Balance issues: About 6 weeks ago i suddenly... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

137,888 members161,705 posts

Balance issues

catpurple7 profile image
94 Replies

About 6 weeks ago i suddenly started being off balance, struggling to walk in a straight line and it's been like this ever since, the only time i'm ok is when i'm sat down. I've also got pressure in my head and ears.

I went to the dr and she said it was vertigo even though i said i'm not dizzy, she also looked in my ears and said i have retracted ear drums and gave me a nasal spray.

It's driving me mad!

I wondered if it could be a thyroid issue? or maybe a perimenopause symptom?

Has anyone got any ideas as to what could be causing me to be off balance?

Written by
catpurple7 profile image
catpurple7
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
94 Replies

Haha got the t shirt for this one. 2 years ago this month having had a migraine the previous day I started feeling very unbalanced when walking home, like being a bit drunk, a bit woozy, lightheaded. Trampoline or marshmallow floor sensation. I thought it was just the residue of the migraine and it would go away. However I started to get very concerned when after a few days it hadnt. Mine was 24/7 and I only felt ok sitting or laying down.

I was told it was anything from labrynthitis, to Meniere's disease to anxiety. I had a brain MRI, nerve conduction tests, to rule out MS or other neurological conditions. They were all clear. The neurologist I saw concluded I had vestibular migraine and put me on meds. I tried 6 or 7 meds to prevent migraine, not one helped. Or the side effects were awful. Eventually I went onto Venlafaxine, which I took for 10 months.

I did insist on an ENT referral in case it was ear related. However the ENT doctor just agreed with the Neuro. I never bought the diagnosis, I read a lot about VM and I just didnt fulfill the criteria. I think they took the fact I get migraines and the fact I had balance issues and cobbled together the VM diagnosis. VM has a pretty specific criteria which I didnt meet. In October last year, not feeling much better on the Venlafaxine I decided to come off it and see how I was doing. I titrated off it very slowly and finished taking it in January.

Around that time I decided to self source T3 which has helped a lot. My balance issues have pretty much gone back to normal. I still get a bit off balance sometimes but its nowhere near as bad as before. Sounds like your GP thinks you have Eustachian Tube Dysfunction, in which case the spray might help. Pinching your nose and blowing out your cheeks whilst holding your breath for a few seconds can help your ETD. Valsaver manouvre.

Vestibular issues are common with thyroid conditions. I never got to the bottom of mine but hope they've gone, never to return. I wouldnt wish it on anyone.

Forestgarden profile image
Forestgarden in reply to Sparklingsunshine

Very interesting. I had vertigo/dizziness a couple of years ago which I put down to a viral infection/labyrinthitis type of thing. Awful 1 second type migraine when I look up, or turn over in bed, but never a full blown migraine. Some light sensitivity. It came and went depending how run down I was. Thought I was rid of it, but the last few months its been fairly constant. Comes and goes in severity. I have psoriasis in my ear canals, and have wondered if this has caused deeper problems. I started on t3 in February, but it doesn't seem to have made much difference. I've put off going to the gp about it as we're not on the best of terms (thyroid disagreements!), and hoped it would just go away. Guess I might need to bite the bullet.

Espeegee profile image
Espeegee in reply to Forestgarden

How is your B12 level? If it s not high enough then that could be the problem My sister had Pernicious Anaemia but didn't know until her dizziness morphed into full on fainting. That's when she was diagnosed. Worth a check to rule it out.

Forestgarden profile image
Forestgarden in reply to Espeegee

B12 is high so its not that. I don't have much faith in my gp but must make an appointment!

catpurple7 profile image
catpurple7 in reply to Sparklingsunshine

yes thats exactly how i feel, drunk and woozy! i was hoovering, turned the hoover off and felt abit off balance, thought i need to eat so had some watermelon and 5 minutes later was throwing it up and continued throwing it up for 12 hours.

Haven't felt sick since just left with pressure in my head and ears and off balance.

the dr mentoned Labrynthitis and i had a telephone appointment with a different dr last thursday and he mentioned Menieres and prescribed tablets for the dizziness, i told him i'm not dizzy!!!

I've got an appointment with the 1st dr tomorrow but i'm not holding out much hope.

I keep googling but i can't find anything that it could be, i don't have the right symptoms for alot of things that it could be.

Sparklingsunshine profile image
Sparklingsunshine in reply to catpurple7

You looked up BPPV? The most common cause of vertigo. They tested me for this but I was negative, the good news is its easily treatable. Sometimes a viral infection can cause an issue with vestibular compensation.

