I have had the, "spins", type of vertigo you talk about. It is scary. Unlike my latest bout this spring as a result of the flu, there was no illness before it happened. I just got up from a little nap and couldn't stand up because of the spinning sensation. The only answer I ( and my doctor) could come up with was I had some congestion in my sinus and I blew my nose too forcefully and fluid went into my inner ear. Sounds gross, I know. My mother gets this from time to time and her doc told her it can be caused by a spring allergy. Also, my daughter in law, who is only 28, had a slight problem with this same thing this year. Hers only lasted a day or two and she did nothing about it. I'm not sure if there is an answer to the dizzy problem for anyone. But, it is wise to rule out things like stroke, etc.. If you come up with a positive diagnosis please let me know. Hope you are feeling well real soon.

Should I bother keeping on going to the doctor if there's nothing anyone can do for me anyway?

Wow, I don't know what to tell you now, Aimee. It is so frustrating to feel the way you do. Dizziness can have so many causes. It can come from medication side effects, your hormone fluctuations, blood pressure problems, heart problems, inner ear, and on, and on. Sorry. My best advice is don't give up. Perhaps this thing will clear up on its own. However, it won't hurt to get help from a doctor. If one doctor tells you he, or she, can do nothing, try someone else. Don't let anyone tell you it is your imagination. Don't stop seeking the help you need.
Keep me posted on how you feel.

Thanks, its so disheartening though.
I've been to the doctor about 5 times and I just keep getting sent home again, apart from the one time I got given tablets called Stemetil.
I've booked another appointment at the doctors tomorrow. I just wish this would go away. It's also really horrible because my mum thinks I am pretending all the time because I have been sick for so long, she thinks I am overreacting and I'm not. It took me 3 hours of crying yesterday to make her book me an appointment at the doctors.
*sigh*

It is very disheartening, I know. I still get a little off balance feeling, like standing on a boat deck in choppy water, at times. Call me crazy I guess. Vertigo can
be a big mystery to everyone. The amount of time it takes for this type of
illness to go away is different for everyone. Tell your doctor everything you can think of, about your symptoms. Even things you have been eating could affect you. Do you do drink coffee, eat a lot of sugar, etc.? Make a list and take it with you to your appointment. I assume you have had a complete blood work test. It is important too. It could tell you something. As an afterthought...how are your eyes? Do you wear glasses? You might need them. Eye problems can throw you too. I don't want to scare you, just make you think of all possibilities to help yourself
Again, good luck and feel better.

I DO have hot and cold flashes, but no fever. I'm just worried about my appetite. I have to appetite due to the diarhea, and that in turn makes me tired because of the lack of nutrition I am getting. Sleeping sucks too. I wake up every morning feeling nauseated...mornings are the WORST!

DO NOT LET DOCTORS CONVINCE YOU IT'S A VIRUS because there is a possibility it could be something else.. like in my case.

OK I am 22 years old, I was struck down by this 4 months ago. Since then i have spend over $6000 going to various doctors, specialists, ENT, Neurologist, natropath, chiropractor, accupuncture, physio etc etc. Tried everything! And have not been able to work!

Had MRI to rule out MS or brain tumour.

My major symptom is lack of balance. I feel like the ground is moving beneath me, feel like i have been on a boat. Also struggle to focus/concentrate etc.

Ok ENT specialist and Neurologist said VIRUS - and there's nothing you can do about it. I was not happy with this diagnosis.

I found this amazing doctor that specialises in environmental medicine (toxins etc). He tested me for HEAVY METAL POISONING. Turns out i have servere ALUMINIUM & MERCURY poisoning. Both these serverely affect your brain and nervous system and all the symptoms of this mysterious ear virus are symptoms of toxic poisoning.

I am also being tested for chemical sensitivities because i am an interior designer and have been exposed to certain chemicals which also produce symptoms of vertigo/loss of balance etc.

I am currently on a special program to detox these deadly chemicals but my doctor believes once these are out of my system.. my good health will return.

Guys, I know how hard it is to go through this and my heart goes out to all of you! I often cry because I miss my life and its hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Also, my family and friends find it hard to understand because i don't look sick and I'm sure they think it's all in my head.

Hang in there guys.
Ella x

Oh and sometimes I will think i have recovered because i'm feeling good for a few days then it will strike me down again! So yeah 4 months and counting...

