BALANCE AND DIZZINESS

[Likethecolorblue]

Has anyone experienced chronic dizziness (not vertigo) and balance problems? I have had this for 8 years and no doctor (ent, neurologist, eye dr, etc) has been able to find the problem. I am 82 yrs old and this started gradually and now it is chronic

[10gingercats]

I have had this and thought it was due to my heart. I called the cardiologists heart nurse at my hospita and she referred me to my GP .He asked a lot of questions and came to the conclusion it was labyrinthitis. I was dizzy and spinning especially first thing in the morning but it did not go away until my GP gave me medication. I am not a medic so I can only quote from my experience.Yours could be due to something different. What does your GP say about it?

[bantam12]

Yes I’ve had it for years, had CT scans and all sorts of tests and nobody knows why. I was referred to a Physio who specialises in balance problems and it was possibly helpful in me learning exercises and coping strategies and how to live with it but it’s still a daily problem, some days better than others.

[jeanjeannie50]

Oddly I had a bout of this two days ago, got up from where I was sat one evening and immediately felt off balance and dizzy. It must have lasted for about an hour. Went to bed that night and when I awoke next day I felt really drained of energy. Was back in bed in the afternoon and then suddenly felt fine again. I put it down to my heart doing strange beats.

Jean

[Chris147 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hope you feel better Jean. I get it out walking so been stuck at home as feel vulnerable going out on my own. Waiting fir hospital to send me a Kardia machine. Think it might be Ectopics missing longer beat and bp dropping. Deep joy xx

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Chris147]

I'm telling myself it's just a one off experience caused by me being inactive since my gallbladder op. Years ago I had a few episodes of it when getting out of bed too quickly. Now I sit on the side of the bed and take my early morning pills. What a nuisance all this is! We fight against getting old, but our bodies have a good try at getting us that way. Don't let it beat you.

Your blood pressure could be dropping a little low. Mine was like that once when in hospital and a nurse advised me to drink more water and it did bring it up. I definitely feel more alive, when out walking, if I take a small bottle of water out with me and keep having sips. x

[Chris147 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you so much Jean it really helps bp yesterday 87 over 59 drunk more water and it got better really can feel it and if I had been out walking would have had the wobbles and feeling faint. Waiting for the Kardia hope that shows something tbh. Take care 🙂

[Singwell]

I have had labyrinthitis and it's horrible. It CAN be stress related. Mine definitely was. My yoga teacher gave me some exercises to help. Two friends of mine get it due to stress but I'm pretty sure there are medications that can help, as well as finding strategies to cope with stress. Sorry you're having this - it can be horrible.

[Suesouth]

I have this, doc says it’s vertigo, but I’m not so sure, comes and goes, had it for 4 weeks now!

[irene75359]

Yes. Not all the time but when I get up (even slowly) I stagger from side to side and when I lie down and close my eyes the room spins. If you have it all the time, you have my sympathy, it must be so unpleasant.

[kathie659 in reply to irene75359]

My orthostatic hypotension was most noticeable when changing elevations...reaching for bottom shelf items, than standing...sitting position to standing...it was diagnosed by using tilt table test, although in my case? Results were "backwards" my bp would drop when they layed table back after being upright. Im told it usually drops when table you are strapped to goes from laying to upright. I mention the difference, because some react differently to the test and some doctors are not aware of this....

[irene75359 in reply to kathie659]

That is really interesting; I haven't seen the doctor about my dizziness as I am having a range of treatment for another illness that comes with lots of side effects. But when I bend down perhaps to pick something off the floor I get dizzy. Thank you for that information!

[Ppiman]

My friend (now nearly 89 but well) has had this on and off over the years and, much like you, has never had an explanation. He's been told that it could be owing to several things: neck troubles such as arthritis, which I would think come on with turning the head; low blood pressure, which could happen on rising, bending or if a meal is missed or delayed causing low blood sugar; or ear issues caused by sinus infection or congestion.

This web article seems very informative:

menieres.org.uk/information...

Steve

[kathie659 in reply to Ppiman]

Yes orthostatic hypotension low blood pressure during certain movements...i was treated medication....stopped all symptoms

[Jajarunner]

There are exercises to do to help with this. Look for Brandt-Epley exercises. They train your brain to get used to it.