You suffer from a virus or ear infection which makes you off balance, you recover but your body doesnt realise everything is back to normal. You dont have any history of migraine do you. I tried explaining to doctors that I was never dizzy but unbalanced. Its an important diagnostic difference which can help rule out certain conditions. I never had spinning vertigo either.

catpurple7 profile image
catpurple7 in reply to Sparklingsunshine

I keep telling the dr that i'm not dizzy but i don't think she was listening until she started to do the eply menouver and saw that my eyes were not moving because i'm not dizzy!!! 🙄 she's now referred me to ent but said it's a year waiting list!😱

PurpleOliver profile image
PurpleOliver in reply to Sparklingsunshine

Sounds like you're describing me!! I have an appointment this month for a head MRi, something Im not looking forward to, as another thing to try for My balance issues, which Ive had for nearly two years now. Ive also discovered through bloods that Im not converting well, and was wondering if that could be the cause of my balance being off, so am in the 'process' of working with my gp to get a private endo referral - not holding my breath on that one.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Last test results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Did you recently reduce your dose levothyroxine ?

If yes…..could it be related

Forestgarden profile image
Forestgarden in reply to SlowDragon

Yes, I have, but the dizziness was present before that...

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Forestgarden

I was asking catpurple7

Forestgarden profile image
Forestgarden in reply to SlowDragon

Yes,I know, didn't mean to hijack post!

catpurple7 profile image
catpurple7 in reply to SlowDragon

No i'm still on 112.5mcg, the dr thought i was on 150mcg and reduced my dose to 125mcg 🙄

Dryski profile image
Dryski in reply to catpurple7

That's to funny. Sounds like my clinic. And then they ask if we drink. I was told my ears are eustachian tube dysfunction and it's never ending for me.

Fruitandnutcase profile image
Fruitandnutcase

Could you have this BPPV thing?

vestibular.org/article/diag...

catpurple7 profile image
catpurple7 in reply to Fruitandnutcase

i don't think so as i'm not dizzy

Fruitandnutcase profile image
Fruitandnutcase in reply to catpurple7

Aha. Well at least it’s one thing you can rule out. A retracted eardrum sounds interesting. Did you know you had it?

catpurple7 profile image
catpurple7 in reply to Fruitandnutcase

Had no idea, apparently they're both retracted but the right ear is worse.

Sparklingsunshine profile image
Sparklingsunshine in reply to catpurple7

With ETD I found I get hyperacusis in my right ear. So sounds, voices are uncomfortably loud, and I can sometimes hear my voice inside my ear. I also get a butterfly fluttering sensation occasionally as well. I never had any issues with either my balance or my ears until I was hypo.

I know you might see suggestions online for vestibular rehabilitation. I even had telephone sessions with NHS Vestibular Physio but frankly months of head shaking and balance exercises resulted in a grand improvement of zero.

I'm sure they help some people but did nothing for me. As I said I'm still none the wiser, mine lasted nearly two years but gradually improved. I found the antihistamine Certrizine helped me a bit. Its cheap and you can buy it anywhere.

humanbean profile image
humanbean

said i have retracted ear drums and gave me a nasal spray

I've had that before. I was diagnosed with this :

Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD) :

patient.info/ears-nose-thro...

I've been prescribed a few nasal sprays but none of them did any good. I've never been able to persuade a doctor to look into my problem further, and I still have bouts of ETD every so often. It's intermittent, in my case. I don't know if it is for others.

catpurple7 profile image
catpurple7 in reply to humanbean

Did you have balance problems aswell?

humanbean profile image
humanbean in reply to catpurple7

I do have balance problems. They were reduced by taking my B12 level very high with methylcobalamin, but I still haven't found a way to eliminate the issue entirely.

My main problem with ETD is that it is making my hearing much worse, and is doing so at a rapid rate of knots. Because I am in my 60s most doctors I've talked to are treating it as "you're just getting old".

One &#%!@? effectively told me my problems were caused by mental illness. He said something like "Your brain knows you're a bit deaf so it assumes your ears must be blocked."

No wonder doctors drive me nuts. I hate them.

catpurple7 profile image
catpurple7 in reply to humanbean

I use the better you B12 spray.

I've got a drs appointment tomorrow but i'm not holding out much hope.

raglansleeve profile image
raglansleeve in reply to humanbean

I was diagnosed with ETD about 5 years ago, and also have bouts of lack of balance now and then, Nothing done to treat the condition ever worked, and like another poster above, I have butterfly whooshes occasionally, and hyperacusis in that one ear. Sounds are also distorted (voices sound like they've been inhaling laughing gas). I also have a small click in that ear when I swallow (and it's definitely the ear, not a jaw issue, because I saw a dental specialist when I was first diagnosed, and all doctors agree that this was due to the ETD). None of my doctors consider me to have the condition anymore though, because my ear drum is normal again. I believe that my clicks are because the eustachian tube isn't closing normally, and is squishy in there, so when it finally does release each time, it makes a noise. I had never associated this with my hypo diagnosis, but they did occur around the same time, and looking back, the episodes have been less frequent since my doses and other symptoms improved.