Hello,
i went to my doc 2x and the first time i was give antibiotics and cough meds.
second time i found out it was in both ears...uuhh..duh.

one side is a constant ringing and the other is a constant echo if i speak, dizziness, no balance, headache like never in my life, sore throat, probably from post nasal drip, vision problems, unbelievable pain in head and ears.

can't think to say my life, i'm a mother of a toddler and noticed that i was raising my voice when i did not mean to....it's because i can't hear.

this is driving me crazy, i don't trust myself to drive with my child in the car, at the second apt. with doc i had to take my child with me and afterward on the way home i was driving in circles because i could not think straight, frightening to say the least.

just made an apt with an ent doc, i pray that he has some answer's for me.
this all started a month ago. talk about sensory deprivation, this one is the worst, that i can think of.

i have never had an ear infection in my life and i got this viral from my child, she had pink eye and i found out that this may has caused it.
all input more than welcome.
thank you in advance.
bmmom

I have tinnitis, headaches, nausea, and slight dizziness - more like slight motion sickness. I also have the "tight head" where it hurts to wear a hat and the pain/weird sensations radiate from the top of my head to the back and down to the base of my skull.

The ENT took an MRI and it came back normal - so i don't have a brain tumor. He also did a series of hearing tests and my right ear has some loss (the right ear is where the tinnitis started, but now it's in both ears). He tested my ear drums and there is nothing affecting them (ie fluid).

He said that I have an inner ear viral infection and I will just have to ride it out until it gets better. It has been a month already and the symptoms haven't gotten any better - although they seem to come in waves. I feel better for a few days, and then I feel worse.

My brother who is a doctor (anesthesiologist) mentioned the possibility of Meniere's Disease. I don't have vertigo, severe or otherwise, which seems to be common with this disease. He also mentioned Intercranial Hypertension - excessive fluid on the brain, but this is seem mostly in overweight women - and I am not overweight or a woman.

What do you all think?

I have had nausea, dizziness – the world spinning, or at least moving, lack of balance and am have some problems concentrating.

I went to the doctor and he thought it might be a Viral Infection, but referred me to an ENT specialist to confirm, which the ENT did.

The doc said that the infection could take up to 2 weeks to clear up, and there wasn’t much he could do. That was 3 weeks ago. He did give me Stemetil to help with the nausea and dizziness, which it does to some extent.

Some days seem better than others. Last week I felt pretty good for about 4 days but then it all came back.

I am currently off work (vacation work) as my job requires me to do a lot of walking and carrying things that you don’t want to be dropping. I am currently studying and at the moment that isnt getting done.

Any thoughts?

My doctor gave me an RX for steroids and an antiviral (valtrex).He said it can manifest in anyone who has had coldsores, chicken pox and shingles because of stress and dehydration. I am doing better. Had it for about 2 weeks now. Can finally see straight. Also I am doing compensation exercises. I can't wait for it to resolve itself. So far I feel I am doing better.

Hi there! I can definately relate to some of your symptoms. 10 weeks ago I had a new baby boy, 3 weeks after i started getting severe lightheadedness, not spinning but off balance. It seemed i had it all the time. I thought it was just stress, new baby etc. a week of this I went to the Emerg, where they did a Ct scan, checked my blood, an ekg, everything fine. I made an apt with my family doctor who checked my blood again for hormone imbalance and just about everything under the sun. its been 10 weeks of this which shortly after it started brought stiff neck,achy feeling and of course some panic attacks, I know the panic attacks were from not knowing what it was, it seems to be getting a little better, only showing up in the evenings mostly, but when it gets bad i also get really red in the face and one or both ears get really red and hot and i get shakey. I dont have any headaches or ear pain but my head feels tight and cloudy. Its been really difficult trying to care for my son. My doctor wants to put me on an anti-depressant for the anxiety that has come with it, thinking maybe its some sort of post partem depression. I have 4 children, and i dont feel depressed or stressed about anything other than my symptoms...I see a specialist on Feb 12, im trying to hang in there..I just cant believe this is just stress or anxiety, i know the lightheadedness came first...she doesnt think its ear related because the dizziness isnt spinning, more like im standing in a canoe...any ideas?

hey lightheaded
it does sound like it could be a viral ear infection....
I have the same symptoms and after 2 courses of anti-b's my doctor said it's viral.
I do have an uncomforatableness to my ear but not severe pain but a pressure thats always there and its really getting my down now as its been 3 1/2 weeks. I do have headaches quite alot they feel like the sinus headaches I get. I feel as if I'm on a canoe or a moving pathway (like at the airport) if I move around alot it seems to get worse and I feel much better after I've laid down and been still for awhile.I've looked up natural remedies and they recomend garlic and echinacia as they combat virals. I started taking both yesterday I'll let you if they work! could you keep us posted as to what the specialist says as I was wondering if I should ask to see one too....I couldnt imagine having to look after lttle ones with this as I to am depressed and irritable and extremely FATIGUED with it. my kids are 9 and 11 so its a bit easier for me.

