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Avatar universal

Feels like floor is moving

I haven't been diagnosed with anxiety... yet. But was curious if anyone who has been diagnosed, do you have these symptoms ? Basically this happens only when I'm walking, or sometimes standing. As I'm walking, I feel a sudden intense feeling as if the floor just dropped an inch. It's almost similar to the feeling you get when on an elevator and it has reached it's destination, and you feel a sudden jerk, down then up. Another way to describe it is like when your walking on a boat dock, and as you step, the floor is wobbly. I don't feel dizzy like the room is spinning, and it happens suddenly, then is gone after a second. It's quite frightening, it almost also feels like my body just stopped working for a split second, and almost like I'm going to faint. It happened this morning when I got out of bed a couple of times, and a few more times as I made my way to work. It's off and on, sometimes I don't feel it all day, other times it can happen many times in a day. I have been having other anxiety symtpoms as well, including mild panic attacks. Is this a symptom of anxiety that any of you have experienced ? Is there anything that helps it ?
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Avatar universal
Yes, I have experienced that and quite often.  You feel like you have sea legs and it is just for a second.  I DO suffer from anxiety.  I would suggest that you try to do deep breathing exercising and relaxation tapes.  Maybe that will help.  Hope you feel better soon.
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Avatar universal
Yes, yes, yes, the floor moving is part of the anxiety disorder. I have experienced it and it is very common. For me, when I have that moment it feels like my feet are walking separately from the rest of my body. I always worry that I am going to fall over but I  never do.  For my friend, it happens when she is driving and she says that the hood of her car keeps going after she stops the car at a light.

You know what it is?  During a panicky moment your adreniline rushes and your body gets into fight or flight mode and your pupils dialate as though ready for any survival emergency and it causes you to have those sensations.  

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1 Comments
U might have a vitamin deficiency. I did. Specially D and Magnesium
Avatar universal
It's relieving to hear this ! Not that you are having the same issues, of course, I wouldn't wish this on anyone, but it's good to know that it's probably an anxiety thing, and not some other serious disease... which I always think I have. :)
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Avatar universal
Yes, It's anxiety.  I have all those symptoms you described.
" my body just stopped working for a split second"..I had that feeling a week before i went to ER.
You should eat healthy, not drink caffeine/alcohol, not smoke cig and have enough sleep.  It takes months to recover from it.  Goodluck to you.  Hope u feel better!
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Avatar universal
yes, i have this EXACTLY as you describe it.  I am not sure what to do about it or how to beat it.  It has been better lately, but if definately flares up when I get anxious.  It is amazing that you can go a couple of days without feeling it, but then the next day you feel like you are going to fall out on every step.
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355594 tn?1197547647
I get that too especially if I am riding in a car it feels like the car will flip.  Times like that I will scream until the car stops.  I haven't beat it yet myself.  
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Avatar universal
No real point in me saying I do as well cause it sounds like you have all the confirmation you need, but yes...I very much experience this. I have a lot of other weird symptoms too. In fact 80% of my symptoms are head related.....I call it a "drugged up feeling" or if its more like what you described I bunch all that together and call it "Dizzyness" to people who dont have anxiety to understand....but yes.....its not nice at all.....but rty not to worry....I have found no matter how bad the symptoms are...they never last....just distract yourself completely....even if it means jumping up and dancing or phoning someone up.....phone up a comedic hotline or something that will literally completely take your mind off it because you will be like "why the hell did I just do that".....sounds very very weird but I use my own shock method to get through very very bad attacks.....I literally try to shock myself....and shock the Panic Monster......so I will just randomly start dancing or go put on my h year old nephews roller skates and try to skate round the kitchen....sounds amazingly stupid!! but it kinda works..........and use people....talk to people....phone up someone who can make you laugh or who you dont usually speak to and just talk about something....

Hope this helps......***@**** is my email if anyone wants a chat.....because I really feel like ive been through most of the things that anxiety can cause......not trying to sound like im being patronizing....I just havent seen a symptom I havent had ten fold....and im only a youngen :( ...

