Postnatal dizziness/feeling off balance

[Mewbookitty]

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?

@Starrr123 hi!! I'm strawberry just had a name change

Well....my GP called and was excellent ! Has referred me to a rheumatologist - not sure if this will help? But feel like they listened to me

Said I'm 6 months post bloody partum and I don't feel myself ! I asked about antidepressants and he said it's a good idea so I'm going for it. Being prescribed fluoxetine. Was trying to stay away but enough is enough. Im struggling and I think I need some help.

I will update the results in a few weeks time 😊

X

Good luck with you! I hope all goes well.

@Starrr123 @Licilynn @Cmarxo @Mikzy

Hi all interested to see how you ate all doing as we all had something similar ?

So I caved and ended up on AD I must admit I'm feeling a lot better - still have the feeling but some days worse than others but soooo much better x

@cadburyluver hey! Amazing your feeling better :)
which ones are you on? Is the dizzyness better :)?
im seeing a cardiologist tomorrow because mine may be due to pots! But still gonna keep the option open about ads xx

@Starrr123 I'm on fluoxetine 20mg and some days I feel so so so much better than I'm scared to admit it ! Incase the horrible feelings come back again...I'm also less achey
I just wish I tried them sooner x

And yes dizziness is so much better not 100% gone but I find I can cope better
I've gone into work for 2 kit days and seem brighter in myself so I can definitely see / feel an improvement so it must be the meds

@cadburyluver that’s amazing!!!! Im sooo glad! Do they make you clench your teeth at all? I may ask my go about them xx

How is everyone?? Im starrrr123 had to name chnage! How is everyones dizzyness ? X

@Starrrz hi! It's Cadbury luver!
Sort of off and on really but not sure if that's because I'm just living with it it? How are you? I I'm still on AD

Hi all! Apologies for being quiet. Hope everyone is coping well.

Just to update on my side, still on AD 100mg of Setraline. The dizziness is still there but I am coping with it. I dont sulk on it like I used to and work keeps me busy so I dont notice it much often like I used to.

I highly recommend the AD, if you are struggling. I still dont feel 100% myself but I feel like its just how its going to be from now on.

PS I didnt get any aches, my symptoms were merely feeling dizzy, cant concentrate driving, feel like im about to faint in the supermarket. I also wake up at night randomly while on a deep sleep.

Anyhow, lil one will be two soon and thinking of trying for another baby. Still traumatised but will hopefully get there.

I have been doing some more research and have come across a condition called Persistent postural perceptual dizziness (PPPD) . I thought I'd share incase it helps anyone else! I've noticed mine comes and goes, more so now I'm pregnant again. It also seems to be triggered really badly in supermarkets too!

Hello it’s been over a year for me. I found my root cause. After pregnancy i had a Lyme flare i didn’t know i had Lyme but i was also living in mold. My immune system was very low due to giving birth and the mold ruined it even more and woke up my Lyme. I know this isn’t the case for everyone but if this has been consistent for you I’d look for mold and Lyme disease.

@Licilynn what treatment did u get? X

I have the exact same thing 3 months pp. I see this was from 2020. Is everything ok now? How long did it take to symptoms to die down?

@Mewbookitty

Mine took around a year to get better if I'm honest and I did still get it now and again. I just recently had another baby and it seems to be bad again. I think the lack of sleep makes it worse.

Hi all,

My boy is now 22 months and I have been feeling like this a few weeks before he was born.

I feel lightheaded, sort of out of it and I feel faint when driving or randomly. My eyes feel like they can't focus properly. My bloods at first when my son was 3 months were abnormal with low iron, low vitamin d etc but now there normal and it has improved some what.

I have noticed drinking more water and making sure I eat better helps. Plus now I do believe it is anxiety so that has made my head feel better and not worry it's something extremely bad.

With my bloods at the moment my white blood cells are slightly raised when I get them done. GP always says fighting infection but we will keep an eye on them.

My son still doesn't sleep well and wakes during the night so I think this does contribute.

I have a CT scan next week to rule anything out and I'm just constantly worried.

I'm so happy I have found this page because I feel like I have been going insane since I had my son.

Hi everyone,
Glad I've found this chat. I've had dizziness & off balance issues for just over a year, started a month after I had my baby in December 2024. I had an MRI, all clear, a few more tests and was told this is more than likely caused by something called Vestibular Migraine, and I have a sight asymmetry in the inner ear. I've been doing physiotherapy (eye exercises) for a year, sometimes they help but it's been a year and I'm still really struggling with it every single day. I'm going to see another neurologist tonight to discuss medication for VM.

I saw that someone on this thread mentioned being tested for POTS, and someone else said lyme disease. How do you test for Lyme? Has anyone else here been diagnosed with vestibular migraine and if so, how are you coping, managing your symptoms? I suffered with migraines before but never vestibular. It's been so, so hard trying to keep positive the last year being a new mum, going back to work, all whilst feeling off balance all day long.

Would love to know how everyone else is doing and share any recommendations.

Thank you