Intense Dizziness starting in afternoon/early evening

Hello all. How are you? I'm writing to see if anyone else has experienced the following, and if so, what/how they managed it?

For the past 2 years or so, I've suffered from anxiety and bouts of panic. They will be accompanied with episodes of dizziness. While I've managed to get my anxiety under control somewhat, I've noticed the following unusual pattern: I'll wake up and be fine and then in the afternoon, usually late afternoon or early evening, I'll develop this massive dizziness and with it I'll feel "cloudy" and confused and have problems with short-term memory. I'll get up to do something and then forget what it is and remember a little later. Here's where this becomes peculiar.....I am prescribed Ambien ER for my insomnia. When I take my Ambien before bed, I notice this dizziness and confusion and "cloudiness" goes away. I am also prescribed Xanax 1mg for my anxiety and sometimes this helps with my dizziness, sometimes not, but the persistent pattern of dizziness and the Ambien ER at night helping it is something I have definitely noticed.

I am worried because I am 34, feel as if this won't go away and it has interfered with my daily activities as it's made it much harder to work or run errands or even engage in social activities because I'm afraid that I'll get a severe dizzy spell while doing something. Of particular interest is how the Ambien makes this go away for some reason. Any and all feedback is certainly welcome and appreciated as I fear this will continue and never go away. Prior to my 1st severe anxiety and panic episodes in 2012, I would almost never experience this dizziness.

First and foremost, thank you very much for taking the time to read what I wrote and on giving me your feedback. It is appreciated to no end and has proven very helpful.

"I'm thinking, at least for me, the anxiety (and beginnings of chronic insomnia), when it just bubbles under the surface, my body rebels and I start to feel dizzy and hazy and sometimes I feel like I'm looking through clouds (if that makes any sense?)" <-------------This could be me writing this. You are SPOT on. I feel exactly this way; hazy, cloudy, as if I'm looking through clouds, to quote you. It's very disconcerting because I feel it will impede with my daily activities and sometimes when the cloudiness and haziness and dizziness becomes very bad, all I can think of is waiting for it to get late so that I can take my Ambien so it can provide me relief from this sometimes incapacitating dizziness and cloudiness.

I am just worried that the symptoms tapered somewhat and have returned stronger. It's as if they've waned only to suddenly come back. Thank you very much for sharing your experience. It's heartening to know I'm not the only one who has been suffering this. I wish there was a conclusive diagnosis for this so I can make it go away. I use my Ambien to be able to sleep for my insomnia and I am fine with that. What troubles me is that the dizziness seems to be pegged to that and won't fully go away unless I take it. Case in point: I am prepping for bed right now, took my Ambien ER and feel fine now where prior I was exhibiting the dizzying symptoms mentioned above. Thanks so much again and any other feedback you or anyone else has is again greatly appreciated

I just think you should see a doctor about this, to be on the safe side and rule out things like inner ear problems all the way to MS. I don't want to freak you out but my husband had a lot of dizziness and he was diagnosed with ms. Why not get checked out for your peace of mind?

Hello all. One thing I forgot to include initially is that I am also prescribed Ritalin 5mgs 3 times a day for my ADHD. I don't know if this would factor in or affect my dizziness possibly, but I wanted to include it and see if any of you had any feedback concerning it. Thanks so much.

I don't think so. I feel fine wen I take it. My doctor advised me to try and take my last dose before 6pm @ the latest, 4pm if possible in order to avoid problems with insomnia so I don't think it's contributing towards the dizziness and fogginess, but then again I'm not sure. I actually felt all of the above symptoms before I was put on my Ritalin so I don't think it contributes if st all, but I could be totally wrong as I'm not a doctor. Thanks so much for your feedback.

It could be or perhaps what Merrida said initially, that it could be related to my sleep cycles, or something else entirely. I am going to discuss all this with my doctor next time and see what he says and suggests.

Thank you all for your help thus far I am a work in progress, so it anything else pops up that any of you may think would be helpful to me and beneficial, please don't hesitate to come back and post. Thank you all for your support and help.

Hi Anxiousbob and welcome back.:)

I hope things have been well in general...

...I too struggle with this symptom now and again. Breathing and progressive muscle relaxation really help for me.

Glad to hear that you are going to be seeing your doctor soon for a plan of action.:)

Are you going to be discussing a possible new med (you are completely weaned from Cymbalta now?) ...

...or are you leaning toward a therapy referral...or maybe both?

I wish you the best in whatever you ultimately decide...and know that you wil always find support here!

Start a new thread of your own if you wish, and let us know how things are going when you've been to your appointment...or anytime!

S.C.

Hi and welcome,

Hopefully with some alignment help from your chiro...and continuing to look or other physical causes (inner ear?) you will find the answers you need.

If you'd like to try a helpful exercise for tension, we have good ones in our Resources in the Stress Relieving Exercises link. The progressive Muscle Relaxation is especially helpful.

Best wishes!

Scaredy Cat