7 month post COVID and dizziness and headaches are getting worse
Hi All. I've tested COVID positive March '23. It hit me hard and it took about 4 weeks to feel somewhat better. I've had bad stomach cramps, a constant headache as well as on/off vertigo afterwards until changed to a gluten free diet. I've also had a persistent skin rash on my shin ever since. The diet change to gluten-free seemed to cure the headache, dizziness as well as stomach cramps. For a while, anyways. The persistent headache returned and for the last 8 weeks I've had a headache 24/7 as well as persistent dizziness. Not full on vertigo, but a constant dizziness. Have any of you found anything that helps with these symptoms? Thanks for the help.
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.
For now whatever pain meds work best for your headaches. However to understand what is happening and why, please see a neurologist. They can best evaluate and advise on what’s going on with your brain. Dizziness is concerning as it could lead to falls. Wishing you a full recovery.
If you haven't, it would be good to check for Meniere disease, which has similar symptoms and is treatable. My sister has it and it is triggered by dairy (and gluten). Checking for celiac is good but you have to be eating gluten for the tests and there are no tests for gluten intolerant (gluten is hidden in a lot of foods and cross contamination can result in your symptoms...and once you go GF you can become more sensitive to the nasty proteins). Regardless, as earlylonghauler suggested, it would be good to get a full medical workup from a specialist soon.
I had dizziness for 3 years. I had CTs of my brain that only showed sinus issues. Then one day I passed out. I went to a neurologist, I had an echocardiogram, nerve conduction studies and a tilt table test. I wore a heart monitor 2 times. I continued to have dizziness and black out with no diagnosis. At the Long COVID clinic, I was diagnosed correctly. I have POTS. I wear an abdominal binder so I can sit and stand with out passing out. It also helps reduce the dizziness. You can wear compression socks, I can't wear the socks due to extreme neuropathy in my right foot. I can't stand anything constricting on my right foot. I would try the abdominal binder or compression socks. Continue to see doctors so they can rule out other health issues. My neuropathy was not correctly diagnosed until the Long COVID clinic ordered a biopsy. The Long COVID clinic has saved me. COVID attacked my autonomic nervous system. I also have Gastroparesis. I have a GI specialist at UVA. I have GERD. I get terrible pain and cramping. I have medicine to help with GERD and one to help with cramping. I also recommend you get into a Long COVID program so they can help you with a plan of action. Good luck!
I also have brain fog, so I hope what I wrote makes sense.