All the best.
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Avatar universal
Ok...forgot that maybe I can give out my email lol...if anyone wants it though..im sure I can get it to you somehow lol
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Avatar universal
I too feel my car is going to flip someitmes...WEIRD!   Anxiety is very annoying...:((
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Avatar universal
I have bad axiety and depression issues and this summer I was doing pottery and when I would look down at the wheel and it was stopped I could literally still watch the lines inside go around  been on and then off something since then still have not foung the right something aughhh!!!
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355594 tn?1197547647
Yeah it is very strange.  I use to love to travel and could do it anytime I wanted.  My dad was a police officer and taught me to drive when I was 14.  My ex-husband use to threaten me with the car and how he would kill me, ofcourse we divorced.  about 1yr after the divorce I tried to jump out of a moving vehicle on the 80/90.  Before that happen I always noticed an underlying anxiety but ignored it and then the attack.  I felt like I was trapped on a scary rollercoaster with no way of getting off and opened the car door (we were passing a semi at the time). 10yrs later I still suffer and can't afford a psycratrist.  I see a therapist and finally my dr gave me buspar (I'm hopeful).  The dr just gave me that 3 days ago. After 10 yrs, go figure. Any info on the buspar would be great.
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Avatar universal
I would love to ask you some questions about your feelings.  This has just happened to me exaclty what you describe.  I am mother of 2 very active never been sick.  
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Avatar universal
I took buspar for about 3weeks and it helped alot.  I'm currently not taking any medications.  Just eat healthy & exercise.  After 7 months, I'm just feeling great.   Do you smoke? drink alcohol/coffee?  If you do, you must stop!
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Avatar universal

I am  a 42 year old Mum I work as a nursing assistant in our local hospital and run a cake business from home.
With joy I found this web site and your comments. I too have the very same thing. I started last Christmas when we went on holiday to Turkey. I have a real fear of flying but put myself through it  so that we as a family coulld get some winter sun. Two weeks before leaving I went to the doctor due to chest pains and dizzy spells. I thought I was going to have a heart attack.
The dizzy spells, just like to explain were very scary. I had my heart checked out (E.C.G) although my heart beating fast he said it was fine. The flight was good but I was terrified and cried on and off for most of the trip.
After being in Turkey the dizzy spells and chest pains went off and we had a wonderful time. Two days before coming home it all started up again. I spent the last day of our holiday in bed. I felt dreadful. My heart was beating ten to the dozen, chest pains , felt dizzy even when laying down.
hot and cold sweats, shaking. A total mess!!
After getting home  the dizzy spells lasted two days and then went away.
They came back on the odd occasion but nothing to bad.

Well it has all come back again. It started this week. The chest pains, heart racing, dizzy spells, my left arm feels strange at times too , like it is weak, which wears off. I also get a tingle which goes from one side of my forehead to the other like in a wave, this too wears off. Do I feel worried about anything? No not really.. Apart from Christmas is close by and I have lots to do But so does everyone.
Today is Saturday and I need to go shopping for christmas pressents but I worry that I will feel like this again while among all the shoppers rushing about. In my mind I see myself collapse and the Ambulance being called. Am I going Mad. Do you think Kalms would help me relax? Any help or advice would be wonderful. Thank you for reading my comments.
Take care


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Avatar universal
My symptoms are EXACTLY the same Cincyman.  I had this for a month straight where everytime I would walk it felt like i was walking on a ship that was on water moving back and forth.  It went away for 3 months, so I assumed it was some sort of inner ear thing, messing with my equilibrium.  But about a week ago, the same floor/ground moving has come back, so I'm thinking its something different, possibly the anxiety thing.  I do dip smokeless tobacco and get very little sleep and have a sort of bad diet, so I know those don't add up very well.  Does anyone know if any of those bad habits would cause the symptoms I have described?
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Avatar universal
I used to dip, I stopped some time ago. Then dipped a can, and quit again. I doubt that's what is causing this, I also thought maybe it was a withdrawel thing from the tobacco. Anyway, about 4 wks ago I started on Lexapro, and I actually think it's gotten a bit better. Certainly less anxiety, this "dizzy" feeling is still there mildly, sometimes not at all. I'll let you know how it goes, supposedly this medication can take up to 6 weeks to work... We'll see if it helps. Also going to ENT for frontal sinus blockage.. which may also be suspect given that my head isn't centered due to fluid in the right sinus. I'm glad that I've gotten help for the panic attacks, and I'm starting to realize that maybe I really don't have some unknown, hidden, deadly disease after all ! Thanks for all the comments.
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Avatar universal
yeah it feels good to hear it from someone...for the past do weeks i have being feeling the sea legs its a terrible feeling..i feel like as if i am in a dream all day nothing feels reall every thing i feel is so much worse for ex: when im hungry i feel so hungery im going to pass out... ive beenj to the doctors countless times thinking i have somthing seriously wrong with me its so conforting to hear from people experience it. thank you
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Avatar universal
This is reassuring to read. A few years ago I had a similar experience. Every time I walked I felt like I was walking on a boat. It subsided after a week.

