always feel lightheaded, foggy and faint

[coconutboy]

Last night was rough, had to fight hard not to pass out.  I'm sick and tired of this.  I always feel lightheaded, foggy at times, off-balance, with occasional dizzy spell so heavy that I feel like I'm gonna pass out.  I've never been officially diagnosed with anxiety, depression or panick disorder eventhough my GP prescribed me Wellbutrin which I never took, cause the side effect is Dizziness.

I figured heck I'm dizzy as it is and I'm trying to figure out the cause, so why adding more pieces to the puzzle.  I know I'm under a lot of stress.  It all started 3 years ago when I passed out at the check out line.  Squad came checked me, minute later I was good enough to go home.  Saw my GP next day, run a few tests, did a cat scan all came out neg.  3 days later at work, I started feeling dizzy again, couldn't breathe, felt like I was gonna pass out, called the squad again, checked me and minute later I was feeling ok again.

So I decided ok enough is enough, I drove myself to the hospital all shaky and all. I was admitted and a million tests later all came out negative. They sent me home next day with diagnosis " Dehydration".

Well that was the beginning of my climb to calvary, my life has been h#*l eversince.  I can't go to the big box store without running out a few minutes later.  I can't stand in check out line without feeling I'm gonna pass out.  I don't go out unless I really have too, like work and short trips here and there.  I become heat intolerant, exercise intolerant, I have horrible nightmares most nights, and I wake up with my heart racing.  Numerous time I have to pull over when driving cause I feel faint.  

I'm seeing a neurologist mid oct, for I'm affraid there may be some wrong with my head.  I just want it to stop, I just wanna be normal again.  I actually wish my docs would come out flat and say you have anxiety problems.  I'm left guessing.  I'm thinking of going to see a pychologist.  I'm writing this and those dizzy spells are coming and going.  

I'm sick of it all, I cant stand the fogginess, the unreal space out feeling, the fainting feeling, the dizziness, the floaty off-balance feeling when I walk, the smothering feeling, the impemding doom. Sorry I was so long... Does anybody ever feel like this or is it just me?  Is that what anxiety and panick disorder are like?

[hugkhes]

sounds like a panic attack. do not, not, not read side effects. everyone is diff. i suffered this until prozac helped, but i cant do social situations still. takes time. you might consider searching for the root reason causing this.

[updownleftright]

Sounds like typical anxiety/panic attack symptoms. If you've been checked out like you so thoroughly have been then there is nothing to worry about. Not even in the slightest. Anxiety and panic attacks are uncomfortable but that's it. Oh and I promise you that you will not pass out. It's impossible. In order to faint your blood pressure has to drop. When you're anxious your blood pressure rises so you wont faint, fall over, or even stumble. You'll be fine. Just know that the symptoms will pass eventually.

[coconutboy]

I think I know the root cause, chronic stress and divorce.  But it wasn't until I started having physical manifestations that I realised something is very wrong with me.  3 years searching why I'm so sick, and doctors cant find a diagnosis.  Granted after numerous visit to my cardio doc, he told me I have a mild condition of MVP (mitral valve prolapse) and that it's stable and not the cause of any of my symptoms.

HesAPooka, it's comforting to hear I will not pass out during those attacks, because that's my number 1 problem/weakness.  You see that's how it all started when I passed out once and it's been hell eversince.  I've not passed again after that, but everytime I get a dizzy spell, I freak out, the ground seems closer to me and my heart starts racing.  I do do the breathing exercise, I survive some, but sometimes I ended up having the full panick attack no matter how hard I try.

[updownleftright]

Why did you pass out the first time? Blood sugar?

[coconutboy]

Paramedics checked my blood sugar at the time and it was ok.  They checked my oxygen level, that was ok.  3 days later at the hospital their diagnosis was dehydration.  

It was early morning, I had a light breakfast, a cup of reg coffee, I had a vigorous work out the night before and my ex was talking a storm at my head in the check out line.  So which one is the culprit, I am not sure. Till today I'm not sure exactly why I fainted, but it was an ugly feeling.  

[DJ873]

i am your twin!!!! my biggest fear since passing out is passing out. i avoid everything and get dizzy all the time to where i don't want to do anything for fear of it. i force myself each morning to exercise and shower but its reliving h*&*(&ll over and over. I have been reading and meditating and doing alot to try to help myself. "So Be It" is my mantra. Do it anyway. but i was agorophobic for quite some time due to this. I am learning, so very slowly, to accept this is how it is and do it anyway but it *****, it shouldn't be this way but I figure i can fight or accept, Tolle's the power of now is helping me to lessen the fear and "Feel the fear and do it anyway" book is helping too. at least i am going places again

[updownleftright]

Well dehydration can certainly cause a decrease in blood flow and blood pressure which can lead to fainting. So don't worry about it happening again. Especially from panic and anxiety. I used to feel like I'd pass out as well when I first started getting anxiety, but I've seen so many cardiologists that's the least of my worries now.

