1. < Neuropathy

Intermittent dizziness?

Posted by robindancer5678 @robindancer5678, Sep 16, 2023

My diagnosis was in February 2023 and I still have lots of questions. There are some days and a week at a time where I am doing great and think I am on the mend. Then I have what appears to be a flareup? Is this normal? It’s almost as though somebody flipped a switch. Suddenly this week, I am dizzy and think I’m going to fall over, I have fluttering in my chest, get short of breath when walking. But no weakness and no numbness. Generally feel lousy. But the next week I could be fine. Is this normal? Particularly the dizziness.

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Ray Kemble | @ray666 | Sep 20, 2023
In reply to @robindancer5678 "This discussion has been so helpful! I too am disoriented when walking with my progressive lenses..." + (show)
@robindancer5678

This discussion has been so helpful! I too am disoriented when walking with my progressive lenses on. I've had progressive lenses for over 20 years without a problem. For the past 2 years I was mad because I thought the optician simply couldn't get the prescription right after I was spending all that money! The glasses were perfect for reading, and perfect for watching television and driving, but I when I was moving around I thought I would fall over! I guess I'll have to stop blaming the opticians...

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This has turned out to be a thought-provoking discussion. I, too, wear progressive lenses, and I, too, had been growing impatient with my optician. I'd tell him my lenses are "not too bad" for reading and "maybe could still be better" for driving; never once, though, did I consider that wearing these same progressive lenses while I'm just going about my day could be aggravating my wobbly walk. This discussion has got me thinking … –Ray (@ray666)

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1 reply
julbpat | @julbpat | Sep 20, 2023
In reply to @tb01 "Reading glasses outside will make you disoriented. Even walking around inside with mine on gets to..." + (show)
@tb01

Reading glasses outside will make you disoriented. Even walking around inside with mine on gets to me. Surprised you do it. I have used Meclizine 25mg for years. One tablet soon after getting up in am usually helps all day. It is cheaper my prescription, but the same as Bonine which is OTC, or Antivert which I think also requires RX. Atmospheric changes always cause me disoriented feelings - lightheaded - different than dizzy. Can you get RX?

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Sorry, I wasn't clear. When I'm dizzy and need to go shopping, I wear my sunglasses inside the stores. And if I need to read a label, I put my reading glasses on top of them! Looks ridiculous but the sunglasses really help the dizziness for some reason.

So I can't believe I never tried meclizine for my dizziness. I think I was afraid it would make me too drowsy, like Benadryl. Today I bought some generic meclizine and took 25 mg. I needed a nap, so did that. Woke up clear-headed, dizziness gone, no grogginess at all! Is this simple miracle really going to help me? Unbelievable. I'm going to do some experiments with it over the next few days. Today I was dizzy on and off, felt really terrible. 1.5 hours after meclezine, and a nap, I feel fine.

Thanks so much for sharing this! I'll keep you guys posted! And yes, I can get a prescription if I need one.

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2 replies
robindancer5678 | @robindancer5678 | Sep 20, 2023

Please keep us posted. Sounds promising!

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catstx | @catstx | Sep 20, 2023

I hear you and second every thing that’s happening to you. It’s crazy because you’d think that the symptoms would be the same from week to week or month to month.

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stallen | @stallen | Sep 21, 2023
In reply to @julbpat "Sorry, I wasn't clear. When I'm dizzy and need to go shopping, I wear my sunglasses..." + (show)
@julbpat

Sorry, I wasn't clear. When I'm dizzy and need to go shopping, I wear my sunglasses inside the stores. And if I need to read a label, I put my reading glasses on top of them! Looks ridiculous but the sunglasses really help the dizziness for some reason.

So I can't believe I never tried meclizine for my dizziness. I think I was afraid it would make me too drowsy, like Benadryl. Today I bought some generic meclizine and took 25 mg. I needed a nap, so did that. Woke up clear-headed, dizziness gone, no grogginess at all! Is this simple miracle really going to help me? Unbelievable. I'm going to do some experiments with it over the next few days. Today I was dizzy on and off, felt really terrible. 1.5 hours after meclezine, and a nap, I feel fine.

Thanks so much for sharing this! I'll keep you guys posted! And yes, I can get a prescription if I need one.

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Keep us posted with an update! Thanks

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tb01 | @tb01 | Sep 21, 2023
In reply to @julbpat "Sorry, I wasn't clear. When I'm dizzy and need to go shopping, I wear my sunglasses..." + (show)
@julbpat

Sorry, I wasn't clear. When I'm dizzy and need to go shopping, I wear my sunglasses inside the stores. And if I need to read a label, I put my reading glasses on top of them! Looks ridiculous but the sunglasses really help the dizziness for some reason.

