I am suffering from Constant Dizziness. What it is?

chaekyu · Joined: 05 Dec 2006 Posts: 34

Hey guys,
I have been fighting constant dizziness for over 15 years now, and no one seems to know what's wrong with me so I thought I’d post and see if anyone had some clever ideas.

My symptoms began during study for the hsc in 1991 and have been continuously with me ever since. The ‘dizziness’ itself is an intense groggy heavyheadedness like being hungover or having a head cold 24/7, and all the constant fatigue and headaches that goes with it. I don’t experience vertigo or any other motion type dizziness.

Other major symptoms (as well as low energy and frequent headaches) include: dry, sore, itchy eyes; poor memory and concentration; and neck tension and pain (and inflexibility).

I also experience anxiety, particularly when I have to speak formally in front of others or am stressed, and I have been diagnosed as having an anxiety disorder or social phobia. Although I have been told that anxiety could be a cause for the constant heavyheadedness, I reckon that the anxiety is a symptom of the primary issue, whatever that is. The main reasons I’m not convinced it’s anxiety is that I rarely feel anxious (although I’m dizzy all the time), when I do get anxious I feel a different type of dizziness like a lightheaded buzzing feeling, and the grogginess never lets up and rarely fluctuates once I’m up for the day, no matter where I am or what I am doing … I could be wrong though.

I have given up liters of blood for tests with no result. Liver and thyroid are working just fine. Blood pressure is dandy. I have had two eegs, two mris on my head (10 years apart) and one on my cervical spine, plus one ct scan on my head, with no results (thankfully I guess). I went to a hearing and balance clinic years ago (does anyone know if they check out your inner ear at these places?) and that came back clear. I also saw a sleep doctor to rule out sleep apnea and other sleeping disorders I’ve tried acupuncture, massage, physio and chiro with no results. I’ve popped my body weight in pills (anti-deps, anti-psychotics and many others) with no effect.

I recently started seeing a psychologist because I was just so miserable and kind of depressed and not dealing well with the prospect of feeling so constantly horrid for the rest of my life. He’s trying to treat anxiety with a range of drugs, none of which have had any effect.

One last thing is that sleep seems to be the main thing that makes me have either a day where I can get up and function and get to work etc, or when I don’t sleep well, I’m a complete mess and barely able to think through the grogginess.

So, I’m at a loss what to try next. Does anyone think I might be wrong about it not being anxiety? Any suggestions?

Many thanks

moon · Joined: 05 Dec 2006 Posts: 32

This sounds like me. I have had the same thing for years. They say the dizziness in miner’s disease middle ear balance thing. I cut out salt and it helped me 80 percent. I can remember the same thing going shopping and looking and feeling drunk. Its hell and no one ever knows it. My neck is tight and back 24/7 I am not sure what this is but try miners for your dizzy spells .

potor · Joined: 05 Dec 2006 Posts: 49

I know this may not be much help for you but you're the first person I’ve found to describe my symptoms almost perfectly. I think a lot of people misuse the word "dizziness" which in my definition has to do with a spinning motion i.e. Inner ear linkage. I too have had the constant groggy, hung over feeling for about 4 months now. It started as just not feeling right and led up to full blown panic attacks. The major difference between what I’ve researched and your description is the constant 24/7 syndrome. Though I’ve been told by doctors it could be anxiety, I like you, intuitively think it's something else. I'm 37 and have been through a lot of stress in my life and have never before experienced anything like this. Before this my head was clear, I was confident, and felt I could do anything. Now, I forget the most basic things and focus 90% of my thoughts trying to "think" through this. I can't even remember what "normal" feels like and I can't imagine going through this for ten more years. I've been on anti-anxiety drugs for about 2 months now and they've conquered the panic attacks but not the constant fogginess in my head. The not knowing what it is debilitating. I hope you find some answers and I’ll let you know if I do.

daley · Joined: 05 Dec 2006 Posts: 18

I see the original posting was a while ago but I just wanted to say that I experience similar problems. I've had a strange dizziness for about 3 years now and it goes on 24/7. Doctors mostly think I’m crazy and making things up. It very well could be anxiety but why would it just start up out of no where. I'm just at the point where I want to be diagnosed with something...Just so I know I’m not crazy!

chaekyu · Joined: 05 Dec 2006 Posts: 34

Wow, can someone please respond to updates on this if they have felt the same way.....This is the first time I have seen people with exactly what I have....I have yet to try medication for anxiety but I have been to ent's internists family doctors and specialists with no avail. I need help. If someone can respond with help they have received about this problem I would be in a life debt to them. I have had this for 2 years now and I need to cure it ASAP