Unexplained Dizziness, Contstant Heavy Head, Extreme Fatigue, Nausea - Part 2

I had several of those symptoms and all of a sudden it just got worse. I tried every doctor except mayo clinic. I decided to go to a naturopathic doctor and that had really helped plus prayer and reading healing scriptures everyday. When doctors don't know God does

Found this board.  Let me post my experience:

May 2011, turned to look at my husband to the left of me on the couch and got head spinning dizzy.  Thought it was sinuses.  Took some sinus medication and blew it off.  Everything has gotten progressively worse since then, including bad headaches, CONSTANT dizziness.  It's been over a year.  I have seen everyone.  Most of my doctors are with the Mayo Clinic.  I have had an MRI, CT scan of the sinuses, seen a neurologist, went to a pain clinic and their chiropractor (included acupuncture) saw one ENT and have been scoped by a second ENT, had extensive vestibular testing, been through physical therapy (one PT said it was hormonal, one said vertigo, one said NO vertigo), saw my OBGYN (who adjusted my BC pills to lower my estrogen intake), saw an allergist for environmental and food allergies, had bloodwork done numerous times, including checking my thyroid, potassium, magnesium, etc., now exercise at least 3 days per week, have removed grains from my diet, etc, etc.  I am been researching every day to find a cause.  I am relentless. 

Background:  I have been treated for anxiety in the past, but only with Lexapro - the last round was because my job of 12 years was killing me.  I quit and the anxiety melted away for a long time, until this 'illness' started last year.  Had a detached retina in 2007 (fixed with schleral buckle surgery) and a vitrectomy to remove scar tissue on my macula in 2008.  I have genetically high cholesterol.  My job now is one people would kill for.  I work from home doing software support and testing, 10 hours day, 5 days a week.  No boss looking over my shoulder.  No commute. Good pay.  I am a subcontractor so I set my own hours.  If I want a day off I take it.

After all these tests, doc says "its anxiety" and wants to put me back on anti-anxiety meds and/or Pamelor or Nortrptyline (sp) for headaches.  Neurologist said it's an inner ear imbalance my body never adjusted to and kicked me to the curb and ENT kicked me to the curb saying my sinuses were fine except for my deviated septum, which I have had forever.  I don't want to take drugs to 'try' to see if they help.  I want to know what is causing this.  Dad passed last year after a long illness and I had to file bankruptcy due to some poor real estate investments. That caused some anxiety.  But we are over the hump.

Now I feel like c**p every day.  Visually disoriented (someone described it well - like if you cross your eyes, the vision you have as they adjust back, or if you put on took strong of a prescription and then take them off), forehead pressure/headache, temple headaches, dizziness, neck and body aches, some fatigue.  It's funny, some days I can hit the health club and stay forever and some days I walk in and want to collapse just looking at the machines.  I sleep about 7-8 hours a night usually waking up at least once to use the bathroom.  Early in the morning before I get out of bed I feel shakey.  Could be anxiety there - I have been sick for a year - who wouldn't have anxiety, right?  I get anxious because I don't feel good and I don't feel good because I am anxious.  We all know the circle. 

Anyway, I found this board and read something I really think might pertain to me.  Vertical Heterophoria.  This is when the eyes are misaligned.  I did the Wayne's World test - camera 1, camera 2, focusing on an object and then closing and opening each eye alternatively.  Your image should move left to right and right to left (camera one, camera two).  We have binocular vision.  My image moves left to right and up and down - this is an indication that my eyes are misaligned, which could cause many if not all of the symptoms I have.  I called Dr. Debby of

***edited by moderator*** web addresses not allowed

Took their on-line test for this condition.  She called me and told me my score was 48.  15 is high.  The visual test I did is a good indicator.   I made an appt with a Mayo Clinic Ophthalmologist.  This condition is easily rectified and could be a side effect of my eye surgery 5 years ago.  I am seeing Dr. Janice Jones, a chiropractor here in AZ that specializes in neuro-cranial integration.  Apparently I am completely out of whack (she showed me and now it's obvious) and she adjusts the cranium and soft tissue.  No snap crackle or pop.  I am on my third visit.  The eye misalignment can cause this because my body is subconsciously adjusting to my visual issues.