catpurple7 profile image
catpurple7 in reply to raglansleeve

I have a click, had it for years. I always thought it was my jaw but maybe it's my ear?

raglansleeve profile image
raglansleeve in reply to catpurple7

I suppose it could be. I had that ruled out by a dental specialist, and it also only started with my eustachian tube dysfunction, so would be quite coincidental to be the jaw acting up at the exact same time.

greygoose profile image
greygoose

How's your B12? Have you had that tested?

catpurple7 profile image
catpurple7 in reply to greygoose

B12 1388 ng/L 180-900 about a month ago

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to catpurple7

OK, so are you supplementing B12? How's your folate?

catpurple7 profile image
catpurple7 in reply to greygoose

I use the better you B12 spray once a week.Folate 8.2 microg/L 3.0-20.0

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to catpurple7

OK, so your folate is low. You might benefit from taking a B complex every day to raise that - if you aren't already. The Bs all work together, so need to be balanced.

catpurple7 profile image
catpurple7 in reply to greygoose

I do take a B complex, the one that's recommended on here

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to catpurple7

Oh good. :) So, sounds as if your balance problems are nothing to do with the B vits, then. I asked because that was what was wrong with me when I had balance problems. All my B vits were low!

Another thing that helped me, though, was CBD oil. Have you ever tried that?

catpurple7 profile image
catpurple7 in reply to greygoose

I tried CBD oil years ago but not recently

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to catpurple7

Well, might be worth a retrial? I found it very helpful. :)

mandy-white profile image
mandy-white in reply to greygoose

Can you take cbd if you are on blood oresdure tablets ?. I wanted to start it but have had conflicting research

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to mandy-white

Sorry, on blood what tablets?

FallingInReverse profile image
FallingInReverse in reply to greygoose

greygoose mandy-white

I’m going to guess blood pressure tablets

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to FallingInReverse

Could be. I shall have to look that up. :)

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to mandy-white

What are you taking exactly?

mandy-white profile image
mandy-white in reply to greygoose

Sorry.......50mcg losartan.........I read somewhere you should take it if on blood pressure tablets, but can't find it now. I messaged one cbd company to ask....they just replied..ask your gp.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to mandy-white

Oh, that's not good! As if your GP would know!!! 🤣🤣🤣

I would suggest you contact Brian at Simply CBD. He is very knowledgeable and ready to help - well, I hope that isn't the company in question!

simply-cbd.co.uk/products/g...

But isn't Losartan an anti-epileptic drug? Anyway, it says here:

Consider reducing the dose when concomitantly using UGT2B7 substrates such as morphine, losartan, diclofenac, tamoxifen, and ibuprofen.

because:

CBD will increase the level or effect of lamotrigine by inhibiting UGT2B7 activity.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl....

mandy-white profile image
mandy-white in reply to greygoose

Thank you for all of this information. Losartan is for blood pressure aswell

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to mandy-white

You're welcome. :)

bookish profile image
bookish in reply to greygoose

Not necessarily, re the B vits. My B12 was >2000 with oral/sublingual etc but having just started injections I am still clearly going to make improvement. I knew it was theoretically possible that the (very) high dose was no longer enough, just wasn't really expecting the vast difference. (My balance issues mainly resolved with the addition of methylfolate a few years ago). So never assume high oral-supplemented serum levels will get you as good as it gets. Cheers

catpurple7 profile image
catpurple7 in reply to greygoose

Is my B12 ok to be that high? I thought it was too high thats why i only use the spray once a week?

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to catpurple7

Your B12 is fine. But, as you're taking a B complex, you probably don't need the B12 spray. Excess B12 is just excreted.

That said, if your B12 were high without supplementing, it would be evidence of something going wrong somewhere - probably low folate. But the high B12 itself is not a problem.

Hylda2 profile image
Hylda2

I too have dizziness issues. Two falls so far this year. Does anyone else feel their head is rotating backwards rather than round and round? xx

Katherine1234 profile image
Katherine1234

Welcome to my world. I have had this for 6 years now. Ataxia, it feels like I am trying to work on a rolling boat. I am hypothyroid and pernicious anemia (enlarged red blood cells). I keep my B12 up high over 2000 by injecting 3 times a week. I have just started on injecting twice a day at present, this does make a big difference with my energy and fatigue. Endo has also put me on T3 since February. That made a difference in my energy levels too. I have noticed that I know longer have dry skin, although hair is yet to play ball. Folate was about 8, so I made sure to take high dose folate everyday.