thanks tex, it is awful isnt it? yes keep me posted on the garlic and echinachea, I hate taking meds and really do not want to be on some axiety med without knowing what is causing the problem first. I was so looking forward to bonding with my new son. I manage some time for the 2 of us here and there, with these symptoms its hard to function. I have 15 and 14 yr old daughters and a 14 month old. The teens help out alot but my husband is a workaholic. Ive had to call him home from work a few times b/c the lightheadedness is so bad at times im worried ill pass out, leaving my infants alone. Thank god i havent!I hired a nanny to help out she starts next week b/c its just to hard to manage alone with this. viral ear infection or allergy seems more likely to me than anything else at this point, but ill definately keep you posted on what the specialist says...hang in there and keep me posted.

I guess i should state what ive been tested for so far

ive had a CT, EKG, ive been tested for thyroid/adrenal issues, hemoglobin, hormone imbalance, mono,electrolytes, liver function and blood sugar, that i know of anyway....

Well, I went to emerg again on jan 19 with the side of my face swollen and sore, I saw the emerg doctor who said that it was likely sinus related and that my biggest mistake was to say that im lightheaded, what im actually experiencing is dizzyness, imbalance issues most likely related to inner ear damage. I have another Ct scan scheduled b/c i guess there was some sinus issue that they failed to mention that he thinks may have gotten worse. I still have an apt on Feb 12 with a specialist...I guess im confused now since ive been told so many different things...

that ol'viral ear
hey light headed,
So sorry you've gotten worse! I too have very bad sinus' (every little thing gives me sinusitus;a cold,smoke,purfume ect)and it can and has made my face swell up before.... and i did have a sinus infection before all this ear stuff began, but the 2 courses on anti-b's got rid of that, just didnt make a dent in the ear thing... The GOOD news is that the garlic and enchinacia has seemed to helped. I'm feeling almost human...still have a bowl of rice crisps in my ear and the dull ache,but the dizziness has improved-a lot!I'm even driving again (hallaluya) I also started taking lemon balm (also a natural remedy for virus') I'm not sure which one is working I'm just gonna keep taking them all even though I'm rattling around abit. I'm not sure if their ok to take if your breast feeding though(I'd check that out 1st), but if your not give it 'em a try... as its all natural so it should'nt do you any harm. And hey,I also take St.Johns Wort,been taking that for 9 years now (off and on) I started taking that when I was diagonosed with postnatal depression (I didnt want to take antidepressents) after my 2nd son was born, it helps with anxiety,panic,sadness,grumpyness,it really helps with my p.m.t mood swings hahaha.... maybe you could give that a try too.
I hope the nanny works out and that you feel better soon. I'll be thinking of you----- sending good energy
take care
tex

Hey Tex, thanks so much for your reply Im so glad youre feeling better!im thinking of running out to get some garlic and echinachea..I have a question tho, when you felt the dizzyness did it happen even when you were sitting..even if you didnt move your head?...I find when its really bad i can feel it with any movement of my arms or legs even when sitting...sometimes bouncing my son to quiet him sets it off. Its strange some days i feel almost normal only to wake upthe next day and be back where i started, although i find that im not getting the panic attacks anymore *knock on wood* I dont have any crackling in my ears but they almost feel hot inside and sometimes theres really bad pressure like i need to pop them but i cant. I had one cleaned out i had really bad wax packed in it. The other was clear I was hoping that would help it, but so far nothing...Its strange having a nanny ive never had anyone watch my kids, im trying to rest but finding it hard...

hi
so glad to hear your panic attacks have stopped BIG relief for you i'm sure!!!
yes my dizziness happened even when sitting, but it did seem better if I laid down really still for a LONG time. When I woke up in the mornings I'd think "great a little better today" then I'd stand up.... wosh there it was. It did seem to improve a smidgen by the end of the day (on some days.) I to would feel alittle better one day worse the next and I did have preasure pretty much all the time couldn't pop it out just made it worse trying but thats quite a bit better now its just the crackling left now ---popped about 5 garlic pills with breakfast thank god there the NO ODOUR kind! or no one would be able to stand me!
I too would think it wierd having a nanny in the house, but just let her help you so you can get better.....who knows by the end of it all you might wonder how you ever got along without one!
take care and good luck
tex

I also have dizzness, sick, can't drive. Went to my Doctor, being antivert won't work for me. He put me on valium, it has made me able to get back in to life. This was one of the worst things I have ever had ,as it put a stop to everything.