Dizziness Problems

[Ivo]

Hi,

During the last 36 hours or so, I have been suffering from dizziness and convulsions on and off with no advance waring. All it takes is for me to look up and suddenly it feels like my head is spinning. I have also developed a (dissipating) earache. And this isn't the first time I've had this problem either. In the past I have also suffered from seizure-like episodes, but have never had a complete black-out. This feeling often precedes said episodes.

Does anyone know what this might be? I am of the opinion that I have a minor of epilepsy, whose name eludes me (it begins with "J" I think), but this has always been ignored with no actual tests done on the grounds that I can get migraines.

 

[theblackwatch]

Get yourself to the Doctor rather than asking the 'experts' on here. I'm serious, not saying this in a fun way.

 

[HST Power]

Hi,

During the last 36 hours or so, I have been suffering from dizziness and convulsions on and off with no advance waring. All it takes is for me to look up and suddenly it feels like my head is spinning. I have also developed a (dissipating) earache. And this isn't the first time I've had this problem either. In the past I have also suffered from seizure-like episodes, but have never had a complete black-out. This feeling often precedes said episodes.

For ear ache, you can try pouring olive oil or ear drops in your ear if the pain persists. I have a slight case of tinnitus, and it can be a nightmare dealing with sometimes. If you are getting headaches and seizures, stay away from the computer. Get resting and don't come on the PC until you are better. Staying on it will not help, I can bear witness.

I recommend you see the Doctor.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Indeed - diagnosing yourself on line is the worst thing to do. See a doctor or medical expert ASAP.

 

[Geezertronic]

have you been the Docs? Sounds like you need to. Also get bloods done to eliminate sugar levels etc...

I have to have bloods done every so often because of a liver complaint. I also got asked if I was diabetic by a friend with Type 1 because apparently I drink water/cordial like it's going out of fashion as I get thirsty frequently.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Get yourself to the Doctor rather than asking the 'experts' on here. I'm serious, not saying this in a fun way.

Agreed. Don't pour olive oil in your eat or anything, get yourself to a doctor. Put it this way, if I was on duty as a First Aider presented with someone with dizziness and convulsions I'd want you in hospital to see the professionals immediately.

 

[Ivo]

I haven't been able to leave the house today because everyone else seems to have lost their keys

I just called the GP Out-of-Hours thing, and they have suggested that I have something called Viral Labyrinthitis. Being in front of a screen would make no odds to this; it is an inflammation of the middle/inner ear and which would obvious cause balance problems. I can always cause a brief episode of tinnitus, and it certainly feels as though I am going through a phase of that at present.

 

[CarterUSM]

And try not to worry too much if you can help it. Let the doc do his job. Or her, for that matter.

 

[43106]

Everyone's got it right - go see your quack.
From personal experience, it MIGHT be Labyrinthitis, where there is a virus in one of the balance canals. You can get tablets for it, but they just stop you throwing up when you turn your head. An outside possibility is Meniere's Syndrome, which my Dad had - that's an affliction that also affects all 3 canals in BOTH balance organs.
I've said it before - see your doc. If you think it warrants it, go to the nearest A&E hospital department.

Good luck.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Yes, get yourself seen by your GP asap.

The dizziness, especially if it is vertigo like, does suggest an inner ear problem - I should know; it's a common side effect of having a cochlear implant fitted and I did get it myself for a couple of weeks after the operation ( which does mess around with the inner ear ).

Not sure what you mean by "seizure like symptoms" but I can tell you that apart from her eyesight problem mentioned on another thread my wife is epileptic and she doesn't get dizziness / vertigo in advance of a fit; the warning sign of a fit is more like the sensation you might get if you get up too quickly and start losing vision and you feel a bit wobly at the same time.

But that doesn't mean you shouldn't get that aspect checked out as well - you must. It may be related to the dizziness, or it may be a second thing manifesting itself; either way only a trained medical team could tell you.

So...

Get in that GP's surgery without delay.

 

[Nick W]

I had this a few months back - it pretty much wasted a whole day. Unless you've recently bumped your head, it's most likely to be viral inflammation. For me it went down in 2 days.

I did book a GP appointment but because of the wonderful policy of the NHS didn't get any medicine until I was pretty much better. In fact I cycled away from the doctor's appointment. It's worth going anyway as he did do a few tests to make sure it wasn't something more serious.

 

[TGV]

How are you now? Feeling any better?

 

[Ivo]

Better, although my ear still hurts (more if anything), and is liable to popping. I can still feel dizzy when when I have to suddenly get up though.

Thank you for asking

 

[theblackwatch]

Have you taken all the advice here and been to the doctor, or ignored it?

 

[Ivo]

I couldn't get an appointment, and by the time one was available it didn't feel bad enough to justify it... not to mention it would have been for 4:30 today when I'm due to meet my brother at 5. I did mention it to the people at Uni when I went there yesterday, and they said that the Out of Hours service was probably right (one of them had had it recently).

If it flares up again though I will be straight on the phone.

 

[HST Power]

Better, although my ear still hurts (more if anything), and is liable to popping. I can still feel dizzy when when I have to suddenly get up though.

I have a very weak case of tinnitus. This basically means that if I sit down in silence, and there is no noise, I have an irritating buzzing/flickering noise in my ear. Thank God I've only got a weak case, as some people have severe tinnitus and can hear the buzzing permanently. I used to get ear ache a lot when I was younger, and I was told by the Doctor to try and pour olive oil or ear drops in my ear twice a day. The Doctor says that if you hear hurts, it's because it's got too much wax in it. I learnt about this in GCSE Physics as well and the teachers said the same thing. Cure ear ache, use olive oil or ear drops. My tinnitus is incurable, but ear ache will get better if you take my advice. And if I use ear drops now and again, my tinnitus is less irritating as well.

Nonetheless, keep going for the Doctors appointment if it gets worse.