Anxiety and Stress Forum - Constant Dizziness For 12 Years


Constant Dizziness For 12 Years - Is It Anxiety?

Medical Questions-> Health Forums -> Anxiety and Stress -> Constant Dizziness For 12 Years - Is It Anxiety?

Medical Questions

Author

Message

7ducks

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 07 Aug 2005
Posts: 16
Location: sydney, australia

Thanks: 1

Thanked:0

Constant Dizziness For 12 Years - Is It Anxiety? Posted: 08-07-05 06:15am


Hey guys, i have been fighting constant dizziness for over 12 years now, and noone seems to know what's wrong with me so I thought i’d post and see if anyone had some clever ideas. My symptoms began during study for the hsc in 1993 and have been continuously with me ever since. The ‘dizziness’ itself is an intense groggy heavyheadedness like being hungover or having a head cold 24/7, and all the constant fatigue and headaches that goes with it. I don’t experience vertigo or any other motion type dizziness. Other major symptoms (as well as low energy and frequent headaches) include: dry, sore, itchy eyes; poor memory and concentration; and neck tension and pain (and inflexibility). I also experience anxiety, particularly when I have to speak formally in front of others or am stressed, and I have been diagnosed as having an anxiety disorder or social phobia. Although I have been told that anxiety could be a cause for the constant heavyheadedness, I reckon that the anxiety is a symptom of the primary issue, whatever that is. The main reasons i’m not convinced it’s anxiety is that I rarely feel anxious (although i’m dizzy all the time), when I do get anxious I feel a different type of dizziness like a lightheaded buzzing feeling, and the grogginess never lets up and rarely fluctuates once i’m up for the day, no matter where I am or what I am doing … I could be wrong tho. I have given up litres of blood for tests with no result. Liver and thyroid are working just fine. Blood pressure is dandy. I have had two eegs, two mris on my head (10 years apart) and one on my cervical spine, plus one ct scan on my head, with no results (thankfully I guess). I went to a hearing and balance clinic years ago (does anyone know if they check out your inner ear at these places?) and that came back clear. I also saw a sleep doctor to rule out sleep apnoea and other sleeping disorders i’ve tried acupuncture, massage, physio and chiro with no results. I’ve popped my body weight in pills (anti-deps, anti-psychotics and many many others) with no effect. I recently started seeing a psychologist because I was just so miserable and kinda depressed and not dealing well with the prospect of feeling so constantly horrid for the rest of my life. He’s trying to treat anxiety with a range of drugs, none of which have had any effect. One last thing is that sleep seems to be the main thing that makes me have either a day where I can get up and function and get to work etc, or when I don’t sleep well, i’m a complete mess and barely able to think through the grogginess. So, i’m at a loss what to try next. Does anyone think I might be wrong about it not being anxiety? Any suggestions? Many thanks

veryverysore

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 11 Sep 2005
Posts: 2
Location: scotland

Same Here Posted: 09-11-05 07:20am


This sounds like me. I have had the same thing for years. They say the dizziness in meineres disease middle ear balance thing. I cut out salt and it helped me 80 percent. I can remember the same thing going shopping and looking and feeling drunk. Its hell and no one ever knows it. My neck is tight and bacl 24/7 I am not sure what this is but try meineeres for your dizzy spells .

Greg1111

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 19 Aug 2005
Posts: 3
Location: phoenix, az

Dizziness Posted: 09-27-05 15:21pm


I know this may not be much help for you but you're the first person i've found to describe my syptoms almost perfectly. I think a lot of people misuse the word "dizziness" which in my definition has to do with a spining motion i.E. Inner ear linkage. I too have had the constant groggy, hung over feeling for about 4 months now. It started as just not feeling right and led up to full blown panic attacks. The major difference between what i've researched and your description is the constant 24/7 syndrome. Though i've been told by doctors it could be anxiety, I like you, intuitively think it's something else. I'm 37 and have been through a lot of stress in my life and have never before experienced anything like this. Before this my head was clear, I was confident, and felt I could do anything. Now, I forget the most basic things and focus 90% of my thoughts trying to "think" through this. I can't even remember what "normal" feels like and I can't imagine going through this for ten more years. I've been on anti-anxiety drugs for about 2 months now and they've conquered the panic attacks but not the constant fogginess in my head. The not knowing what it is is debilitating. I hope you find some answers and i'll let you know if I do.

