constant feeling like i'm floating or in elevator

[emda21]

hello,this is my first time posting but honestly i ran out of options and i'm hoping to find some answers. 3 years ago i had ear infection and i felt dizzy but even after taking the right medications the feeling won't go away. (dunno if it's related but that's when things started) it's been 3 years but the feeling keeps getting worse, i stopped exercising cause i feel like falling all the time. it's like the feeling you get in elevators i feel it in my whole body all the time even when i'm sitting or sleeping. it's also accompanied with chest heaviness and pain as if there is something on my chest all the time and now it's getting harder for me to focus especially when i'm studying or on PC, i can't describe the exact feeling but it's a if there is a layer preventing me from looking at everything comfortably. i also suffer from constant pulsing or throbbing in different parts of my body(i can feel it over the skin as if it's pulsing). i'm copping up with this for quite some time now, i did all tests and visited so many doctors and at last they told me to visit a neurologist

and i still haven't done that. can you help me please?

[Hidden]

Hey emda,

I'm sorry you're experiencing all of this after the ear infection. It sounds annoying, discomforting, and awkward. Some of these things do fall under the anxiety category, but I think you may have some work ahead of you given that it seems to have followed an ear infection. Are you anxious, stressed, depressed, or anything under the mental health realm? I imagine you are one of the above from dealing with this. I think you should make the neurologist appointment to rule out several things....vertigo, seizures, or other neurological diseases. Have you visited or thought about visiting an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist? They can scope on an out-patient (as in you'll be able to drive yourself home) basis and see if there is anything that might be causing this. The ears are actually our equilibrium setters, so some of your issues make sense if there is an issue there. You may even have a combo from dealing with this...perhaps vertigo and then anxiety from the stress dealing with that discomfort. I can't say for sure, but just giving an opinion. This, unfortunately, may be one of those things you'll have to stay persistent with in finding a solution. I know there are others on here who suffer similar issues, so I hope they can offer a bit more. I hope this helped...I would definitely start with the neurologist though. Take care and I hope you feel better soon.

[emda21 in reply to Hidden]

thanks a lot. yeah i checked everything already and i have to say that my anxiety started because of this feeling(so after not before) and because doctors and my family keep telling me that it's nothing and that i'm imagining things.

[JAYnLA in reply to emda21]

One thing I'm sure of - you aren't imagining your symptoms. I have balance related anxiety symptoms everyday.

[emda21 in reply to JAYnLA]

how do you deal with it?and how did you know it was anxiety related not something else if you don't mind me asking

[JAYnLA in reply to emda21]

I've been to neurologists and had all the tests done - there is no disease, so it's anxiety. There are many ways anxiety causes these sensations from breathing irregularities to blood being pumped away from your head to your limbs to ready you for perceived threat.

[emda21 in reply to JAYnLA]

thanks a lot for the help,now i do wonder if it's anxiety what's the cause cuz.it started during a time when i was actually happy not stressed whatsoever.

[JAYnLA in reply to emda21]

If you can get checked medically it would be a good idea.

[Clurking]

First when I was reading, it sounds a lot like vertigo, but then with the heaviness on the chest it does sound like aniexty. Like Veritas9983 says go and see the nerlogists. Write questions down to ask him/she.

I like to write down my feelings it takes the power out of it.

I get vertigo when I’m sat in the car the other cars are still moving. Hope u get it sorted.

[emda21 in reply to Clurking]

i do my best and writing is one of the ways i deal with it, but it's sad dealing with something that i don't know about especially as someone who used to exercise a lot and now i can't do that.

[GeodudeLonestar]

Hi Emda,

This is really interesting to read because I am experiencing a very similar thing right now. Three months ago I was diagnosed with a bad case of Labyrinthitus, which is basically a complication from an ear infection. I’ve taken all the medication but the dizziness and unsteadiness will not go away! I get really bad vertigo which is horrible, but I also just feel really spaced out, like I’m not entirely present. I also get the weirdest sensation when I try to sleep. I can’t even describe it, it’s almost as if my face is swelling, but it’s not. I also had a period of heart palpitations, and I could feel my heart beating all over my body. I just had a heart scan and all came back OK so the doctor says it’s anxiety, which he’s been saying since I got ill as I’ve also been suffering from numbness in my face and hands, with no obvious cause (had a bunch of blood tests). I also get pressure headaches at my temples all the time since getting ill which the doctor can’t explain so I’ve been referred to a headache specialist. The doctor keeps reassuring me that after an ear infection balance can take months even years to recover, and that everything is normal but being exacerbated by anxiety, but it doesn’t feel normal. I hope to be referred to an ENT specialist who can check there is no major damage to my ears. I hope it helps to know you’re not alone!

All the best

[emda21 in reply to GeodudeLonestar]

i completely relate to numbness too,i feel that in my legs and feet. i went to ENT specialist and they told me everything is fine. i took blood tests and even heart check up. i'm glad i'm not alone in this i just hope i could find a solution thanks a lot.