Re the endo-nasal balloon guy, search for Dr Dean Howell and neurocranial restructuring (NCR). He claims to be able to fix anxiety, grogginess, headaches, chronic fatigue etc etc through his unique approach.

Best wishes,
7ducks

Have you tried it. Plus im from england. Im not sure if they do anything like that over here.

I am another one who suffers from this strange condition. I am 28 years old and I come from Greece (so forgive my language errors english is not my native language).

My symptoms are just as 7ducks described them, except I also have this constant low buzz in my left ear which appeared along with the condition and is always there. I also seem to periodically manifest a few symptoms not mentioned here like a sense of "fever" or a "burning head" in a way, head "pressure",very mild palm/hand/leg numbness, fatigue/sleepiness and some times very low fever (37-37.5 celcius)

A major difference than you guys is that I seem to be lucky so far as the condition comes and goes after 1-2 months. So the symptoms I described above may only be noticed by me as i keep going "in and out". But other than that I would say 7ducks' description is very accurate for how i feel like most of the time when i have the symptoms.

My first "crisis" was in 2002, which lasted a 2-3 months. It started along with a case of a Epstein Barr Virus (EBV - sort of very tough flu). The virus was found after the dizziness was gone (after a very long series of tests - including head cat scan) and the doctor said that the virus seem to have infected the liver and that was the source of the problem. So that stayed there. I had another case that summer which lasted 1 month, then I had no problem up until spring 2005. It came back with a very tough case in 2005. I started tests again and that's when I was diagnosed woth a cervical syndrome case. Because my knowledge of english medical terms is bad i'll just copy/paste from a medical site:

"Cervical syndrome is a term covering several conditions of the cervical (neck) area.

Cervical spondylosis involves degeneration of the cervical vertebrae (the seven bones making up the neck region of the spine). This is basically osteoarthritis of the neck. Cervical spondylitis is inflammation of the synovial joints between the cervical vertebrae. Nerve-roots originating from the neck area may also become irritated. Symptoms may include pain felt from the back of the head to the top of the shoulder blades, pain radiating into the arm, and numbness in the hand. There may also be problems moving the neck.

Treatments may include heat, cervical traction, immobilisation and physiotherapy.

Cervical syndromes are common in people who perform repetitive motions of the shoulder or have to maintain a fixed neck position while making repetitive motions of the hands."

I have a degeneration betweehn A2-A3 (3rd vertebrus from the top). Not all orthopedics agreed about this being the cause back then. Again the results came after I was starting to recuperate. I was also diagnosed with anxiety/stress but I was certain it was a symptom and not the cause, as most of you guys confirm. So took a long summer vacation along with anti-inflamation and muscle-reluctant pills and it gradually went away (not sure of the medication helped)

In spring 2006 I had another case and since i was already leaning towards the cervical spine, i went to a friend of mine who teaches physical fitness in the local university. He is an expert in treating athletes with injuries. We had sessions which included physiotherapy and upper body building. He says that cases like that need very strong upper torso muscle system to keep thins in place, especially in my line of work (I am a software engineer/programmer so i spend lots of hours in front of a pc).Symptoms went away again, then back for two short spells in autumn and early this year. They are back since 10 days ago which why I started looking around the net and found you guys.

Other facts I would like to note are that the symptoms always seem to start after a low feverish condition (or high fever in a couple of cases) and eve a common cold(soar throat etc). The condition seems to always come during times of high shycological and physical stress. Caffeine seems to affect in a negative way. Also driving seems to make me feel worse.

Concluding, I'd say that looking around the net I found some cases of cervical syndrome can maniffest as what we experience, which include artery blockage as someone proposed among other things, though from what I read I cannot be conclusive. Personally I acted as if that were the case with muscle reluctants and excersise but I am not sure if the cure worked or if it simple went away like the first two times. I will look into it more in the next few days so I'll keep you posted as soon as I have something new.

sounds like chronic fatigue.
i've had the same for 10 years and often felt that i am at the end of the road.
out of all the tests and specialists i've seen a chronic fatigue specialist seems to be convinced this is what it is.

