Balance issues and some other weird symptoms :(

Hi everyone,
I’ll try to explain my situation as clearly as I can...
In the past, I dealt with a brutal combination of depression and health anxiety, accompanied by intense restlessness and panic attacks. I was stuck in a place where I couldn't access medication, which made it a living hell. Once I finally started treatment, the side effects were overwhelming—dizziness, blurred vision, disorientation, you name it. After a long, exhausting battle, though, I fully recovered. I felt like my old self again.
That history is important context for what I'm facing now. My current issue started after I returned home from the World Handball Championship in America... I caught a severe flu with a high fever, and ever since, the dizziness hasn't left. I experience bouts of near-fainting, a constant sense of swaying, and even nystagmus. I've run every test imaginable—blood work, thyroid panels, visual field tests, CT scans... everything comes back normal. I tried taking 1.5mg of Bromazepam, and it actually cleared my head somewhat. Does that suggest this might be psychological, given my history? I also tried hitting the gym hard, but that just made things worse. Now, my legs feel like rubber, or like I'm walking on sponge. When I lift my head, it feels like my entire body shifts upward. When I'm sitting down, it feels like I'm perched on something bouncy, moving up and down. Everything is blurry. It's a miserable sensation, and it's been going on for two and a half months. I'm at a loss. Part of me wants to jump straight back onto antidepressants since this could be psychosomatic, and frankly, this whole ordeal has pushed me back into a depressive state...
Does anyone know if neurological vertigo can cause nystagmus?
Regarding medication, I tried Struergan Forte (nothing worked), and now I've started taking Ginkgo.
If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, please let me know...
Help me out, people. 😕

Karen Anderson6 said:Hi everyone,
I’ll try to explain my situation as clearly as I can...
In the past, I dealt with a brutal combination of depression and health anxiety, accompanied by intense restlessness and panic attacks. I was stuck in a place where I couldn't access medication, which made it a living hell. Once I finally started treatment, the side effects were overwhelming—dizziness, blurred vision, disorientation, you name it. After a long, exhausting battle, though, I fully recovered. I felt like my old self again.
That history is important context for what I'm facing now. My current issue started after I returned home from the World Handball Championship in America... I caught a severe flu with a high fever, and ever since, the dizziness hasn't left. I experience bouts of near-fainting, a constant sense of swaying, and even nystagmus. I've run every test imaginable—blood work, thyroid panels, visual field tests, CT scans... everything comes back normal. I tried taking 1.5mg of Bromazepam, and it actually cleared my head somewhat. Does that suggest this might be psychological, given my history? I also tried hitting the gym hard, but that just made things worse. Now, my legs feel like rubber, or like I'm walking on sponge. When I lift my head, it feels like my entire body shifts upward. When I'm sitting down, it feels like I'm perched on something bouncy, moving up and down. Everything is blurry. It's a miserable sensation, and it's been going on for two and a half months. I'm at a loss. Part of me wants to jump straight back onto antidepressants since this could be psychosomatic, and frankly, this whole ordeal has pushed me back into a depressive state...
Does anyone know if neurological vertigo can cause nystagmus?
Regarding medication, I tried Struergan Forte (nothing worked), and now I've started taking Ginkgo.
If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, please let me know...
Help me out, people. 😕

The Balance Center deals with the inner ear... hm, have you had that checked out yet?

Angela Wright said:The Balance Center deals with the inner ear... hm, have you had that checked out yet?

I saw an ENT... he gave me a quick glance and insisted it was just a virus. He told me to take Ginkgo and massage my neck with brandy morning and night... but I’m seeing zero improvement.
What specific tests should I be looking into regarding the middle ear?
And could this result in permanent damage?

