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Postnatal health

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Original poster

Postnatal dizziness/feeling off balance

68 replies

Mewbookitty · 24/02/2020 21:22

Hi all, I'm now 12 weeks postpartum and for the past four weeks I've been experiencing a constant feeling of being off balance with occasional dizziness especially when moving too quickly. I've got a lot of tension in my shoulders and neck and I keep getting pressure type feeling up the back of my head/jaw/temples/nose/forehead with some aching pain but it's not bad and comes and goes. I've had my eyes tested and checked and everything is fine, I've also had bloods done which came back clear but honestly I've been quite worried even worrying I've got a brain tumor or something! It's not as bad recently since I've tried to worry less about it however it's still there and the doctor doesn't seem concerned but it's a horrible feeling to have constantly especially when trying to enjoy bubba. Has anyone experienced anything similar? Could it purely be down to anxiety and tension?

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PrettyyGood · 24/02/2020 21:23

Labrynthitis? Ménière's disease? Anaemic? Check out those and see if anything fits

Herocomplex · 24/02/2020 21:30

You don’t mention sleep, but I guess you’re not getting much. That makes me feel spaced out and dizzy.

Drink water, make sure your pillow is supporting you properly, get a shoulder massage from your OH?

Try the simple things before you worry about other things.

Congrats on your baby!

GalileoGalileo · 24/02/2020 21:45

I had similar - was a combination of sleep deprivation, dehydration and breastfeeding for me. As soon as I started looking after myself a bit better it ceased.

Yellowmellowgem · 24/02/2020 21:56

As above have said lack of sleep, fluids and food did this for me. As well as the many hours breastfeeding. A bit more self care helped massively.

Fingers crossed for you it disappears soon!

Original poster
Mewbookitty · 24/02/2020 21:59

Hi all, thanks for replying. Bloods show that I'm not anemic and I did think it could be something to do with my inner ears but the doctor didn't even seem to consider it even though symptoms are close to labrynthitis.

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Herocomplex · 25/02/2020 11:00

I’ve had two friends with labrynthitis and they were so dizzy and nauseous they could barely stand, it was really debilitating.

I don’t want to minimise how you’re feeling or put you off getting medical attention but how are you feeling in yourself? Are you taking sole care of your baby? Do you get a break? Do you feel you can meet your own needs enough?

ponderingitall · 25/02/2020 12:34

Hello, I had something a little similar after birth. I had the same sort of non diagnosis from the doctors, eventually I realized it was a mixture of not drinking enough and being dehydrated from BF and general exhaustion from having a newborn and long birth. Would any of that make sense with you? It did pass for me, but did take a while to clear. All the best OP

Original poster
Mewbookitty · 27/02/2020 18:39

I went back to the doctor and my blood pressure was 100/60 which is the norm for me and she made me do some balance tests which were all fine and again said she doesn't think it's anything to worry about. I drink a lot of water and bubba is sleeping through the night however I have felt pretty detached since the birth almost like I'm in a bubble and everything is happening around me and I'm watching it on TV or something if that makes any sense haha. I think the more I'm focusing on it the worse I'm making it feel and worrying it's not going to go away etc.

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Herocomplex · 27/02/2020 18:45

Mewbook yes that does make sense, did you mention that to the doctor?

It’s a massive change having a baby, you can feel as if your life isn’t really your own any more. Do you have a partner? Are they helping?

MrsDrudge · 27/02/2020 18:47

Are you eating regularly/enough? Could you have low blood sugar?

SallyWD · 27/02/2020 18:59

I could have written your post re symptoms (I am not post partum though-my youngest is 7). I have dizziness, off balance feeling, lots of tension in neck, pain/ pressure in back of head and in sinus area. I've noticed it's worse during my period when oestrogen levels plummet so I googled and found low oestrogen does cause these exact symptoms. You have very low oestrogen when you're post partum particularly if you're breastfeeding (it suppresses oestrogen release). I've also noticed it's much worse if I'm stressed or tired. I really have to take it easy to manage my symptoms. I expect you're tired too. I had lots of blood tests and neurological tests but all fine.

SallyWD · 27/02/2020 19:01

In answer to your question I do believe it can be caused by stress and tension and made a lot worse because of low oestrogen too. My symptoms greatly improve when I'm relaxed.

