Lightheadedness 24 hrs a day; otherwise very healthy fit 79 yr old

@babciab

I’m going to suggest the possibility of an UTI which can cause lightheadedness. Many women get them without feeling any actual symptoms. I know if I get that spacy feeling for a few days, I will take a couple of cranberry d mannose vitamins for a few days and that seems to do the trick for me. I also am a healthy 83 old active woman with similar blood pressure. They say UTIs can lower blood pressure so maybe you can get to a pharmacy where you can check your own. If you do decide on the vitamins, get a reliable brand. You have nothing to lose trying. I am sure you have thought about your diet or caffeine consumption as you said your nutrition is good and also sleep habits.
Good luck….I really hate that lightheaded spacy feeling.

FL Mary

Thank you for replying. This all started 2 months ago with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo and the crystals were then realigned but lightheadness has continued 24 hrs a day. Have appt. with ENT to discuss MRI in which there is mild fluid in mastoid, so will try that route first.

Also, I've been on antibiotics for 7 days, so if I did have a UTI, I would think that would take care of it. And,. my primary dr. a few weeks ago did a urine test on me, but I did read all about UTI and lightheadedness - definitely a possibility if not for the antibiotics.

Have you seen your cardiologist? I had similar symptoms early 2021, stress test revealed blocked Circumflex artery resulting in stent placement. Clear headed ever since. Hope you find answers soon.

I have had a somewhat similar journey, now ongoing for over a year and a half. My lightheadedness is constant when awake, but none when asleep. It started with my first pair of new prescription glasses after routine cataract surgery. I have progressive lenses. Optician tinkered with the lenses, but no help. Went through 3 month program with National Dizzy and Balance Center, again, no help . (Although I have high regard for them!) BPPV was ruled out. Had MRI which showed fluid in mastoids and a cerebral aneurysm. ENT follow up said no connection between fluid in mastoid and my dizziness. Neurosurgery consult said aneurysm not a cause of my dizziness. Sprinkled in among all this, I’ve seen 4 Neuro-optometrists without helpful outcomes. I haven’t been checked for UTI, but I am on doxycycline antibiotic daily for another condition. I had a stent placed in right circumflex coronary artery years ago during a heart attack and while it may be worthwhile to be checked for new plaque, my LDL has been down to 38-42 for some years now. I’m 77, very mildly elevated BP controlled with medication, no diabetes.
Fortunately, looking at a distance I am least affected, so I am comfortable driving. Working at near vision levels, I’m ok as long as I don’t turn my head or get up from chair with readers still on. Mid-range is most bothersome.

I look forward to hearing from others of your further attempts at trying to find cause and treatment of your dizziness.

Wishing everyone good luck!

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@minnmitzi I have had the same dizziness that can never be diagnosed. ENT sees nothing except my ears are constantly in tinnitus since a bout with a virus (Epstein Barr) years ago. Have constant clear mucous dripping (sometimes flooding) from nose and feel fullness in sinus on one side of nose. ENT still sees nothing. I suspect there is inflammation somewhere but no indication of infection on any blood tests. MRI of brain sees nothing. Had cataracts (starting in late 70's) and new lens. Left eye has never felt right or had real good vision but eye doctor finds nothing. Also have had stent and now a pacemaker for AFib. The heart meds, in my humble opinion, are part of the problem and in my case made the balance issues worse. No one knows. I have learned to not get up without having a handhold on something and to slow down while walking. The drs just do not seem to know how to treat this annoying symptom. The worst part is falling so do what you can to know where your feet are at all times. Wear good shoes, forget those heels. Keep trying as one day someone somewhere may find a real cure for the issues of tinnitus. I have gone from being able to climb on our rooftops like a mountain goat to barely navigating the flat floors, no steps, of our home. In the absence of a cure, we just have to adapt.

Glad to have found experiences similar to mine. About 10 days ago, I (70 yrs) experienced my first feeling of vertigo (room spinning). Two times each lasting maybe 10 sec. Went to ER. CT did not find any sign of stroke and was told most likely an ear crystal and told to look up Epley Maneuver at home. I tried this a few times (one of the times I experienced a spinning sensation of a few seconds that quickly stopped. I saw my PCP a few days later and could not replicate the spinning. She said if it was an ear crystal I appeared to have cleared on my own. The CT also revealed mastoid cysts. My PCP said this could have caused the BPPV. I have not had the severe spinning since the initial times. However, I do have some slight lightheadedness and headaches throughout the day. Unsure if caused by the mastoid cysts. I also recently received a new eyeglass Rx. I am questioning if there is a problem there as well. I am trying my previous pair to see if this helps. I am waiting for a response from the ENT to my referral. (A tiny mass on my tongue was also found on the CT and this is the more urgent ENT issue.) I am so happy to have found this site and found others who are also trying to find answers to our symptoms.

@maomac I apologize — it was not mastoid cysts that were found but mucous retention cysts. I am getting overwhelmed by information.

@brigid4 I was lightheaded for approximately 1.5 years and my blood pressure would drop, increasing the lightheadedness. A stroke was ruled out, stopped supplements but no improvement. The neurologist said it was central nervous system dysfunction related to age. Also diagnosed me with Ménière’s disease. The symptoms were not typical of this disease. I stopped my statin drug and with in two months or so there was significant improvement but not completely resolved. My cardiologist and neurologist were informed and both agreed that it very well could be caused by the statin which I was on for years. I am watching my diet and have decided not to try related medication for time being. I would suggest that you discuss all medications your taking with your physician for potential side effects.