Iightheadeness

[Mooch21]

I have been experiencing lightheadedness for over a year now. Around Christmas in 2019 I got sick with upper respiratory virus and sinus infection. Also fluid in ears. On Jan 1 2020 I was doing a breathing exercise for asthma from watching YouTube. At the end of the exercise the man moves his head side to side for about 15 secs. After doing this within 5 mins I started feeling flush and sick and started feeling weird. Ended up passing out and went to emergency room later. Some blood work and ekg came back fine. Was sent home. After I passed out I have been lightheaded every day 24/7. Also constant ringing in my ears. Over 1 yr later still not diagnosed. Been to 3 doctors, E.N.T., and neurologist. Had MRI, bloodwork, hearing test with cold and hot air blown through them all came back good. Had tilt table test done that showed autonomic dysfunction. Neuro sent me to cardiologist. He is going to do echocardiogram but he doesnt Think its heart related. I'm struggling with this as it hinders me going to work and daily activities. Has anyone experienced anything like this? I had post concussion syndrome 5 years ago and also went to a Neuro psychologist and did a test there he says its not post concussion related. Ugh I'm depressed because I can't fig out what is going on. Any help would be so appreciated.

[pinkvision]

Try and see physio or chiro for vestibular problems, make sure they understand TBI issues first.

[Mooch21 in reply to pinkvision]

Thank you for reaching out and at this point I'm willing to try anything

[RogerCMerriman in reply to Mooch21]

Yup, be aware that unless they are specialists it’s difficult to pick up, ie the physio I saw wasn’t sure that what was going on, if anything. Once referred to the vestibular physio apparently I was very obvious!

[Mooch21 in reply to RogerCMerriman]

Are you talking like a vestibular physiologist or like vestibular therapy

[RogerCMerriman in reply to Mooch21]

It’s Physiotherapy but is generally called Vestibular therapy, clearly going to be different now, ie mine they got right in your face, as they want to see eye tracking and what not.

Is rather personal having someone quite so close! But for me it did work, so was worth tolerating.

[Mooch21 in reply to RogerCMerriman]

Appreciate you reaching out. I just need to fig out what is going on. Have trouble doing daily activities all I want to do is lay down. But I will look into this have a drs. Appt coming up and will discuss this. Thank you

[Pairofboots]

Hi, it could be as simple as a bit of debris floating around around the sinuses. There is a treatment for this by moving the head into certain positions to move the offending debris out of the sinus. I can't remember the name of the procedure, but I have seen it used with good effect, often only needing one treatment, on ' Drs behind closed doors ' .

It is possibly the only time I might suggest Dr Google or YouTube to find out what it is called. Having said that don't rely on those to attempt the treatment yourself as it might really put you in a spin if done wrong.

Good luck 🍀

[Mooch21 in reply to Pairofboots]

Thanks for replying appreciate any advice I get.

[Mooch21 in reply to Pairofboots]

Thanks for replying. Ive been to the E.N.T. specialist a few times he hasnt seen anything out of the ordianary

[Pairofboots in reply to Mooch21]

Then maybe have a look at the head movement? A tiny bit of debris in the sinuses can really put you in a spin. 😁

[Mooch21 in reply to Pairofboots]

I dont really have a spinning effect. Its a lightheadedness that doesn't get worse or better its just the same every day. Like a balloon feeling

[Pairofboots in reply to Mooch21]

I think I have run out of ideas, bet you have heard that a lot? I'll keep thinking, in case something buried deep in my brain pops up, it's full of random information, I just don't know when it will arrive.

[Mooch21 in reply to Pairofboots]

I really appreciate your input. I'm willing to take any considerations at this point. And thank you for reading and responding

[Pairofboots in reply to Mooch21]

Hi, finally remembered the name of the therapeutic head movement, it is the Epley Manoeuvre. If all else fails, worth a try, nothing to loose 😁🍀

[Mooch21 in reply to Pairofboots]

Yes ive heard of that. Maneuver is done when someone that mostly has vertigo. I dont have vertigo feelings but thank you for your information

[FlowerPower62]

I'm sorry to hear that. It's good you've had lots of investigations, my husband has been dizzy since his accident over 2 years ago. Can I ask what is a tilt table test please? And autonomic dysfunction? Sorry, I know you were looking for answers, not questions! I hope you find something that helps. X

[Mooch21 in reply to FlowerPower62]

A tilt table test attempts to determine the cause of lightheadedness, dizziness or passing out by creating changes in postion from lying to standing. You may flat on a bed or table with special safety belts and a footrest while connected to electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood pressure monitors. They check any changes from laying to standing. And autonomic dysfunction is A dysfunction of the nerves that regulate nonvoluntary body functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and sweating.

[FlowerPower62 in reply to Mooch21]

Thanks very much for that, given me food for thought! 👍 X

[lcd8]

Hi there. My apologies if you're problems are not related to this. But reading your post made my think of an experience I had in 2016. At the time I was pretty focused on losing some weight and getting fitter. So I was using a cross-trainer every day.. But one day something happened. I couldn't explain it but I had a really weird sensation. Afterwards I felt light-headed and I realised my vision was affected and also movement on the left side of my body. My doctor thought I'd had a stroke and I spent a couple of weeks in hospital. But I never felt particularly poorly. Scans showed I never had a stroke and the docs eventually put it down to an unexplained incident, a 'stroke mimic' brought on by stress to the body. Is it possible that something similar is the cause of your issues too?

[Mooch21 in reply to lcd8]

Thanks for replying. I dont think so

[bridgeit]

Hi Mooch, I'm not a medic, but have a couple of additional thoughts to weigh in for you to consider, if you haven't eliminated them already.

First, I wonder if you might have cervical spondylosis (arthritis) including a bone spur that's become awkward as a result of being shifted by exercise? This can be a result of age and/or the general condition of bones. If you have arthritis, the roughened bone surface can pinch the blood flow at the back of your neck, i.e. vertebral veins/arteries. Test this by looking directly up at the ceiling for a few seconds with your head as far back as you can take it. Make sure you can be caught by someone or a soft surface in case you collapse; this is a real possibility. If you feel the lightheaded sensation suddenly worsening when looking directly up, neck bone blood flow problems are a strong possibility.

Second, a CT angiogram of your head and neck could investigate the possibility of a narrowing/blockage to the blood flow in and out from your head generally. Either your neurologist or neurosurgeon can investigate this.

I'm assuming the obvious, i.e. blood pressure too low, has been ruled out.

All that said, it does sound to me as though there could be something going wrong around your cervical spine area; either a muscular/bone 'pinch' or other blood flow interference. The CT angiogram would also highlight any fistula that might be present, although I think you'd have noticed symptoms long ago if that was the problem.

Hope this is helpful and best of luck with your investigations!

[Mooch21 in reply to bridgeit]

Thanks for replying and it definitely a consideration