Generalized dizziness/vertigo

[DN129]

Does anyone experience these traits? I know its common in the midst of a panic attack, but I get them on a more generalized basis.

Sometimes if I've had particular stress/anxiety I go into a state I call feeling very 'zonked out'. Heavy eyes, tension, lethargic movement. I find that sometimes when I lay down I feel off balance, like i'm spinning or on a boat or something moving. Its very off putting, especially when it doesn't seem to be due to a current panic/stress situation.

Unfortunately I have found, there isn't a health professional that you can discuss the symptoms of anxiety with. You have GPs who don't really understand and psychologists who have no interest discussing the physical, just the mental.

[DN129]

m_bel said:Hi DN,I think I know what you mean. I describe it as "it feels like I'm on a boat" to my doctor and she doesn't quite understand. I have felt it when I lie down but I often feel it just walking around too. I find it very hard to walk properly sometimes.The doctors have put it down to a constant state of anxiety for me. I found mpmelb's point about constant hyperventilation interesting - I might look into that!

Thats a really good way of putting it m_bel, I would say actually thats perfect. I too agree "On a boat" is a good description. Its like you're fine when stable, but when you 'rock the boat' so to speak it feels like it takes a while to get back to centre.

[DN129]

pipsy said:

Hi DN129. The main problem you seem to be experiencing here is lack of understanding and knowledge. I have a job where we assist the elderly with their shopping etc. One of our clients (an elderly gent) suffered the same symptoms you are describing. In his case, it appeared he was really enthusiastic when he knew he would be going out. He would wait outside where he lived till the van arrived. Then he would spiral down. He would shake uncontrollably, experience extreme difficulty breathing, occasionally he would actually vomit. He also complained regularly of vertigo. Time after time we would report this to the place he lived in. Constantly we were ignored. He visited his daughter last year in N.S.W, he suffered the same symptoms the morning he was due to board the plane. While he was with his daughter, she took him to her G.P. He was tested for everything known to man, blood tests, balance tests, x-rays for irregular heartbeat etc. It was discovered his blood pressure tablets were excessively high, along with other medications for various other illnesses reacting against each other. I haven't seen him for some time, but I regularly inquire as to his health. His blood pressure is great, better than ever, his heartbeat is regular, his balance, while not perfect, means he no longer needs assistance. The vertigo has ceased. The vertigo seemed to be caused by the blood pressure which was elevated due to excessive b.p tablets. It's quite a vicious merry-go-round and because this guys daughter took the time to listen, she realized he had a serious problem. I'm not saying you have a similar problem, but you need to get checked for heartbeat, b.p, diet could be a contributing factor too. Keep persisting till you find a Dr willing to listen.

Lynda

Thankyou for your reply Lynda.

I have looked around for 'organic' causes and I agree that generally doctors are far far too quick to put everything in the anxiety basket. I think sometimes we as patients are often too quick to accept that diagnosis too because its 'safe' and means nothing is genuinely wrong. I'm only quite young and don't take any medications at all, so its probably not to do with that but its always worth considering that its something genuine and not simply within the scope of anxiety.

[DN129]

girl_interrupted said:

Hi DN,

Thank you for your post! I have often wondered why I get these symptoms - whether it's actually anxiety or something else. True that it may be worse when we are tired and worn out from the stresses of work/life etc. My mother (in her 70s) also experiences virtigo and has had a long term anxiety disorder (you gotta love genetics). I'm not sure if she has got many answers from her doctor as to why or how to resolve it, besides breathing techniques, meditation and eating well, which she does. Interesting what Pipsy said, as both Mum and I have low blood pressure. Definitely worth mentioning to the doc. Sometimes I get it just when I'm emotional/excited and reach down to pat/hug my dog. Other times it's lying down or just standing still at work. I will discuss it further with my doc, although I suspect there isn't a simple answer/fix. I hope you get some answers soon.

Take care and keep in touch,

GI xx

Thanks for your reply girl_interrupted.

I think the whole 'blood pressure' comparison is very accurate. Because although we may not be specifically suffering from a heart condition, anxiety does play nasty tricks on your blood pressure in general. Like you said, when you're excited or emotional it tends to happen. For me I also find frustrated/angry in general helps bring out the symptoms worse and any emotional state feeds the anxiety seemingly.

I need to take a better note of what the symptoms like dizziness feel like, because when you're not experiencing them its very easy to forget about them as a whole.

[girl_interrupted]

I think it's easy to sometimes forget to tap into how our body is reacting to certain stimuli or events. I know I have very shallow breathing at times and sweat a lot when I'm nervous but I can get so caught up in the moment i don't observe what's happening because I'm distracted by a person or situation or it just happens so quickly I go into fight/flight without realizing. Being able to recognize triggers is important too, but a big challenge for me.