I went to a neurologist 3 years ago and she said I do not have B12 problems, it is copper and I must be taking too much zinc. Which I was not. My tests for copper must have come back ok as she never said anything after that. She discharged me although my feet were so numb, would cramp and no ankle reflexes.

Fast forward 3 years and my partner was looking up copper deficiency and yes does mimic B12 symptoms. I have also had terrible tummy and gallbladder problems. Funny enough the T3 took away my gallbladder pain and most for my tummy problems. I did some medical researching and the thyroid and gallbladder are so linked. The scientific conclusion was that everyone with a gallbladder problem should be checked for thyroid. Although on T3 I seem to have a permanent daily headache. I also had quite severe malnutrition, I was not absorbing my nutrients well.

Back to the copper, I decided to self treat with copper. It looks like they give copper deficient patients 9/10 mgs a day. I started on 6 mgs with lunch meal. Copper does play my tummy up, so I have to take with food. I have since gone up to 9 mgs a day. Copper makes ATP. Many, many years ago I was diagnosed with ME/CFS, which we all know is not a diagnoses. They omitted to tell me at the time that they were undertreating me re: TSH results and my B12 was so low.

The really weird thing is I now have more energy, still not great, but a small win in my books. My brain and memory problems work better. And wow! I can feel my feet, my balance has got a lot better, I feel more solid when I am walking. I have started to walk in a straight line. My feet are now in the stage of feeling like a dead arm slowly getting circulation back, although if you wake up with a dead arm the circulation will come back in a few minutes. I can feel the bottoms of my feet. Which is weird I spend about 10 minutes each night rubbing them up and down on my bottom sheet :)

I am keeping on this copper routine to test how I go. I take zinc every other day to balance. I am eagerly waiting a blood test to see if it has taken my blood cells down to normal. I have high MCV's, MCH's MCHC's for the last 15 years. I also have very high ferritin and high iron saturation. Was reading how iron can't be absorbed without copper. It normally reads that people are not short of copper but when you dig deeper, we are short of copper. They did a research paper on copper toxicity but forgot to conclude that most people are getting under the 1mg a day of copper. They concluded it could be as high as 40/60% of people short on copper.

Blissful profile image
Blissful in reply to Katherine1234

Was reading how iron can't be absorbed without copper.

"Ceruloplasmin is a protein that binds to copper and helps it move throughout your body. If you have low ceruloplasmin, it can point to conditions like copper deficiency"

Has that been tested?

I found this website highly illuminating:

drlwilson.com/Articles/copp...

Katherine1234 profile image
Katherine1234 in reply to Blissful

Blissful, I am unsure what was tested when the neuro tested copper. She never gave me any results of the blood tests. I had non alcoholic fatty liver and I am slim, also gallbladder issues. Low white blood count, low immune system. Ended up hospitalised with reactivated epstein barr, strep B and tonsillitis, all in one go :( Then had to take 4 lots of strong antibiotics. Well everything went down after this. My tummy was shot. I lost 32lbs in weight and I was slim to start with. i was like a walking skeleton. On a plus side my non alcoholic fatty liver went.

My partner and I was reading that to test copper, you need ceruloplasmin tested, and a 24 hour urine test for actual results. I know I never had a 24 hour urine test. I was also showing up low protein on blood tests. I had developed a real bad meat aversion.

I am having to take HCL with pepsin, digestive enzymes, probiotics, taurine, and ox bile when I eat. It is taking me a long time to get my tummy back to rights. I did not even know that amoxicillin and other antibiotics take down B12. I was also on a lot of gas and air for the gallbladder pain.

Also I was not absorbing magnesium.

Blissful profile image
Blissful in reply to Katherine1234

What was the gas? I too wasn't aware that antibiotics take down B12 BUT if the gas you were having was nitrous oxide, then that can very quickly wipe out a person's liver store.

Katherine1234 profile image
Katherine1234 in reply to Blissful

Yes it was nitrous oxide :(

learner01 profile image
learner01 in reply to Katherine1234

Hello Katherine, I noticed that you said that you have very high ferritin and high iron saturation. Has your GP ever checked you for Haemochromatosis ? It is when your body has too much iron and can lead to all sorts of health problems. It is actually quite common but often not thought of by GPs. It can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. It is important to find out and get the right care if necessary so as to protect your health in the long term. The treatment is quite simple - just having some blood removed in order to keep iron levels in your body at safe levels and continuous monitoring to check that the levels remain safe. Here is a link to the Haemochromatosis UK website. haemochromatosis.org.uk/

Please do look into it. A relative of mine had it and her GP was aware and did pick it up but initially specialists were not interested. Her GP persisted and he was right. She did have it and another specialist was much more helpful. I think that Haemochromatosis UK have a helpline that you could contact about your iron levels.

