Head cold and dizziness not improving - advice

[Truffles1964]

Hi. Apologies as I’m a terrible worrier and even more so when my dc are suffering.

Dd18, has been in bed since Wednesday with a cold and feeling rotten, which is not a big deal, it’s only a cold, but she is also feeling dizzy which is worrying her a lot. We had tears over it last night. She’s ok lying down but when she gets up it all starts moving and her vision is affected. Is this just one of the horrible viruses going around at the moment? How long might it last?

I’ve had plenty of colds in my life but never had dizziness with it and I want to try and reassure dd that its just the mucous etc sloshing around and affecting her balance. She’s not the best patient and is getting upset as she is not feeling any better.

Has anyone had this? Any personal experiences and reassurance that I can pass onto her would be greatly appreciated.

the only experience I’ve had with this type of thing is when I had benign positional vertigo. I would feel very dizzy when going from lying down to sitting up or when looking up at a high shelf or something. The dizziness would only usually last about 30 seconds or so though. Is she drinking plenty of fluids etc? Maybe get her to see Dr if no better by tomorrow.

There are lots of viruses going around at the moment. I know colds can cause ear infections which affect the balance and it is most likely that but I have no personal experience of this. If she goes to docs,they will probably advise to just give it time.

how much is she eating & drinking?

Thanks for the replies. Yes she is drinking plenty.
She will have to go to docs to get a sick note for work anyway. I've just never heard of a cold causing dizziness before but there do seem to be a lot of nasties going around at the moment that are lasting for ages.

My son and I have both had a cold over Christmas which included dizziness as a specific symptom. I think it's just one of the viruses going around. I found taking sinus type meds helped a bit. 2 weeks later and I am still getting some sinus reaction / headache.

lijkk she is drinking plenty and maybe not eating as much as normal but enough.

Thanks floating. How long did the dizziness last? Its been 5 days now for dd.

Labrynthitis

Could be her Eustachian tubes in her ears are blocked from the cold (they help control balance).
Fingers crossed it passes for her soon.
Check out labrynthits too as she may need an antibiotic

Yes about 5 days or so. I soldiered on, D's took to his bed. I have to say mine was worse in bed and better when I was up and moving around. I sort of guessed that gunge was settling in my laid-back down head and draining better in my upright head.

Labrynthitis is a virus pp antibiotics don’t work on viruses!

Well doc says its labrynthitis and she has to just wait it out. Also suggested she take antihistamines and paracetamol which I found a bit odd.
Hopefully it will pass soon.

Oh no! It’s not much fun, I has 4weeks off with it and then for about a year if I got overtired or run down I’d feel dizzy again.

Rest and slow movements

Thanks. Hopefully it won't last too long.

Antihistamines can be great for ear related dizziness. Sounds odd but too much histamine can affect the fluid in your inner ear, which then causes dizziness. Also best to avoid caffeine and excessive salt. I have Menieres disease which is often confused with labyrinthitis initially. If she has any hearing loss after the vertigo starts to settle then go back to gp. Hope she recovers soon.