Post-Covid dizziness/off-balance, as most troubling symptom

Posted by kirstenk2003 @kirstenk2003, Mar 30, 2022

I contracted Covid in December 2021 and am currently dealing with persistent dizziness (off balance, sometimes feels like swaying, rocking, spinning, or a pull to one side). My other most bothersome symptoms are ear ringing, headaches (pressure in the head), feelings of pressure change in my ears, trouble multitasking or thinking, along with developing anxiety/ depression and some elevated heart rate and blood pressure.

Dizziness was not a symptom of my initial infection. I developed dizziness (not BPPV) around January 15th. I saw a physical therapist who determined I had Vestibular Hypofunction and I began vestibular therapy. It seemed to be working and I even returned to my office job for about 3 weeks, restricted hours. Two weeks ago I began feeling worse again. My physical therapist believes my initial issue has improved - so he doesn't know what's causing my current onset of symptoms. I started an antihistamine to combat any allergy related ear fluid, along with an anxiety medication to try and improve my blood pressure and heart rate.

I'm going to see an ENT next, and hope that I haven't waited too long to try other remedies (if there are any). Has anyone else experienced this overwhelming dizziness and had positive results with treatment or answers as to the cause? I'm scared that this is going to be how I feel forever.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

spittendrigh | @spittendrigh | Jan 22 11:58am

In reply to @spittendrigh "never took remdisivir har dizzy spells. My inner dislog tells me it is inner ear inflammation" + (show)

ouch
I never took Remdividivur
I have had dizzy spells for two years
There is internet chatter about inner ear inflammation and a vague connection to Atrial Fubrulation

mooncherry | @mooncherry | Feb 5 1:40pm

In reply to @rinadbq "I have difficulty loosing my balance while walking, especially if I am talking, looking around or..." + (show)

me too!!!

wbbill | @wbbill | Feb 12 9:23am

Welcome to post covid--same symptoms for three years--no one has answers--

granitegirl1 | @granitegirl1 | Feb 13 6:03am

Perhaps it’s decreased cerebral blood flow.

dloos | @dloos | Feb 13 10:54am

I’ve been to all sorts of doctors and specialists over the past two years. Post Covid messed up my hearing, vision, and gut, leaving me dizzy and disoriented. I have severe tinnitus and hyperacusis. Now going to Integrative doctor who at least tries to deal with some of these things. (Vitamin infusion and Ozone therapy). So far (four months) no relief.
Hard to think this is how I will feel for the rest of my life. For me, it’s sort of like being drunk for two years, and trying to carry on as if I’m ok.
I am relatively pain free, and I do not have shortness of breath. I try to be grateful for those blessings. It’s hard most days.

rose5 | @rose5 | Feb 13 6:16pm

I too have been dealing with King Covid. It is very frustrating at times. Still a lot of symptoms, but dizziness is much worse than before. 😔

spittendrigh | @spittendrigh | Feb 14 8:01am

im since March 2020

fatigue
brain gig
tinitus
dizzy spells

Still have all of it but less.
20 dizzy swoons a day now 4 or 5

tinnitus is a barometer. Fell better? Quieter. Some anyway.

Brain fog? I'm a retired programmer. I can still write code. but not as quickly.

kayabbott | @kayabbott | Feb 15 7:54am

My LC lasted 8 mo (March thru October last year). It was mostly PEM, exercize induced fatigue, and a pounding heart. It may have reappeared this week, a week of high stress and 10-hour days in the shop training folk. Or, I might have gotten glutened eating out once 6 days ago. Some of my LC symptoms are like those of my autoimmune diseases. I'm 69 and don't have brain fog, but other celiac/LC symptoms are:
Balance issues from celiac and/or MGUS (I use a balance half dome and PT to help)
Tinnitus from an injury is worse with stress or getting glutened
Depression and fatigue are initiated with LC and by gluten as are...
Irregular and pounding heartbeats
LC did not screw up my GI tract because it was already fricasseed by celiac; I keep a food log and eat mostly FODMAP to control the GI inflammation. I can eat dairy, but not a few other things
I don't get dizzy, but my sister does due to Meniere's Disease. She avoids all dairy because it can trigger the inflammation. I think the link between covid and autoimmune diseases is underresearched and something few doctors know about.

mehdifoudili | @mehdifoudili | Feb 19 10:28am

I am suffering from exactly the same thing, i didn't find a solution 😔

blairbodrato | @blairbodrato | Feb 19 11:44am

@kirstenk2003 FYI Vertigo is the No 1 long-long covid symptom.I’m dealing w now when haven’t had in over a year & led me to find this forum bc mine didn’t start until I got re-vaccinated on December 20, 2023 with the Monovalent Booster when all was well! Has anyone had issues during times of boosters? Or about 10 days afterwards? Medication- I found Meclizine causes less drowsy effects vs Dramamine for me definitely Prednisone a must at first I was so bad used 80 mg & was down to 5mg and off completely until the booster. Zofran for nausea. I could be standing in place & next I’m on a tilt a whirl but if I lay flat in place it stops. This has been for a week straight & I felt weird the day before bc I have seizures I told my brother something is off. My eyes have been an issue with double & blurry vision for hours where it’s like I’m drunk or to the point I can’t read. Never had vertigo with it until recently. But laying flat is like it’s not happening. If it’s really bad then when I move it’s very fuzzy in my head & laying flat is too late. The attack is on. The nausea comes I’ll ensure I throw up to take meds I hope not to & get straight in bed. I haven’t left the house in a month. Lack of sleep is an ABSOLUTE TRIGGER! I also have an internal vibration (working w neuro) like I’m purring that the prednisone took care of but is back. Frankly I’ll take vibrations over any of the above. I wonder if anyone had their boosters within 10-14 days of the worst of their symptoms or onset of symptoms or resurgence of symptoms. And does anyone else have blurry/double vision leading up to vertigo had prior etc. and able to lay flat & get relief. I’m just so sad this is happening to us & anyone. My saying was I can tolerate anything but vertigo bc it’s torture. Hopefully an army of us being advocates will get answers & help one another!