I am fairly sure this is the root of my problem.  It's hard to believe that this issue can cause all that, but the eyes can do funny things and then the anxiety takes its toll.

I have subscribed to this topic and will post what happens.

Karen

Hello,

I have been dealing with my symptons since June of 2008.  I have been to all sorts of doctors ENT, Nuerology, Gen Md.

I have been through all the tests but now a CT or an MRI makes the dizziness worse.  It takes all the gravity out of my body

and will not allow tme to walk for hours after the CT or MRI.  Noone has an answer for that one.  They say those tests should

 not be making me feel that way but they do.  I was diagnosed with Vetibular Disease.  No cure for it.  I beleive I have

something more than just a Vestibular problem.  My symptons are as follows:  dizziness, headache, head feeling full at times, head pain front and back, severe dizziness when head moves att imes and really bad when I put my head down or look down,

blurred vision at times, especially when watching tv or on the computer too long, legs feeling heavy and weak, balance off daily, neck pain, neck feels weak and then sometimes stiff, a feeling of loss of gravity in my body especailly in my legs.  I know there are more sypmtons but that will do for now.  I got approved for SSDI about 6 months ago.  I wish I had an answer for what this and what caused it.  I was driving to work one day and all of a sudden everything started spinning.  My world is not what it used to be.  I used to very independant but now I am very dependant.  It really sucks.  I do not drive much at all due to the dizziness.  Sometimes I feel I am moving when I am not or it feels like things around me are moving when they are not.

Anyone have any concrete cures for this or any idea what this is?  Any help would be highly appreciated if not thanks for reading this anyway.  I am sick of being sick.  I am only 56 and already feel like I am 66.  I should be enjoying life right now

instead of being in bed all the time.  All of this has made me gain 30 lbs.  I never thought I would be fat but I am now.  I hate feeling this way.  Let's all pray for a cure for this or at least a name for it.

Have your eyes checked. The problem I have with my eyes can cause many of the symptoms you describe. Not to mention the anxiety from feeling this way which increases and adds symptoms.



My new contacts come in next week. I will post if I have any relief. I have a moderate astigmatism I did not have before, a huge change in my prescription for my right eye which I was unaware of and a vertical shift in my vision, all which cause many of the same symptoms you have.



Also if you can see a vestibular therapist. They can get your eyes and inner ear working together again.



My thoughts are with you. I feel your pain.

Thank you so much for the advice and I will ahve my eyes checked. I wish I had vision insurance for this. I will check in to something I can afford. Please let us know what you findout and how you feel. Did you have or do you have some of the same symptons I have?

Go see an Ophthalmologist, not an Optometrist if you can. I have most if not all of the same symptoms you have. Plus I am dizzy-sick and nauseated half the time.



Some of the neck pain went away with strength training. But still I have this constant pressure in my forehead like I have been squinting for most of my life. Then I get dizzy with any head movement. I will have my new contacts next week to correct my vision. It is my thought that it will help somewhat. How could it not? My brain has no clue what to do with my eyes since they are slightly out of alignment and the prescription for my right eye is so far wrong?

I have had most of the symptoms people have posted on these two boards, been to doctor, all tests came back fine, optometrist says I'm fine, but I was wondering if anyone else wears contact lenses?  Because last week I took them out and started wearing my glasses instead and the problem went away in a day and a half.  This morning I put my contacts back in, and I don't think I've had any more symptoms.  So, are any other posters contact lens wearers and have they noticed anything?

I do wear contacts - have worn them all of my adult life. My prescription is too strong and I cannot wear glasses comfortably.



