Dizziness

I am still having the same issues with no answers. A few days ago I was at my desk and started to feel the dizziness. The next thing I remember is the ambulance was here and I spent one night in the hospital. They did a number of tests and the only thing was I was probably dehydrated. My cardiologist wants me to wear a heart monitor for 30 days which I start in the next few days. I do need to drink more fluids but I don't think this is the major problem. Maybe the heart monitor will provide some answers.

This is a very familiar statement to me: I am 83 yrs old, started dizziness about 2 years ago; about the same time I was diagnosed with Polycythemia Vera; I have not undergone the tests that you mention but my symptoms sound exactly like yours. The quandary of dizziness is this: almost all medications have a potential side effect of causing dizziness; PV disease has a symptom of dizziness; inner ear problems can cause dizziness; eyesight can have an effect on dizziness; circulation problems can affect dizziness; the medical field obviously has no known way of detecting what is causing dizziness; I have learned to live with mine, but, I am a reluctant patient; I do not wish to spend my final time that I have left sitting in Dr.'s offices or constantly undergoing tests of one sort of the other.
My only suggestion would be a process of elimination, keeping notes of when, how severe or persistent the dizziness is, what you have eaten, what you were doing, how strenuous is/was your activity, particular stress situations, etc.
I have tried that, to some degree, but I must admit it has provided or proved nothing. It just is.
I wish you success and patience and if nothing seems to work; acceptance
Rosalie

Bravo. I have reached this point myself. Fortunately, I have been able to learn to live with it, trying not to let it be demotivating. It is worthwhile to change some medications. Thanks for your well written response, Cybele

Thank you for the comment; it let's me know that I am not alone in my thinking; dizziness is definitely a challenge, but it can be managed, at least in the point of view of you and me. My mother also experienced dizziness at a much younger age than I. There was never any indication of what caused it, but medical personnel suspected inner ear problems, though never proven.
Good Luck to you.
P.S. an interesting tidbit: I can dance, by myself, to music and do very well, more of an exercise/dance around in my room; but while I do this, I feel no dizziness. Very odd; but my perception is that it is similar to one who stutters but can sing with no stutter; I surmise that it must be a brain/rhythm phenomenon .

I, too, get BPPV, and when I do, I’m off to PT. I’m 74, and had therapy this week for the first time in several years.

Please schedule an appt with vestibular therapy, and be evaluated. It is quick, cheap, and solvable. If it isn’t the problem, they will know without extensive testing.

I started having dizzy spells in 2000 and after many test I was diagnosed with Ménière's disease, I had Endolymphatic Sac-Mastoid Shunt Surgery and still I didn’t have any relief, later I was diagnosed with complex migraine disease, I was diagnosed a vestibular nerve problem, I have lived with horrible dizziness since 23 years and still no relief, I went on a cruise in November and after being on the ship for 6 days when I arrived home, I had intense vertigo for 5 weeks were I could not walk straight and could not drive, I have had to take steroids for so many years now I am over weight, I have chest pain and double vision I am so tired of this

This is my personal opinion. The cause of dizziness when starting to walk seems to be a drop in BP due to different reasons. However, the extent of the problem can be reduced by larger spacing of the feet while walking that inevitably takes place in fast walk. Balancing exercises are also helpful.

If you’re taking any medications, has your doctor cleared them all for dizziness side effects. My blood pressure medicine had to be changed twice before I had some relief. My dizziness is not gone, but it’s much better on good days. I consulted an ENT and he prescribed physical therapy for balance issues. Though not a cure, it gave me more confidence and strength to help prevent falls.

Hello!
I am 70 and after a couple of vertigo experiences in the past learned about the inner ear crystals getting out of place which responds to Epley maneuver as mentioned above.

Physical Therapists are trained in Epley Maneuver and there are some who have deeper expertise in diagnosing and treating dizziness symptoms: Vestibular Physical Therapists.

Recently I have had treatment for dizziness and nausea from a Vestibular PT because symptoms were different than crystal displacement for which Epley Maneuver was insufficient.

I also think my new statin medication-Atoravastin-exacerbated the nausea symptoms accompanying the lightheadedness and equilibrium issues.

Check out a local PT practice to see if there is someone who can help.

Sending supportive thoughts!💐💐💐💐

Welcome @bmoregrl, Thanks for joining this discussion and sharing your experience and what has helped you. You may also want to take a peak at some of the other discussions in the Aging Well Support Group. Here is a link to the list of discussions - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/aging-well/.

Do you mind sharing how you found Mayo Clinic Connect?