Off balance light headed

[Ruzuz]

Hi everyone. I have been light headed off balance for the last couple months. It happens mainly when is it down or stand still: it’s really frustrating. I’m getting a echo done next week. But my blood work came back good. Not sure what to do here . It’s annoying and I need to work and function. My doc gave me sertraline so I’ve been taking it for almost 3 weeks now . He gave it to me because my heart would race when I sit down as well. Anyone ever feel this way and have any ideas on what it could be? I’m so confused on what direction to take. And it’s not vertigo.

[SleepLover_]

This happened to me during January. I was feeling really off balanced, light headed, and well basically really off as if my mind was fogged or something. I made appointment with my doctor and he said that it's most likely related to stress. I've been diagnosed with anxiety and I was feeling really anxious about starting a new college semester. So yeah basically that was my body's way of reacting to the stress I was feeling. This isn't much but hope it helps!

[Ruzuz in reply to SleepLover_]

What were your symptoms exactly? And are they gone or still there?

[AbbieSM in reply to Ruzuz]

I have just started having panic attacks and anxiety in December after being diagnosed with vertigo. I have the same symptoms as you in that I just feel dizzy a lot!! As though there's a tingle in the front of my head. One of thenother symptoms I have is that the left side of my face is so tight and feels like it's all droopy even though it isn't. I am constantly checking my pulse, testing my face muscles! It's so tiring, I feel like my eyesight has got worse especially in the left eye as it feels tight all the time. I also get really weak arms and legs even if I'm not using them. I have been trying to deal with it naturally and to be honest I find doing things is the best thing to do and keeping busy. If I feel a panic attack coming on I call my sister or my mum and talk to them normally about something completely different. I do some cleaning, I ordered some paint by numbers from Amazon and the concentration they require takes my mind off thinking about my anxiety and so the symptoms slightly reduce until I feel better. I also listen to podcasts which helps as they often give tips and talk about their own issues which I find comforting that other people feel the same.

[Agora1]

Hi Ruzuz, I had the same symptoms for years along with having many tests that just led

to it being stress and anxiety. It stopped when I stopped fearing that feeling as well as

working on my breathing. Hydration was another important step in bringing this under control. I too would feel it more when sitting and/or standing.

While sitting I would feel so off balanced, I would sometimes jut forward in my seat.

Felt as if the floor was moving. When standing in line at the store, I would have to move

my legs like I was riding a bike in place. That reduced the adrenaline as well as took my

mind off it. Chewing gum use to help while in line as well.

We're here to help you through this as it is a very common and yet not dangerous feeling.

One last thing Ruzuz...watch your posture. I can almost bet that you are in a "fight or flight" pose, neck jutted forward and either over breathing or holding your breath.

Relax those shoulders bring them down away from your ears and just Breathe. xx

[Ruzuz in reply to Agora1]

Thank you so much for your response. How long did it take for the symptoms to go away? And if you don’t mind me asking did you take any SSRIs? I’m currently on sertraline 25mg. It’s been exactly a month today since I have been on them. My doctor told me to go up a dose and take 50mg but I’m too scared because of the side effects I had when I began to take the 25mg. I don’t want it to be worse with the 50mg.

[Agora1 in reply to Ruzuz]

Ruzuz, I got off my benzos and was put on Lexapro which worked much better.

I took started on a lower dose and then after a month it was raised. It will not be the

same intense side effects that you felt at the beginning. Please give it a chance to reach

full efficacy at 50mg. which should be in another 2 weeks. Your doctor knows what he's doing by upping the dosage slowly. I wish you well. Let us know how you do on the higher dose. xx

[freddiefox]

I was diagnosed with PPPD (Persistent Postural Positional Dizziness - I think🤔). It's complicated but if you Google it, there are good explanations of what it entails. It sounds much like what you're describing. I went to see a private Vestibular Physiotherapist who helped me a lot with Vestibular training but underlying dizziness is still there so am trying Setraline, alongside exercise and CBT but am starting on a low dose of 12.5 mg, and even that low dose is making me feel more dizzy atm but only been 5 days. Are you experiencing extra dizziness on this medication. It's such a horrible feeling and I've had it for years. Anxiety plays a big part in PPPD - it's a cycle of anxiety, dizziness, anxiety or dizziness, anxiety, dizziness - who knows! Hope this helps.

[Ruzuz in reply to freddiefox]

Hi Freddiefox. Not sure if the sertraline is making me feel more dizzy as I was dizzy before I took the sertraline hence why my doctor prescribed it to me to begin with. I was feeling off balance and dizzy and my heart would race. He upped my dose to 50mg 2 weeks ago but have not started it yet because I’m scared of the side effects. So I was thinking of trying it tonight or tomorrow night. My dizziness is off and on. Like it’s not spinning sensation, it’s just dizziness lightheaded off balance. It’s exactly the same feeling like when you’ve had too much to drink. It’s so weird how something like this just happens. Anyway do you find your drizzly right after taking the sertraline or just in general through out the day? Anyways I’m tempted to up my dose to see if it actually stops the dizziness because I’ve heard it will reading all other posts.

[freddiefox]

Hi Ruzuz, thanks for your response. I've decided to stop the Setraline, as of yesterday, as didn't like the way it was making me feel. I am going to focus back on the vestibular rehabilitation exercises again and try and distract myself with other tasks. My off balance feeling is there almost constantly, which naturally causes anxiety, so it's a double whammy. I've been speaking to a Counsellor online about it, as I had some panic attacks and anxiety a few months ago. She has helped a lot in explaining the anxiety cycle. PPPD seems to explain all my symptoms, so I am focusing on that and finding some help with it. I was diagnosed with BPPV about 10 years ago, which can turn into PPPV. Have a look at PPPV and I bet you will be amazed that the symptoms exactly describe what is happening - worth checking out anyway. I have heard Setraline can help with PPPD but for me the side effects are not worth it - at the moment anyway. Good luck.