1. < Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19

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.

smicky | @smicky | Feb 19, 2023
In reply to @marcslifer "I couldn't take paxlovid because of a couple of other medications that I'm on, but I..." + (show)
@marcslifer

I couldn't take paxlovid because of a couple of other medications that I'm on, but I did take another anti-viral (I think it began with an "m").

Jump to this post

Apparently our local public health is doing a study of long Covid. I will keep you all posted as I will be signing up.

REPLY
missbeverly | @missbeverly | Mar 8, 2023

Hello Everyone, I got covid 19 in March 2020. I ended up in the ER emergency room with severe Vertigo. I could not get up out of bed, had to crawl to the bathroom like a snake. Could not lift my head up pass my waist without throwing up. Severe headache with the vertigo. They gave me Meclizine. "Meclizine is used to prevent and control nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness. It is also used for vertigo (dizziness or lightheadedness) caused by ear problems. Meclizine is an antihistamine. It works to block the signals to the brain that cause nausea, vomiting, and dizziness." After about two days in the hospital on meclizine I was able to come home. I still had nausea, dizziness and vertigo just not as bad. I went to see ENT. Everything was fine. I went to a PT for epley maneuver made it worst for me. I also tried the semont maneuver, Brandt-Daroff exercise. They only one I was able to to do was the Half Somersault or Foster Maneuver. Because I was too dizzy I could lay down on my back. The Half Somersault or Foster Maneuver helped my also. My vertigo is pretty much gone. I still have the dizzy, and lightheadedness when standing up from a sitting position and it feels like I am going to pass out. I had changed my diet. I drink a lot of water to stay hydrated. Eat every couple of hours so my blood sugar doesn't drop. I will have a Belvita breakfast cookie, a smoothie using soy milk. The soy milk seems to help me alot. I will have a hard boil egg, or a toasted whole grain or sprouted bread with Avocado and sunny side egg on top of it. I will also have chicken salad on the whole grain or wheat toast. Other foods to eat: Salads, chicken, turkey, beef, protein drinks, breakfast drinks, etc. I think you get the pictures. I am sure you all are doing the same. I just needed someone to talk to that can relate to me. Because everyone thinks I am crazy or it is all in my mind. I had to change everything about my food intake just to function during the day. Thank you for listening! I hope we all get well and recover from this Covid-19.

REPLY
3 replies
ilean | @ilean | Mar 9, 2023

I had Covid Jan 2022 and have been in bed ever since due to GI issues/abdominal pain. All tests are negative. However, in July 2022 I started having problems getting out of bed. My heart rate was going crazy (I had mentioned this to at least 6 doctors and several ER doctors but no-one seemed concerned. Finally in August I went to the ER and the Dr said I was dehydrated. He got me moved to a room for 24 hours. Well 5 days later I was released and a few weeks later diagnosed with POTS. Some of your symptoms sound like POTS and it is being diagnosed more since Covid

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kentkemmerling1949 | @kentkemmerling1949 | Mar 9, 2023
In reply to @missbeverly "Hello Everyone, I got covid 19 in March 2020. I ended up in the ER emergency..." + (show)
@missbeverly

Hello Everyone, I got covid 19 in March 2020. I ended up in the ER emergency room with severe Vertigo. I could not get up out of bed, had to crawl to the bathroom like a snake. Could not lift my head up pass my waist without throwing up. Severe headache with the vertigo. They gave me Meclizine. "Meclizine is used to prevent and control nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness. It is also used for vertigo (dizziness or lightheadedness) caused by ear problems. Meclizine is an antihistamine. It works to block the signals to the brain that cause nausea, vomiting, and dizziness." After about two days in the hospital on meclizine I was able to come home. I still had nausea, dizziness and vertigo just not as bad. I went to see ENT. Everything was fine. I went to a PT for epley maneuver made it worst for me. I also tried the semont maneuver, Brandt-Daroff exercise. They only one I was able to to do was the Half Somersault or Foster Maneuver. Because I was too dizzy I could lay down on my back. The Half Somersault or Foster Maneuver helped my also. My vertigo is pretty much gone. I still have the dizzy, and lightheadedness when standing up from a sitting position and it feels like I am going to pass out. I had changed my diet. I drink a lot of water to stay hydrated. Eat every couple of hours so my blood sugar doesn't drop. I will have a Belvita breakfast cookie, a smoothie using soy milk. The soy milk seems to help me alot. I will have a hard boil egg, or a toasted whole grain or sprouted bread with Avocado and sunny side egg on top of it. I will also have chicken salad on the whole grain or wheat toast. Other foods to eat: Salads, chicken, turkey, beef, protein drinks, breakfast drinks, etc. I think you get the pictures. I am sure you all are doing the same. I just needed someone to talk to that can relate to me. Because everyone thinks I am crazy or it is all in my mind. I had to change everything about my food intake just to function during the day. Thank you for listening! I hope we all get well and recover from this Covid-19.

