Hello everyone.

[Boogiebear]

I've been battling inner ear problems for the past 4 months. This has been creating alot of dizziness . Along with this driving has been an issue . I would get panick attacks so I have not driven in the past month. Now when I get those feelings of dizziness I believe I am having anxiety. I get nervous when I go out to stores and what now because I'm nervous that I will dizzy and lightheaded. Does anyone have ear issues that have brought on anxiety and how do you deal with it? I have been to the docs mutiple times and she finally referred me to the ENT. Next week I go to have tubes put in. Hoping relieving the pressure will ease my anxiety.

[fauxartist]

It sounds like everything is all balled up for you and like it's a merry-go-round of catch 22. I do have an inner ear problem...but it's only a problem when I am in the back of a car, or on a boat, and sometimes flying....but I get motion sickness from it...always have... When ever I traveled my doctor gave me patches to counter the motion sickness. What has your doctor said about this maybe being that and not just in your head.

[Boogiebear in reply to fauxartist]

Yes thank you! I plan on trying to start driving again next week after the tubes go in. I have anxiety around driving because the first time I realized I had the ear issues I was driving to the store with my nephew. Got super dizzy and had a panic attack. Call the doc right there in the store and had to call for someone to drive us home. My gp told me I had severe ear infections 4 months ago. I believe my anxiety comes from reliving thatoment of fear. So if I feel a dizzy spell coming on it brings me back to that. Any tips on how to alleviate the moments on anxiety?

[Hidden]

I think your anxiety is not abnormal considering your inner ear problems. Being dizzy is not a pleasant feeling. So don’t beat yourself up about it. Would using a wheel chair help when you are out in a store?

[Boogiebear in reply to Hidden]

Thanx for your suggestions. Usually the cart is enough support. At times the lights in big stores will set off the dizzy spells. Which sets of the anxiety. It's hard to battle that fight or flight feeling you know.

[Hidden in reply to Boogiebear]

Yes I know it well. I was agoraphobic for 14 years. Sorry I haven’t replied sooner. I have overcome my panic attacks. It wasn’t easy and took time. Are you getting any treatment for them?

[Boogiebear in reply to Hidden]

Not currently but I did talk to my doctor about it. I am trying out meditation at the moment. Found that app Headspace.