Unexplained dizziness

[Skuno]

Hi everyone.

I am 7 months post-partum. Had a rough time with my c section. Things calmed down for a few months then I felt some pain at the back of my head. I checked and had a swollen lymph node on my neck. I was fine no temp or feeling sick etc. Showed the GP and was told its not serious but I am onset of having an infection ....give it 6 weeks.

6 weeks later I started feeling like I was on a boat. Head going backwards and forward. I got bloods done and turned out to be vit B12 deficient. I was quickly put on loading doses and recieved injections. I was told people feel better after the injections. During treatment I got so bad that I landed in A&E. Blurred vision not able to stand properly, constant feeling of being on a rocky boat. They done their checks and said sounds like inner ear problem. I was sent home with some sickness tabs.

I was told to see ENT. I managed to get an ENT referral and was told by the doc that it sounds like a neurological issue and being referred to audiology for which the wait is gonna be months. GP was reluctant to refer me to a neurologist or for an MRI. I was told its ENT now. I feel stressed because I feel I will have to wait months to be told to go see a neurologist which will take many months on top.

I got my eyes tested which were fine.

Now I feel like the tablets are not working as well. Its really debilitating. I feel really low.

Any one else been in this situation? What was the outcome. Not having a diagnosis and feeling all this is so hard.

I a totally have the exact symptoms you describe. I was diagnosed with BPPV which is a type of vertigo. My doc tod me that if we have a virus it can damage inner ears and cause the lightheaded and dizziness. Mine is especially bad when I move my head a certain way. I would be inclined to agree with the inner ear issue. But if you feel they are wrong then keep pushing. I've had mine about a year now and sometimes it's debilitating.

Stemetil is the tablets I got for dizziness, worked very well. A virus in the ear left me with a bit of tinnitus and hearing loss on one side. I hope you get the audiometric test sorted. I think Specsavers do something like that?

I have this exact sensation too! I've had other issues so been through rheumatology but they've ultimately decided nothing autoimmune. They're now thinking pots which is to do with your heart rate rising too fast when you stand which can make you feel dizzy. I'm still not convinced it fits though. It's awful feeling that dizzy, hope you discover the problem!

Hey.. I forgot to mention sometimes I feel like lights are flickering. Happens for a few seconds and goes away. Did you have that? Did your lymph nodes get swollen? Thus far no one has turned around and said that it may be happening cause of a viral. I done my reading and it does point to it.

I actually don't know my triggers right now its so random. Do you have certain positional triggers?

I've had post viral vestibular migraines which is what you describe plus bad headaches and nausea for 5 months. I think it was covid. I've been offered some meds. Some don't work, some have offputting side effects (I take other meds too). I've been recommended magnesium, co enzyme q10 and riboflavin supplements plus acupuncture which seems to give me about a day's relief at a time. I have an MRI soon. It's bloody awful.

Thanks. I'm not sure if they can look that deep. I will ask them.

@Catlord omdays it truly is awful. No one tests now so don't even know if it was covid or not. I didn't even know something like this even exists. It just happened over night. Whole quality of life has been shook.

How long has it been bad for?
It really sounds like an inner ear infection / labyrinthitis. It's debilitating, the first time I had it knocked me sideways and could do nothing but lie down, or I'd throw up.

I've had recurrences when my body's low, the dizziness acts as a trigger for me to slow down and look after myself, so anything you can do to boost your immune system would be great.

There's some rehab exercises you can do (google labyrinthitis rehab) and I have a friend who has used the Epley manoeuvre to treat really effectively.

Try to move slow, stay horizontal as much as possible, no quick movements.

I think back to your GP for better anti-nausea medication, and anti-inflammatories.

@LuubyLuu I want to say it's coming to over 2 months now. What I dint get when ENT looked at my ear they said your ear health is fine but they had no specialist equipment quick glance inside the ear. Who diagnosed you at the end?

Just to add I have recently found the Epsley manoeuvre (it essentially resettles the Crystals in your ear) to provide the most relief. Please check with your dr before trying it though. I was doing something called the Dix Hallpike manoeuvre which didn't work as well for me.

As a pp suggested, it sounds like vestibular migraine. I had it post partum and it was awful. In some ways the most awful part was the struggle to find a diagnosis. Long-term preventative meds used to treat migraines can help as can cutting out migraine triggers. It was a long path for me but I got there.

I found joining forums on fb the most helpful for finding recommended medical professionals and advice to help reduce dizziness.

Yeh ENT suspects that. We're youndiagnosed by audiology or neurology?

Yes the struggle is real. Its such a horibble feeling. Which meds were you on? Did it control it?

@Skuno how are you feeling now? I’m in the exact same position as this. 8 months postpartum.

The feeling of dizziness is getting me down and I can’t seem to find a cause with the GP.