Read this:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BU M/is_5_79/ai_628713

It sounds complicated but doesnt it sound rather pleasing? Im asking my doctor about it tomo.

Hey Seanyboy,
Can't get the link to work (even without gaps). Little help.

Btw, yes I did go this guy .. flew to LA at great expense to do so. Didn't do a thing, but I spoke to a number of his patients with a number of other problems with similar, unfortunately vague symptoms as we demonstrate, and they loved him and his procedure (and its made him very wealthy). Bone cracking works for some ...

Good luck and keep us posted!
7ducks

Hey guys,
another space cadet here. My dizziness started about 10 years, but it was to a much lesser extent than it is nowadays. It mostly came on when I was in brighltly lit rooms-supermarkets, lecture theatres etc. It was unpleasant,a distinct detached feeling in my head, but always cleared after a while and my head felt normal again.
About a year and a half ago something changed one weekend and along came the spinning, nausea and belching-how pleasant!! Anyone else burp when they feel dizzy? It hasn't been constant, it went away for a few months but now its back with avengence.
I've had blood tests and MRI and all ok.
It is difficult to remain positive cos it's scary, but it's good to read about other people and know that although essentially it is, it's not "just in my head!"
take care all and chins up(tho not too quickly.....)

update:

I visited a highly acclaimed neurologist/neurosurgeon who is specialised on the spinal cord and an orthopedic. After examinations they both agreed that the symptoms cannot in any case be connected with the spinal cord.

The neurologist had me take an MRI test on my head to check the condition of the blood vessels in the neck area, because there is a pathologic case in a certain area that can manifest like our symptoms. I am taking the results today although I will unfortunately meet the specific doctor in two weeks because he has to operate abroad. Anyway, I'll visit another neurology specialst in my local university's clinic and I'll post news.

Apart from that (which reading all your cases doesn't feel like the MRI will find anything) he tested me by having me close my eyes and pinching me with a hairping on the legs, randomly with either one or both ends of it. I was surpised to find out that the feeling was almost identical on both pinches. The doctor diagnosed abetement of senses and along with the other symptoms attirbuted it to a possibe deficieny in serotonin. He said serotonin deficiency is caused by a post-viral condition and cannot be diagnosed with lab tests. He told me that there is a very common treatment for it which invovles a drug that was developed as a light anti-depressent but was proven to bring ceretonin back to normal levels (in quality not in quantity). But I will have to choose to try that after everyting else is ruled out by lab tests.

So to sum it up, at this point it's possilby a neck blood vessel affection of some sort or serotonin deficiency. Myosceletic problems are out, and so are ears and eyes.

I will return as soon as I have anything new.

Keep the faith guys, one of us will figure it out eventually

PS. Someone talked about the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I certainly wouldn't want this to be the case because it's an aknowledged and uncurable disease. However, reading about it I can tell it's acompanied by heavy physical fatigue and pains, which as far as I can tell isn't the case for any of us (certainly not for me). Personaly, if I can psycologicaly overcome the dizziness and neck strain I can do anything, running, weight lifting, working, just about anything. So I think the others here do, so I don't even want to think in that direction...

I had an mri and it showed up nothing. I like the way you think mikos because everything i read about seretin involves depression. I am going to do more research on this and will let you know.

Me again. Been doing some research and found this. Might be another reason. Seretin defiency, sorry bout spelling but look and this:

http://www.critpsynet.freeuk.com/Durling.h tm

Read from the forth paragraph.

Has everyone ever thought that this is the reason. Sounds about right as it feels like it could be a chemical imbalance. 7ducks i would be interested if you have looked into this. I am going to try 5-HTP on monday and see if this helps. Obviuosly its going to take a while to work but its alot safer than taking SSRI drugs which do the same but are more dangerous. 7 ducks i would definately be more interested if you have ever looked into this or tried anythin like 5-HTP. Im from England so im not sure if it is called something else over there?

