Dizziness and referral

[Anonymousxo]

Hi everyone, I've been getting horrible dizzy spells and headaches, doctor had ruled out infection of the ear, ruled out vertigo and any other conditions that he was able to establish and has now referred me onto ENT
I'm a 25 year old female and I'm actually worried about anything sinister, the dizzy spells feel like a swaying motion for a few seconds then go but always come back and I've recently developed headaches at the back of my head with it, almost feels like pressure all around my head and ears.
I initially thought it was an inner ear infection as i have had this before, this exact thing and I was given anti biotics and it went! But now they are telling me no, it's not that and we will just have to refer you.
What could be causing this? It's very concerning I get it when I'm outside walking when I'm sat down, when I'm laid down everything!
My ear is a tad itchy and I feel so much pressure in my head and ears together, how long does it take to get an appointment during these unprecedented times? I just want it gone :( I've had it for about two weeks now.

Anyone?:(

It does sound like an infection. Wonder why they are so sure it’s not?!

While you’re waiting for better advice I’d suggest cutting out dairy if you eat it. Totally. For three weeks.

There’s a link between phlegm production and dairy. The phlegm bungs up the little passageways in your ears and your sinuses etc. Mines gotten worse with peri menopause and the loss of oestrogen and lack elasticity in the tissues/passageways now. But you’re too young for that, although I wonder if the POP pill may have an impact as it’s progesterone only?

If I eat any dairy, even shortbread or cake (which both have small amounts of dairy in them) I can feel dizzy. It’s worse with cheese. That gives me violent sudden dizzy turns lasting about a minute. I can hear my heartbeat in my ear! It’s also worse in damp weather. It can make my head feel ‘full’ if that makes any sense.

It can take a couple of weeks to go away but is helped by foods that make my nose run, like tomato based curries or hot soup (not cream if anything though, again you’re still avoiding all dairy).

I’d try steaming your face with a bowl of hot water and a towel over your head and see if that loosens anything that’s bunging your head up inside. Do for a few days morning and evening for five to ten minutes. You can put a tiny menthol crystal in the water too (just one tiny one - they are very powerful)

I get acupuncture for various things and they can take the phlegm out if your head with a few needles in your back or legs or whatever. £60 a session where I am and I recommend it for everything, especially things that western medicine can’t understand/help with.

@Elieza

It does sound like an infection. Wonder why they are so sure it’s not?!

While you’re waiting for better advice I’d suggest cutting out dairy if you eat it. Totally. For three weeks.

There’s a link between phlegm production and dairy. The phlegm bungs up the little passageways in your ears and your sinuses etc. Mines gotten worse with peri menopause and the loss of oestrogen and lack elasticity in the tissues/passageways now. But you’re too young for that, although I wonder if the POP pill may have an impact as it’s progesterone only?

If I eat any dairy, even shortbread or cake (which both have small amounts of dairy in them) I can feel dizzy. It’s worse with cheese. That gives me violent sudden dizzy turns lasting about a minute. I can hear my heartbeat in my ear! It’s also worse in damp weather. It can make my head feel ‘full’ if that makes any sense.

It can take a couple of weeks to go away but is helped by foods that make my nose run, like tomato based curries or hot soup (not cream if anything though, again you’re still avoiding all dairy).

I’d try steaming your face with a bowl of hot water and a towel over your head and see if that loosens anything that’s bunging your head up inside. Do for a few days morning and evening for five to ten minutes. You can put a tiny menthol crystal in the water too (just one tiny one - they are very powerful)

I get acupuncture for various things and they can take the phlegm out if your head with a few needles in your back or legs or whatever. £60 a session where I am and I recommend it for everything, especially things that western medicine can’t understand/help with.

I think it is aswell, I'm concerned because the pressure is so bad and my ears keep crackling:/ I feel like the referral will take a while. I've been steaming and take pain killers but it's not made much of an effect, and my ears keep doing popping noises

It's good that your GP has referred you and I can understand why you are worried. I hope you get your appointment date soon.

Just remember thought that there are lots of potentially fairly benign causes of dizziness- could it be something like 'Vestibular Neuritis'?

@emilylily

It's good that your GP has referred you and I can understand why you are worried. I hope you get your appointment date soon.

Just remember thought that there are lots of potentially fairly benign causes of dizziness- could it be something like 'Vestibular Neuritis'?

Yeah they ruled that out, all my friends are telling me to go a&e as they are certain it's an ear infection and I start my new job Monday! :( I don't want to be like this, I'm not sure what to do, doctor has done the referral but honestly I am suffering and I don't think it's fair...I just need this gone before my new job honestly

I've been waiting on a urgent referral for ENT since April and when it gets chased by my gp they just say they are aware it's an urgent one but the waiting lists are huge and they can't even give an estimate of when I'm likely to be seen.