[coconutboy]

I've been doing just that, the "so be it" attitude, that's how I manage to still hold a job, make short trip to grocery store, gaz station etc... but it's no way close to living a normal life.  

The constant lightheadeness is kicking my butt.  I'm always off-balance and it makes me wonder if it's physiological or just anxiety.  Reading the posts here actually convince me a bit it's just anxiety... which actually calms me a bit.

But I'm seeing a neurologist for the first time next month, I'm hoping they find nothing wrong with my brain, then I'd definitely be sure it's just anxiety.  If that's the case then I'll pack up, get on the anxiety road and begin that journey.

[hugkhes]

You really sound like youre having the effects of depression. Im not a doctor, but I had it. Takes over your life and you dont know who this person is. I felt distant from things i loved, dizzy, saw black dots which took over my vision, lightheaded upon standing, always always tired, and moving was a task. Divorce can do that. I wasnt married, but I was with someone for 4 years and we had a civil court break up and im still not the same person. It bothers me that i feel that defeated.

[DJ873]

i am anxious to hear what the neurologist says, i agree its no way to live but those tricks above are just my way to cope until maybe just maybe it goes away. today has been super rough for me. felt faint this morning and have not done much all day for fear of passing out. time to heed my own advice and do it anyway, ugh, so much easier said than done but if you can do it so can i :) i got caught in the "something real is very wrong and i think i am really going to die" getting those feet moving with that attitude is rough. got out my "inside Buddha's brain" book to do some meditations. that did help some.

[Mookie1991]

That's me.... always on the side of  the road feeling faint....always feel heaviness in the back of my head like im going to pass out.... wake up heart racing really fast.... hospital tests found nothing..... dealing with the feeling right now.... don't know what to do anymore... crying sometimes weirdly makes me feel better... shortness in breath... fear it may be something the doctors will never find.... the thought of passing out brings on the symptoms worse... the "what if" question constantly dance in my mind...Ex: What if the doctors never find it and its too late and I die and everyone says "Oh she told you something was wrong"...or What if I pass out right now with no one around... I tried vitamins.... drinking water makes me feel a lil better... minor colds feel deadly

[sissyln]

Please get your Hormones checked ladies...it has a lot to do with all of these dizzy/anxiety  issues...

[Kaylah_Jayde]

Does a blood test check hormones? I've been noticing that around the time of my period my panic attacks are at their worst! I hate my period!

[Alicia4207]

hello I have suffered from anxiety/panic attacks since last april, this morning i had the same experience of black spots taking over my vision and i felt as if I were going to pass out, I have never had this happen before. I noticed you have experinced similar things. The first time it happened i brushed it off thinking it was attributed to not getting enough sleep but when it happened a second time it really freaked me out I called a nurse hotline and they said could be low blood pressure or low blood sugar. I do not feel depressed did you ever find out what was causing the spots?  Any insight would be greatly appriciated
Thank you,
Alicia

[Jutty]

Hi all, im new here but just want to say that i permanently feel dizzy-ish n almost off balance, just not quite right, i have been diagnosed with anxiety and panic etc..  must say im to afraid to even try these meds that they have prescribed me!  there just sitin gon the side!

i read on the net about other people experience and wow some ok but others are awful!

as for the spots in the eyes i have had them years and that for me is called ''floaters''  made much worse in very clear skies or bright lights..

I have also had every test under the sun and again all come back fine so i guess the meds are the only thing for it?  ''make or break''

[akluv]

I myself have dizziness all day every day, some days are good, some are so bad that i dont want to go to work, but i have to pay bills, i suffer also from depression and get a mixure of anxiety symptoms ei: chest pain, dizziness, numbness of left side, feeling of doom, alone because my peers around me just think i need to relax... i went to the emergency room 8 times in 3 months because i thought i was having a heart attack and thought my dizziness was a result of my heart not pumping the blood to my brain properly.. and all tests were negative and they state its anxiety and or vertigo.. so Im just left with unbaleivable medical bills and anxiety medication... guess i would rather have this anxiety than really having heart issues... we will fight this overactive brain issue:}

[Aly0218]

i'm going though this right now. but this is on a good day. on bad days my mind would drive me crazy with negative thoughts. as a child i always worry at times but now its 20x worse! its like i can't have a normal day anymore.
like all today i felt somewhat dizzy, light-headed, and unbalanced. plus my vision seems foggy too and sensitive to light all the sudden.

i also had the chest and armpit pains going on for a month now. i really believe that was from stress because the day i started having them i only had a few hours of sleep, got into a big argument, and was a emotional wreck at work, my eyes were so red that day from crying.
but today the pain seem to went down a lot, i can barely feel the pain.

i can't wait until Monday, this will be my first therapy appointment. Hopefully he/she can help me out!