Kiki03

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 30 Oct 2005
Posts: 14

Posted: 11-02-05 13:02pm


I see the original posting was a while ago but I just wanted to say that I experience similar problems. I've had a strange dizziness for about 3 years now and it goes on 24/7. Doctors mostly think i'm crazy and making things up. It very well could be anxiety but why would it just start up out of no where. I'm just at the point where I want to be diagnosed with something...Just so I know i'm not crazy!

slappybabs

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 30 Nov 2005
Posts: 7

Posted: 12-01-05 02:19am


Wow, can someone please respond to updates on this if they have felt the same way.....This is the first time I have seen people with exactly what I have....I have yet to try medication for anxiety but I have been to ent's internists family doctors and specialists with no avail. I need help. If someone can respond with help they have recieved about this problem I would be in a life debt to them. I have had this for 2 years now and I need to cure it asap

truckstophero

Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy

Joined: 28 Jul 2005
Posts: 84
Location: alabama

Posted: 12-04-05 19:17pm


Oh man. I have had all this for ages.. Just suffered an insane panic attack on the plane to berlin...Thought we were going to die for the whole flight. Not sure when its gonna end.Try to take each day at a time.

jaylow

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 30 Nov 2005
Posts: 8
Location: new zealand

I Am Not the Only One.. Posted: 12-04-05 20:21pm


This sounds exactly like my symptons , heavy head ,weak neck that real hungover feeling not being able to focus properly. I have been on anti depressents for about two weeks now with still no affect...I still have the groggy feelings every day is this anxeity ?? Who can help me ?? . I feel so bloody useless at the moment cant even work cant concentrate for long periods ..What is wrong with me ??.

damefrank

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 06 Dec 2005
Posts: 15
Location: Washington

Posted: 12-06-05 19:07pm


Geez guys! I haven't heard one mention of a chiropractor. Anyone out there cure themselves from this by going to one? Worked for my migraines that I had suffered from for years. And when I herniated a lower disc in my back it cut off all nerve function to my left leg and I was incapacitated for 1 1/2 years and my left leg shrunk to half the size of the other leg...But...I still had feelings of numbness, painful jolts at times, and a dull ache. How could my nerves be so squished and still send nerve impulses? Turns out my leg wasn't in pain...My nerves were. They were sending irratic messages which startled my brain and my reaction was fear. My brain interpreted the strangel garbled messages as queer and unfriendly and went into panic mode (like it was in danger or something). When you get the pressure off the nerves, everything relaxes. I now kick hackie sack and run and work (doing tile setting and stone installing). Both neurosurgeons said I would never walk again due to the nerve damage. Huh! I think you guys have some squished nerve talk going on there!

slappybabs

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 30 Nov 2005
Posts: 7

Posted: 12-06-05 21:53pm

damefrank wrote:

geez guys! I haven't heard one mention of a chiropractor. Anyone out there cure themselves from this by going to one? Worked for my migraines that I had suffered from for years. And when I herniated a lower disc in my back it cut off all nerve function to my left leg and I was incapacitated for 1 1/2 years and my left leg shrunk to half the size of the other leg...But...I still had feelings of numbness, painful jolts at times, and a dull ache. How could my nerves be so squished and still send nerve impulses? Turns out my leg wasn't in pain...My nerves were. They were sending irratic messages which startled my brain and my reaction was fear. My brain interpreted the strangel garbled messages as queer and unfriendly and went into panic mode (like it was in danger or something). When you get the pressure off the nerves, everything relaxes.

I now kick hackie sack and run and work (doing tile setting and stone installing). Both neurosurgeons said I would never walk again due to the nerve damage. Huh! I think you guys have some squished nerve talk going on there!

i went to one for 2 months with nothing happening

slappybabs

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 30 Nov 2005
Posts: 7

Posted: 12-06-05 21:53pm

damefrank wrote:

i went to one for 2 months with nothing happening

bjcrawfo

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 05 Dec 2005
Posts: 22
Location: Alabama

Posted: 12-07-05 23:50pm


This sounds like me also. They say that it's anxiety, but I will not know until I have taken the meds long enough. I have been taking paxil cr for about 5 days now. I hope one of us figures it out.

lisa2005

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 08 Dec 2005
Posts: 17

Posted: 12-08-05 14:58pm


Ginko biloba is wonderful for dizziness!!!!! Use as directed.

slappybabs

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 30 Nov 2005
Posts: 7

Posted: 12-12-05 19:46pm


Update on my situation im begining to really feel like it is anxiety and just anxeity i went to a really sharp new doctor and he put me on zoloft and had some very encouraging words for me immediately I felt as if my symptoms were gone because I was so happy about me mabey finding a cure after a couple days my simptoms came back as I worried more about my anxiety...That to me proves it has to be in my head i am on zoloft now and I will keep you updated on any change on how I feel in a couple weeks when it kicks in

willie147

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 31 Dec 2005
Posts: 1
Location: Scotland