Have you googled the hospital they are likely to refer you to for waitlist times .. sometimes it will tell you on the department page for it.

@peacelily3

I've been waiting on a urgent referral for ENT since April and when it gets chased by my gp they just say they are aware it's an urgent one but the waiting lists are huge and they can't even give an estimate of when I'm likely to be seen.

Have you googled the hospital they are likely to refer you to for waitlist times .. sometimes it will tell you on the department page for it.

Oh no! That's way too long. I know it's an infection I've had this so many times :/ I haven't looked it up no, by the sounds of it I probably should go a&e :(

@peacelily3

I've been waiting on a urgent referral for ENT since April and when it gets chased by my gp they just say they are aware it's an urgent one but the waiting lists are huge and they can't even give an estimate of when I'm likely to be seen.

Have you googled the hospital they are likely to refer you to for waitlist times .. sometimes it will tell you on the department page for it.

Just checked it doesn't say anything about waiting times just the consultants names and the number to get through to ENT

Waitlist for your area may be different to my area remember so hopefully it's not as long and you are seen quicker.

Whatever you decide to do I hope you get it sorted as it is miserable.

@peacelily3

Waitlist for your area may be different to my area remember so hopefully it's not as long and you are seen quicker.

Whatever you decide to do I hope you get it sorted as it is miserable.

Are you experiencing the same thing?:/

Yes but not so much the dizziness , it started as the same as you awful ear pain and fullness like my ear was going to explode along with terrible sinus pain/problems and terrible headaches. I've had ear sprays from gp , 2x different antibiotics and many different steroid sprays for sinuses . I've been referred tho as I developed ringing in one ear so they just want to check nothing sinister is on a nerve I think . I just keep steaming and taking painkillers in the hopes it will go and await my appointment

@peacelily3

Yes but not so much the dizziness , it started as the same as you awful ear pain and fullness like my ear was going to explode along with terrible sinus pain/problems and terrible headaches. I've had ear sprays from gp , 2x different antibiotics and many different steroid sprays for sinuses . I've been referred tho as I developed ringing in one ear so they just want to check nothing sinister is on a nerve I think . I just keep steaming and taking painkillers in the hopes it will go and await my appointment

That sounds horrible, I hope you get better soon

Thank you , I'm sure it's nothing and just my sinuses playing up which is affecting my ear.

Hopefully you get yours sorted soon also.

There’s a link to ear noises and bloods lacking something. Can’t remember what. B12 ? Iron? Not sure

Have you had bloods done?

Have look at vestibular migraines - s sounds similar.

Have you been told to do the Epley Maneouvre?

@Elieza

There’s a link to ear noises and bloods lacking something. Can’t remember what. B12 ? Iron? Not sure

Have you had bloods done?

I'm not sure if this question is for me or the OP but I haven't had bloods done , I mentioned it to the GP but they didn't think it was needed.

Il have a google and see what vitamins I can take to see if it helps. Thank you

Labyrinthitis? I had this and it's horrible. Got referred to ENT (but I have a lengthy history of ENT problems) and had to see a specialist. They strap you to a table and blast water in your ears until you pass out. Such larks. It did go away, eventually.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/labyrinthitis/

[quote EmbarrassingMama]Labyrinthitis? I had this and it's horrible. Got referred to ENT (but I have a lengthy history of ENT problems) and had to see a specialist. They strap you to a table and blast water in your ears until you pass out. Such larks. It did go away, eventually.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/labyrinthitis/[/quote]
Wouldn't doctor know if it was this? I'm so dizzy and my head hurts, feels like a lot of pressure and it's really horrid!

Have you had your iron checked ?

I had exactly the same op but for months. Had my ENT appointment last week and although he couldn't see anything, he thinks it's too much fluid in my middle ear. The glands are either over producing or not absorbing enough. I have tablets to take for 3-4 months to see if there's any change. He also gave me neck exercises I can inbox you of you like?

@GoodnightGrandma

Have you had your iron checked ?

Yep bloods all normal, I recently had a chest infection aswell it's like one thing after the other :( my ears keep popping aswell so I know it's something to do with my ear

@MargeSimpson00

I had exactly the same op but for months. Had my ENT appointment last week and although he couldn't see anything, he thinks it's too much fluid in my middle ear. The glands are either over producing or not absorbing enough. I have tablets to take for 3-4 months to see if there's any change. He also gave me neck exercises I can inbox you of you like?

Really? Headaches along with dizziness? Yes please! That would be great

Sounds like the vestibular migraines that I get. It took quite a while to be diagnosed. It's cause by grinding my teeth and I have a splint from the dentist to wear at night to stop it.

I suggest visiting your dentist

I also thought I had an ear infection because of the pain and pressure and had several courses of antibiotics that did nothing. If you think you grind your teeth at night then it might be worth buying a generic bruxism teeth guard on Amazon.

Couldn't attach in pm, hopefully that's clear enough.