Balance issues just from anxiety?

T26 · ‎07-12-2016

Hi,

This is my first time posting on here so I'm not sure if I'm in the right spot but hopefully I am!

I have suffered from anxiety for years, as a teen I had depression and anxiety and really bad OCD. So I'm pretty use to all the things that come with it and I know how powerful the mind can be over the body and the symptoms you feel but over the past 2 years I have developed a symptom that is hard to believe is all from my anxiety. I developed a panic disorder around 2 years ago and at the same time I was incredibly dizzy and off balance. It's hard to say if the panic came as a result of the dizziness or the other way around but it has been pretty constant over the past 2 years and today I just saw my 2nd ENT who told me that my inner ear ect is fine so there's nothing they can do to help me. That's great obviously but it doesn't help that I constantly feel like I have just gotten off a boat or like I'm falling over when I'm standing still!

i have a young child and I can't even play with him which breaks my heart. When I feel dizzy I do panic more which I know is a vicious cycle but I just find it hard to see how all day constant off balance feelings can be from that. I know when I have a panic attack or when I breathe too fast I either feel light headed or like I will faint but this is different.

I guess I'm just looking for personal experience from others who might have felt this horrible symptom of anxiety. My panic is related a lot around health so of course when my body feels terrible it's not a fun time for me! So if anyone has any tips to overcome it that would also be amazing!

Thanks 🙂

Nikkir · ‎07-12-2016

Hi T26,

and welcome to BB, thank you for reaching out we are so happy to hear from you. I am so sorry to hear that things have been difficult for you and that you have suffered so much and continue to find life hard, even the simple things like playing with your child. I really feel for you and hope that life and your health improves. You can always reach out to our DR Kim on Beyond Blue or get a 2nd opinion and referrals from our line 1300 22 4636. I can relate to Anxiety and I cared for a person with OCD and panic attacks and it was heartbreaking to watch. To be honest I know this sounds a bit simple but have you tried yoga? not all yoga because when I have felt anxious breathing practices really irritate me but I always feel better after yoga because my body and breath and mind is all one and it makes me centred. Other than that swimming, walking in nature and good healthy foods. I know you are suffering so much but sometimes the little things we do can make so much of a difference:) Honestly though people say yoga has saved them from depression and anxiety so I don't know how you feel about that? For me, i try to get out everyday and start the day with a positive practice or affirmation and then I get out and get a coffee or walk because otherwise my mind races and its awful. Do you have support ? I hope that you will let us know how you go if you can or if there is anything we can do to help you? Best Wishes Nikkkir x

CheeseSlices · ‎07-12-2016

Doctors are VERY quick to dismiss if you have a history of Anxiety. How is your back? Have you got any pain or anything that would indicate this is more than 'simple' panic? I suffered for far too long because no one would listen. And the medication they were giving me made it far far worse. (Falling and balance issues is a side effect of many medications. The effect on my CNS was catastrophic).

Perhaps keep a list of all other symptoms. Do you sweat? Do you feel nauseous? Do you twitch? Is there any pain (anywhere)? Does it hit on a cycle or completely random? Does exercise make it better or worse? Is it s standing blood pressure problem? How is your eye sight? These are sample questions to ask. There will be answers eventually, but when you have a mental health diagnosis, doctors are unlikely to take you seriously unless you present them with recorded facts and your own observations. Goodluck. Cant be easy with a child!

ci · ‎07-12-2016

Hi t26

I don't have magic answer for you wish I did but i do relate to you and I felt from your post that maybe my story would help you.

I to have ocd and kids it's a hard believe me I know! over the last few years I have suffered facial numbness arm and leg aswell and dizziness.

I know when really anxious really bad ocd numbness and dizziness is normal side effect but this feels different to that. and many times comes when I'm not anxious there are list of symptoms I've been getting and my doc has just sent me off to specialist because she to thinking it's more than anxiety. But for years I've gone in to docs mentioned some of my symptoms and always put down to my ocd.