Now several years later, following a period of intense stress and a 1-hour plane ride, it's back. I typically feel ok when sitting or lying though I am quite anxious and depressed.  I am on Prozac 30 qd and klonopin 0.5 bid. I have an appt w/ my psych MD tomorrow - I hope this subsides soon.  
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Avatar universal
I have those same episodes.  This is starting to happen after I drive and I get out of my car.  Things start moving. I feel wobbly. This weird feeling scares me then my heart starts racing.  I don't know if it is an inner ear problem along with anxiety.  So I start the deep breathing and I take a bonine( for motion sickness) and a valium and it eventually goes away and I start to feel normal again.  This is totally weird.  This happens in the grocery store and I can't finish my shopping... I have to leave fast.   This is been happening about a month now.  I hope it doesn't last long.
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913439 tn?1243376482
Hi i have the same thing , its like the flore come away from you for this one second. I was having few of this terns and when i went to the doctor he said ""or its all in your head "" but i went ferther i went to 10 cleanics in 3 days and found a doctor who said that i head an anxiety and pannic att. and more staff and gave me efexsor xr i was on them befor but stopt and divelopt this simptoms, i didnt wont to go on the pill but had no choise after few month. Now i went to see a natropath and got some herbs which i hope will help me.
Get better soon
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Avatar universal
I get all thse things also. I get this intense feeling of nervousness and then I statr to think Im in danger and all hell breaks loose. The dzzy is new and I checked my BP 100 times to see if its related. I cant seem to link it. Lows 112/62 Highs with stress or exerstion 140/71 which I think are all fine. How long will this take to pass. I had the anxiety for years the dzzy is newer. Before it was rubbery leggs now its the ground move feeling
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Avatar universal
I have suffered from the same symptoms.  It feels like your in an elevator that goes down 1 second and up the next (falling and rising).  I must have experienced it about 100 times, it is horrible.  When you get it bad, lie on the bed (on your back) and it feels like your feet are expanding and contracting (its very weird).  Once you experience this, you know for sure that the floor is not moving at all, a little reassuring in one sense.

If you get it really bad and are struggling to reassure yourself that you will be OK, I found that splashing cold water on my face helped a little.

After a while you should start to feel a little less worried when you experience it as you know you are going to be OK.  

Mine lasted about six months before they started to fade away.  After two years all the symptoms were gone.  I had to drastic change my life.  Quit my job and learn to relax and enjoy life a little more (but sensibly).

Like some people say, you will never by 100% again.  Even now, 6 years later, I get mild symptoms where I wake up in the middle of the night feeling a little anxious and have to leave the TV on to get back to sleep.  This only happens in extreme circumstances like change of job, redundancy, health worries etc.

Hope any of that helps.
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Avatar universal
I have the exam same symptoms. I have been diagnosed with GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder). Sometimes when I walk I feel like the floor is moving left and right and my legs feel really weak like I can't take another step or I will fall. I also feel like i have no control over my body and i feel like im going to faint and die. I don't feel the moving sensation as much when I'm driving, is it because the car is moving, I'm not sure. Also, when I feel lightheaded, I feel like I have to constantly move when I'm sitting or else the dizziness get worse.
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Avatar universal
I have all these same symptoms too. and the where my feet feel like they're really heavy or something. I haven't officially been diagnosed with anxiety...I have nothing to be anxious or stressed over!! It's very annoying.

But fastasian79
-you said you were not taking meds...how is the eating healthy/exercising thing working out? i really want to get over this anxiety naturally.
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