Dizziness, does anyone else have this rotten condition?

Hi I have been diagnosed with spinal stenosis and often feel quite dizzy and light headed.

I think it’s really important that you go to a balance clinic if possible, because they will advise you on ways to adapt to minimise the risk of falling. My neighbour goes every day but I haven’t asked him what advice they give. The older I get the more aware I am of the possibility of falling especially as my house is a trip hazard which I’m working on.

I had and still have bad dizzy spells. please keep having it checked as mine was a brain tumour. It was accompanied one day by a feeling of splitting in two, so please go back to your doctor if you experience this. sorry not trying to frighten you.

narrowboatnan, some people can suddenly react to BP meds that they've taken for years, without any problems. Others, like me, just can't take them. The risk v benefit has to be considered.

I tried (well, my doctor insisted) all five types (available at the time) with severe reactions, including awful dizziness, burning feet, brain fog, collapse and intestinal anaphylaxis.

Rushed off to hospital, where they (bullied me) tried to make me take - BP pills - I had to escape (before they killed me). The funny thing is - I don't have high BP, I have autism so if anyone gets too near or I feel cornered - up goes the reading!

Smg1950

I have/had this caused by ear problems and pernicious anaemia . I felt very disorientated and unable to eat at times due to nausea. I saw ENT consultant who sent me to a physio for specific ex’s and that has really helped. I had to go privately unfortunately -the physio also treated my neck. I went about 3 times and made a huge difference . I hope you find someone who can help.The physio said she’s had more people post Covid

This sounds well worth looking into Smg1950:
It’s interesting to hear about the possible links to Covid. An hour after my second Covid jab. I experienced a moment of amnesia. In fact it went on for an hour and I eventually ended up in hospital where various tests were carried out. It was decided that I had Transient Global Amnesia but nobody would or could link it to the vaccination….🤔

Used to have dizzy spells which apparently were because my blood pressure was on the low side, I had medication called Stemetil. It would come on at any moment and was quite frightening. Happily I've grown out of it!

I agree Crazygrandma2…The Epley manoeuvre certainly helps. I have permanent sinus problems plus intermittent unilateral screeching tinnitus and when I have a bout of vertigo it’s always on the same side as the T. It’s a horrible inner ear problem and quite scary as it’s a knock to the self confidence. I now keep a supply of Prochlorperazine about my person all the time just in case. It helps stop the dizziness and quells any nausea. At last I’m literally living up to my dizzy blonde status. Remove my head and the rest of me is doing quite well…👍

I have/had this caused by ear problems and pernicious anaemia . I felt very disorientated and unable to eat at times due to nausea. I saw ENT consultant who sent me to a physio for specific ex’s and that has really helped. I had to go privately unfortunately -the physio also treated my neck. I went about 3 times and made a huge difference . I hope you find someone who can help.The physio said she’s had more people post Covid

Hi I often feel light headed since being diagnosed with spinal cervical stenosis
Not nice!

I suffer from dizziness and was diagnosed with low B12. I get injections every 12 weeks now. However I still had four days of dizziness last week.

Have you looks up PoTS (Postural tachycardia syndrome)? It might be that and it doesn't always show up on the first tests.

If all else fails dizziness can be caused by reflux. I used to get dizzy when I stood up or sat up from lying and my GP suggested reflux, which sounded improbable to me, but I now take Salpraz Pantoprazole and have no dizziness whatsoever. It's amazing.

I have a type of vertigo called BPPV (google for full name) which is caused by the build up of crystals in the ear.

If I lay completely flat I feel very dizzy so for massages, treatments etc I have to have pillows and get up really slowly.

I have had the special manoeuvre a couple of times which helps but I think I need to go again because when I bend over or reach up and put my head back, I nearly fall over.

Some nights I get into bed, close my eyes and feel like I am being tipped out of the bed.

My GP changed my BP tablets last year. They made me so dizzy that I could hardly stand up and when I walked I was staggering about like a drunkard but without the benefit, or the expense, of the whisky. Tablets changed, problem resolved. Might be worth reading the patient info leaflet that comes with your regular medication in case it’s a side effect of one (or more) of those. Like mine was.

