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Original poster

Permanently Exhausted and Dizzy!

24 replies

Danidandan · 02/04/2021 10:36

Hi everyone. I'm a new MN poster and a long time lurker. Just looking for some advice really.

For the past probably 6 weeks, every morning I've woken up really dizzy, fuzzy headed and absolutely exhausted. It takes me a good 2-3 hours to get going. I sleep relatively well. I have a 5 month old DD that goes to bed at 8.30 and sleeps until 7.30am (I'm lucky, she's a little gem.)

I've been to the doctors and have had my iron levels checked and my blood pressure. All fine. My blood pressure is low to normal, but that's normal for me and has been my whole life.

It honestly feels like I've been up all night downing shots of vodka, I just don't feel 'with it', enough for me not to drive until I've fully woken up! I only have 1-2 coffees a day. Don't drink energy drinks, and eat a relatively balanced diet. The energy has just been sapped out of me! My weights good, exercise could be better but because of lockdown I've been walking with my little girl. The feeling that describes it exactly, it feels like I've taken a sleeping tablet the night before and woken up with the effects after.

No idea what to do and I feel like I'm bugging my GP. I just need some energy back as I'm going back to work part time soon, and I want to do more than lay on the sofa trying to keep my eyes open!

Thank you for reading

OP posts:

Fyredraca · 02/04/2021 10:38

How old are you?

dizzydizzydizzy · 02/04/2021 14:33

I had symptoms like this and it turned out to be PPPD. I had blood tests for diabetes and many other illnesses, which were all negative.

I was sent to cardiology, neurology and ENT for checks. In the end, it was a vestibular specialist in ENT who diagnosed me. It took 2.5 years!

dizzydizzydizzy · 02/04/2021 16:04

PS keep bugging your GP. If you do, they'll do the hospital referrals.

HansSolo22 · 02/04/2021 16:50

I came here to ask almost exactly the same question and seeing @dizzydizzydizzy post made me look up PPPD and I think this is exactly what I have. I had a very severe episode of labyrinthitis 2 years ago and since then I have had much milder dizziness. It's not even dizziness, it's feeling not quite right, like my perception of depth is skewed or something. I've been diagnosed vestibular migraine and take amiltriptalyne daily but the strange feelings still persist occasionally (I have a few weeks where it is more obvious, then maybe a few without any signs). It honestly feels like I'm going mad sometimes. And I'm so tired all the time. I'm 42 and it just doesn't feel serious enough to pester my GP about, God knows they have enough to do right now, but it's affecting my life so much. I feel your pain and I really hope you get to the bottom of it, it's so debilitating. Good luck in finding an answer - please share it if you do!

PrincessandthePeach · 02/04/2021 19:49

I'm having something similar. I'm constantly feeling really off balance, more like vertigo as opposed to spinning.
I also always feel like I'm going to fall or faint and it's causing nausea in the background.
I've had blood tests they are all normal apart from my b12 which was slightly low.
Doctors have tried putting it down to anxiety but I do not think anxiety could make me feel so off balance and awful.
Think I'm going to call the doctors again next week...

Original poster

Danidandan · 02/04/2021 21:02

@Fyredraca I'm 26, 27 in June.

@dizzydizzydizzy
@HansSolo22
@PrincessandthePeach

Thank you for your replies. I've never heard of PPPD! I will keep badgering my GP as it's getting me down. Especially with lockdown easing I want to get out and do things without thinking I'm going to keel over!

Does PPPD also come with fatigue / extreme tiredness? I've just had a look online briefly but will look into it more for sure. Glad I'm not the only one.

On a separate note, I had a rare type of cancer 3 years ago and have had multiple surgeries and chemo since. (Nothing in the past year and a half)
Then I got pregnant through IVF so I don't know if my body is just giving up on me! But due to the above my bloods / thyroid / iron / all of the other generic tests they do with bloods, are done monthly. So I have no idea but I feel that things aren't normal. I had half a glass of kopperberg with my tea and it sent me sideways

Will keep you all posted. I'm going to call the docs on Monday.

OP posts:

dizzydizzydizzy · 02/04/2021 21:47

I certainly have fatigue.

If you want to find out more about PPPD, look here: www.neurosymptoms.org/dizziness/4594358005

Your GP probably hasn't heard of it. Mine hasn't, nor have several other doctors I have talked to. I don't think it is particularly rare though.

You may well not have PPPD but it is a possibility.

ElysiumFeels · 02/04/2021 21:51

@HansSolo22 can I pm you? Also have VM diagnosis and have a question....

HansSolo22 · 02/04/2021 22:16

@elysiumfeels yeah sure, would be good to hear from you

MiniMaxi · 02/04/2021 22:18

Make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector

Firstbornunicorn · 02/04/2021 22:22

Hmmm... just wondering if any of you ladies have heard of PoTS? It could be another possibility, depending on your other symptoms.

tara66 · 02/04/2021 22:53

This condition is usually related to inner ear problems which can be difficult to ''cure'' . It is vertigo. There may be damage to inner ear caused by a previous blow to the head or ear infection - neither of which you may remember.

Pootle40 · 02/04/2021 22:54

Do you feel anxious or stressed? That can definitely cause those feelings. When I had anxiety (and to be honest I'm not sure I thought I was anxious) dizziness was a big thing and feeling tired.

Pootle40 · 02/04/2021 22:56

I would notice I felt most dizzy under lights in a supermarket for some reason. I would often feel a bit off balance as if the ground moved. All anxiety!

Pootle40 · 02/04/2021 22:57

@PrincessandthePeach

I'm having something similar. I'm constantly feeling really off balance, more like vertigo as opposed to spinning. I also always feel like I'm going to fall or faint and it's causing nausea in the background. I've had blood tests they are all normal apart from my b12 which was slightly low. Doctors have tried putting it down to anxiety but I do not think anxiety could make me feel so off balance and awful. Think I'm going to call the doctors again next week...

This really does sound like me when I had anxiety.

WLAH · 02/04/2021 23:01

How is your Vit D levels

Cityzen74 · 02/04/2021 23:02

Sorry to hear you are feeling unwell. Have you had your vitamin D levels checked? I was feeling really exhausted and it turned out I had really low levels. 💐 for you

dontdisturbmenow · 03/04/2021 13:37

Check low vit B12 toi.

Starrr123 · 23/01/2022 19:16

@Danidandan hi! How are now? X

Starrr123 · 17/01/2023 22:34

@dizzydizzydizzy how are you? What helped you with it ? X

dizzydizzydizzy · 17/01/2023 22:37

I made a full recovery from PPPD. The treatment is to take anti anxiety meds and to do Physio. I now have CFS/ME which does involve some dizziness and lots and lots
And lots of fatigue.

How are you now, OP?

dizzydizzydizzy · 17/01/2023 22:39

I don't think the two illnesses are linked though. Unlucky coincidence.

Starrr123 · 18/01/2023 08:45

@dizzydizzydizzy thats very good news that the PPPD went away! I take amitriptyline i may try some exercises!
my friend has ME and she always has to nap.
do you find you need to nap alot ? X

dizzydizzydizzy · 18/01/2023 12:23

@Starrr123 the Physio works!

I try not to take naps because I want to sleep at night although I often fall asleep on the sofa straight after breakfast and wake up to find my tea is stone cold.

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