I did get reading glasses with a prism, but am having a very hard time adjusting to those also.

I am almost in tears, because I have all of the same symptoms as you. I have always been very healthy and have always been able to not let stress get to me. But the past 2 months I feel like I am a different person, for no reason. It is so hard just to get through the day, and I am only 24. I do not want this to be with me for the rest of my life! I am getting blood work done tomorrow, and am getting one of my ears cleaned due to wax build-up in a week. I have also gone to the eye doctor because of my vision, and he did a field vision test and found no problems. I don't know what is wrong with us, or if it is all in our heads. I just don't understand how you can think yourself this sick.

I wear contacts, too. I usually wear my glasses a lot more, because the contacts are expensive so I only wear them on weekends or random days during the week sometimes. I will try wearing my glasses more often and see if that changes anything.

Ear wax can cause inner ear issues and dizziness. If you are dizzy, you may also experience anxiety, which just makes your symptoms worse. Believe me, I know. I have been dealing with anxiety and panic attacked for 40 years now.



I am thinking I have more than one issue going on, and some of this may be hormonal because of my age. I will continue to quest for answers until I get one. I have a headache neurologist appt. tomorrow and an OBGYN appt Wednesday. I may be heading off to a hormonal specialist nexxt.

After 1 month of my chiropractor, trying the new reading glasses with prism to adjust my eyes, taking Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, removing gluten from my diet, removing all artificial sweeteners from my diet, etc., getting of my birth control pills, nothing has helped.



As a matter of fact, my dizziness has gotten worse. Now its all day, every day. My forehead always feels like I am scowling.



My second trip to the ENT it was suggested this is chronic migraine. I see a headache neurologist tomorrow, then the next day it's off to the OBGYN to discuss hormones and menopause.



I am so sick of this. It's really affecting my quality of life now. I can only take so much.

I found this site a couple of months ago.  I have been dealing with dizziness for the past several months, some days can't function.  By the grace of God, I was summoned to Jury Duty yesterday and sat there all day with a gal who happened to be a licensed Reflexologist.  She has saved me!  She massaged a spot at the base of my pinky finger.  It was so sore when she started, and worked on it a few times over the course of the day.  I was very dizzy when she first started but have steadily gotten better.  She said the my inner ear crystals were terribly out of balance.  She became a Reflexologist 8 years ago out of desperation to cure her own medical issues, and now helps others.  What turned out to be a pain serving on Jury Duty ended up being the best day I have had in months!  I strongly urge all of you who suffer to try one.  You can find them in your area by googling it.  Best of luck to you all!!!

mafixit wrote:

mafixit wrote:

Found this board.  Let me post my experience:

May 2011, turned to look at my husband to the left of me on the couch and got head spinning dizzy.  Thought it was sinuses.  Took some sinus medication and blew it off.  Everything has gotten progressively worse since then, including bad headaches, CONSTANT dizziness.  It's been over a year.  I have seen everyone.  Most of my doctors are with the Mayo Clinic.  I have had an MRI, CT scan of the sinuses, seen a neurologist, went to a pain clinic and their chiropractor (included acupuncture) saw one ENT and have been scoped by a second ENT, had extensive vestibular testing, been through physical therapy (one PT said it was hormonal, one said vertigo, one said NO vertigo), saw my OBGYN (who adjusted my BC pills to lower my estrogen intake), saw an allergist for environmental and food allergies, had bloodwork done numerous times, including checking my thyroid, potassium, magnesium, etc., now exercise at least 3 days per week, have removed grains from my diet, etc, etc.  I am been researching every day to find a cause.  I am relentless. 

Background:  I have been treated for anxiety in the past, but only with Lexapro - the last round was because my job of 12 years was killing me.  I quit and the anxiety melted away for a long time, until this 'illness' started last year.  Had a detached retina in 2007 (fixed with schleral buckle surgery) and a vitrectomy to remove scar tissue on my macula in 2008.  I have genetically high cholesterol.  My job now is one people would kill for.  I work from home doing software support and testing, 10 hours day, 5 days a week.  No boss looking over my shoulder.  No commute. Good pay.  I am a subcontractor so I set my own hours.  If I want a day off I take it.

