Dizziness

[Green08]

Hi all,

I recently spent 5 weeks in hospital. I was initially in for 3 weeks with pneumonia / empyema which needed IV antibiotics & a chest drain. I kept spiking high fevers so needed to change antibiotics a lot. I was then discharged but spiked a temperature again a week later & had dangerously low blood pressure. I ended up on ICU for 6 days for blood pressure support & then a further 10 days on the medical ward. They think I had secondary HLH due to the infection.

I’ve noticed I’m still struggling with dizziness which started during my initial admission. It’s slightly better but when I’m walking outside I feel quite unsteady & I really notice it as a passenger in the car so not driving at the moment which I’m worried about. They’ve said it could be due to deconditioning while in hospital. Has anyone else experienced this & did it get better overtime?

Thank you!

[Lycrawarrior]

Hi, I have nothing like your history. I crashed my cycle (push bike) at speed being a reasonably serious rider. Broken ribs, punctured lung etc meant 5 days in an induced coma while the medics did a brilliant job of sorting me out. In total 3 weeks in hospital. On discharge I had a number of bouts of dizziness, which seemed to pass after about 4 weeks. No issues 5 months on, and back on my bike after 6 weeks. So if my case is anything to go by, it should pass.

[Kit10 in reply to Lycrawarrior]

I once had a cycling accident resulting in a broken leg and 2 operations to fit metalwork. After just a week lying down I felt so dizzy the first time I sat in a chair I thought the world was ending! I went on feeling dizzy when walking (with crutches) for some weeks, but it gradually wore off.

More recently after time in ICU I was dizzy just sitting on the edge of the bed. Again it has worn off.

I'm not a doctor...

but just lying down for a week or two can cause dizziness, that will cure itself with time and activity. However I believe dizziness can have other causes - I think ear infections, drug side effects, probably many more, so if it doesn't pass see a doctor, but my experience suggests it probably will.

[Green08 in reply to Kit10]

Thanks so much for your reply! I’m glad it’s got better for you. It does seem to be getting better but will definitely see the doctor if it continues.

[Green08 in reply to Lycrawarrior]

Thanks so much for your reply. I’m really glad to hear it passed and you’re back on the bike.

[Tedsdad]

Very definitely yes. I think Inwas in for a bit longer than you but it took me a year to get over most of it.This might not help in your circumstances but I am still on daily meds which are basically once a day.I was sure that the cocktail was causing problems. And so I experimented until I found out which to take at evening and which in the morning.

Now the dizziness comes on when I am asleep so I don’t. Notice it.

[Green08 in reply to Tedsdad]

Thanks so much for your reply. I’m really glad you don’t notice the dizziness now. I was wondering if it was the side effect of any of the meds I’d been on. Luckily it does seem to be improving!

[Sepsur]

It can be a sign of sensory nerve damage ( peripheral neuropathy)

Chart of symptoms

[Green08 in reply to Sepsur]

Thank you! This is helpful to know.

[Isl_living]

Hello. I was hospitalised with AARDS and pneumonia and spent some time intubated in the ICU,, followed by 4 weeks in a respiratory ward and also rehab ward. I had that dizziness and really unsteady on my feet all of the time there. I came home about 9 months ago and still affected by the unsteadiness. I use a walking stick whenever I go outside. I am able to drive though - it’s only when I’m on my feet that I’m unsteady. I hope you get better, but as you’re likely reading, it can take time to do so. Best wishes, Kim.

[Green08 in reply to Isl_living]

Thank you for replying. That’s actually a better way to describe how I’ve been feeling. Sorry to hear you’re still feeling unsteady - I hope it improves for you.

[FamilyHistorian]

Sorry to have taken awhile to reply., I’m not a medical person but this sounds like neuropathy. I was in a coma for some time and it can take some time for the nerves in the legs to recover. I wouldn’t describe it as dizziness but terrible balance issues so I need my sticks. I am fine driving.

[Green08 in reply to FamilyHistorian]

Thank you for you reply. I think that definitely describes some of it. The dizziness has gone now & luckily I can drive again, but still experience some balance / co-ordination issues at times.

[Lifeafterthat]

I suffered with de conditioning so bad. It was absolutely terrible. After I was in a coma for a week the struggle only got so real after I got discharged from the ICU.

[Green08 in reply to Lifeafterthat]

Sorry to hear that. Hope you’re feeling ok now.