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Original poster

Inner ear? Or something else? Hand hold needed!

55 replies

Summergirl22 · 19/02/2023 11:39

I’m hoping by putting my feeling in writing I can try and relieve some of the anxiety.

For around 5 weeks now I’ve been having what I can describe as vertigo but there’s no spinning. It feels more like my brain is swaying round and round. It started with random little head rushes now and then to full blown head pressure attacks where my head felt like lead weight and it would only be relieved by laying down. About 2 weeks into this I started to have bad tinnitus and blocked ears. I had my ears checked after that but no sign of infection. Then I began to feel tingling in my foot which has spread upwards to my knee but this feeling does ease off now and then. Throughout all of this I haven’t had any headaches or pain in general. I feel constantly jittery and shaky. I’ve been waking up with internal tremors in my back/chest.

I see my gp next Thursday which is the earliest they can see me. I have been beside myself that something is very wrong and my anxiety is through the roof. The very thought of leaving my children and husband is just crippling. Im only 32.

Has anyone experienced anything like this before? Or can anyone offer absolutely anything that will help me calm down

OP posts:
onmyway2010 · 19/02/2023 11:45

I've had that swaying sort of dizziness, along with ringing and blocked ears - for me it's chronic sinusitis. Maybe try taking a daily antihistamine and nasal spray? (Check with pharmacist). I'm not sure about tingling leg, jittery - could it be anxiety/stress?

I hope you get some answers soon.

DrSalome · 19/02/2023 11:50

OP there are so many different vestibular conditions, most of which are not life threatening but are deeply deeply debilitating and unpleasant.. Vestibular neuritis (inner ear infection), BPPV, Vestibular Migraine, menieres disease, MDDS. Has GP checked you are not having a neurological emergency? (I think they look in your eyes and check reflexes etc, not sure). A proper diagnosis can take time. Keep persisting. Best of luck.

Original poster
Summergirl22 · 19/02/2023 11:50

I’m mostly concerned that it’s gone on for so long without much improvement. I certainly think my anxiety isn’t helping things at all. Just can’t help but think the worst. It’s soul destroying.

OP posts:
Original poster
Summergirl22 · 19/02/2023 11:52

I’ve been to A&E and they checked my cognitive functions and muscles etc and all seemed fine. It’s so hard to describe the ‘dizzy’ feeling. It’s not spinning or but more like a drunk feeling constantly.

OP posts:
DrSalome · 19/02/2023 11:52

Btw tinnitus is a common symptom of vestibular issues. These things are more common in perimenopause. I'd advise not accepting anxiety as a sole diagnosis. It's co morbid obviously because this is absolutely horrendous to go through.

DrSalome · 19/02/2023 11:56

Yes I understand, I've been going through similar for a long time now. You are early days and there's lots of hope. I would ask for a referral to neurology.

SagelyNodding · 19/02/2023 11:58

If it helps I had exactly those symptoms about a month ago, did full blood tests, saw my GP, got a referral to ENT...I really thought I had something seriously wrong with me.

I was under a lot of stress due to a work issue and it turns out it was my body telling me that I needed to chill out! My blood pressure was over 160, my head was spinning and I just hadn't realised how run down and stressed I actually was! Once I figured it out I began feeling better!

(Also v low in vitamin D - a mega dose on prescription sorted that out)

Original poster
Summergirl22 · 19/02/2023 11:58

A&E sent a recommendation to the gp that I’m referred to neurology so I’ll be sure to discuss this with the gp next week and get things going. Still hoping that I’ll wake up one day and all this will just fade away

OP posts:
Strongboat · 19/02/2023 12:08

I get this. For me at different times it's been a side effect of ssris or propanalol, or vestibular migraine. I've been referred to a neurologist but here there's a waiting list of over a year.

TheShellBeach · 19/02/2023 12:11

Do you have health anxiety, OP?
Why were you in A&E?

Original poster
Summergirl22 · 19/02/2023 12:15

I went to A&E because of the intense unexplained sudden head pressure and dizziness when sat at home on the sofa. I’ve always been a fit and healthy person, not really had any issues in the past. I’ve experienced a bit of anxiety in the past but just what the average person feels from time to time. Never been on mental health medication or anything. Not currently on any medication at all. However, this experience has certainly made me incredibly anxious as I don’t know the l cause and it’s all happened suddenly. I was completely normal 5 weeks ago.

