Severe Dizziness and Fatigue

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New member
Hello,

I have been living with severe dizziness and vertigo for about 1.5 years now, with also mild trouble breathing, and just recently back, shoulder and neck pain. I have been to my Primary, an ENT, Cardiologist, and Neurologist so far with no answers. About 1 month ago I came down with a sinus infection, I was given Zithromax for it, and that not only cured my sinus infection, but everything else went away! So I felt better than I had in years, I started running again and everything! Well now all my symptoms (apart from the sinus infection) have come back with a vengence, to the point that I can't function at my job, can't exercise, I can barely walk around the house because I am so dizzy, I even went to the ER last night. The ER told me I have no imminantly life-threatening illness, my vitals are fine, my pulse-ox is 99%, no anemia, nothing else strange in the blood work. I am curious why I felt good for that month, yes I do have anxiety and have for about 5 years but I have xanax for that and it doesn't help what has been going on. I take advair, nexium, allegra, and as needed xanax. Please somebody help, this is very frusterating.

Scott
 
I feel your pain. I have Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, it took years to get a diagnosis, it was very frustrating and still my dizziness and vertigo isn't taken seriously by doctors. Grrr.

It seems you have chronic sinusitis and it's causing your vertigo. I think you need to see a ENT doc again, maybe someone who specializes in vertigo and inner ear or vestibular disorders. Tell the ENT what Zith did for you.

Some rare types of chronic sinusitis can cause Neuritis (inflammation of the vestibulo-cochlear nerve) or Labyrinthitis, a bacterial or viral infection of the inner ear. Since you responded so well on the Zith, it must be bacterial.

Dizziness and vertigo (especially when moving your head sharply) and tinnitus (ringing in the ears) are the main symptoms - but the dizziness caused by Labyrinthitis then goes on to cause other symptoms - mild nausea, a general ill feeling and anxiety.

Either of these infections can resolve on their own, however they may do permanent damage to the nerve or labyrinth causing chronic dizziness (and chronic nausea, malaise and anxiety). It's treated with specialized physical therapy called vestibular rehabilitation exercises.

This webpage has a detailed explanation of balance disorders and their causes: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/balance/balance_disorders.asp
 
Thank you for the info as I am still quite new to this problem. How bad is your dizziness? Does it keep you from performing your job properly? I have worries mainly about this causing a cascade effect on life and yes, unfortunately you are correct, doctors don't take dizziness seriously, AT ALL! I guess if you aren't the person going through it you can't know how severe it is! I was actually given a packet on BPPV the first time I went in for dizziness, but honestly it doesn't really fit, and I think they use BPPV to generalize any condition that causes one to feel dizzy. I am definately going to call my ENT and follow up with the sinitus, that is actually a really good idea that I haven't thought of, he would definately have much more insight to that than a regular doc.

Thank You,
Scott
 
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