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.

@abaade

I have almost identical symptoms. After a battery of tests in my home state and no answers I finally got some from Mayo. I go back in April for another round of consultation and tests. I am also seeking answers on how to stop the dizziness, vertigo feeling and head pressure. I am working. But having my grandkids (1 and 2 years old) by myself makes me nervous. I never know when it's going to hit.

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Weird symptoms for sure. I am still off balance which is annoying, and I also have, at times when tired, what I call a heavy head feeling. Feels better with head back or chin on chest...resting head. Only words I can come up with, did not have it in pre-covid. I had this during Covid and still experience it at times but not as much. Could be vestibular disorder which if it is, hoping it will clear up over time. Good luck in April.

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@njed

Weird symptoms for sure. I am still off balance which is annoying, and I also have, at times when tired, what I call a heavy head feeling. Feels better with head back or chin on chest...resting head. Only words I can come up with, did not have it in pre-covid. I had this during Covid and still experience it at times but not as much. Could be vestibular disorder which if it is, hoping it will clear up over time. Good luck in April.

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Thank you! One of the problems with getting a diagnosis and answers is that it's so hard to describe something you've never felt. The feeling in my head is the hardest to explain. I have other symptoms that are easy (tingling, burning, goosebump feeling in left leg). Until I started reading some the posts on here I thought I was never going to be taken seriously. My symptoms came at different intervals beginning 4 months after covid and I had none of them while I had covid! I'm glad your symptoms are subsiding.

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@abaade

Thank you! One of the problems with getting a diagnosis and answers is that it's so hard to describe something you've never felt. The feeling in my head is the hardest to explain. I have other symptoms that are easy (tingling, burning, goosebump feeling in left leg). Until I started reading some the posts on here I thought I was never going to be taken seriously. My symptoms came at different intervals beginning 4 months after covid and I had none of them while I had covid! I'm glad your symptoms are subsiding.

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Yes, hard to describe what you've never had before, exactly!! I was in contact with my primary and told her about my heavy head feeling...at first, there was silence. She them said that other patients have told her the same thing, so I guess it is part of the territory in dealing with covid and post-covid. Be well.

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I have the same symptoms of dizziness and nearly debilitating balance problems. I have had these problems for over 3 years and have gone to a bunch of doctors, therapy etc. with no success. Recently I started getting gamma globulin infusions and am waiting to see if that helps. As I try to keep up with the medical literature, I find that there are no known fixes at this time. If anyone has any suggestions, I would love to hear of them.

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I have tried to go to Mayo, but they have rejected my application on 2 occasions. Is there a secret?

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@abaade

I have almost identical symptoms. After a battery of tests in my home state and no answers I finally got some from Mayo. I go back in April for another round of consultation and tests. I am also seeking answers on how to stop the dizziness, vertigo feeling and head pressure. I am working. But having my grandkids (1 and 2 years old) by myself makes me nervous. I never know when it's going to hit.

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I have the head pressure as well. Worsens with standing and movement. This is a new symptom for me. Have had debilitating LC symptoms for years. Am in a terrible flare right now. I agree, it comes on without much warning.

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@kentkemmerling1949

I have tried to go to Mayo, but they have rejected my application on 2 occasions. Is there a secret?

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Have you tried scheduling an appointment? Or you filled out paperwork for the clinic? I was able to get an appointment with neurology who then referred me to the clinic.

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My GP seems to know nothing about long Covid and will try somethings that seem appropriate.

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I filled out the applications on their web site and submitted it to the Minneapolis site and to the Florida location and was rejected from both. That has been several months ago, so maybe I should try again.

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@kentkemmerling1949

I filled out the applications on their web site and submitted it to the Minneapolis site and to the Florida location and was rejected from both. That has been several months ago, so maybe I should try again.

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Did they give you a reason? I'm not applying because everything I read is that LC can only be treated symptomatically (which I am) as there's no treatment yet for long covid. So, I'm really curious if they gave you a reason.

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