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.

dvierheller | @dvierheller | Apr 21, 2022

sorry about spelling- variance not vakance and issues not issyes.

vic83 | @vic83 | Apr 21, 2022

I have had a lot of those issues long before Covid. Seeing an Ear Nose and Throat specialist is necessary...especially one that focuses more on balance issues. 1) I had big difference in hearing from one ear to another - cause otosclerosis which I corrected with surgery 2) I had balance issues, falling to one side, and I did balance training, and it went away 3) I had extreme dizziness and nausea one morning, undetermined cause but a CT scan showed that I have Third Window Syndrome. 4) and I now have dizziness when putting my head back - probably BPPV . I have appointment with my ENT coming up. A lot goes on with our hearing!!!! Best to see an ENT before any therapy.

kirstenk2003 | @kirstenk2003 | Apr 22, 2022

In reply to @vic83 "I have had a lot of those issues long before Covid. Seeing an Ear Nose and..." + (show)

Great point. I personally had a hearing test and was told my hearing is "perfect" in both ears, but wondered if that was part of my issue as well. I've heard many people suffer worsened hearing or vision after covid (my vision was also normal).

vic83 | @vic83 | Apr 22, 2022

In reply to @kirstenk2003 "Great point. I personally had a hearing test and was told my hearing is "perfect" in..." + (show)

Things need to be documented in a reliable process, before attributing to Covid. Regarding hearing tests, I recommend people go to a licensed Audiologist and not a Hearing Instrument Specialist. I have encountered Hearing Instrument Specialists whose testing was very poor quality. They have minimum training and hearing issues can be caused by very serious problems.

jar | @jar | Apr 23, 2022

In reply to @dvierheller "I had covid pneumonia last June2021. i lost significant hearing in my left ear. when hearing..." + (show)

I believe they doctor mentioned vng test. Is this the one which makes you even more dizzy!

lynngns | @lynngns | May 20, 2022

I had covid double pneumonia in August of 2021. Still on oxygen with same symptoms you are having. Been to a ENT. Hate to say this but only time will tell. I have a pacemaker also because my heart was hesitating too long. I was even collapsing. Homehealth nurse OCT and PT until last month. It has been a nightmare.

jimrb | @jimrb | May 21, 2022

Had bad diarrhea for 8 days from Paxlovid then vertigo. Treated w
Meclizine. Ugh

lynngns | @lynngns | May 22, 2022

Been through all of this and saw an ENT. Seems its a wait and see blamed on Covid.

vic83 | @vic83 | May 22, 2022

In reply to @jimrb "Had bad diarrhea for 8 days from Paxlovid then vertigo. Treated w Meclizine. Ugh" + (show)

Regarding Paxlovid, were you on any other medication when you started it? Pfizer site has list of common drugs that Paxlovid interacts with including common statin drugs that people take for high cholesterol.

mcdl | @mcdl | May 22, 2022

Very interesting discussion here! A few points that resonated with me:

Pre-COVID, I had occasional hearing and balance problems that were diagnosed as fluid in the ear caused by seasonal allergies. I take Flonase during allergy season and it helps a lot. I started with my doctor and then saw an audiologist to get that figured out.

I have general hypermobility, which means my joints are too lax. This can result in joint pain, clumsiness, balance issues, excess muscle tension, the list goes on. This was diagnosed by a physical therapist during my long COVID journey. The standard advice for improving strength and balance had never worked for me. I’m doing much better with PT exercises specific to hypermobility.

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