Dizziness: Can anyone offer any tips on... - Anxiety Support

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Dizziness

vbylicki profile image
18 Replies

Can anyone offer any tips on being lightheaded? My attacks seem to have subsided but when I get up and walk it feels like I'm leaning or being pulled to one side even though I'm walking straight. I feel it sitting sometimes too. Or if I look up or down or to the side my eyes feel like they take a little while to focus and I feel butterflies in my stomach like I just got off a ride or stood up too fast. It's scaring me the most, I've cried a lot over it because with the anxiety it feels so much worse and of course my mind jumps to horrible conclusions. How can I finally accept that it's all due to anxiety? In my head when I feel it coming on I'm telling this invisible monster that I will not be controlled by it. It helps for a little bit but I still can't fully accept it. Thanks in advance.

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vbylicki profile image
vbylicki
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18 Replies

Hello

Have you been to see your GP about this ?

It could be vertigo which is to do with the ears , nothing alarming & can be treated but if suffering can give these symptoms as well as it could be your anxiety but I would get an appointment to see my GP & just check your ears etc are ok x

vbylicki profile image
vbylicki in reply to

Thank you! I've always had bad ear infections since I was small and was just getting over one when this horrible anxiety set in a month ago. I have a follow up in 9 days with my GP so I'll mention it then. But is there anything I can to do relieve it in the meantime?

MandyMargie profile image
MandyMargie

It could be an inner ear problem. If you can, you might try to see a neurotologist. It took me a couple of years before I was finally referred to one. Sometimes I would list to one side when walking, get dizzy, lots of migraines, etc. Mine turned out to be an inner ear problem. Good luck to you.

in reply to MandyMargie

Hello

I know anxiety can make us feel dizzy , sometimes of balance but I get ear infections & vertigo & now you have said you have had trouble with your ears I am thinking this is maybe down to ear problems what you are feeling which I know makes us feel anxious

I had a ear infection weeks ago , it caused my vertigo to come back as well as very bad tinnitus & even weeks later I still keep getting it but less than it was

I know it is not easy but I tell myself that yes it is very unpleasant but not life threatening as to try & keep my anxiety levels lower so till you see your Doctor keep talking about how you feel but try & get your thinking to keep saying when the negatives come in that this is not life threatening , it helps to a certain degree

Let us know how you get on after you have seen the doctor & be kind to yourself :-) xxx

vbylicki profile image
vbylicki in reply to

Thank you both so much! If it is just an inner ear thing I will be so happy! It is such a scary feeling but I know it's not harmful, i am going to do my best to stay positive. Thanks again. Will keep you posted.

vbylicki profile image
vbylicki in reply to

So I went to my appt today but I was much more nervous because the last two days I've had this weird fluid-like pressure that starts almost at the top of my head and goes down into my sinus area. I hope that makes sense, it's really uncomfortable and I of course panicked. I told the dr about it and my right ear was really clogged. They had to irrigate it and it took about 20 min to completely flush out all the wax. So I've been dizzy all day because of that but still feel that pressure in my head. She wanted to put me on sudafed to dry out the fluid but I said no because one of the side effects is severe dizziness and anxiety lol and we're trying to avoid that. So for now I'm on Dramamine and if I don't feel better in a few days I need to call back. I'm not sure why she didn't just refer me to an ENT but she said she wanted to wait. So I feel like I'm back at square one and I'm really frustrated. Have you ever felt that sensation before? It doesn't hurt but it's scary.

in reply to vbylicki

Hello

Well done getting to your appointment all the anxiety you were feeling that was a big thing to do as well as sitting there for 20 minutes while she did the procedure

It really sounds like the problem with your ears is causing the dizziness which will make you feel anxious

They do tend to do these procedures & then ask you to wait a few days to see if it has improved the situation because I feel when they refer you they have to do a referral letter to justify why they would like you to be seen & I think they have to be able to say in that letter that they have tried certain things first that have failed before they do

