blood pressure. It's a feeling of movement, as if my brain can't quite work out which way up I am!

[AMLK]

Could it be Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) - if it just happens for sort periods of time rather than constant like vertigo it could be this. Possible worth looking into.

[honestbob]

AMLK said:

Could it be Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) - if it just happens for sort periods of time rather than constant like vertigo it could be this. Possible worth looking into.

I've got this. Basically it's tiny crystals in your ear fluid brushing against the fine hairs that keep you
in balance. Your brain gets muddled up by the wrong signals.

You can do simple exercises that collect and move these crystals to another part of the inner ear where they cause no further problem.
Look up HOME EPLEY MANOEUVRE and follow the simple movements. It works for me.

[skeggysteve]

SebastienClement said:

.....................

I'm sure this is my ears. I have other little complaints that I feel may be linked to it. If there are several people talking near me at once i find it difficult to pick out one voice.
...............

Sound like what my wife has - dynamic hearing.

She had a lot of tests and it was decided that she didn't have Ménière's as was first thought.
No one could decide what exactly was wrong so she just takes Cinnarizine and it works.

HTH and best of luck.

[Gretchen]

Has Labyrinthitis been suggested?

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labyrinthitis

Pills will treat this.