Katherine1234 profile image
Katherine1234 in reply to learner01

I will find out as I am due a blood test soon. I always had iron anemia when younger not sure if you can go from that into hemochromatosis. I do have pernicious anemia and abnormal red blood cells, too enlarged.

Hylda2 profile image
Hylda2 in reply to learner01

My daughter has haemochromatosis and I am a carrier. My ferritin is at 285 but nobody bothered

Pray4health profile image
Pray4health

I had similar experience. It turns out my sight deteriorated instantly. Make sure that you are not missdiagnosed

catpurple7 profile image
catpurple7 in reply to Pray4health

I did have double vision in the beginning but thats gone now and i am getting some new glasses soon but the optician said my prescription hasn't changed that much.

Ontherun81 profile image
Ontherun81

Hi

I have the same issue for the last 12 months! I feel like I'm walking on sponge! My legs have nerve issues and I thought it was that, but my head feels blocked, and I have to keep popping ears. I'm still waiting for a definite diagnosis on Sjorgrens which cause dry mouth and eyes plus other symptoms, and I thought it was this causing blocked nose,ears etc and maybe that was causing balance issues, but as I'm on 100mg Levothyroxine and have a very erratic thyroid, which also has nodules on, now I'm thinking thyroid!? Woozy head, dizzy, can't walk in straight line! Plus for years I suffered with terrible blocked waxy ears. I used to buy ear candles to do myself as they were so bad. I only found out a couple of years ago from a Consultant that it's another symptom of thyroid issues! Perhaps my inner ears are damaged from years of the ear/throat infections caused by terrible blocked ears. I'm so fed up of going to Dr's and being fobbed off, but looks like I need to go again. I'm sure my neighbours must think I'm drunk how I walk🤷🏻thank you for posting this.

Good luck xx

catpurple7 profile image
catpurple7 in reply to Ontherun81

My optician did say i've got dry eyes, and i have to keep popping my ears aswell 🤔

Bertiepuss profile image
Bertiepuss

Do you have neck issues or have you hurt your neck at some point? I ask because you can have balance problems caused by cranial nerves getting compressed by tight neck muscles, weak ligaments or vertebrae not sitting quite straight. I'm in the process of investigating this myself (along with a 100 other possibilities!)as I too have balance issues. Mainly I feel like I've had a drink or two (woozy, tipsy, not dizzy like vertigo) but sometimes it feels like the floor is moving.

Sparklingsunshine profile image
Sparklingsunshine in reply to Bertiepuss

I have Ehlers Danlos and my vestibular physio referred me to the Rheumatology physio in case I have cervical spine instability, which can cause all of the symptoms I had. I had about 3 or 4 treatments at the chiropractor for my neck as NHS waiting lists are so blooming long, which helped a lot.

I think people dont join the dots between neck, posture and balance. These issues are on the rise as we all crane our necks to look at screens. This places enormous strain on the neck.

Bertiepuss profile image
Bertiepuss in reply to Sparklingsunshine

Yes, CCI, that's one of the paths I'm following. I'm glad you found the chiropractic treatment helped. Sorry you have EDS, that's a hard condition to live with. I've been recently learning about how EDS affects so many different things. I have had several neck injuries over the years and my job has always been looking downwards. I think this is a piece in my puzzle, not the whole story, but I think for many of us we have more than one issue going on producing our symptoms and it takes time to investigate all the possible routes.

Judithdalston profile image
Judithdalston in reply to Bertiepuss

I have had vertigo , plus, for over 30 years… initially, like Bertiepuss, looked into more closely because it came with seizures, re brain tumour etc etc, all ok, and was finally thought to be a trapped nerve. Wasn’t told which, but regularly got very tight neck/ shoulder muscles, probably protecting a slightly disaligned top of the spine, and that would set off the dizziness, and occasional black out. I still get it although learnt not to do certain tasks that set it off, from chopping carrots standing up to sawing. My saviour is a McTimoney trained chiropractor who does spinal manipulation every 6-8 weeks to get everything back in place ( over the years the rest of the spine goes off too). So with this background of being used to vertigo with occasional instant blackouts, or feeling like I’m in a ship on rough water and holding onto the walls, I have had other extra ‘ vertigo’. 3 weeks n the BP drug Bendroflumethiazide had extreme spinning. Now I have Long Covid with postural hypotension , a totally different type of exhaustion vertigo with collapsing, which seems to be dysautonomia connected to the vagus nerve. Does make me wonder if there is a link to earliest problem, but syncope/ falls consultant didn’t want to know history that far back. Haven’t been able to link vertigo to 20 + years of hypothyroidism ( when also gallbladder/ bile duct problems), and have diagnosed fibromyalgia for 10+ years, and I have taken T4/3 combo for 6 years. Like many ailments Catpurple try keeping a dairy to see if anything particular sets off vertigo, and if different types of vertigo from boat rocking to falling over a cliff spinning.

