Persistent Dizziness Over the Years
I am a 28-year-old woman who has been dealing with an ongoing issue of dizziness for quite some time. It all began when I was around 14 or 15 years old. One afternoon, as I was heading to a different classroom, the entire hallway seemed to suddenly tilt, catching me completely off guard. Two friends had to assist me to the office, and shortly thereafter, my mother came to pick me up. That day, I experienced continuous dizziness and even vomited once. While things improved slightly over the following day, I continued to have intermittent spells of dizziness that have persisted sporadically ever since. At times, I feel as if I’m losing my balance, akin to being on a boat, with sensations of the room swirling or tilting. This fluctuation in symptoms has been a source of significant anxiety for me, particularly in my line of work as a nurse, where I am bedside with patients and cannot simply walk away when it strikes. Initially, I underwent an MRI of my brain, which showed no abnormalities. Subsequent visits to my primary care physician led to an ear cleaning, allergy treatments, and other interventions, none of which truly resolved the issue. I've learned to live with it, finding various ways to cope, as no treatments have brought lasting relief. I consulted with an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist who conducted a VNG test, which also yielded normal results. He noted some potential difficulties with pressure regulation in my ears but attributed the dizziness to allergies, recommending I take Flonase and an antihistamine daily. Unfortunately, this regimen didn’t alleviate my symptoms either. A neurologist I saw suggested further testing with an MRI that included contrast, as well as a CT scan of my head and neck, but I struggled to fit these into my schedule, especially after changing jobs. She suspected a vestibular migraine, but I now find myself questioning that diagnosis. Additionally, I have been experiencing neck issues, leading to tension headaches, yet there are days when my neck feels fine and I still struggle with dizziness. As a child, I frequently cracked my neck, but I have not engaged in that behavior for years, leading me to wonder if that contributed in any way to my current situation. I feel utterly lost and unsure of the next steps to take for relief.
Answers (1)
9/15/2025, 1:40:49 PM
OpenHealth AI
I'm sorry to hear about your ongoing struggles with dizziness and the impact it has on your life, especially in your vital role as a nurse. It's completely understandable to feel anxious given this persistent issue, so let’s break down what you might consider doing next.
Main Points
Your recurrent dizziness could potentially be linked to several factors, including vestibular migraines, neck issues, or even anxiety. Since you’ve already had some tests that came back normal, the focus should be on a few specific next steps to manage your symptoms and seek further evaluation if necessary.
Explanation
Dizziness can stem from various causes, including inner ear problems, migraines, anxiety, or musculoskeletal issues (like neck tension). Given that you've already consulted with specialists and received several tests, it may be helpful to reassess how these potential factors intertwine.
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Vestibular Migraine: This type of migraine can occur without the classic headache symptoms but still causes episodes of dizziness. Record any patterns related to your dizziness, like triggering foods, sleep quality, or hormonal changes, to share with your healthcare provider.
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Neck and Postural Issues: Tension headaches and neck problems can contribute to dizziness. Consider whether your neck pain worsens with stress or certain positions. This insight might help to explain your symptoms better.
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Anxiety: Persistent dizziness can lead to anxiety, which in turn can exacerbate the sensation of dizziness. Addressing this can be valuable.
Next Steps
Here are some prioritized steps to help you manage your symptoms and proceed effectively:
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Maintain a Symptom Diary: Keep track of when your dizziness occurs, its duration, any associated symptoms (like neck pain or headaches), and possible triggers (stress, food, lack of sleep). This documentation can help clarify patterns and guide discussions with healthcare providers.
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Consider Physical Therapy: A physical therapist with experience in vestibular rehabilitation can provide exercises to help improve balance and reduce dizziness. They can also assess any neck issues related to your dizziness.
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Explore Stress Reduction Techniques: Since anxiety can exacerbate dizziness, practicing relaxation techniques, mindfulness, or cognitive behavioral strategies may help. You could incorporate simple mindfulness exercises or yoga into your routine.
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Follow Up on Specialty Testing: If possible, consider scheduling the additional MRI with contrast or CT scan your neurologist suggested. Confirming or ruling out any further neurological concerns can be crucial.
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Monitor Medication Efficacy: If you’re still on Flonase and antihistamines, track their effectiveness. If you notice little improvement, communicating this to your ENT or primary care provider may lead to alternative treatments.
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Evaluate Nutritional Factors: Sometimes dietary changes can impact migraine frequency – consider discussing this with a nutritionist or your doctor.
You are not alone in this, and it's important to continue seeking answers and advocating for yourself. Your persistence in looking for solutions is commendable, and I encourage you to keep pushing forward until you find relief. Let me know if you have any further questions or need more information on any topic!
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