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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.

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kentkemmerling1949 | @kentkemmerling1949 | Nov 17, 2023

I have exactly the same problem, which is probably unrelated. What have you done to improve?

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chrissy2470 | @chrissy2470 | Dec 2, 2023

Hi there.
When i read your post it was if you had written all my symptoms for me.
Unfortunately I am now going on a 1yr & 1/2 long haul covid journey. I have had VNG testing/ many different abnormalities that Not one Dr. Can put a finger on.
I truly feel that covid -19 broke my brain. It sounds awful to say that but the daily struggles to find words that are missing from my mind, to have the constant fear of falling because of dizziness and vertigo (Two different feelings). I'm so clumsy as well.
All I can say is be very kind to yourself and rest when your body says so. I have not found anything that works at this time but will not give up, body needs time to heal❣️

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1 reply
jrg200911 | @jrg200911 | Dec 3, 2023
In reply to @chrissy2470 "Hi there. When i read your post it was if you had written all my symptoms..." + (show)
@chrissy2470

Hi there.
When i read your post it was if you had written all my symptoms for me.
Unfortunately I am now going on a 1yr & 1/2 long haul covid journey. I have had VNG testing/ many different abnormalities that Not one Dr. Can put a finger on.
I truly feel that covid -19 broke my brain. It sounds awful to say that but the daily struggles to find words that are missing from my mind, to have the constant fear of falling because of dizziness and vertigo (Two different feelings). I'm so clumsy as well.
All I can say is be very kind to yourself and rest when your body says so. I have not found anything that works at this time but will not give up, body needs time to heal❣️

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@chrissy2470 I third that. I passed my 3-year anniversary post COVID in September. My heart and lung issues have mostly resolved, but brain fog and dizziness are still very debilitating. I am considered a "fall risk". I was a career bookkeeper and a writer. I considered myself extremely detail-oriented and dependable. Since post COVID I continue to make drastic costly errors in our business and personal bookkeeping. I no longer trust myself. I cannot focus to do any writing. I cannot focus enough to comprehend anything longer than a short article. I feel I sound like a bumbling idiot when I attempt conversations. Yes, hang in there. There is life while having chronic conditions - it just may be different than before. We humans are more resilient than we may think.

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2 replies
lindalk | @lindalk | Dec 3, 2023

Have you had an MRI of the brain to rule out small strokes? I found out in December 2021 I had had two small strokes, one in my cerebellum the other in the right caudate nucleus. The stroke in the cerebellum caused my unsteadiness and I the other my weakness in the muscles and the clumsiness in my hands. then on Jan 21, 2022 I woke up and told my husband think I am feeling better. That evening my husband said he wasn't feeling well , the next day he said "I think my taste is off". I took him right away to get tested for covid. On Jan 25 the test came back positive and that evening I became sick. I took a test but mine came back negative? Anyway to make a very long story short I did have covid and now I have long covid. I will soon be 79 but still hope everyday the scientists will figure all this and will come up with a solution for the dizziness and fatigue. If I can hope so can you youngins, so never lose hope and don't give up.

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Diba7290 | @dianabajandas72 | Dec 4, 2023
In reply to @jrg200911 "@chrissy2470 I third that. I passed my 3-year anniversary post COVID in September. My heart and..." + (show)
@jrg200911

@chrissy2470 I third that. I passed my 3-year anniversary post COVID in September. My heart and lung issues have mostly resolved, but brain fog and dizziness are still very debilitating. I am considered a "fall risk". I was a career bookkeeper and a writer. I considered myself extremely detail-oriented and dependable. Since post COVID I continue to make drastic costly errors in our business and personal bookkeeping. I no longer trust myself. I cannot focus to do any writing. I cannot focus enough to comprehend anything longer than a short article. I feel I sound like a bumbling idiot when I attempt conversations. Yes, hang in there. There is life while having chronic conditions - it just may be different than before. We humans are more resilient than we may think.

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I am on a medication for ADD (Adderall) and I have seen some improvement. Right now I am waiting to find the right dose that will help me more. My psychiatrist prescribed this medication and there is already a diagnostic code for this fogginess or lack of consentration due to Covid. So this gave me a little hope, it means that at least the health insurance companies are seeing the consequences of Covid in some persons.

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1 reply
law59 | @law59 | Dec 4, 2023
In reply to @dianabajandas72 "I am on a medication for ADD (Adderall) and I have seen some improvement. Right now..." + (show)
@dianabajandas72

I am on a medication for ADD (Adderall) and I have seen some improvement. Right now I am waiting to find the right dose that will help me more. My psychiatrist prescribed this medication and there is already a diagnostic code for this fogginess or lack of consentration due to Covid. So this gave me a little hope, it means that at least the health insurance companies are seeing the consequences of Covid in some persons.

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Hi @dianabajandas72
Could you share that ICD diagnostic code for fogginess/lack of concentration as my medical records and health care system don’t appear to have it and sure many of us could benefit from its presence to seek appropriate care🌈

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Diba7290 | @dianabajandas72 | Dec 5, 2023

My doctor has those codes. I don't have access to an ICD-10 but you can ask your provider.

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nancypants | @nancypants | Jan 4 10:35am
In reply to @emae "I’ve been going to an ENT and physical therapist for 4 months (dizziness and vertigo for..." + (show)
@emae

I’ve been going to an ENT and physical therapist for 4 months (dizziness and vertigo for 5 months). I’m better, but have a residual feeling of disequilibrium with all head movements and occasional waves of dizziness after lying down. CT and MRI show no central nervous system cause. In a couple of weeks the ENT will have her audiologist give me a VNG test that is suppose to better pinpoint the cause of dizziness. I’m hoping it gives my treatment team info that will be helpful.

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all my tests have come back normal. doctor wants me to start vestibular PT and Lexapro. Do you definitely think the PT helped?

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nancypants | @nancypants | Jan 4 10:39am

all of my testing has come back normal. I am wondering if taking an antiviral med would combat some of this and take away the lightheadedness/dizziness. have you tried that or PT? If feeling better, could you relay how long it took to feel better?

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nancypants | @nancypants | Jan 4 10:58am
In reply to @wisfamily "I had severe Covid in Dec 2020 and again in Sept 2021. I have to say..." + (show)
@wisfamily

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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how long for your vertigo to improve?

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