undiagnosed dizziness

Hello.

I am a 27 year old male , I work out 5 days a week, I do not drink or do drugs in any fashion. I am a successful small business owner, and from the outside looking in, one would assume life is great in my neck of the woods. But unfortunately for the past year and a half, I have been suffering from issues related to dizziness. Specifically, lightheadedness, sensitivity to light, confusion, and difficulty concentrating on things visually. These feelings are exacerbated when I enter environments that have harsh lighting, are visually active (such as a super market), or when I have increased anxiety. They also range in severity and duration, for no apparent reason. I have been to numerous doctors and clinics during this time, including neurologists, ENTs, Sleep specialist, general practitioners, as well as Vestibular Specialists. I have received numerous testing as well, including MRIs and MRAs of the head and neck, VNG testing, EEGs, blood work, sonograms of my heart, kidneys and liver, stress tests and EKGs of the heart, as well as physical exams, but unfortunately we have not been able to come to a logical conclusion as to what has been causing these issues. The only diagnosable “problems” that has resulted from testing has been slight sleep apnea, cervical lordosis, as well as slightly abnormal readings from the VNG testing. From conferring with the numerous health professionals, I have seen, they have concluded that my issues most likely do not stem from these things they have found.
The VNG testing resulted in a diagnosis or “low gains”, as my doctor eloquently described it, or Vestibular Hypofunction, but I do not suffer from the symptoms classically associated with this disorder. I have perfect balance, zero issues with actual “dizziness”, or the room spinning. I have also been going to physical therapy for the past 6 months to correct the cervical lordosis, which has abated zero of my symptoms. I have also been prescribed a low dose of an SSRI, Lexapro, which has helped minimally. The sleep apnea remains untreated.
So, at this point, I feel as though I am still at square one. On paper, I am your average healthy adult, but this is far from the truth. Although one would assume an issue such as being “lightheaded” is rather benign, it has completely consumed not only my life, but that of my families as well. We have been unable over the past year and a half to decipher even the smallest part of this puzzle and I am beginning to lose hope that it will ever be corrected. The last straw was roughly two months ago when I took a weeklong trip to the Cleveland clinic (supposedly one of the gold standards in health care) Upon conclusion of my visit (after many more tests and conversations with many people) the only help they could provide me with was to take an SSRI to calm me down about the fact that there is something wrong with me, and no one can figure out what it is.
I am writing this today in the hopes that someone, anyone, could shed some light on a situation such as this. Whether it be to go for more testing (and what those tests would be) support (if you’ve been through something similar) or actual answers as to what you think this may be. I am beginning to lose hope that I will ever figure this out, and I will forever be cursed to live life dizzy and uncomfortable. I wish more than anything to just be a “normal” guy and to have no fear or anxiety when I do “normal” things. I have the resources and means to seek out whatever avenue of treatment that you may think would be beneficial for someone in my situation, and I am desperate enough to try just about anything to get to the bottom of this. Life has become less about living, and more about struggling to make it through the day, and dealing with fear, anxiety and embarrassment or living with an un-diagnosable disorder. I’m hoping someone out there can point me in the right direction and I can once and for all get find a “cure”.

If you believe you can lend a hand in anyway please do not hesitate

Hello and welcome!

I am sorry to hear of your symptom challenge. It is worrisome and frustrating to deal with to be sure. :/

Besides the use of the SSRI, have you sought any anxiety treatment in other forms?

You mention anxiety several times throughout your post. I know it can be hard to distinguish between which came first...the anxiety or the symptom...

...but treating the issue from an anxiety angle...especially since your tests for physical causes have come back negative, would be the next logical step.

Looking into finding a psychiatrist with whom you can discuss medication, therapy or both would be a good goal.

Also, practicing breathing exercises and other stress relieving coping skills could get you a good head start on feeling better. Please see our Resources at the top of the main forum page here for great material.

Let us know how you are doing soon...and of your progress as you get this figured out. We will be here to support you along the journey to wellness.

Scaredy Cat

henryroth said...
But unfortunately for the past year and a half, I have been suffering from issues related to dizziness. Specifically, lightheadedness, sensitivity to light, confusion, and difficulty concentrating on things visually. These feelings are exacerbated when I enter environments that have harsh lighting, are visually active (such as a super market), or when I have increased anxiety.

Anxiety can definitely cause this to happen. I do wonder if you are possibly hyperventilating. This can happen without you really realizing it, you just start to have symptoms which increases the hyperventilating. When you have the symptoms you listed try to focus on your breathing and your ability to normalize it, who knows it might help.

Minimizing your anxiety through medication ( your Dr. can increase the dosage, try different medications or a combination of medications), Psychotherapy (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(CBT) and/or Dialectal Behavioral Therapy (DBT) ), things that relax you (exercise, going for a walk, friends/family, music, going out, reading, meditation, ect.) is very helpful in decreasing and possibly removing anxiety from you life.

Have you had a recent eye exam by an Ophthalmologist? If not it might be a good idea just to make sure you don't have any vision problems that could account for some of your symptoms.

It's important to treat sleep apnea. Each apnea "event" means you heart stops. Untreated sleep apnea increases the risk for a heart attack or stroke, it can also cause an increase of fatigue/sleepiness and affect concentration.

Hi

Welcome to the forum but sorry to hear of your current symptoms.

Anxiety can cause dizziness it is one of the main symptoms that I suffer with so do all you can through self help to reduce your anxiety and hopefully you will see some improvements.

Keep us posted.

Hibee