Dizziness & Vertigo Support Group

Yowza. I had maybe 2 panic attacks before the vertigo -- it's a dreadful feeling (brought on by reflux discomfort once and then an SSRI side effect).

I had several in the early months of dealing with the vertigo. (Probably will again, too.) Its like a physical manifestation of a stress-induced kind of thing. Very much feels to me like I'm having a heart attack or something. And it seems silly after it goes away in half an hour or so, but I did call 911 (so embarassing) -- twice if I remember. And had an EKG or whatever that test was. Nothin; better than normal.

How can you (me, that is) not be stressed out when you feel like you're falling down all day long? And when you eventually get through your day; you go to sleep and wake up, and probably you're like, "Well, how cruddy will it be today? Please, please get better." But here comes dizzy-head again. Then you start wondering if it will ever go away. And how can you possibly live like this forever? "My job, my healthcare, finances, family and dreams..." all getting out of sorts and on the verge of being lost because of an "ear problem?" "I'm tired all the time, from thinking about it and from just trying to stand up and do things that normal people do. And I don't know why this keeps coming back. Is it me? Am I doing something wrong? What else I can do, and who am I supposed to turn to next?"

Of course it's nerve-wracking and wearing us out.

I don't think folks typically die from adrenaline rushes, so I just try to recognize it for what it is. Try to breathe and calm down, maybe pace around to keep busy. And, hopefully, I can grab someone who will stay with me on the phone or in person till it fades back to normal.

Too often now, it is tough to know what is a "real" sensation. But I do keep having hope every day. It will be figured out soon: It has to. I just reel in the number of things I can handle, cut back on commitments and expectations, aim for smaller accomplishments, and keep trying something different till I can get it figured out. It's "me time" because I'm not much good till I get adjusted.

I think agree, the anxiety is a pretty logical reaction. Sometimes it's hard to tell if the anxiety causes the dizziness or vice versa or whether they come together naturally. When your brain's sensory system is on the fritz it's so difficult to trust or judge your body or your own judgement (ie am I on a catamaran or is my brain short circuiting again?!) What can give you more reason for anxiety than that? And it does impact choices of job, social, basically everything...depending of course on how frequent or severe someone experiences it.

Thanks, guys. You are both right. :)

I really appreciate hearing your stories. I mean, this is so strange and isolating....there is such comfort in sharing.

This week I am trying a few new things: Tai-chi, niacin-rich foods, and melatonin at night, so that I can actually sleep a bit.

Nights are the worst, right??? Ugh!

Yeah, nights can be rough. Not only is it frustrating and the most isolating (one of the times you really can't call people) but you know what staying up will be paid for later on in the day. I've found that a combination of things need to be done for me to have the right conditions to sleep (and still no guarantees with our brains,right?) No eating after dinner, no heavy dinners, no liquids 2 hours before bed, no alcohol, no caffeine during the day, any exercise done at least 4 hours before, no tv while in bed, same goes for computer...it gets to be routine over time. And if I wake up in the night I have things I recite to myself so that I can think about my mantra, instead of how upset I am to be awake...sometimes I just accept that I won't sleep that night and agree with myself to just relax and rest as best I can- better than nothing, right? This part is probably the hardest as you have to battle a ruminating mind. I still struggle with this. I experimented with different dosages of melatonin and I found that a smaller dose was actually more effective (and it was the ones that melt under your tongue, not the type you swallow). Good luck in your venture!

hi Kathleen. I am in my mid 40s, experienced my first vertigo attack one month ago. it took me a week to recover from it. It came back and has been lingering for nearly two weeks now. I also experienced the very first panic attack in my life last week (heart palpitation, hot flushes, cold sweats, shortness of breath), I came in a hospital by an ambulance. As I wasn't worrying or stressed about anything, have been playing tennis & running a few times a week. Physically I feel very fit (before the vertigo attacks) mentally I feel very well most of the time. That's why I had trouble believing that it was a panic attack. I am so relieved to hear that it comes with vertigo, that means I am not having a heart disease (something to be grateful about). Next time the panic attack comes (not that I am hoping for it), at least I know that it is not life threatening. Thanks everyone for sharing your experience. Yesterday I had an Epley maneuver and it helped. I am doing Brandt Daroff exercise twice a day, will let you know if it works.

warmest regards
Hannah

Hi KRachel, It's been more then a month, How are you feeling so far?

I know this post is over a month old but I need to write. I too have the same feeling of not knowing if what I have is vertigo or if my anxieties are the ones messing with me. I was told in 2004 I have positional vertigo but the Dx was given to me by the symptoms I explained to the doctor not by test they took since those came out negative. Not so long ago I had a really bad Panic Attack that sent me to the ER and while there doctors took several test including EKG and a Ct Scan and all came back negative, so they determine that what I had was psychological. But even seeing on paper that all blood work, scans, ekg, ect came back normal I still think I have something bad because I continue to get dizzy. Now, could it be that because I know the feeling of getting dizzy that I already anticipate it and my body and mind prefers to prepare for it? That is what my husband thinks, that I do this to my self and that I need to stop thinking that at anytime I will get dizzy or else I will not lead a normal life.

I think what @hotdogdog said is all true and is exacly how I feel. I am tired of dealing with this and I terribly miss my old self. I stop driving since 2004 and my husband drives me where ever I need to go but even though I know he does it with all he'e heart I like being independent and doing my own things but sadly haven't done that since 2004.