I am not sure how much insight I can offer, but I have been dealing with this exact issue—or one very similar—for about eighteen months now. Personally, I am quite convinced this all stems from psychological trauma, though the specialists at the Audiology Clinic immediately diagnosed me with nerve damage in my middle (or perhaps inner) ear. They prescribed Meclis, which is quite expensive here at $37 per pack, and some B vitamins. The frustrating part is how agonizingly slow the recovery is. Even after a year and a half, I still deal with that nauseating sensation of the ground disappearing beneath my feet, and on certain days, full-blown vertigo. I have undergone every conceivable test, from MRIs to various specialized exams at the Audiology Clinic, even looking into things completely unrelated to the ear. My conclusion—which seems to be shared by others facing this same struggle—is that the only real remedy is time. Unfortunately, it requires a massive amount of it... For the first few months, I couldn't even get out of bed because the spinning was so intense. Not long ago, I didn't even dare leave the house alone; I had become entirely dependent on having someone by my side at all times. Things have improved slightly, but I wouldn't call myself "well." And as for the fact that I've recently started taking anti-anxiety medication just to cope... well, let's just leave it at that.

I’ve been dealing with pretty much the same thing for about a year and a half now. Brain fog, this constant weakness, feeling like I’m about to pass out or just totally unsteady... It's driving me insane and making it impossible to function normally. I went through every single test imaginable, and everything came back fine, except for some minor issues with my cervical spine. It’s honestly debilitating. I used to take something to calm down, but now I’ve moved on to antidepressants because I’m just feeling so low. High-key anxiety,

Daniel Edwards11 said:I am not sure how much insight I can offer, but I have been dealing with this exact issue—or one very similar—for about eighteen months now. Personally, I am quite convinced this all stems from psychological trauma, though the specialists at the Audiology Clinic immediately diagnosed me with nerve damage in my middle (or perhaps inner) ear. They prescribed Meclis, which is quite expensive here at $37 per pack, and some B vitamins. The frustrating part is how agonizingly slow the recovery is. Even after a year and a half, I still deal with that nauseating sensation of the ground disappearing beneath my feet, and on certain days, full-blown vertigo. I have undergone every conceivable test, from MRIs to various specialized exams at the Audiology Clinic, even looking into things completely unrelated to the ear. My conclusion—which seems to be shared by others facing this same struggle—is that the only real remedy is time. Unfortunately, it requires a massive amount of it... For the first few months, I couldn't even get out of bed because the spinning was so intense. Not long ago, I didn't even dare leave the house alone; I had become entirely dependent on having someone by my side at all times. Things have improved slightly, but I wouldn't call myself "well." And as for the fact that I've recently started taking anti-anxiety medication just to cope... well, let's just leave it at that.

Ah, anxiety...:-( It seems everyone gets slapped with that diagnosis just because doctors lack a clever response... while those of us dealing with vertigo feel miserable every single day... I actually went to pick up my Helix today, and honestly, I felt incredibly embarrassed to even mention it to my doctor, but what can you do when things are finally starting to improve?😲 No matter how much he insisted I couldn't possibly become addicted to such mild medication, please... spare me the lecture. Today, I was actually feeling quite happy because I managed to make it downtown all by myself, see the doctor, and stroll through the streets without feeling like the world was spinning out of control. Wow... I suppose I should be celebrating the fact that I’ve had one decent day (after eighteen months of misery):-( I completely understand where you're coming from; there is nothing worse than trying to explain this sensation to people, describing what it feels like to constantly live like some kind of zombie... hang in there.

For real. People are constantly checking in on me, asking how I'm doing, but I haven't been able to tell them "I'm fine" or "I feel good" for a single day in the last year and a half. Every single day is the same grind. Sometimes it's a total nightmare, sometimes it's slightly less bad, but it's never actually normal.

