Has anyone experienced balance issues after covid

Posted by marog @marog, Apr 19 3:21pm

I had Covid, body aches for 3 days. Recovered and the following week when I got out of bed my whole left side felt like a magnet pulling me back onto the bed. I then got up and had no balance, that was January 9, 2024. I was then very ill with extreme motion sickness and nausea for 48 hours. I still have no balance. No real answers from my doctor. CT scan was good, carotid artery’s healthy, blood pressure excellent. I am 71 and on no medications. PT thought maybe Vestebular Neuritis. Did therapy but no real break thru. I’m looking for answers

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I too have balance issues all the time. sometimes accompanied by feeling dizzy caused by eye movement and bright lights. Am going to a vestibular therapist. No real change. I wish I had some answers, but I wanted to let you know that you are not alone. Good luck

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Thank you for answering. It’s somewhat comforting to know others are experiencing some similar symptoms. So far what I am reading is there is no magic cure but time.

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Not sure that what I had was from Covid but last year I ended up at the hospital 4 days with the same symptoms. I had every test you could have and finally went to pt it did help some but I still have dizzy bouts that absolutely infuriate me. I wish I could say it goes away but for me it had not! Keep a positive attitude it does help

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I have been dealing with this for 8 months where LC has destroyed my balance system along with a bunch of vestibular and neurological zones in my body. And yes, Covid can attack as VN, to understand your situation

1. Did you take the VNG test in order to isolate whether you have BPPV, BVH OR UVH? there are a bunch of tests that can determine your diagnosis
2. If you are lucky, your covid attack resulted in BPPV, in my situation, i was unfortunate and i ended up with BVH (worst of the 3 and I'm only 40)
3. I have been to 10+ hospitals and posted a response a couple months ago on this topic (search under my account)

ps. ENT's are very limited to understanding the association of LC and VN or any vestibular deficit for that matter

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@hypofunction

I have been dealing with this for 8 months where LC has destroyed my balance system along with a bunch of vestibular and neurological zones in my body. And yes, Covid can attack as VN, to understand your situation

1. Did you take the VNG test in order to isolate whether you have BPPV, BVH OR UVH? there are a bunch of tests that can determine your diagnosis
2. If you are lucky, your covid attack resulted in BPPV, in my situation, i was unfortunate and i ended up with BVH (worst of the 3 and I'm only 40)
3. I have been to 10+ hospitals and posted a response a couple months ago on this topic (search under my account)

ps. ENT's are very limited to understanding the association of LC and VN or any vestibular deficit for that matter

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I chose not to take the test. The ENT diagnosis Labyrinthitis. By this this I was diagnosed I just needed to hear any diagnoses lol

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@hypofunction

I have been dealing with this for 8 months where LC has destroyed my balance system along with a bunch of vestibular and neurological zones in my body. And yes, Covid can attack as VN, to understand your situation

1. Did you take the VNG test in order to isolate whether you have BPPV, BVH OR UVH? there are a bunch of tests that can determine your diagnosis
2. If you are lucky, your covid attack resulted in BPPV, in my situation, i was unfortunate and i ended up with BVH (worst of the 3 and I'm only 40)
3. I have been to 10+ hospitals and posted a response a couple months ago on this topic (search under my account)

ps. ENT's are very limited to understanding the association of LC and VN or any vestibular deficit for that matter

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I appreciate your response, however I am unfamiliar with what BPPV,BVH or UVH is.

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Your story caught my eye. I had Covid in December of 2022 and lost my taste and smell. After 3 Stellate Ganglion Block injections, it’s only slightly improved. I also was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism in November of 2022, for which I take Synthroid 100 mcg. In April of 2022, I had 18” of my colon removed due to severe diverticulitis. I was feeling very “unbalanced” after my surgery and have since learned that it’s dehydration. I have been taking an over the counter Electrolyte Drink Mix called LMNT. There is 1000 mg of sodium, 200 mg of potassium and 60 mg of magnesium. It works for me and I do feel better. I ordered it on Amazon. You should also talk to your doctor about supplements. As we age, we need more! Good luck!

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@brwneys39 - do you have mild hearing loss? if not, its not labyrinthitis. If its only tinnitus, it can be a variation of VN, VM or PPPD

@marog, Go to your local ENT and ask for the following

1. To determine if you have BPPV:
Dix-Hallpike maneuver test - this is a very simple test to determine if covid only attacked your inner crystals giving you the imbalance, spinning dizziness feelings etc.

2. To determine if you have BVH or UVH
There are numerous tests for this, but you can start with requesting a calorics test (cheapest) for both left side and right side. There are two types, using water or air. Check back here with the results and i can further guide you on next steps (whether positive or negative because many ENT's unfortunately might dismiss the results not knowing there are more tests that will not present themselves via calorics - i.e false negative )

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Wow. Same exact thing happened to me after my first bout 3/22. All test fine. PT said vestibular neuritis as well. 8 months of therapy didn’t help.
2 subsequent infections, and I’m still experiencing this. Among other neurological symptoms. I know it’s so frustrating. I’ve determined this is part of a chronic disorder now and I just carry on. One day the experts will figure it out. Probably not in our lifetime. I will be 69.
Peace.

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@bmd

Wow. Same exact thing happened to me after my first bout 3/22. All test fine. PT said vestibular neuritis as well. 8 months of therapy didn’t help.
2 subsequent infections, and I’m still experiencing this. Among other neurological symptoms. I know it’s so frustrating. I’ve determined this is part of a chronic disorder now and I just carry on. One day the experts will figure it out. Probably not in our lifetime. I will be 69.
Peace.

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I have had the dizziness and loss if balance that goes along with my chronic congestion since September of 2021.
A subsequent covid infection in February of 2024 had made the congestion worse, which I did not think was possible. This has changed my quality of life. You are not alone.

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