Chronic Dizziness/Lightheadedness, Fatigue

[ade31070177]

Not sure where to post this question.... here goes.... symptoms: lightheaded, dizzy, muscle weakness, feeling extremely faint/lethargic. Comes on gradually through day, but noticeably worse after sitting down for periods (both short and long time). Have increased fluid in-take to approx 2-3 litres per day.

Am 33 y.o. male. Noticeably pale skin, dark inset eyes looking tired. Sometimes get sharp headaches around crown and temples. Also have considerably bad balance problems. Get v bad/painful nerves - almost like trapped nerves - down arms, under arm pits, in wells of both arms (under top of shoulder). Neck pains/stiffness at back of neck.

Went to AnE to see emergency Dr who said could be Labrynthinitis. But not sure - have extremely strong/bad muscle fatigue and lethargy. Is that right?? Am considering other options - fibromyalgia? M.E./CFS? Postural Hypotension (bought myself a mobile wrist B.P. monitor, and results always come back normal B.P. even when in middle of a fatigue 'attack')? Addison Disease? Other neurological problems?

What can I do to get rid of??? Any ideas of what else it could be and could be doing??? Thanks. A x

[ade31070177]

Thanks Dr. Anurag Srivastava for your comments.

Would you recommend I see someone like a Chiropractor or massage therapist? And are there specific treatments I should be asking for?

I have been in the past to see both a chiropractor and for massage, although it was only the odd visit here and there. Maybe I should consider going more regular?

Interested to know your thoughts on this.

Thanks

A

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Hi, Thank you for your question. I can understand your worrying health concern about dizziness, headache and balance disorder. Although without being able to examine you it will be quite difficult for us to give you a precise diagnosis here. Since you've had dizziness and balancing problem for so long it is unlikely to go away, but in most of the people it may still slowly improve after few years. It sounds like that you have benign positional vertigo but if you are significantly affected then I would suggest approaching a physiotherapist for treatment, He/She would like to suggest few exercises like epley’s maneuver that may be of help in your condition. These exercises may help in improving vestibular nerve (Nerve involves in balance) function so the condition. In addition, I would suggest getting a neurologist opinion here as well in order to get complete neurological assessment and further approach. Hope this helps.

[ade31070177]

Hi Tony


I haven't been to see a Neurologist yet about this - only my GP. I have been feeling generally dizzy now for a couple of years now. The first time I went to my GP he looked at me and said, 'its anxiety, just lie down when you feel dizzy otherwise you'll find yourself waking up already laying down!" Which was of no help whatsoever, as I work FT and when I put this to him he didn't really offer any other help.

I have had several black outs in this time where I have ended up in A&E. The last time this happened was about two weeks ago and they said it was Labrynthinitis. They gave me meds for the dizziness, Betahistine Hydrochloride 8mg x2 tabs x3 per day. Has absolutely no effect!

At one point my GP thought I had low blood pressure and thought it might be down to that, so I bought myself a mobile monitor and often use it. Results always indicates that my BP is fine - within the low end of normal. But in principal it is fine.

I have been referred by my GP to a gastroenterologist as I suffer with acid reflux and indigestion, coupled with sharp/cramp like chest pain. I had a manometry test as recent as two months ago. They suspect I have a hiatus hernia, but am still waiting to hear back on the fuller details of what that means. I am also waiting for a BRAVO test appointment.

Also been referred to a second cardiologist for a second opinion, as I had a stress test done about 1 yr and half ago, where at the end of the test the nurse had to catch me as I nearly passed out when the treadmill speed was stopped - she saw my BP drop dramatically/suddenly. But, because my appointment with the specialist was too near the date I had the test performed, he didn't have my results in front of him. He basically said it was anxiety, prescribed my anti-deps, and told me 'to stop whinging'! He didn't even offer a tilt test or anything after I explained what happened at my stress test. So I am going for a second opinion and demanding a tilt test to be performed.

Two months ago I went to see a microbiologist to see if there was anything in my blood that could help, or give any clues, as to what is wrong with me. He said that my blood is high in acid, glucose and starch and compiled a diet consisting of literally seeds, grass and leaves! I have to make up this hideous mixture every day that I cannot stomach and he has told me to stop eating key foods like fruit, meat and dairy - and to increase my water intake to about 4-5 litres per DAY!! (What typically 'normal' human beging drinks 4 litres a day of water! I struggle with just 1 litre sometimes!)

So........... as you can tell, I have been all around the houses and got nowhere very very fast (or slow! Whichever way you look at it!). I'm afraid that if I go back to my GP and request to see a neurologist she'll just think I am being paranoid and might even strike me off her books!! LOL No she wont, but I think you can get the jist of the dilemma I am in. Put simply, my Drs just don't know what else to be doing with me. They have either exhausted all options, or the options they have considered are not the right things to be testing/looking at.... I'm no Dr I don't know. What I do know is that I am unwell every single day.......... and yes, to answer your last question, it does effect my work... and I work for myself, which has big consequences if I cannot get to work because of how I feel.

[tonyad]

  Hello Ade,
  
   You certainly seem to be having quite a few things going on besides the dizziness. Let me ask, have you been to see a Neurologist? if so, have they done any kind of testing?

    Are you on any meds right now? You can actually by Meclizine over the counter for the dizziness depending on how bad it is for you. Are you able to work w/ all this going on?

~Tonya