Jump to this post

I have to commend you for your perseverance. That is a lot of testing and trials. I too have been dealing with dizziness since COVID in Nov. 2020 and can't walk well or far. I can't walk without the assistance of a cane or walker. I thought it was my perpetual lower back pain and have been getting treated for that. The treatment has reduced the pain, but my balance is no better. I am out of options for medical help in my area. That is why I have started following this web site closely to see where others have gone for help. I find that I haven't even begun to find the help I need, so I appreciate your description of dietary changes and supplements . Do you think the diet changes have helped really?? I am not a believer in that approach, but can have my mind changed by those that have experienced success. What doctors or medical disciplines have you been most happy with??

Thanks
Kent K

REPLY
3 replies
kentkemmerling1949 | @kentkemmerling1949 | Mar 9, 2023
In reply to @missbeverly "Hello Everyone, I got covid 19 in March 2020. I ended up in the ER emergency..." + (show)
@missbeverly

Hello Everyone, I got covid 19 in March 2020. I ended up in the ER emergency room with severe Vertigo. I could not get up out of bed, had to crawl to the bathroom like a snake. Could not lift my head up pass my waist without throwing up. Severe headache with the vertigo. They gave me Meclizine. "Meclizine is used to prevent and control nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness. It is also used for vertigo (dizziness or lightheadedness) caused by ear problems. Meclizine is an antihistamine. It works to block the signals to the brain that cause nausea, vomiting, and dizziness." After about two days in the hospital on meclizine I was able to come home. I still had nausea, dizziness and vertigo just not as bad. I went to see ENT. Everything was fine. I went to a PT for epley maneuver made it worst for me. I also tried the semont maneuver, Brandt-Daroff exercise. They only one I was able to to do was the Half Somersault or Foster Maneuver. Because I was too dizzy I could lay down on my back. The Half Somersault or Foster Maneuver helped my also. My vertigo is pretty much gone. I still have the dizzy, and lightheadedness when standing up from a sitting position and it feels like I am going to pass out. I had changed my diet. I drink a lot of water to stay hydrated. Eat every couple of hours so my blood sugar doesn't drop. I will have a Belvita breakfast cookie, a smoothie using soy milk. The soy milk seems to help me alot. I will have a hard boil egg, or a toasted whole grain or sprouted bread with Avocado and sunny side egg on top of it. I will also have chicken salad on the whole grain or wheat toast. Other foods to eat: Salads, chicken, turkey, beef, protein drinks, breakfast drinks, etc. I think you get the pictures. I am sure you all are doing the same. I just needed someone to talk to that can relate to me. Because everyone thinks I am crazy or it is all in my mind. I had to change everything about my food intake just to function during the day. Thank you for listening! I hope we all get well and recover from this Covid-19.

Jump to this post

Do you really think the change in diet and reduced your symptoms? Who recommended the changes? I am looking for some medical help to get at the root cause of my problem and some reasonable things to try.

REPLY
1 reply
law59 | @law59 | Mar 10, 2023
In reply to @kentkemmerling1949 "I have to commend you for your perseverance. That is a lot of testing and trials...." + (show)
@kentkemmerling1949

I have to commend you for your perseverance. That is a lot of testing and trials. I too have been dealing with dizziness since COVID in Nov. 2020 and can't walk well or far. I can't walk without the assistance of a cane or walker. I thought it was my perpetual lower back pain and have been getting treated for that. The treatment has reduced the pain, but my balance is no better. I am out of options for medical help in my area. That is why I have started following this web site closely to see where others have gone for help. I find that I haven't even begun to find the help I need, so I appreciate your description of dietary changes and supplements . Do you think the diet changes have helped really?? I am not a believer in that approach, but can have my mind changed by those that have experienced success. What doctors or medical disciplines have you been most happy with??

Thanks
Kent K

Jump to this post

Hi @kentkemmerling1949. Just suggestion as learned from PT, neurologist our brain adapts to getting up the same way or walking differently with walker/cane etc to accommodate physical malaise or other difficulties. I have Pots now and extreme post exertional malaise. Recently started using trekking poles and the support and stride they allow seem to mimic normal walking better and having less of those frustrating symptoms. I still do not go too long and think slowly building up each week as PT and pulmonologist suggest will be very helpful in this healing journey🌈. Wish you and everyone the best!