Posted: 12-31-05 15:23pm


First off, hi, this is my first post here.:) i did a search on yahoo for "stress and dizziness" and was pointed to this thread. Please don`t take this the wrong way, but i`m really glad to hear the conditions y`all have. Not to be nasty, but cos it means i`m not going insane, and i`m not alone. I`ve been having dizzy spells for 2 years now. The first one happened two years ago, and I didn`t know what was happening to me. I had a panic attack and was rushed to hospital. I was diagnosed as having a viral infection of the inner ear? Given tablets and two weeks later I was fit to go back to work. Since then, every now and then I have the same dizzy feelings, and thinking i`m going to collapse, and feel like i`m walking in a haze. It`s like an outer body experience, is the only way I can describe it. Personally I put it down to stress, cos around 2 years ago, my first child was born, I was having marital problems, and my job is pretty stressful, so these I feel put me over the edge. I`ve lived with these feelings I have for 2 years, and have been using meditation to try and help, and I feel they have, until I felt so good I stopped doing the meditation. A week ago, my wife told me she was pregant again, and a week before I was told I may lose my job due to redundacy. Needless to say, this pushed me over the edge again, and i`ve been thinking all sorts of mad thoughts,"have I got a brain tumor?", "am I losing my mind?" boils have appeared on my back and backside, my face has broken out in a rash, and I keep thinking i`m gonna pass out, or have a panic attack. Last saturday I honestly thought I was a goner. I started back with my meditation again today, so hopefully I should get better again soon. I hope y`all get back to your normal selves again soon, and would love to hear any progress updates.... Willie

Malkurrag

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 03 Jan 2006
Posts: 1
Location: Sweden

Posted: 01-03-06 16:49pm


I am from sweden and I have never heard of these kind of symtomes. I am glad to read that none of you have died or had a brain tumor. That was what I was afraid of. Well I am 22 years old and I have this kind of symtomes you all have. So I don't think it's an age thing. My life has bean very stressed and now the last few mounth have bean the worst. I am a little sad to read that none of you got better after several years even. I hope that does not happend to me. But I just tought I should tell you all that I am young and I to have these problems

MikeK

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 03 Jan 2006
Posts: 1

Posted: 01-03-06 20:00pm


Improper diet and stress can cause muscle pain, depression etc. I used to have bad anxiety but it's getting better. I started eating a lot more raw foods. I try to eat 70% to 80% raw foods. Broccoli, celery, blueberries, grapes, bananas, avocados, carrots etc has foods that heal the body and fight bacteria in your body. Everything you eat and drink has bacteria, even water does it's impossible to get rid of it. According to my research most of the problem can be cured going on a leaky gut diet. High intake of acidic foods like salt, alcohol, citrus, caffeine etc irriate and eventually cause tiny holes in your stomach. So when you eat these bacteria end up in your body causing pain, tension etc. It all makes sense if you really think about it. Mediation, exercise, eating good foods or taking chinese herbs can help. Stress can lower your immune system greatly. Taking proibotics may help by reintroducing good bacteria in your body. Cabbage is known to help heal the gut. Broccoli is known to fight bacteria and prevent cancer. Bananas have vitamin 6 which is good for depression. Exercising lightly like biking outside helps. Moderate exercise boots your immune system. Eating grapes contain powerful antioxidants (if you can it's good to chew the seeds and swallow them too). Eating rice or millet for grains help. Avoid gluten foods like wheat, oat meal etc. Eat very little meat, avoid nuts til you feel better. 80% of your diet should be raw foods. I know that's eating a lot. Avoid alcohol, vinegar, strong species, tea, coffee, chocolate etc. Stay away from soy it is toxic unless it's fermented soy. Take up yoga or tai chi. Learn to mediate but you do have to becareful it can make it worse if it does stop mediation. Happy people don't stay at home too much. Social interaction is best for depression even for those with anxiety. I living proof of that since I had to deal with the public. Learn to talk about your problems with someone you trust. You need someone who you can talk to about stress etc.

Kellerina

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 12 Jan 2006
Posts: 3

Re: I Am Not the Only One..
Posted: 01-12-06 19:39pm

jaylow wrote:

this sounds exactly like my symptons , heavy head ,weak neck that real hungover feeling not being able to focus properly.

I have been on anti depressents for about two weeks now with still no affect...I still have the groggy feelings every day is this anxeity ?? Who can help me ?? .