Original poster
Mewbookitty · 27/02/2020 21:33

@SallyWD I've never had this feeling for so long before but that does make a lot of sense as I've always suffered with my sinuses and this feeling occured after the birth but got way worse past four weeks and during my first pp period. Today it's felt particularly bad and I've been worried about it so it's felt even worse. Have you ever seeked treatment for it? The doctor gave me a steroid nasal spray which has only helped with the stuffiness in my nose and nasal drip but I've only been taking it for a week.

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Original poster
Mewbookitty · 27/02/2020 21:35

@Herocomplex yeah I have to say I feel like ive lost my identity like I'm this totally new person but still unsure who I am? It is starting to ease off a bit and I'm feeling more comfortable. My partner is very helpful and my mum, I've just started CBT therapy as well to help manage my anxiety.

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SallyWD · 27/02/2020 22:06

It's horrible, isn't it? Really reduces your quality of life. I became certain I had a brain tumour or MS but after doing the neurological tests my doctor was sure it was nothing like that. It started in October but I only recently had the tests (was too scared before!). My symptoms have improved a lot since getting the all clear. I really have to rest a lot and avoid stress to manage them though. I now know it'll get very bad around my period but other times it's more manageable. I think once your hormones are back in balance you'll feel much better.

SallyWD · 27/02/2020 22:11

I forgot to say but I did get some antihistamines from doctor to relieve pressure in ears. I gave up after a few days because I didn't realise they took over a week to work. I do think sinus pressure does make me a bit dizzy sometimes but I'm more aware of a tension and hormone connection.

Herocomplex · 27/02/2020 22:15

That’s good to hear Mew, anxiety can do all kinds of things to our bodies so I’m glad you’re getting support there.

I’m glad your baby is sleeping well, it sounds like you’re doing a great job. Make sure you find some time to do things you enjoy if you can, it might help you feel a bit more yourself again.

Original poster
Mewbookitty · 28/02/2020 14:41

@SallyWD yeah the doctor gave me cinnarizine but I only took them for a day and a half because they didn't help, didn't know they took a week to kick in but I wasn't sure they'd even work to begin with. I had no idea tension could effect you in that way but the tension has been a lot worse since having bubba and from holding him when feeding him etc. I hope your right with the hormones but I'm not exactly too patient with myself sometimes I have to keep reminding myself I only had him 3 months ago.

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SallyWD · 01/03/2020 07:47

Apparently it takes almost a year for your hormones to return to normal after a baby. I do hope your symptoms improve soon. I know how horrible it is!

Cherry85 · 03/03/2020 22:51

Oh my god I was just about to post the same thing as have been suffering today.... 6weeks post partum.

Apparently there is such a thing as post partum vertigo but I'm struggling to find much online so was about to ask here.

I occasionally got vertigo before but this time I have a headache too. Did you ever have vertigo previously?

Cherry85 · 03/03/2020 22:53

I have just remembered the docs gave me motion sickness tablets once before for it.... maybe worth a go? It was just the standard over the counter ones.

Original poster
Mewbookitty · 04/03/2020 10:35

@Cherry85 I did suffer occasionally yes and sometimes for a week or so but never for this long haha. Yesterday I had a great day it barely bothered me at all, I felt brighter, I felt like I could see clearer and then I've woke up today feeling a bit unsteady again some pressure in the back of my head and my sinuses. If you look higher up @SallyWD mentions hormones and tension and it makes a lot of sense!

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Starrr123 · 03/02/2022 14:38

@Mewbookitty how are you now ? Ive been having the same simce my baby! Had meis and all are clear. They are saying it from jaw clenching effecting my ears. But who knows xx

Starrr123 · 03/02/2022 14:41

@SallyWD how are you now ? Xx

SallyWD · 03/02/2022 17:35

I'm perimenopausal so still have these symptoms occasionally which my doctor and I agree are caused by fluctuating oestrogen levels. If you've recently had a baby your hormones will be all over the place. It's still worse when I'm stressed or around my period. Often comes with vestibular migraines too (migraines with no pain but dizzy spells). However I'm much better than I was. I think life slowed down with Covid and my symptoms eased because of less stress and rushing about