After all these tests, doc says "its anxiety" and wants to put me back on anti-anxiety meds and/or Pamelor or Nortrptyline (sp) for headaches.  Neurologist said it's an inner ear imbalance my body never adjusted to and kicked me to the curb and ENT kicked me to the curb saying my sinuses were fine except for my deviated septum, which I have had forever.  I don't want to take drugs to 'try' to see if they help.  I want to know what is causing this.  Dad passed last year after a long illness and I had to file bankruptcy due to some poor real estate investments. That caused some anxiety.  But we are over the hump.

Now I feel like c**p every day.  Visually disoriented (someone described it well - like if you cross your eyes, the vision you have as they adjust back, or if you put on took strong of a prescription and then take them off), forehead pressure/headache, temple headaches, dizziness, neck and body aches, some fatigue.  It's funny, some days I can hit the health club and stay forever and some days I walk in and want to collapse just looking at the machines.  I sleep about 7-8 hours a night usually waking up at least once to use the bathroom.  Early in the morning before I get out of bed I feel shakey.  Could be anxiety there - I have been sick for a year - who wouldn't have anxiety, right?  I get anxious because I don't feel good and I don't feel good because I am anxious.  We all know the circle. 

Anyway, I found this board and read something I really think might pertain to me.  Vertical Heterophoria.  This is when the eyes are misaligned.  I did the Wayne's World test - camera 1, camera 2, focusing on an object and then closing and opening each eye alternatively.  Your image should move left to right and right to left (camera one, camera two).  We have binocular vision.  My image moves left to right and up and down - this is an indication that my eyes are misaligned, which could cause many if not all of the symptoms I have.  I called Dr. Debby of

***edited by moderator*** web addresses not allowed

Took their on-line test for this condition.  She called me and told me my score was 48.  15 is high.  The visual test I did is a good indicator.   I made an appt with a Mayo Clinic Ophthalmologist.  This condition is easily rectified and could be a side effect of my eye surgery 5 years ago.  I am seeing Dr. Janice Jones, a chiropractor here in AZ that specializes in neuro-cranial integration.  Apparently I am completely out of whack (she showed me and now it's obvious) and she adjusts the cranium and soft tissue.  No snap crackle or pop.  I am on my third visit.  The eye misalignment can cause this because my body is subconsciously adjusting to my visual issues.

I am fairly sure this is the root of my problem.  It's hard to believe that this issue can cause all that, but the eyes can do funny things and then the anxiety takes its toll.

I have subscribed to this topic and will post what happens.

Karen

After 1 month of my chiropractor, trying the new reading glasses with prism to adjust my eyes, taking Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, removing gluten from my diet, removing all artificial sweeteners from my diet, etc., getting of my birth control pills, nothing has helped.

As a matter of fact, my dizziness has gotten worse. Now its all day, every day. My forehead always feels like I am scowling.

My second trip to the ENT it was suggested this is chronic migraine. I see a headache neurologist tomorrow, then the next day it's off to the OBGYN to discuss hormones and menopause.

I am so sick of this. It's really affecting my quality of life now. I can only take so much.

Saw the Mayo Clinic headache neurologist today. He is sending me for an MRA to check the arteries and veins in my head. Looking for an aneurysm or narrowing somewhere that could be restricting blood flow and causing my dizziness, just to rule it out. He feels I am suffering from Migraine aggravated by perimenopause and that most likely the tests will come back normal, but we need to be sure.

I have the test on Monday. I will post results. I am just a little scared and nervous.

Hey, it's only to rule stuff out. We're all here for you. And worrying about it now won't affect the outcome, so just get on with life until Monday morning, then you can give yourself 10 minutes to worry :)