But fingers crossed try & stay positive that this may just work , it will take a few days for everything to settle down but then keep hold of the reassurance that if for some reason it doesn't you then have every right to go back & ask them to do that referral :-)

Keep us updated :-) x

vbylicki profile image
vbylicki in reply to

Thank you again! It's so hard because this feeling is so strange to me that I'm sure it's like my brain sloshing or something (lol I know it's not that extreme). But it's hard to remind myself that it isn't anything terrible because if it was I'm sure they would've noticed and had me at a hospital asap. Having people on here who understand is a big relief though.

in reply to vbylicki

I know when I first experienced Vertigo , I explained the feeling very similar to how you have , I said it felt like my brain was floating around in my head ...mind you lets be positive again this must mean we do have a brain :-D

Seriously though keep trying to tell yourself that if it was anything really serious they would have you in ASP but the fact they have not they know they are the experts that this is a nuisance but not life threatening

Try & stay focused with these thoughts & push the anxiety thoughts further away when they try & take over

I am sure everything will be fine :-) x

vbylicki profile image
vbylicki in reply to

Also I forgot to say they only irrigated my right ear, she said the other looked weird. That it was clear but cloudy? So I have no idea what that means lol

vbylicki profile image
vbylicki in reply to MandyMargie

So I went to my appt today but I was much more nervous because the last two days I've had this weird fluid-like pressure that starts almost at the top of my head and goes down into my sinus area. I hope that makes sense, it's really uncomfortable and I of course panicked. I told the dr about it and my right ear was really clogged. They had to irrigate it and it took about 20 min to completely flush out all the wax. So I've been dizzy all day because of that but still feel that pressure in my head. She wanted to put me on sudafed to dry out the fluid but I said no because one of the side effects is severe dizziness and anxiety lol and we're trying to avoid that. So for now I'm on Dramamine and if I don't feel better in a few days I need to call back. I'm not sure why she didn't just refer me to an ENT but she said she wanted to wait. So I feel like I'm back at square one and I'm really frustrated. Have you ever felt that sensation before? It doesn't hurt but it's scary.

Patittos_ profile image
Patittos_ in reply to vbylicki

Hello.. I also have that symptom.. my sinuses have always been messed up..lol.. I do take sudafed and it helps a lot.. I hope you find another solution. 😄

vbylicki profile image
vbylicki in reply to Patittos_

Thanks! Did you feel any weird side effects taking it? If it helps I'll take it but I was on prednisone awhile back and they told me it would make me hyper but it was the worst attack I've ever had. I broke down and cried because of how scared and anxious I felt and I thought it would never end. Lol but I don't know which is worse, a side effect or this pressure.

Patittos_ profile image
Patittos_ in reply to vbylicki

I didn't get any side effects.. it actually feels great.. your head and sinus feels so light and airy..lol its a huge relief.. try it amd if you do t feel well dont drink it.. your Dr did tell you to take it so I think it's safe.. 😄😄

vbylicki profile image
vbylicki in reply to Patittos_

You're right. I'll give it a shot and see what happens 😬

Patittos_ profile image
Patittos_ in reply to vbylicki

Let me knw how it goes

Devinlane profile image
Devinlane

I know exactly how you are feeling. I have struggled with anxiety for years now. I was shot back in 05 and now I have this on going fear of EVERYTHING. I finally got to the point where I tell myself if your going to die than that's just what it is. I know that sounds harsh but if I have one little ache or pain I start freaking out and I worry myself sick. I know stress triggers it so I try not to sweat the small stuff and just enjoy life.

vbylicki profile image
vbylicki in reply to Devinlane

Oh my goodness! Kudos to you for sticking it out and not allowing it to take over. I'd be absolutely terrified. But you're right, I'm trying to take the mindset too that I have no control over what's going to happen and I'm not going to let that "what if" attitude run my life.

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