I have been dealing my card to Anxiety, Panic and stress disorder now for the last 5 years........
Vertigo for 12 years consistant is not a good thing. Could be one of many things. If you have not already, I would talk to my PCP about it and go from there. Might do a gambit of testing to rule out some stuff ya know.

hey, good article.

to my knowledge i've not taken 5-htp. i was with a psych (a drug happy one, not a lie on the couch and tell us about your mum one) for 2 years though and have tried a number of ssri's and a whole swag of other pretty powerful mind altering drugs, most of them with very unpleasant and occasionally dangerous side-effects. i'll look back through my notes (after you've seen your 10th specialist and tried your 20th drug, repeating any of this does not appeal as i'm sure you'll agree) as to what i've tried and get back to you. balancing chemicals was his definite solution.

let us know how you get on with the 5-htps.

this all sux. i feel crap each day. feel like i am dying not on earth. i have every system as above posts. doctors think i'm going nuts. they were thinking of puting me in a mental hospital =(

no one cares

i have been fighting constant dizziness. I can't do anything that doesn't make dizzy. constant fatigue and headaches that goes with it. Poor memory and concentration which had a great effect in my driving skills. I been feeeling like this for over 4 months and it just keeps on getting worse.

My thyroid is fine, blood pressure normal. I've been told that it was caused by my cold (congestion by the inner ear affects the balance), but I din't even had a cold when I starded getting those symptoms. I was diagnosed with drepression, and took anti-depresent (paxil) which only made my dizziness worse.

I feel so useless and weak. I just want to know what's wrong with me, and what can I do to make it better.

i'm 16 and i have been dizzy, everyday, constantly for the past like 2 months. I haven't seen a doctor yet, but I have been to a few doctors for my ears, but they found nothing. I have a history of panic attacks and depression and took prozac for about a year. i have recently stopped taking it. i have been told by a few people that it could be anxiety. but i'm don't know whether it is anxiety or inner ear problems. help?

symptoms: constant dizziness 24/7, i can feel it sometimes go through my arms. sometimes i feel nausious, it gets worse when i'm in a store or at school...



Amberly

Thanks for everyone posting this...I don't feel so alone with this.. If anyone has any suggestions I would listen. My doctor I am sure things I am a hypocondriac, as well as my girlfriend. I feel like dizzy majority of the time, especially when moving around or walking. I have panic and anxiety with it. I am afraid of passing out alone. I constantly take my blood pressure to see if it is that. I am going insane...I feel like I am walking around in a fog. I have an ENT appointment, and a eye appointment.

Any suggestions??

I have been dizzy for 10 years now. It varies from mild concussion like symptoms to full blown dizziness where I can't lift my head off the pillow. (although the room rarely spins). I could not count how many times I have felt that ill I was going to die. Drinking alcohol brings on my symptoms tenfold the next day. Before i got sick I could drink till the cows came home and still get up at sunrise, go surfing or do whatever i wanted. I am a shadow of my former self and dream about what it would be like to be healthy again. Does anyone have the same trouble after or while drinking alcohol??

Greettings,

Not sure why they are reviewing my last two posts, maybe the moderator could send me a message. But, try typing "vertical heterophoria syndrome" in the google search. Check out the first two sites, should be vision specialists of Birmingham. See the symptoms and the testim onials and see if that helps. There are ONLY three specialists in the USA.

I am so glad to know that I am not the only one who feels this way. This has been going on for over 3 months now and I am so sick of it and want to cry. It has affected my life and wish I could get answers.

Hiya pigsy
Absolutely worse. But I think it probably applies to a number of things that would normally upset the balance such as lack of sleep, caffeine, painkillers like codeine and so on. When I was on a variety of anxiety meds (none of which made the slightest difference to my symptoms), getting up and going to work was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life. It’s not just the booze.

IMHO, it’s either because we start the night off already feeling hungover so by morning we’re that much worse, or because whatever is causing our symptoms makes us sensitive to ‘balance shifting’ stuff that would otherwise be felt but not be as much of a hindrance on our lives, or most probably a combo of the two. Take the eg of when you’re hungover (even without this daily crap we go through) – everything impacts more on you – sounds, coffee, motion, etc. When you feel hungover all the time … well … how crap is that.

We could stop drinking of course but life goes on.

7ducks