Daniel Edwards11 said:Ah, anxiety...:-( It seems everyone gets slapped with that diagnosis just because doctors lack a clever response... while those of us dealing with vertigo feel miserable every single day... I actually went to pick up my Helix today, and honestly, I felt incredibly embarrassed to even mention it to my doctor, but what can you do when things are finally starting to improve?😲 No matter how much he insisted I couldn't possibly become addicted to such mild medication, please... spare me the lecture. Today, I was actually feeling quite happy because I managed to make it downtown all by myself, see the doctor, and stroll through the streets without feeling like the world was spinning out of control. Wow... I suppose I should be celebrating the fact that I’ve had one decent day (after eighteen months of misery):-( I completely understand where you're coming from; there is nothing worse than trying to explain this sensation to people, describing what it feels like to constantly live like some kind of zombie... hang in there.

Chloe Garcia10, are you working right now? I was just about to take my professional certification exam when this all started, so I ended up in a total fog. I had everything else finished, leaving just that one stupid test😢but it never crossed my mind that this would drag on like this, or that it wouldn't even be a matter of studying... Everyone keeps telling me to just "get through it" and start working, claiming I'll eventually "forget" about it... FORGET??!! I’d love to know how they plan on "forgetting" this constant, nagging sensation... though I really do want to get back to work. I've had enough of being a burden to everyone around me👎

Yeah, I’ve got a job. This whole mess started while I was out on maternity leave. I came back to work nine months in, and honestly? Every morning when I get out of bed, I just feel sick to my stomach thinking about heading into the office. I spend the entire day there completely tense, just waiting for something bad to happen.
Usually, I’m a pretty upbeat person, but I’m terrified this anxiety is going to spiral into full-blown depression. The only place I actually feel safe and comfortable is at home, which makes me want to just stop leaving the house altogether. I know people say you need time, that you have to be patient or just "learn to live with it," but let me tell you—that is incredibly hard. Just like you mentioned, the only thing that actually takes the edge off for me is taking anti-anxiety meds for a little temporary relief.
Ugh, I bet I’m being super exhausting to myself and everyone else right now.

Chloe Garcia10, man, look at us—stuck in the same boat. Honestly, I feel like I’m constantly on a rocking ship or something. It all kicked off when my inner ear started acting up, which spiraled into panic attacks and total hypochondria. My ear is mostly fine now, but that dizzy, swaying feeling just won't quit. I’ve done an EEG, went to the Audiology Clinic, even had scans on my neck—everything came back normal, except for some minor neck issues. This Saturday, I’m seeing a specialist about my sinuses because some imaging looks weird and my nose has been stuffed for months. And you know what's wild? When people ask how I am, I haven't been able to say "I'm good" in months. Plus, I'm trying to get pregnant soon, and I have zero clue how I'll manage being pregnant like this. How am I supposed to handle a baby if I can't even handle myself?

Kenneth Edwards13 said:Chloe Garcia10, man, look at us—stuck in the same boat. Honestly, I feel like I’m constantly on a rocking ship or something. It all kicked off when my inner ear started acting up, which spiraled into panic attacks and total hypochondria. My ear is mostly fine now, but that dizzy, swaying feeling just won't quit. I’ve done an EEG, went to the Audiology Clinic, even had scans on my neck—everything came back normal, except for some minor neck issues. This Saturday, I’m seeing a specialist about my sinuses because some imaging looks weird and my nose has been stuffed for months. And you know what's wild? When people ask how I am, I haven't been able to say "I'm good" in months. Plus, I'm trying to get pregnant soon, and I have zero clue how I'll manage being pregnant like this. How am I supposed to handle a baby if I can't even handle myself?

Hello,
I thought I should chime in and ask whether you've considered if your issues with the Balance Center might actually be linked to your thyroid.

Thyroid shouldn't mess with the Balance Center. As long as you're on Synthroid, things should be fine. Maybe that swaying feeling is just a panic attack?