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missbeverly | @missbeverly | Mar 10, 2023
In reply to @kentkemmerling1949 "Do you really think the change in diet and reduced your symptoms? Who recommended the changes?..." + (show)
@kentkemmerling1949

Do you really think the change in diet and reduced your symptoms? Who recommended the changes? I am looking for some medical help to get at the root cause of my problem and some reasonable things to try.

Jump to this post

I recommended the changes myself. I was so sick I could not get any help and had to do something. So, I started to research diet, vitamins, etc. on the internet and just kept a journal. Then I noticed I was feeling better when I made changes to my daily routine in food and water and exercise.

REPLY
missbeverly | @missbeverly | Mar 10, 2023
In reply to @kentkemmerling1949 "I have to commend you for your perseverance. That is a lot of testing and trials...." + (show)
@kentkemmerling1949

I have to commend you for your perseverance. That is a lot of testing and trials. I too have been dealing with dizziness since COVID in Nov. 2020 and can't walk well or far. I can't walk without the assistance of a cane or walker. I thought it was my perpetual lower back pain and have been getting treated for that. The treatment has reduced the pain, but my balance is no better. I am out of options for medical help in my area. That is why I have started following this web site closely to see where others have gone for help. I find that I haven't even begun to find the help I need, so I appreciate your description of dietary changes and supplements . Do you think the diet changes have helped really?? I am not a believer in that approach, but can have my mind changed by those that have experienced success. What doctors or medical disciplines have you been most happy with??

Thanks
Kent K

Jump to this post

My PCP has helped me with medication at the beginning. My PCP said I had Meniere Disease.
And He told me to cut out my salt intake. So, that is when I started to google things I can do to help me to live with Meniere Disease. That is where I got a lot of the diet information. I believe I got all this from covid. But, no one would listen to me, because it was March/April of 2020. I was so tired of being dizzy a the time 24-7. So I had to do something. I am 60 years old and going through Post Menopause. So, I thought a lot of my symptoms might be related to that. As you can see I am all over the place trying to get well. I hope this was helpful. I am still trying to find thing to help me.

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granitegirl1 | @granitegirl1 | Mar 11, 2023
In reply to @rinadbq "I have difficulty loosing my balance while walking, especially if I am talking, looking around or..." + (show)
@rinadbq

I have difficulty loosing my balance while walking, especially if I am talking, looking around or otherwise distracted. I am working with physical therapy for covid long haulers and do see improvement but I still would not pass a field sobriety test walk doing heel to toe straight line walking. Everything is worse when I am tired or am focusing on other things at the same time-looking around an unfamiliar area when walking outside or looking for items on grocery store shelves.

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I had this as well. Vision therapy with a neuro optometrist helped immensely

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missbeverly | @missbeverly | Mar 11, 2023
In reply to @kentkemmerling1949 "I have to commend you for your perseverance. That is a lot of testing and trials...." + (show)
@kentkemmerling1949

I have to commend you for your perseverance. That is a lot of testing and trials. I too have been dealing with dizziness since COVID in Nov. 2020 and can't walk well or far. I can't walk without the assistance of a cane or walker. I thought it was my perpetual lower back pain and have been getting treated for that. The treatment has reduced the pain, but my balance is no better. I am out of options for medical help in my area. That is why I have started following this web site closely to see where others have gone for help. I find that I haven't even begun to find the help I need, so I appreciate your description of dietary changes and supplements . Do you think the diet changes have helped really?? I am not a believer in that approach, but can have my mind changed by those that have experienced success. What doctors or medical disciplines have you been most happy with??

Thanks
Kent K

Jump to this post

I was just like you. My whole life I believed that you can get everything you need from the foods we eat. I have a lot of time put into this health body thing. First of all, my daughter was born with autism and I tried everything to help her. Of course, no medication healed her. but, she is able to function with daily vitamins, supplements, herbs, and medication on a as needed basis. Also, by daughter got bitten by a tick in 2015 and developed Lyme Disease so she takes the herbs for lyme disease not autism. And she also has a complete heart block so I can't give her certain medication, herbs, etc. Because of her health conditions. So, a lot of mine work was put in long before covid 19. I just had to add additional research for those new symptoms I was now getting as I got covid 19 and being a older adult. Sorry to ramble on, but in my household god has given me a lot on my plate. But, as they say god will give you only what you can handle. I hope I am done, my plate is full. I do feel blessed that I have recovered to this extent. I hope I will helpful.

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