I was going to suggest Epley manoeuvre as my husband has had this and it helped the dizzy spells. I hadn’t realised it could be something he could do at home himself as the doctor has always done it. I will research!

I was just about to post about anemia, also low blood pressure.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is anaemia. It might be a shot in the dark but I had very dizzy spells and heart flutters. I went through test after test,until at last I persuaded the Dr to give me a blood test. I was indeed very anaemic. Not sure if that helps.

Certainly have hearing checked and consult a good chiropractor. Apart from your spine and neck, ask him or her to check that your legs are the same length and that there are no problems with the small bones of your feet.

Ask your GP for a review of all and any medicines you take concurrently, as even aspirin and the like that you can legally buy across the counter can interact with other medicines to the patient's detriment. Blood pressure is another obvious factor and so is thyroid, if these have not already been checked.

Breathing exercises may well help too, but ballet dancers control dizzyness caused by fast pirouettes by fixing their gaze on a certain point and returning to the mark when they complete an entire turn. This is unlikely to be helpful to you. However, you can control sea sickness by keeping your eyes on the horizon rather than on the sea, so it may not be totally useless.

Unfortunately, keeping ones eyes on the horizon while walking around town would be rather dangerous!

Is there any pattern to when your spells of dizzyness occur? If so note down when they occur.

And do get an opthalamist to check whether you have a cataract forming, and your vision generally, as changes in our sight can cause dizzyness, as can a pair of glasses of the wrong strength.

Have you consulted someone who practises acqupuncture?

Have you tried the Epley manoeuvre? Easily done lying on the bed. It was recommended to me and it worked. As others have said, blocked sinuses also cause problems. Good luck.

Just sending best wishes and admiration to you and all those coping with these unpleasant conditions.

Oldbat1

I used to be prone to labyinthitis (spelling?). It is a middle ear issue and travel sickness pills were prescribed. It wasnt as bad as menieres but certainly debilitating. If possible in your area do try to get a gp appointment. I know certain heart medications can cause dizziness. Horrible feeling.

I had the same problem twenty five years ago. It was very frightening at first as I had no idea what was causing it. I slipped sideways off a chair during an interview, having had to climb a sweeping staircase beforehand. I could see where I wanted to go but made crabbing movements to get there. I was off work for weeks.

I still have to grab at my OH when we cross a road and can’t look at higher shelves in shops without getting dizzy.

Added to your other problems it must be very difficult.

I sometimes get vertigo which appear to be due to inner ear problems, a friend deals with this problem by doing the exercises mentioned above but mine usually only last for a few days.

Thanks so much all, I had a really thorough GP overhaul about 2 weeks ago, & an MRI scan for heart I just have so many conditions, but this is one of the most unpleasant and dangerous, I fear falling downstairs, now might be the time to look for a bungalow or stair lift but that would need a different house. Travel pills sound like a great idea, I will try them. I bet long covid is a contributing factor too, I think overall weakness must be a factor too, I think a balance clinic is a great idea too & I'll ask about that. I'll be ok from tomorrow as my husband is around & we're going away so I'll be fed and only have to do minimal things, its moving around, bending to pick things up etc & that doesn't help. Thank you all soooo much for your help everyone, I really appreciate it

This is a surprisingly common condition which has a variety of causes.

If it keeps happening, it might be worth asking your GP to refer you to a hospital with a specialist balance clinic where they would run a series of tests to determine the cause and then treatment.

Not every hospital has these clinics as they are not part of ENT departments, but there might be a hospital near you with one.

It’s a miserable thing to have and certainly worth trying to get to the bottom of what is causing yours.

I used to be prone to labyinthitis (spelling?). It is a middle ear issue and travel sickness pills were prescribed. It wasnt as bad as menieres but certainly debilitating. If possible in your area do try to get a gp appointment. I know certain heart medications can cause dizziness. Horrible feeling.