Bertiepuss profile image
Bertiepuss in reply to Judithdalston

What an awful journey you've had Judithdalston ☹️ I have the fibro tag too. Yes, the rest of the spine also goes off when the neck is wrong. I personally haven't found any relief from McTimoney or any other style of physical therapy for my 'dizziness' so far. I do believe these therapies are worth investigating though catpurple so don't discount them.

catpurple7 profile image
catpurple7 in reply to Bertiepuss

Nothing recent, i did fall at work about 5 years ago and smashed my head on the concrete floor, i had vertigo a couple of years ago and again last year, i asked the dr if it could be a result of falling but they said no. and now i've got this off balance issue.

Bertiepuss profile image
Bertiepuss in reply to catpurple7

Sorry to hear that you fell badly, I would say it is possible it could have done something. Do you feel you have neck issues specifically? It's very hard to work out exactly what could be causing the problem I'm afraid. I think it is a case of working through all the possibilities , eliminating what you can, fixing what you can and seeing what you are left with to work on.

Ontherun81 profile image
Ontherun81 in reply to Bertiepuss

Hiya,

Yes I had a bad road accident in 80s which left mist of left shoulder taken away, fell and fractured coccyx in the 90s which caused neck issues......then in 2018 was 3rd from top step on big flight of stairs where I used to work, landing on concrete so hard I knocked my Jaw forward and couldn't speak! Got took to A&E, where paramedic said don't get discharged without xray, and got sent out with concussion 3hrs later, no x-ray. Went to GP who told me hospital should of done it! They sent me for MRI on spine as it happened because I lost all feeling to right leg. Many MRI's layer they found scar tissue from coccyx fracture has grown around Main nerves to legs causing damage. I will mention that again actually x😵‍💫

Bertiepuss profile image
Bertiepuss in reply to Ontherun81

That's awful, poor you 😥 These accidents can have long lasting consequences sadly.

Ontherun81 profile image
Ontherun81 in reply to Bertiepuss

Unfortunately you forget when you have other health issues, certainly will mention it just incase🫣

CernCrystal profile image
CernCrystal

Hi Catpurple7, one person has mentioned migraines but I had very similar experience to you (no dizziness and I know what that feels like as I currently have Labrynthitis) but this ended up being from high blood pressure which the Dr's failed to check for a couple of years. It caused pressure within my brain which altered my sensory perception and made me feel sick but without the dizziness. As soon as I was given bp medication all symtoms disappeared. Might be worth checking as it is a simple solution, I was treated with Stemetil and Buccal tablets for 3 years until someone realised my BP was too high. I know balance and perception problems can take a while to accurately diagnose and for the patient it is awful - your world has really changed. Do relax and not panic as it will get solved! Best of luck with your journey.

catpurple7 profile image
catpurple7 in reply to CernCrystal

My dr checked my blood pressure on monday and said it was a little high but not high enough to cause my symptoms, she checked it again before i left and said it was higher!

McPammy profile image
McPammy

Have you got your latest thyroid figures and ranges. Could be over or under medication. I’ve had the same symptoms you’re describing. One time it was over medication with T3. Another time it was under medication with T4 levo. So, getting bloods done is a must to understand what’s going on.

looking at your previous post you were way over medicated for T4 and T3. Maybe reduce further to see if that helps.

catpurple7 profile image
catpurple7 in reply to McPammy

I didn't know i was over medicated. I'm on 112.5mcg should i reduce to 100mcg?

McPammy profile image
McPammy in reply to catpurple7

I’m not saying you’re definitely over medicated but it sounds like you could be. Best check your bloods if you’re reducing really I’d say. Maybe you could do a trial period and reduce to 100mcg for a few weeks and see how you feel.

Brightness14 profile image
Brightness14

Ears and I don't think it's anything to do with them. When I started to go off balance it was my low FT3 that was causing it.

I have had an Ear Tumour so know quite a bit about ears.

It could be something else of course.

SilverSavvy profile image
SilverSavvy

Probably a stupid question but have any of the docs/neuros performed the Epley Manoevre on you? In case it's crystals in the ear canal as well as thyroid issues?

catpurple7 profile image
catpurple7 in reply to SilverSavvy

My dr started to do the eply manoever on Monday but stopped when she saw that my eyes weren't moving, said there was no point continuing

Emaych61 profile image
Emaych61

I do get dizzy spells, but as I also have low blood pressure and HSD (low blood pressure common with that) I think most people including myself would put it down to that.