I feel so bloody useless at the moment cant even work cant concentrate for long periods ..What is wrong with me ??.

i have had the same thing...And was recently diagnosed with labyrinthitis...Sounds bad but it is an inner ear problem, look it up on the net and see if it sounds like maybe what you have, it makes total senze for me. I wish you the best.
Kelly

7ducks

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 07 Aug 2005
Posts: 16
Location: sydney, australia

Thanks: 1

Thanked:0

Constant Dizziness For 12.5 Years Posted: 03-09-06 01:21am


Hi guys, it’s crap that there are other people out there that have the same ongoing symptoms, but it gives me hope because it’s not just me. It’s been 6 months since my original post and a number of people asked to be kept up to date on how things were going. I only have a little to report but it’s worth a post. Quick recap - I suffer from constant (meaning every minute of every single day) grogginess similar to being badly hung-over or having a head cold/ flu. I’m coming up to year 13. I was 18 when it started. Other symptoms are fatigue, headaches, brainfog, terrible concentration and memory, sore tired eyes, and tense neck and shoulders. Sleep, more than any other thing, seems to change the intensity of the grogginess, but not even close to the point where it goes away. Since my initial post I finished up a year of being on a variety of anti-anxiety medication. Nothing even made a dent on the grogginess, so my p doc concluded that the anxiety is being caused by the grogginess and not the other way round. He also now admits that he has never treated someone who has had constant grogginess /dizziness before (and he must be pushing 60) and that with typical anxiety disorders, the dizziness comes and goes. Anyway, I also tried out an ophthalmologist (negative), tested for lupus which apparently mirrors anxiety orders and is therefore often missed (negative), went to another neurologist (negative), saw another sleep doctor (negative), and had my sinuses x-rayed (yep .. Negative). Useless!! …… except …... I had an interesting chat with the sleep doctor, who suggested a theory that it might be a neurotransmitter problem in some part of the brain (hippocampus for example) that might currently be beyond medical science’s ability to diagnose and treat. Although this was disappointing to hear, it was also very refreshing for a medical doctor to admit that the medical world doesn’t know everything and that these symptoms could stem from some other yet ‘unknown’ problem or disorder. Hmmmmm ... One last thing. I’ve recently been looking into breathing pattern disorders, seeing as this constant grogginess feels like my brain’s being suffocated by not getting enough of something (??). Unfortunately there’s not much strong medical stuff behind breathing pattern disorders, and it’s all a bit touchy-feely, but what have I got to lose. Anyway, this website provides you with a start, and an evaluation quiz for anyone that might be interested. Www.Oxygenesis.Org thankyou so much to those who posted (and left messages), and please please continue to do so. As we all are I guess, I am so desperate to not feel like this anymore, and hope is rapidly dwindling. Anyway, I promise to post here if I figure anything out. 7ducks

Sanders06

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 31 Mar 2006
Posts: 1
Location: Pearl

Constant Dizziness!i! Posted: 03-31-06 20:57pm


I've been sick for about a month. My illness started off as what I thought was a virus . I felt heavy headed and dizzy then started throwing up and having diarrea. I was treated for a virus. These simple symptoms left me but I still have this constant dizziness and nauseating feeling all they time.They tell me it's anxiety causing this and they are getting ready to start me on anti depressants. These feeling has interfiered with my ability to work and finish my last 4 weeks of my senior year of school. I've allready had a ct on my head , blood test and even had a iv because I dehydrated from lack of appetite. It's now been a month . I guess the best thing to do to relieve anxiety is to take care of yourself better and rely on a higher power such as the almighty lord! By taking care of what god gave you he will give you the strength to be happy and healthy again!

wardenet

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 15 Apr 2006
Posts: 4
Location: uk

Dizziness 24/7 For 15 Years Posted: 04-15-06 16:54pm


Hi all I have just come accross this forum and I feel like I have found a part of myself, for 15years I have had constant dizziness it started when I was 15 and I had stomach problems which turned out to be hiatus hernia, after haveing a endoscopy (camera down the throat). A few days after that I started to feel light headed and the days following in turned into full blown dizziness but it was not vertigo it was like being drunk or tipsy but without the missbalance, my head would be confused as I know what I can see but my brain was taking it as something else, I am dizzy 24 hours a day and cannot work due to it, I find that being in crowds or places where there are loads of moving people or objects makes me feel worse, the weird thing is I am even dizzy in my dreams its like I cannot get away from it. I have had loads and loads of tests over the years and nothing helps. I have had only two instances where it went completely and thats was only for a few seconds, why that happened I will never know. Also everyday is like a surprise as one day it can be really bad and another day can be okish. I would really love to hear from you all also if possible I would like to know what you did when you got your first symptoms and if you have any other health problems. Feel free to email me as I am anxious to speak to someone about this, I know longer feel alone.

Constant Dizziness For 12 Years - Is It Anxiety?