So I can't believe I never tried meclizine for my dizziness. I think I was afraid it would make me too drowsy, like Benadryl. Today I bought some generic meclizine and took 25 mg. I needed a nap, so did that. Woke up clear-headed, dizziness gone, no grogginess at all! Is this simple miracle really going to help me? Unbelievable. I'm going to do some experiments with it over the next few days. Today I was dizzy on and off, felt really terrible. 1.5 hours after meclezine, and a nap, I feel fine.

Thanks so much for sharing this! I'll keep you guys posted! And yes, I can get a prescription if I need one.

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Meclizine 25mg does need RX; not sure re Antivert 25mg, but think it does also; Bonine 25mg is over the counter but more expensive as your RX can be in a larger amount. I don't find that either makes me sleepy. Maybe if I read either might, but if I am busy, they don't. Yes, sometimes I do take a nap too and feel great afterward. Glad it helps you. Dizziness isn't fun, especially if you have stairs like I do. Be well, Trish

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tb01 | @tb01 | Sep 21, 2023

Atmospheric pressure (weather changes) can be a factor. It is for me and light changes, flashing lights - like riding thru the woods with the sun low in the sky that makes flashing lights. Try not to turn direction too rapidly. Maybe stop, then turn to a different isle when shopping, looking at the shelves with too many objects makes me dizzy. I just stop looking. T

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julbpat | @julbpat | Sep 22, 2023

It’s nice to find a clan of fellow dizziness sufferers.
Here is my meclizine report. Yesterday morning I took it before any signs of dizziness. I did fine. No dizziness developed, no groggy feeling.
However … I have dry mouth and eyes, part of the autonomic portion of my SFN. I use Restasis eye drops, and take pilocarpine 5 mg prn, usually 3 times/day. Yesterday I had not taken my pilocarpine. Within 15 minutes of the meclizine, my mouth was completely parched. I was trying to make a phone call, and my tongue felt like a piece of wood! I even bit my tongue. I had already had at least 24 oz/water, so not related to thirst. It just dried up that already dry mouth.
Today I will take the pilocarpine first, and have my dry mouth spray on hand.
There are other “ warnings” on the meclizine label, but I’m just really excited about this possible solution. I can go to 9 am church without staggering to my pew!

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1 reply
robindancer5678 | @robindancer5678 | Sep 23, 2023
In reply to @jeffrapp "My diagnosis is idiopathic small fiber peripheral neuropathy, which is generally a purely sensory problem. However,..." + (show)
@jeffrapp

My diagnosis is idiopathic small fiber peripheral neuropathy, which is generally a purely sensory problem. However, nothing regarding PN is simple, and I believe it is possible to also have autonomic symptoms with this diagnosis, especially as the disease progresses.
I too have dizziness, but I believe it is probably due to orthostatic hypotension, which means one's blood pressure drops when standing up. I have high blood pressure (HBP), for which I am taking 2 medications. My blood pressure is a little difficult to control (which may be due to PN, or not), so sometimes it is a bit too low, which results in the orthostatic hypotension noted above. When dizzy upon standing, I have measured my blood pressure, and found it low.
If you also have PN and HBP with occasional dizziness when standing, I suggest you discuss this with your PCP. It may be possible to help this problem with an adjustment of your HBP meds.
As an aside, there is a difference between dizziness (feeling faint) and vertigo (a sense that your surroundings are spinning around you). This should also be discussed with your PCP to start. No need to see a specialist unless referred.
Hope this helps.

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Thanks for helping me to distinguish dizziness from vertigo. It feels better to recognize that I don’t feel weak or like I am in danger of passing out and that the room moving is just vertigo.

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1 reply
robindancer5678 | @robindancer5678 | Sep 23, 2023
In reply to @ray666 "This has turned out to be a thought-provoking discussion. I, too, wear progressive lenses, and I,..." + (show)
@ray666

This has turned out to be a thought-provoking discussion. I, too, wear progressive lenses, and I, too, had been growing impatient with my optician. I'd tell him my lenses are "not too bad" for reading and "maybe could still be better" for driving; never once, though, did I consider that wearing these same progressive lenses while I'm just going about my day could be aggravating my wobbly walk. This discussion has got me thinking … –Ray (@ray666)

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Thanks to this discussion I have trying out the idea of not wearing my progressive lenses while walking. Much better!

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