[mellen1967]

I have the same issue, feeling on edge all the time worried about having another panic attack. My psychologist says it's common for the fear of a panic attack to cause a panic attack. It always seems to occur at the most inconvenient times, at work meetings, while driving, in a movie theater. Seeing a psychologist helps and I recommend it. It's comforting to be validated by an expert who will confirm you aren't crazy. Also, I was prescribed Xanax. Just the act of taking the pill helps me feel better, although the side effects are not so great. Also, when I feel an attack coming on, I try to take deep breaths and keep myself busy. At home, I do house work. In work meetings, I take notes like crazy when I feel an attack coming on. Just know that this is a physical condition caused by the fight or flight instinct in the cave man part of your brain, according to my psychologist.

[oslooskar]

Hi Coconutboy, I’m not a medical professional but I would bet my last dollar that you’re hyperventilating (overbreathing) as a consequence of your anxiety. Here is a list of some of the symptoms of hyperventilation. (Note: when you feel yourself getting dizzy try to slow your breathing down.)

• Bloating
• Burping
• Passing excess gas
• Pressure sensation in the abdomen
• Weakness
• Fainting
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Agitation
• A feeling of being outside yourself
• Seeing images that aren't there
• Feeling as if you can't breathe

[gino692009]

Im 27 years old and I don't ever pass out, but i do have the dizzyness /lightheaded feeling all day every day and the doctor says its anxiety, not a fun time thats for sure, not being able to eat properly not wanting to do anything but we do cause we have to... Im glad to see that im not alone in the world with this crap, I too wish it would just POOF be gone, but thats some wishful thinking, this all started almost a year ago.... I see lots of people that say they have being dealing with this for YEARS, like really years? why does it take so long to get rid of anxiety.... I have had an ECG, blood work, blood pressure all checked and guess what, came back fine I havent had a MRI or anything, my guess is it comes back clean, the doctor says its all symptoms of Anxiety... I want the dizzy / lightheaded feeling to go away I can deal with everything else its the annoying feeling of that motion all the time... I am now on Wellbutrin right now and only have been on it for a couple of days so who knows... I am the type that would not take meds for anything and laugh at people that would, but I guess its true Karma does come back sometime and bite you in the @$$ cause look at me now.... I do really hope it gets better from here cause it makes me feel like im going insane... :(

[chappers92]

Iv been diagnosed with anxiety I get the rapid heartbeats the panic feelings but the worst is the constand lightheadedness its ruling my life iv seen 22 doctors. I'm just still worried will it ever go!!!!

[Murphster]

2004 I black out crossing a busy main Road in a city center, Just before it happened, I had two really funny sensations in my head, the floor came up to me, wasn't a nice feeling. anyway next thing I knew I woke up in hospital with a very sore head and my front teeth knocked out, not a pretty sight. I had all the normal tests and everything was fine, they kept me in over night just to be sure. They discharged me and I went home felt ok, couple of days later I got the light headedness a feeling I was going to black out again, I thought oh no not again, that sensation of passing out stopped, I went to see my Doctor and of caorse went through all the test, bloods, mir ecg, scans, ENT, everything was coming back clear, so they have put it down to anxiety, I know its not that, it something else, I have good day and bad days, Going into super stores with bright lights tend to start the passing out feeling off, so I have to get out quick, I have had these feelings every single day for 9 years and its grinding me down, I want my life back, I have to force myself to go place's, and at the same time I put off going place,s I have gone back to my doctor this year to do all the tests again if need be, but this year I'm going to try and get to the bottom of it, Nothing they give me has eased it or made it any better. fingers crossed I get sorted out this time.  

[Jpppppppppp]

I passed out in class during sex Ed last year and ever since I haven't been myself so afraid of it happening again

[Laura5215]

Hello, I hope i can help since i am getting great info from you all.  I am on my period now, it has been day 2 but the symptons started 3 days prior.  I feel slight pressure on my head by my temples, fogginess and a strange wave in my brain as if i am going to faint.  I drink 3 16 oz bottles of water a day, eat healthy 85% of the time.  I do not feel anxious at all, :(  I had anxiety in the past, insomnia attacks. which i do get an insomnai attack right before my period every month. I  just ruled it out to be hormonal. Now my period lasts 7 days so I have to wait for this weekend to see if this feeling goes away. if so then maybe it is just hormonal!  

I just called my gyn and I am waitng for the nurse to call me back to see if they can run some hornonal test.  my primary dr. refered me to a neurologist not my gyn!  I will keep you informed but for now this is a very scary feeling and i am prayng to god it goes away and I don't to have to live my life with this feeling on a daily basis ;(  

Good luck everyone!!