Not sure about you but what I've found frustrating is always seems easiest to blame ocd like we don't know what we talking about.

My advice trust your self if you think something not right. Have you had mri for the dizziness. I had to have few found few issues with my sinus.

Do you have support around you you mentioned ocd bad at the moment has something changed or do you feel it's the frustration of what's going on that making the ocd bad?

pipsy · ‎07-12-2016

Hi T26. Have you ever had a balance test? Perhaps ask your Dr about arranging one. You may have Vertigo which would explain the dizziness and feeling of falling over you're experiencing. Do you feel nauseas when the dizziness comes on. It may also be blood pressure. I suggest you get to your Dr and ask him to do some tests for Vertigo, b.p etc. When you are constantly feeling dizzy and scared to interact with your son, it's scary and depressing. Once the Dr determines from tests what the problem is, he will then be able to help you. Can I ask how your diet is, if you are skipping meals, the dizziness could be a result of hunger.

Lynda

amy-lee-keasler · ‎08-12-2016

I had the exact same thing happen to me but i didnt know what it was. it turned out to be a symptom of anxiety and a panic disorder which i was later diagnosed with. it took months of therapy and other things like diet changes and relaxation teqniques before the dizziness went away. i was also told i had adrenal fatigue which you might want to look up because it is also directly correlated with anxiety and panic disorders .

mermaidgirl · ‎08-12-2016

I can totally relate to the off balance feeling you are having. I have anxiety which I am sure has stemmed from a bout of vertigo 2 years ago. Since then I have an overall feeling like I am rocking on a boat, being pulled to one side, dizziness type feeling. It's not very nice at all! I have been told it's all symptoms of anxiety too. I don't really have advice for you as I am going through the same thing but I just want you to know you are not alone in this feeling!

T26 · ‎08-12-2016

Thank you for your reply! That's exactly how I feel! If I'm standing I feel like I'm falling to one side ect. It's horrible 😞 thank you for letting me know I'm not the only one feeling this way just from anxiety! It's reassuring that maybe if I can get a handle on my anxiety I'll get a handle on the dizziness too. I hope you find some relief from yours also.

T26 · ‎08-12-2016

Hi Nikkir,

Thank you so much for your reply and kind words.

I have definitely had to suffer through a lot over the years and it is getting a bit exhausting feeling like it never ends! One mental condition takes over the other.

I haven't tried yoga but that does sound like a great thing to try. I'm not very flexible but I guess that's something you can learn! I definitely know I need to improve my diet and start to exercise. The past 2 days I have done a 30 minute walk at the beach which I actually felt better while doing! It didn't last though and I felt my panic back straight after and exercise is hard when I'm so dizzy but I know I need to push and try.

I think I'll definitely have a look at what else beyond blue has that might help me overcome this horrible panic disorder. Thanks heaps again for taking the time to reply x

T26 · ‎08-12-2016

Hi cheese slices,
Thank you for your reply.

Doctors definitely are quick to dismiss you as soon as they know you have anxiety and that's what makes me so worried they are missing something. I have spent years before going to the doctor about a different issues and they kept telling me it was my anxiety. Turns out it wasn't tho and I had something really wrong with me so now that feeds my panic that that'll happen again and this time it being related to my head makes me more worried.

I have come up with so many different ideas of what it might be (thanks dr Google!) I do have a bad neck (thanks to tight muscles from tension from my anxiety) but I see an osteo every 2 weeks so that should help that. I have a bad back also and migraines which could cause the dizziness but the dizziness just seems to outlasts all the other things. Like migraines can cause dizziness but even when I'm migraine free it's there. Blood pressure also seems ok (I check it myself regularly when I feel light headed from my panic attacks)
Thank you for your advice tho! I will definitely take closer note of the other symptoms and keep trying to put the puzzle together. It's definitely not easy 😞