It has been two years since my thyroid surgery, and about a year ago, I began experiencing significant changes—specifically, intense bouts of dizziness that were truly unsettling. It reached a point where a sense of dread became deeply ingrained in my psyche; I was genuinely afraid to venture out alone. While I can somewhat manage that persistent, nauseating sensation of swaying, things become much more difficult when my equilibrium is severely disrupted, as the nausea follows closely behind. For the past twelve months, I have been taking Meclis along with Vitamin B, which has provided some relief. However, the staff at the Audiology Clinic initially suggested my balance would stabilize within three to five weeks, yet after that period passed, they revised their estimate to roughly six months. I am due for a follow-up appointment soon to reassess the situation. Has anyone else here dealt with nausea accompanying these symptoms?

The other day, I underwent a nuclear thyroid scan, and the physician informed me that my current condition is entirely a consequence of hyperthyroidism.

I get nauseous all the time—but then again, I’ve got heartburn constantly too, so maybe it’s just my stomach acting up? Who knows.

I've been dealing with constant nausea for the last two weeks.

I don't think I've ever experienced an intense episode, maybe once or twice during this long stretch, but nothing catastrophic. What’s much more debilitating is this lack of self-confidence and feeling unsteady on my feet. And just like you, >, I used to be an optimist—someone who was always up for anything—but now I’m constantly gripped by cramps and find myself wanting nothing more than to stay home... I can't tell you how many times I forced myself to go out just because my boyfriend refused to leave the house without me, causing us to miss out on so many gatherings :-( If only I had been brave enough to go, or if I hadn't preferred lying on the couch instead... I truly hope we all start feeling better soon. Because no matter how trivial it sounds when we say we feel "dizzy," we know exactly how devastating it actually is.

My dear friends, I find myself at a loss for words regarding my current situation; since Tuesday, I have been plagued by constant nausea, heartburn, and diarrhea, not to mention the dizziness, which I hardly dare to mention. Consequently, I decided yesterday to contact the Audiology Clinic to seek their guidance on how to proceed, as I am quite perplexed as to how my equilibrium could have been disrupted once again. To my utter dismay, the representative simply informed me that this is merely due to the heat, warned me strictly against going out into the sun, and suggested I wait for the nausea to subside before attempting an appointment. I share her apprehension about venturing outside alone, but what I find most unbearable is riding the bus during rush hour; even in this state, I wouldn't dream of driving a car. It truly leaves me with the distinct impression that no one understands my struggle, almost as if they believe I am making it all up.

Look, I’ve been exactly where you are. I went through those same issues myself, though thankfully they've subsided into less frequent episodes. In the past, I’ve dealt with my fair share of psychological struggles, but nothing ever hit quite like this. About two months ago, I woke up with this absolutely terrifying vertigo—the kind where you literally cannot walk or even lie down without feeling like the world is spinning out of control. It lasted for ten grueling hours before finally letting up, but since then? I’ve spent weeks feeling just as awful as you described. It’s this nauseating sensation, like my body is made of rubber, or like I’m constantly being pulled to the left, or just sinking into the floor. And don't even get me started on the panic attacks that come riding right alongside the dizziness. I've been through the ringer with specialists: I saw an orthopedic surgeon, an ENT (though I couldn't even stomach the vestibular testing), and had both an EEG and a brain MRI. Everything came back completely normal. Nothing. So, I eventually started physical therapy, and somehow, things have stabilized a bit. I feel better, but I still struggle—especially when the weather gets warm, which seems to trigger it. Honestly? I’m starting to think this whole thing is psychosomatic.

Heat? It certainly isn't doing any favors for an already fragile balance. I was never much of a summer person to begin with, but now things have taken a turn for the worse... If I do find myself heading toward the coast, it will be in the late evening once the sun has lost its bite. I've never had much use for direct sunlight anyway (sunbathing was never really my thing). To my fellow travelers out there: hang in there. It is clear we possess enough resilience to endure this prolonged stretch... People often tell me that you could never tell just by looking at me that I'm struggling, which I suppose is a compliment to my resolve. As for those who think we are merely making excuses... well, we know the truth. And frankly, their opinions are irrelevant. Stay strong and keep the faith that things will improve:-