Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Dizziness and referral

94 replies

Anonymousxo · 31/08/2021 12:34

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.

OP posts:
dizzydizzydizzy · 01/09/2021 18:57

Ok @Anonymousxo. You need to see a vestibular expert - they are normally within ENT but sometimes neurology and probably only in Large hospitals. My consultant was at Guy's in London. Local hospital didn't have a clue. You might also find the doctor you need under 'balance clinic'

dizzydizzydizzy · 01/09/2021 18:58

@Anonymousxo when I was first sent to ENT, I saw an ENT surgeon at my local hospital. He had no idea what was wrong.

Original poster
Anonymousxo · 01/09/2021 19:01

[quote dizzydizzydizzy]@Anonymousxo when I was first sent to ENT, I saw an ENT surgeon at my local hospital. He had no idea what was wrong.[/quote]
Oh that doesn't give me much hope :( did they do any tests beforehand?!
Ok, I'm in the london area, I've been referred to a community ENT but they said they have to 'triage' it first before I get an appointment, I guess to see the severity of my symptoms

OP posts:
dizzydizzydizzy · 01/09/2021 19:10

Ask them to refer you the balance clinic at Guy's or St George's or similar.

The one at Guy's is run by Dr Louisa Murdin. She is amazing.

stupiduser · 01/09/2021 19:13

My daughter has been dizzy since feb. I had a thread about it on here. They have now ruled out ears, brain, bloods etc. She is waiting on a diagnosis of a heart condition. The doctors told me that the dizziness of ear problems are like a carousel feeling where as feeling like you are being sucked/falling backwards is heart related

Original poster
Anonymousxo · 01/09/2021 19:45

@stupiduser

My daughter has been dizzy since feb. I had a thread about it on here. They have now ruled out ears, brain, bloods etc. She is waiting on a diagnosis of a heart condition. The doctors told me that the dizziness of ear problems are like a carousel feeling where as feeling like you are being sucked/falling backwards is heart related
Yeah mine is a falling sensation but I've had so many ecgs and heart rate checked along with bloods, everything is perfectly fine regarding my heart
OP posts:
chaosrabbitland · 01/09/2021 20:21

does it feel like full pressure in the ears , and almost like its an earache , do you have any deafness as well ?

Original poster
Anonymousxo · 01/09/2021 20:27

@chaosrabbitland

does it feel like full pressure in the ears , and almost like its an earache , do you have any deafness as well ?
Pressure 100% both head and ears but none of the deafness or anything like that
OP posts:
Original poster
Anonymousxo · 01/09/2021 20:27

@chaosrabbitland

does it feel like full pressure in the ears , and almost like its an earache , do you have any deafness as well ?
No pain
OP posts:
chaosrabbitland · 01/09/2021 20:31

ok then dont worry doesnt sound like my afflication which is menires disease , some of what you describe is same , but you would have almost like a throbbing like a low earache and it start with a bit of hearing loss too

Original poster
Anonymousxo · 03/09/2021 15:07

Hi everyone, I had my ENT appointment today it was very short and he said straight away he's referring me to the balance clinic and also I need an MRI and said he doesn't know what's causing my symptoms :/ I said so you don't think it's an inner ear infection? He said no because you describe your dizziness as almost fainting, most people with inner ear infection experience spinning... :( I don't know what's wrong

OP posts:
Elieza · 03/09/2021 17:10

Fingers crossed they get to the bottom of it with the mri. Flowers

Original poster
Anonymousxo · 04/09/2021 15:46

Anyone on here had a lot of pressure in their head aswell, almost like it's going to pop?
It's so uncomfortable!! :(

OP posts:
Kittii · 04/09/2021 16:05

Could it be intercranial hypertension?

Original poster
Anonymousxo · 04/09/2021 16:21

@Kittii

Could it be intercranial hypertension?
Ive just researched and I don't seem to have any of those specific symptoms but I am wondering whether I need to go to a&e as the pressure and dizziness are really really bad, I'm so uncomfortable and although I have an MRI pending, this is clearly not normal :(
OP posts:
Original poster
Anonymousxo · 04/09/2021 23:36

Called 111 today just for advice because I developed weird eye pressure and pain (almost like sinus) and the headache got so bad so doctor told me to come see him and he thinks it could be blocked ears just to be told 'ears look completely fine' 'your symptoms don't match what I'm seeing' almost to say 'this isn't happening, I don't see anything wrong' :( so upset, this is not an anxiety thing I'm not imagining it, so wrong!!

OP posts:
Kittii · 05/09/2021 14:10

Sorry to hear that the GP wasn't helpful. You can't see vestibular issues so that comment was silly.

Do painkillers help with the headache?

It could be vestibular migraine with those symptoms. But if you're worried about the headache you can go to A&E.

How are you today?

Original poster
Anonymousxo · 05/09/2021 14:52

@Kittii

Sorry to hear that the GP wasn't helpful. You can't see vestibular issues so that comment was silly.

Do painkillers help with the headache?

It could be vestibular migraine with those symptoms. But if you're worried about the headache you can go to A&E.

How are you today?

Slightly yes but I know I am stressed because of the dizziness and things, worries me a bit and then when he said he can't see what I'm saying my symptoms and what he see's don't add up it really upset me, made me actually stop and think 'is this anxiety?' It can't be surely. I'm ok, headache is a bit better today but dizziness still in full effect! :(
OP posts:
stupiduser · 05/09/2021 20:24

Interesting that the consultant said the same as me about the dizziness being a falling sensation so not to do with ears. Just an FYI my friend has a serious heart condition but it was never picked up in an ecg. My daughter has had ecg a that show nothing but there is definitely something wrong, they always do an ecg when she is sat down and it is when she is active that she gets the dizziness. Keep pushing them for help

stupiduser · 05/09/2021 20:26

Also when I was asking on here about my daughter someone suggested PPPD. Have you looked into that?

Original poster
Anonymousxo · 05/09/2021 20:38

@stupiduser

Interesting that the consultant said the same as me about the dizziness being a falling sensation so not to do with ears. Just an FYI my friend has a serious heart condition but it was never picked up in an ecg. My daughter has had ecg a that show nothing but there is definitely something wrong, they always do an ecg when she is sat down and it is when she is active that she gets the dizziness. Keep pushing them for help
I don't think it has anything to do with my heart, I was on a heart monitor for a few hours and then had to walk with it on and I was fine. ENT seems to think it's my inner ear but I've been referred to the balance clinic so if they don't think it's to do with my ears they'll refer me elsewhere I presume
OP posts:
Original poster
Anonymousxo · 09/09/2021 14:32

Hey everyone, just got my letter from ENT when I had my appointment, it says all balance tests were normal and ear looked fine, this concerns me that it's something to do with my brain rather than my ear:/
Did anyone else have normal balance tests?

OP posts:
dizzydizzydizzy · 09/09/2021 17:22

@Anonymousxo

Hey everyone, just got my letter from ENT when I had my appointment, it says all balance tests were normal and ear looked fine, this concerns me that it's something to do with my brain rather than my ear:/ Did anyone else have normal balance tests?
All my balance and hearing tests were normal or even good. MRI of brain was OK too.

As I said before, Ended up with PPPD diagnosis. Balance clinic sounds like the right place for you.

Original poster
Anonymousxo · 09/09/2021 17:31

@dizzydizzydizzy I'm going to look more into that, what sort of tests did they do to diagnose you?

OP posts:
dizzydizzydizzy · 09/09/2021 17:43

@Anonymousxo I don't think there are any tests for PPPD. All mine were normal. It's a case of running all the tests and eliminating other diagnoses.