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Dizziness due to anxiety or its vertigo?

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Posted 10/3/2015 8:40 AM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone i am new here and need a bit of help?

My history:
I am 27 years old. I was diagnosed with vertigo in march i was attending a conference when suddenly my head started to spin. My back of the head was like a boiling water and i experienced numbness on different parts of my body. I went to ENT specialist and was given serc 24mg. I got better in 3 days but after a week it started again i went to neurologist and he said its vertigo due to stress but at that time i had no stress at all i told him but he said take the med and u will feel better. He gave me Sybellium and sensival and recommended 20 days rest. but i took those tablets for 10 days only as i encountered all type of side effects . dizziness subsided in 15 days but due to these medicines i got tremors ( jerks right before when i was about to sleep) and anxiety was at peak plus insomnia creeped in as well. after 2 months muscle tingling and numbness started also. I am taking vitamin supplements on daily basis. My czn told me its all due to stress. I can't focus on my job i am on training from past six months and it has been hell for me.

Current situation

Tremors and numbness have almost subsided. Insomnia has got better now i sleep up to 5 hours which was 2 to 3 hours initially i took those meds. But from last month i am feeling dizzi again and its only when i am walking i feel like i will lose my balance and fall. Muscle tingling is still there also. My main concern is dizziness please can anyone help me with this is it vertigo? and should i go to an ENT specialist or this dizziness is due to anxiety. Dizziness now is like 24/7 and its different what i faced in march. I am ok when i am laying down or sitting but when i start walking i feel like i will fall. I don't have any issue with travelling on bus car etc. My family says its all in your head while i don't feel like i can continue my job. If its due to anxiety should i go for Xanax?
Posted 10/3/2015 8:48 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry for such a long message. just to add my MRI, blood tests and ECG were clear.
Posted 10/3/2015 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there, so sorry to hear you're struggling! Dizziness, loss of balance and a weird floating feeling or the feeling like I'm trying to walk on the deck of a ship has always been one of my anxiety symptoms. So I can sympathize with you!! It's caused by shallow or improper breathing, which we tend to do when we are feeling stressed. Practice some nice slow deep even breathing for relaxation. It helps! As far as medication - if your doctor has ruled out a medical issue, then it's always an option. Xanax is a short term solution usually used to head off a full blown panic attack. Xanax is highly addictive so it's used on a as needed basis. SSRI are usually prescribed for a longer term. All things to discuss with your doc. I wish you well!!
Posted 10/3/2015 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Salu and welcome!

I too am sorry to hear about this troubling symptom.

Vertigo and dizzynessa as an anxiety symptom are two different issues, and should be treated as such...

...so distinguishing which you are dealing with will be important in your treatment.

Going to the ENT to rule out physical vertigo (misalignment of the crystals in the inner ear) would be a good move.

Then if you find no actual physical reason for your dizzyness...treating the anxiety itself will be the next logical step.

The sibelium is used to treat migraines/vertigo...so if your symptoms are returning after you have finished your prescription, then you'll need to further discuss any future use or repeat dosing with your doctor.

The Sensival is an antidepressant ususally prescribed for MMD...do you suffer depression?

Finding the cause of your issues with the help of your doctor...and getting in treatment for anxiety, if indicated, will be worthwhile goals!

I hope you find the answers you need soon! Post anytime!

S.C.
Posted 10/4/2015 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thanx. I went to neuro yesterday and he said this is due to anxiety . Now i will take an appointment with ENT to rule out any physical symptom. I will try those breathing exercises.

Scaredy Cat I did not know at the time when i was given sensival that it was anti- depressant cause i had no stress at all. Vertigo came out of the blue.Doc diagnosed vertigo and said its due to stress as he did not find any physical symptom and recommended me sensival and sybellium which in reversal caused me anxiety and stress and i left it using it for 10 days. I was going nuts and never went to that doc again. All other symptoms started after i left those tablets
Posted 10/4/2015 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
Salu,

I was also puzzled by the Sensival prescription...as this is not an A/D usually used for anxiety management.

After your final appointment...and if finding you are dealing with anxiety... (you can have anxiety without 'feeling' stressed, so this diagnoses a real possibility for you)

I recommend making another appointment with your doctor to discuss specifically your anxiety management options.

For now, definitely make use of our free Resources at the top of our main page. There is great information and self help material to be found there.

Let us know how it goes, and what you find out at your ENT appointment. We will be here to support you in any event, and anytime.:)

S.C.
Posted 10/5/2015 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
My faith on doctors is getting less and less. Well this ENT specialist has given me cerebex fort and gave me next week appointment for Dix hallpike test. he did not even know dizziness can be caused by anxiety he totally ruled it out.

Scaredy Cat plz help me here he asked me do u feel dizzin while moving ur head i said no or doing activity i said no. i only feel dizzi while i am walking. while the neuro on the other hand said its due to anxiety
Posted 10/5/2015 5:32 PM (GMT 0)
Take it one step at a time...

...go and have the vertigo test performed, then go from there.

What you are experiencing is actually pretty common...going through the process of eliminating physical causes for your symptoms...without a clear answer.

If you do end up getting an anxiety diagnosis, I would suggest asking for a referral for a psychiatrist. This kind of doctor will have the greatest knowledge in treating anxiety, and will be able to talk to you about medication and or therapy as options for recovery.

For now, practice the suggested exercises from our Resources for relief.

Hoping you get the answers that you need soon. Keep posting if you find it helpful. We understand and care!

S.C.
Posted 10/6/2015 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
Thanx alot mate.

Now i have the final picture. Doc ruled out BVVP today, today I had an X-ray on cervical spine as well which came ok, my brain MRI is ok, ECG is ok, BP level and Sugar level good.

Now i need a suggestion as u said i should consult psychiatrist well which i did when i initially had panic attacks but i did not believe the doc as i had fear that something is really wrong. Now all the tests are clear. The neurologist which i met 2 weeks ago said i should start taking xanax. While the psychiatrist suggested me mirtazpine mainly due to my insomnia problem. I need to get my sleep back to normal. Is mirtazpine good?
Posted 10/6/2015 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
Salu,

Good new regarding your health results! Take a moment to celebrate this...

...and then you can get busy and focused on the task of finding the right anxiety management program for you! :)

I think I would go back and talk with the psychiatrist again. This type of doctor is going to be the most knowledgeable in prescribing a psychotropic Rx that will best perform for your needs. Mirtazapine (a tetracylic A/D) and Xanax (a benzodiazepine) are very different Rx's, and getting guidance regarding which is the best choice for you is important.

He/she can also facilitate setting up therapy for you, which I believe is necessary for the best and well rounded plan of recovery!

For now, please take advantage of our great self help material in our Resources. (see link below) Spending just 10 or so minutes a couple of times on day on the suggested exercises can start to make a big difference!

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206


Keep posting with us as well. We care and support is key!

Talk soon,

S.C.

Posted 10/6/2015 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
I get this too and all tests normal. I've also had BPPV where the room actually spins (inner ear inflammation/allergies). Lack of good sleep can make you feel like this also. Drink plenty of water, cut any caffeine and deep slow breathing. You'll be okay💕 I also have eustachian tune dysfunction also
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