OP posts:
Binfluencer · 19/02/2023 12:19

Hi OP, I've had a few instances of this over the years, lasts a few weeks. I think for me it's triggered by either hormonal changes or a virus. It's really disconcerting and worrying but has always self resolved. You might take iron and B12 as these supplements can help get you back on an even keel.

Binfluencer · 19/02/2023 12:20

Like you, I am very robust and healthy! So it's odd to feel 'not right'

Original poster
Summergirl22 · 19/02/2023 12:40

I’m going to buy some b12 and iron supplements today and get started. Even if they don’t help with my problems I’m sure it’ll be good for me regardless.

OP posts:
User963 · 19/02/2023 12:44

You didn’t happen to have covid just before it started? These symptoms are also quite common after covid. I get dizzy a lot and find large doses of vitamin c and high dose vitamin d help.

Original poster
Summergirl22 · 19/02/2023 12:55

I have no idea if I could have had covid. Last time I had it was when we were still testing during lockdown but I didn’t have any symptoms from it that time.

OP posts:
Bananacaramel8 · 19/02/2023 13:02

I have had this drunk swaying sort of vertigo as though I’m standing on a slightly rocky boat for years now. My iron levels were a bit low and ever since I’ve started taking strong iron supplements the symptoms have decreased a lot. It’s never fully gone away and I have it 24/7 but it’s very mild now so don’t really pay it much attention anymore. When I was borderline anemic it was awful and I felt so unwell and anxious. I saw a neurologist as was convinced I had MS or a brain tumour. I had a full MRI and he found nothing. He said to have a neurological condition like MS and to not have any other symptoms such as noticeable weakness down one side or optical neuralgia etc alongside the vertigo would be almost unheard of.
also whenever I’m anxious the dizziness would flare up a lot too and it’s actually a common symptom with people who suffer with anxiety and panic disorders to have that feeling all the time

Moneyworrier123 · 19/02/2023 13:11

I don’t have the leg symptoms you describe but otherwise I have exactly the same symptoms. Started in October last year and I underwent lots of tests etc and they concluded anxiety. I got it sort of under control but the last week has been bad again so I’ve been referred for an MRI. Luckily private so not a long wait. The way you describe the dizziness is the same as me, it’s not like the room is spinning but sort of like my head goes fuzzy, my eyes feel a bit blurry and I feel drunk! It happens when I don’t even feel anxious but then it makes me feel anxious…vicious cycle! Hope you have a useful GP appointment, I’m trying to keep distracted in the meantime.

FatSealSmugSoup · 19/02/2023 13:14

I’ve had this since august and now walk with a stick - people think I’m probably just pissed.

Not spinning - just constantly on the deck of a ship and walking on a cant. I’ve also had what feels like plane turbulence when I’ve just been sat on the couch and have “plunged”.

in my case it’s MS.

Ohifyouinsist · 19/02/2023 13:23

Are your symptoms worse after you've been upright for a long time, and are they always relieved by lying down? Does an energy drink help?

If so, when you go back to the GP, do mention this. It's rare, but those symptoms can be signs of a CSF leak (it is treatable). It's something that GPs dont aoways think of, so worth bringing up.

Original poster
Summergirl22 · 19/02/2023 13:26

I’m better when I’m up and walking around or if I’m in the car. It’s when I’m sat down it’s really noticeable. Laying in bed seems to calm everything down but obviously I can’t stay in bed all day although at the moment I’m so down because of all this that that’s all I want to do. Going out alone is out of the question.

OP posts:
TSJ19 · 19/02/2023 13:50

Hi i have similar symptoms and i have blocked eustachian tubes in my ears. I am having grommets fitted next month to see if they help. I experience lots of symptoms with this.
I have had a lot of tests done to rule out anything else.

Original poster
Summergirl22 · 19/02/2023 13:55

I did think that at first due to the on off blocked feeling in my ears and tinnitus. It’s extremely debilitating

OP posts:
Ratatatatatouille · 19/02/2023 13:58

I had this following acute sinusitis. The headaches etc had gone but that feeling absolutely did not. My ears were clear but I felt like I was going to fall into the road when I was walking along, it was so weird. I’d be sitting on a chair eating breakfast and feel like i was going to fall off of it. It was brutal.

the only thing that helped was a steroid spray.

anxiety makes dizziness worse.

Ratatatatatouille · 19/02/2023 13:59

Also I was worse if I was sitting down. Getting up and going for a walk round the block always helped. I was out for dinner once and had to go for a walk before I could sit and eat because I felt so dizzy and wobbly I was on the brink of going home.