[Taichid]

I had this and dr diagnosed BPPV. Had Epley manoeuvre a couple of times and went to my physio for balancing exercises. It helped at first then a Cardiologist said it was the bisoprolol causing this and stopped it, hey presto dizziness stopped.

[Threecats in reply to Taichid]

I have the same problem that has only come on since I started Bisoprolol. May I ask Taichid, were you put on another beta blocker instead, or something else? Thanks TC

[Taichid in reply to Threecats]

No, didn’t give me another beta blocker. After a few months of no medication my high heart rate kicked in. Was given flecainide which induced tachicardia. 3 days later a pacemaker and biso again despite me not able to tolerate it. Now low dose digoxin alongside. Have cardiologist appointment in 2 weeks and pacemaker interrogation so I can discuss my problem with him. If no satisfactory resolution will be making appointment for private consultation with senior guy who will review everything.

[Threecats in reply to Taichid]

Thank you for your reply Taichid, I’m sorry to hear you’re having such problems. I do hope you’re able to get some answers from your cardiologist appointment in a fortnight’s time. All the best, TC

[Crystalbowl]

I do have this although it is not too bad. I have put it down to the cocktail of meds I am on. I have had labrynthitis and it is not the same as that.

[kathie659]

I had orthostatic hypotension...took years for a diagnosis. Maybe google it and see if your symptoms "fit" diagnosis...Good luck

[hatchback]

I also have had the problem of dizziness and weak legs. Seems strange that the only one I notice that mentions medication is Taichid. I've researched "patient's reviews" and found many people taking the same medication that I am, Metoprolol Succinate ER 50 mg. complain of the same symptoms. I'm changing to different medication, that does basically the same thing and hope these side effects disappear! I don't know which meds you are on, if any, but that's the first thing I would look at. Good luck and hope you find the cause.

[dave152248]

Hi yes I suffer with this. Get checked for BBPV - Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common causes of vertigo — the sudden sensation that you're spinning or that the inside of your head is spinning. BPPV causes brief episodes of mild to intense dizziness. It is usually triggered by specific changes in your head's position.

It's a one of the worse conditions but can be corrected by doing certain exercises.

healthline.com/health/exerc...

I hope you fix this, good luck

[Likethecolorblue in reply to dave152248]

Thank you for your reply! I too have had vertigo but meclizine always helped this and it usually lasted a day or so. I have been to an ent and had all kids of ear tests run and he found nothing that could explain my dizziness and balance problems. My eyes don't coordinate with my vestibular and I just don't know what kind of doctor can treat this. Thank you!

[Marlsboy]

I too suffer from this, and it's there all the time, though some days are worse than others. It is not Labyrinthitis or Vertigo, both of which I have had. Thisis a very different sensation and can also affect my eyesight. Again, I have drawn a blank with getting a diagnosis but it seriously affects my quality of life. I had a Pace and Ablate for permanent AF and I also have COPD but apparently neither are to blame. It prevents me from leaving the house as I feel in a state of collapse when I'm on my feet. You have a lot of sympathy from me and I hope you find a solution.

[Likethecolorblue in reply to Marlsboy]

Thanks for your reply. I too have had vertigo but what I have is entirely different. It sounds like you have similar symptoms. I feel like my eyes and vestibular do not work together. My eyes get tired of trying to balance. I don't know what kind of doctor to go to for this, as I have been to eye doctors and they don't find a problem and the ent gave me all kinds of tests and could not find the problem. I have also been to a neurologist and had a brain mri and this came back negative. I have been to physical therapy. This is why I have lived with this for many years but have adjusted to the problem - just constantly aware of my dizziness and balance. I hope you can get your problem resolved as I know this is no fun.

[RoyMacDonald]

My Wife suffers from that but it is due to her having Ménière's disease. I guess they checked for that?

All the best.

Roy

[DISC]

Have you been tested for labyrinthitus?

[marcyh]

A physical therapist who specializes in sports injuries resolved my BBPV quickly with the Epley Maneuver but I still have balance issues. Any other symptoms, like fullness in the ear? Tinnitus? Mine appears to be Meniere's Disease but mild, without the severe, nauseating dizzy spells.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

HiMy friend has it and was diagnosed M.S after a brain scan. She was playing tennis in 80s.

Very slow moving is hers.

My father was losing his balance and a post-mortem showed he had lymphoma.

Otherwise it could be high meds for your body.

You dont say what meds you are on or whether Af?

cheri. jOY