That said there was one occasion, about three years ago, when I had a spell that was so bad I was glad I was sitting down when it happened. All I did was to move my head position and suddenly I couldn’t focus on anything. Had I had something to eat or drink not long before I’m certain I would have been monstrously sick. The only way I could stop the sensation was to close my eyes. It must have been a nearly half an hour before things had calmed down enough for me to think it might be safe to stand up. I’d never had anything like it before, nor since. I did contact the local surgery to discuss it (I was particularly concerned about driving) but was told it was probably an attack of vertigo and unless it happened again not to worry about it; it never has.

Its also worth checking out your neck, I have an insanely bendy neck due to having Ehlers Danlos and like many of us spend too much time looking at screens with my chin jutting forward, this places an enormous strain on the neck, especially when mine is weak already due to EDS.

When I was having balance issues I always felt I had pressure at the back of my head where neck and skull meet, it felt like someone was pushing me forward. I had 3 or treatments for neck issues at the chiropractor, had already tried physio at this point, which did nada, I dont know whether it was tired, sore muscles or she reset my neck but it helped a lot.

The moral of this story is check your posture folks, its a thing, even got a cute name, text neck 😆

Anthea55 profile image
Anthea55 in reply to Sparklingsunshine

I totally agree about looking at screens. But also watching TV. It seems to be usual to have the TV high up on the wall, but it's much better having it nearly on the floor; that is so much more comfortable.

I have something similar to other people. It's called Vertebro Basilar Insufficiency (VBI).

I'd had occasional neck problems particularly at the base of my skull, and feeling a bit wobbly, hanging onto furniture etc. and not walking in a straight line.. This happened on and off and especially after I had been sorting out bookshelves and looking up at the top shelf for too long. My doctor suggested seeing a physio, but I went to an osteopath which helped.

Doing my homework, my symptoms seemed to match with distortion of the spine putting pressure on the artery, which can then reduce blood flow to the cerebellum, which can result in balance problems etc. I went to see a spinal surgeon who did an MRI scan and agreed with the diagnosis of VBI.

Since moving house I have found a cranial osteopath who I now see regularly and who can straighten out my spine, particularly around my neck area. This has made a major improvement.

I felt that I shouldn't overdo supplements which made my joints flexible, and I reduced the fish oil, evening primrose and Ubiquinol. It seemed to help, but I have gone back to the fish oil recently.

I think of it as my spine being like a string of beads which is a bit loose so gets slightly out of straight. That can put pressure on the artery etc. It can also can cause something like lightning across my vision, which is the same on both eyes - if it was a single eye I would suspect a detached retina. This gradually goes after about half an hour.

Judithdalston profile image
Judithdalston in reply to Anthea55

Yes snap, but I found at osteopath too viscous for me, thus genteel McTimoney type chiropractor/ spinal manipulation. Acupuncture didn’t work either!

Anthea55 profile image
Anthea55 in reply to Judithdalston

Osteopaths vary! The cranial osteopath who I see is surprisingly gentle but what he does is effective.

Hafa profile image
Hafa

I'm reading this with great interest. I fell this past weekend. I had taken my meds earlier, then eaten, felt a little tired but ok. One moment I was walking on the sidewalk and the next moment I felt myself falling forward and hitting the ground. I took most of the impact on my hands and left knee, but also hit my chin. Fortunately people helped me up. I was checked at the emergency and was released. I fell unexpectedly last year too. It's frightening.

DandyButch profile image
DandyButch

Hello, I have had this symptom on and off, as well as extreme vertigo since hashimoto's hypothyroidism diagnosis. Still not optimally medicated. Still trying to get endocrinologist to hear me.It's a long and winding road

Batty1 profile image
Batty1

When you walk does it look like everything is moving slightly and do you struggle to walk in the dark??? It could be PPPD with VM or without.

Kimmi01 profile image
Kimmi01

I have this too. The dr gave me procloperazine as I litterally cannot move without throwing up. It takes a few days to really get on top of it. I hope something works well for you.

Tinkerbell_84 profile image
Tinkerbell_84

Hi Carpurple 7

Sorry to hear your not feeling so well.

I was like this august 2022. I had a funny episode with my balance and struggled to walk and felt dizzy and my neck very very tense. Looking back I was having dizzy and feeling unsteady episode for about 6 months before this also around Jan/feb 2022.

Anyway went to drs said I had vertigo (i didnt have the spinning room type, mine qas more feeling drunk unsettle unbalanced) said it would go in 2 weeks. Anyway 4 months later still hadn't. I paid private for a Brain and neck scan all came back clear . And started seeing a lady that specialised in vertigo who said I had vestibular and right vestibular weakness.

After going over my history all mine started after my covid booster and then my episode I had in the August was around 7 weeks after I caught Covid for the first time. And I had covid for 16 days, I stopped testing after that so could have been longer , but guidelines at that time was 2 weeks.

