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Having A Hard Time With Dizziness

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Posted 3/21/2013 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
I have been fighting with dizziness for the last few months. It is an everyday thing, it comes and goes, and seems to get worse whenever I feel the slightest bit stressed. I mentioned it to my family dr, and she didn't seem worried about it, but gave me meclizine for when it gets bad. I went to the er last Friday because of some chest pain that they diagnosed as costochondritis, and I told the dr how I had been having bad dizziness but she didn't act concerned either. It is kind of like things are moving when they're not, is how I would describe it. It doesn't make me feel nauseous or anything, it just makes me anxious because it doesn't feel normal. I thought it might be an inner ear issue, but idk. I really think it has a lot to do with my anxiety. I just want it to go away and leave me alone :( Does anyone else deal with chronic dizziness?
Posted 3/21/2013 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi dawn09

Sorry you are having such a hard time. Anxiety and stress can indeed case dizziness/lightheadedness and as with anything else, it is worse if you think about it. I've occasionally felt lightheaded or off balance when I'm very stressed, though this usually passes as I calm down.

That being said, my mom has had BPV (benign positional vertigo) for over 10 years. This is thought to be caused by loose crystals or calcium build up in the inner ear. If she turns her head too quickly in a certain direction or position, she will get very dizzy. She also has difficulty sleeping on her left side because of this. There are meds for it when it gets really bad, but she finds they cause drowsiness. However, the primary treatment for BPV is exercises, where you actually bend in the direction that causes the dizziness. This is thought to do 2 things: 1. to help reposition the loose calcium crystals and 2. to desensitize you to the dizziness. Interesting that this treatment also mirrors many anxiety treatments--to desensitize you to the symptoms.

Anyway, might be something to look into. You'd probably need to seen an ENT to get a formal diagnosis. Mom my had it for months before the doctor finally referred her.
Posted 3/21/2013 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Dawn,

I am sorry that you are dealing with this unsettling symptom!

Great advice given by R.L. Definitely look into the things mentioned, and have your ears checked for any issues such as inflamation/infection.

Vertigo can happen for many reasons, so finding the cause can be a challenge.

Since this is a common anxiety symptom however, why not try to correct it with some breathing and progressive muscle relaxation for starters?

Hyperventilation and tension are often the culprits...things we do/have when anxious without even being aware of it!

The effect of the O2 and CO2 imbalance in our bodies from improper breathing can almost immediately cause this symptom.

So taking 10 minutes at least to slow down your breathing and focus on relaxation can help.

I wish you the best, hope this works...or that you find the answers that you need soon!

Keep posting.

S.C.
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