Why am I dizzy all of a sudden?

[David]

I had a dizzy spell last year a few days after getting back from vacation. It wasn't like vertigo with the room spinning and it wasn't like being light headed when you stand up too quickly, this was like being stumbling drunk. I had to hold on to a wall or I thought i was going to fall down. When it didn't get better in an hour or so went to the emergency room. They checked for heart attack, stroke and did a CT scan of my brain. They found nothing and the dizziness went away in a few hours. The ER dr suggested I see a neurologist.

First I saw an Ear, Nose and Throat dr to see if it was an inner ear issue. He ran a hearing test, a vertigo test, looked in my ears, asked me about the symptoms and said it wasn't an ear issue.

Next I saw a neurologist. He looked at the CT scan and said my brain looked normal for a 57 year old. He even asked what I do for a living. I said I'm an engineer and he said that makes sense, I have an engineer's brain . He said my height (6'2") and ago (57) could be a problem as tall people have circulation issues. He did an EEG with things stuck all over my head and said it was normal. Then had an MRI done of my brain and he said it was normal. He gave me a vertigo drug to take if I got dizzy again. He said even though the ENT dr said I don't have a vertigo, if the drug makes me less dizzy, it's likely a neurological problem but if it makes me feel no change or worse, it's likely a heart issue. I took the drug next time I was dizzy and felt no change.

Finally I saw my cardiologist. He did a stress test, EKG and week long heart monitor sticker on my chest thing. Everything came back fine.

So now what? It only happens every month or so. I thought it could be hydration so I'm drinking more water but then I got dizzy again on Monday.

[cabmandone]

I'd get second opinions on all the above. Something like a drop in blood pressure is causing it. Any meds or supplements?

[berettafan]

I did a stress test a few years back. Doc supervising told me passing doesn't mean you won't drop dead on your way to the car after.

I know that's not encouraging but based on my experience the stress test is not the final word on heart health. At least as i understand it.

[Oracle]

I have that a few times a year. It turned out to be little stones build up in my ear canal. I have to dislodge them using the Epley maneuver (https://www.webmd.com/brain/home-remedies-vertigo).
Usually the body dissolves the little stones on time, for me sometimes the body takes a bit longer hence the dizziness.

The symptoms are dizziness but in my case the spinning is always clockwise. When I explained that to the Dr. she was really excited cause apparently she learned that in Med. school but had never met anyone with that symptom. Its very unusual..

But I know when the dizziness kicks in, whooooo, I'm in for a ride!


good luck.

[Tidybuoy]

I get vertigo every month or so. The Dr. initially prescribed Meclizine which is the exact ingredient in Dramamine. My first case of vertigo (about 25 yrs ago) was the worst and I have since learned how to manage it.

I can always tell when it's going to happen as I tend to get a feeling in my rear neck a day or so before. I take Dramamine and it goes away. I will sometimes trigger a vertigo event by moving my head too quickly (like when changing the oil, or plumbing repair where I have to lay on the ground).

I'm not saying this is your case but letting you know what happens to me. Lastly, vertigo runs in my family with my mom and a few siblings so it might be hereditary.

[masraum]

That would be freaking me out. Many years ago, I got dizzy, and it freaked me out. I'm fairly certain that it was Benign Positional Vertigo.

Have you ever tried the "Epley maneuver" for BPPV when you were having the dizzy spell?
It's free and worth a shot.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Tidybuoy

I will sometimes trigger a vertigo event by moving my head too quickly (like when changing the oil, or plumbing repair where I have to lay on the ground).

I'm not saying this is your case but letting you know what happens to me. Lastly, vertigo runs in my family with my mom and a few siblings so it might be hereditary.

THat sounds like BPPV to me, since it's triggered by position and specific movements. The one instance where I had it was similar. I stepped out of an elevator and turned left quickly, and I am fairly certain that was the trigger for my instance.

Originally Posted by Oracle

I have that a few times a year. It turned out to be little stones build up in my ear canal. I have to dislodge them using the Epley maneuver (https://www.webmd.com/brain/home-remedies-vertigo).

Yep, the positions of the little stones trigger vertigo and the Epley is supposed to restore the position as I understand it.

[David]

I really don't think it's vertigo. There's no spinning just a feeling of being unsteady. Meclizine is what the neurologist prescribed and it didn't stop the dizziness.

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by David

Meclizine is what the neurologist prescribed, and it didn't stop the dizziness.

When I take Meclizine, it takes a couple of days before my vertigo goes away.

Also, many times when I get up in the middle of the night to go pee, I will be a little unsteady for a minute. It's not dizzy in the spinning sense, but off balance. I attribute this to mild allergies as laying down tends to plug me up.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Any chance there’s a food trigger? I’ve learned that certain foods have very predictable adverse effects as I get older.

[BK911]

Parasite!!!

Just a guess.

[masraum]

[David]

You guys are making me feel way better

I'm pretty sure the brain CT scan and MRI can rule out a tumor or parasite!

[masraum]

Originally Posted by David

You guys are making me feel way better

I'm pretty sure the brain CT scan and MRI can rule out a tumor or parasite!

[Bill Douglas]

It might be the solenoid.

I had a similar thing after I'd got food poisoning while on holiday. It went away by itself but I felt a bit woozy for a month or two.

[flipper35]

You haven't bleached your hair have you?

[David]

I ordered an O2 sensor yesterday and have a BP tester. I haven't found a drop in BP but I'll start monitoring more often.

BTW, they also did an echocardiogram on my heart to check valves and all OK.

[brp914]

Originally Posted by berettafan

I did a stress test a few years back. Doc supervising told me passing doesn't mean you won't drop dead on your way to the car after.

In my cpr training the guy said half the time, the first indication of heart trouble is sudden death. Coworker, heavy smoker, was at gas station, filled his tank, sat in his car and died.

[p911dad]

I have had somewhat similar symptoms. My Cardio guy had me take all those tests, along with ultrasound examination of my neck and the arteries. He was looking for a possible blockage, but I was in the clear. i see the neurologist coming up in few weeks. In my case it could just be old age creeping up on me. Good luck!

[masraum]

Originally Posted by David

I ordered an O2 sensor yesterday and have a BP tester. I haven't found a drop in BP but I'll start monitoring more often.

BTW, they also did an echocardiogram on my heart to check valves and all OK.

It's great that all of the tests so far have been negative. You'll figure it out eventually.

Considering where we are "I ordered an O2 sensor yesterday" is a funny mental image. Did you go with a pre-cat or post-cat model?

Presumably you don't notice the dizzy spells associated with any particular activity, timing, emotional state, etc...?

Originally Posted by john70t

Natto found in Asian stores. Taste is unique.

When I was in Japan as a kid, I don't remember ever hearing about, seeing, or smelling natto. I've heard of it since and am curious. Based on what I've seen/heard, I think describing it as "unique" may be a bit of an understatement.