I started vestibular rehab but had to pay for this privately . It didn't help as I struggle with alot of the excersies as I had broke my neck a number of years before so really struggled with excerises and the only medication that did help they wouldn't give me for long period.

I had so many blood tests all came back normal until I asked for a print out of my blood work to notice my t4 on thyroid was low. I've been back and forth the last 6 months and it's still low. Then me and my husband noticed alot of the vestibular symptoms/vertigo were very very similar to low thyroid.

Have you had your bloods tested at all?

I was also thinking mine could be peri menopause also but the people in this lovely group have been so help to me. There will.many people that can offer ypu advice I'm a newbie and the people in this group are just wonderful.

Xx

HotelHurricaine profile image
HotelHurricaine

I’ve had similar sounding symptoms too - hearing goes as if I’m under water and feel off balance. It happened fairly regularly in my 40s (now 55) and looking back I think it was hormonal - perimenopausal or thyroid not sure which.

I had chiropractor treatment which helped reduce stiffness in neck which seemed to precede episodes. I had brain scan too but was all clear..

They seem to have stopped - I’m not sure if that’s HRT or getting all my vitamins and thyroid hormone levels optimal (still working on T3 but that’s going up slowly) or going gluten free but I’d definitely recommend getting all thyroid and vitamins tested and getting these to optimal. If you’re a woman that could be perimenopausal (anything from 35-50) I’d recommend trying HRT too.

Hope you get to the bottom of it soon.

UrsaP profile image
UrsaP

There was a virus going around over 20yrs ago, causing vertigo type problems.

Have your adrenals been checked? The late Dr Peatfield would have you stand one foot in front of other, arms out to side and eyes closed. If you cant balance could be your adrenals need properly checking. if that is even possible! I know my adrenals struggle but drs wont acknowledge.

I found when I started on T4 (30+ yrs ago) I started to get little signs of migraine, developed slowly over c 10yrs, blind spots, zig zags, eventually headache, then increasing frequency and severity.

When I stopped T4 they stopped, When I took T4 they came back, same as CF and Fibro type symptoms. Was ok.on T3 only (for nearly 14yrs now) But did start getting weird eye disturbances, about 4 yrs ago, felt like eyes spinning. Struggled, and still do to get a settled eye prescription. Neurologist suggested some crappy meds which I wouldnt take so they said take B2 and Magnesium. That has helped for a while but just starting with flashing lights again! I was diagnosed with connective tissue showing in my eyes but no one can tell me what CT.

As for eyes, Just got a new batch of ciclodporin eye gel, from hospital, packaging says to ge issued by vets only and target species 'dog'!! A sign the NHS really has gone to.the dogs perhaps? 🤪

Anthea55 profile image
Anthea55 in reply to UrsaP

Hi UrsaP, do make sure eye drops/gel etc are preservative free. If not they can do more harm than good. This post tells you more.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Regina66 profile image
Regina66

Hello, I have hypothyroidism and perimenopause symptoms atm. For the first time in my life my TSH is on 0.73 (good news for me). Vertigo can be an indicator of perimenopause. Mine was misdiagnosed as BPPV, when I have other symptoms as well that the GP completely ignored. Vertigo episodes, dizziness with movement, feeling lightheaded etc are symptoms of perimenopause, and there are studies showing that hormonal changes during peri and menopause can increase the tendency to develop BPPV (positional vertigo). As many of us here I started researching about peri menopause to be prepared when meeting the GP. You can search online for Dr Mary Claire Haver, gynaecologist & menopause specialist who shares tons of useful information and data/studies. She’s on Instagram and tiktok. Look into it and good luck.

JoMax profile image
JoMax in reply to Regina66

Are you on HRT patches at all? I had similar when in hrt patches had to stop taking them and it thankfully stopped.

rosie61 profile image
rosie61

Just checking have you had your brand of thyroxine changed? When mine was changed to teva I had terrible confusion depression and I thought my b12 injection was not working any more. After a month, I researched on here and lots of people can't tolerate teva. I think it is to do with mannitol which is used a filler. If you look it up one of things it is used for is reducing fluid on the brain.. Changed back to normal brand and started to feel better again. Took a few weeks. Just a thought.

You may also like...

Balance

happening losing my balance. I know this can be a B12 deficiency symptom. Could any of you tell me...

Help to balance hormones( hypothyroidism, adrenal issues, low libido)

estradiol, testosterone, t3 only or something that balanced all out and made you feel normal! My...

Frustrated by swollen thyroid and balance

I start it ? I also am 3 weeks into recovering from labrynthitis which us an inner ear problem so...

Still feeling off balance

210mg and Vitamin B12 daily oral spray. My symptom of feeling off balance seems to have been worse...

Dizzy & Balance problems

ok, but woke up feeling dizzy and off balance, it has lasted all day, could this mean not enough...