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.

@kentkemmerling1949

I have had long COVID since December 2021 and my balance is terrible. I can barely walk and always need a cane or some other support. I have tried all kinds of therapies including acupuncture, physical therapy and water aerobics. Nothing has helped. I did get some advice from my balance therapist on proper ways to walk without waddling like a duck and that has helped some. Anyone else seen any improvement and can anyone make recommendations?

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I saw a PT that did a type of vestibular rehabilitation therapy. I saw much improvement but had to stop due to PEM. I can now walk around my house and across the parking lot unassisted!!!
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/15298-vestibular-rehabilitation

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@kentkemmerling1949

I have had long COVID since December 2021 and my balance is terrible. I can barely walk and always need a cane or some other support. I have tried all kinds of therapies including acupuncture, physical therapy and water aerobics. Nothing has helped. I did get some advice from my balance therapist on proper ways to walk without waddling like a duck and that has helped some. Anyone else seen any improvement and can anyone make recommendations?

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I have had the same issues for 8 months now. My doctor put me on Meclizine 25mg, three times a day as needed. It helps a lot. I still have the dizziness, but this helps.
Good luck

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I have been taking meclazine, but only once per day. I appreciate your details. I will discuss increasing the frequency with my doctor. Good luck with your journey.

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I've had covid 3 times since Feb, 2021. Latest infection was January this year. As of about three months ago at dusk I feel off balance. When I walk outside and it's getting dark, I walk sideways and off balance, like I'm drunk (my husband has witnessed this). This happens in the house at night after I turn the lights off. I feel off balance/vertigo.....like I've just had 3 glasses of wine (which I haven't). I have not seen a Dr. yet. Also, as of 3 months ago, I'm losing a ton of hair and my ears are screaming very loud. I used to have long hair, now I have bald spots and had to get 5 inches cut off due to the damage. Annnnnnndddd....I was just diagnosed with Osteoporosis. I went from no Osteoporosis three years ago to full blown. I look forward to hearing about everyone's journey. I will update after I see a Dr.

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Happy? Anniversary to me!! Three years today I was diagnosed with COVID and it's still not over. Like many of you, I do get dizzy and off balance but intentional balancing on one leg is easy. Go figure. Lately, I have had a couple of scary episodes where my SOB seems to begin in my chest, make me dizzy, blurry eyes, etc. - have to sit down. Hard to describe. Anyone else get similar episodes? Darn this Long Covid!! One never knows what's next. I am scheduled for lots of tests after seeing a Neurologist for the first time last week. I'm realistic enough to understand that nothing may result from the tests, like all the other tests I have had that amount to nothing. The Neurologist did find that I seem to have some neuropathy in my lower legs and feet. Thanks for listening. I love this site - makes me feel less alone. 🙂

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I also experience dizziness, vertigo, lightheadedness, headaches, and pressure in my head but have learned how to manage it some. I was also diagnosed with POTS at the Mayo Clinic so I’m not sure if that’s the reason why I have it. Other doctors (ENT, Neurologist; and primary) have done many medical tests and are not sure where the cause of the issue is and didn’t know how to treat it.
I have been to PT as well to treat it but I found that it made no difference and I would feel worse with PEM afterwards. The only thing I have found that has helped me manage it is by drinking electrolytes frequently and also my frequent NAD+ IV treatments. The NAD+ IV also has helped my neuropathy, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue symptoms. It’s been a game changer for me.

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Oddly I found out that while socializing and having a beer helped. It was a casual beer during card playing and stand-upvisiting. But on an empty stomach it was worse with alcohol. But I now know that each person has a different aspect to their long covid.

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@vmarielarson

I also experience dizziness, vertigo, lightheadedness, headaches, and pressure in my head but have learned how to manage it some. I was also diagnosed with POTS at the Mayo Clinic so I’m not sure if that’s the reason why I have it. Other doctors (ENT, Neurologist; and primary) have done many medical tests and are not sure where the cause of the issue is and didn’t know how to treat it.
I have been to PT as well to treat it but I found that it made no difference and I would feel worse with PEM afterwards. The only thing I have found that has helped me manage it is by drinking electrolytes frequently and also my frequent NAD+ IV treatments. The NAD+ IV also has helped my neuropathy, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue symptoms. It’s been a game changer for me.

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Could you expand on the NAD + IV treatments? What are they?

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I had severe Covid in Dec 2020 and again in Sept 2021. I have to say what came AFTER that first Covid infection was far worse than actual COVID.

I had that lack of balance, also heavy legs, would fall, etc.. I still have some balance issues but they are improving. I had a couple of periods where I had Vertigo. Never had that before in my 58 years and happy to say that also seems to have gone away. Thankfully, that was awful.

Physical Therapy might be helpful specific to the balance issues . I used a wheeled walker a few times and now still use a cane here and there on days I feel extra off balance.

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I finished the full COVID vaccine regimen September 2022 & caught the virus April 11, 2023. Notified doctor same day & he indicated that medicine would be prescribed to treat my illness. According to the FDA, at age 69, I was high risk for complications; and, therefore, eligible for antiviral medication. Doctor ordered Paxlovid eight days later, pharmacist determined that the 5-day efficacy window had expired & informed me that the medicine was now useless. Needless to say, I didn't pick up the prescription. On April 22, eleven days after first testing positive, I developed severe dizziness, nausea, balance problems and lost a portion of my hearing. Additionally, I came down with constant tinnitus (bilateral) comparable to the hissing roar of a jet engine. Four months have gone by since all this began, I'm not getting any better, and I worry about what lies ahead. Adventist Health-Reedley placed me in this predicament, and there's a hint of elder abuse on the horizon.

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