Good Morning Everyone!! I have an appointment next week with an ENT....he has Meniers Disease, so i'm hoping he'll know what i'm going through. I'm not sure if thats what I have, but i'm ready for a diagnosis. One day, i'll feel fine, and the next i have a dizzy day and feel like i'm in a fog. My family is getting upset with me, cause I don't ever want to do anything. I don't know when its going to hit me, and I don't want to be out anywhere when it happens. I know I panic thinking its going to happen, and that may be making this worse. Im just ready to feel normal again, and i'm scared i may not ever. Does anyone else have this come and go?? I think if it were something serious, it wouldn't go away at all, but who knows......I"m just so tired of feeling like this. Thanks for listening, i'm just having a bad day, and needed to vent..................hope everyone else is having a great day!!!

Welcome to my (and many others') world! I have been dealing with head symptoms for a long, long time, and it took me a while to be more active and less anxious.

It's very common for people with disequilibrium disorders or sensations to develop some level of anxiety or panic. I developed a fear of driving and being left alone. At one of my worst times, I wasn't able to shower without someone being downstairs with me - the symptoms AND the fear were that bad.

It's difficult to deal with physical symptoms and sensations, and then ADD to that, anxiety. Then, compound it by having your friends and/or family get frustrated that you are no longer acting like the person you used to be before head symptoms struck. Some people have written on here that if you can deal with this head monster, then you can deal with anything - and sometimes I believe that! I have learned that I am VERY strong, and I am very loved.

Sometimes it's difficult for someone who has never experienced these symptoms to be understanding or very supportive - I learned to be patient with those that did not understand what I was or do go through.

For those that seemed to think I was fine be because I looked and sounded okay, I learned to be tolerant of other peoples' ignorance.

For those that were upset that I wasn't the energetic social butterfly that I used to be, I learned that the only person that I have to answer to is me, and that baby steps are fine. One of my favortie sayings became my mantra, "As long as I'm faced in the right direction, it doesn't matter the size of my steps". People have to love and accept all of you, just as you are, this very minute. If they can't, it's their problem and they will need to find a way to come to terms with their own disappointments.

My symptoms are up and down as well. It's frustrating and depressing.

Here's hoping that your ENT appointment brings a reason for your troubles. Vent any time. Hang in there. xo

I know how you feel. I'm getting so frustrated with this feeling. I feel i'm not myself anymore. i want to be able to enjoy my kids again. I just bought a new house and i can't really even enjoy that to its fullest. I always have a dizzy/lightheaded feeling, just feel out of it. and the feeling it self makes me tired and sleepy. my ears tend to hurt sometimes. its a realy nasty feeling. My primary care physician told me that i'm really congested that it was whats causing pressure in my ears which is causing the dizziness. Does this sound possible? they took soem blood work, CT scan but everything came back ok.

very frustrated,

Congestion can cause, or add to, head symptoms. I am dealing with a small head cold right now, which is affecting my sinuses, so my symptoms are more noticeable.

Did your doctor recommend trying an antihistamine for the congestion? I get good results by taking a teaspoon or two of Children's Liquid Benedryl or Dimetapp.

Have you been seen by an ENT (Ear-Nose-Throat) doctor?

I'm sorry you can't enjoy your new house to the fullest. What a great thing to celebrate! Sometimes life is all about the little things, so find the small ways to enjoy your blessings during this personally challenging time.

I used to work in a rehab facility, so I have seen people who can't breathe on their own or speak for themselves. With that said, I have relayed this before: one afternoon my head symptoms were just horrible, and all I was basically able to comfortably do was sit in our living room chair. I remember there was a small patch of sunlight streaming through the window, and it was hitting me on my leg. And I remember feeling blessed that I was able to FEEL the sun and HEAR the birds, because so many people can't. Again, sometimes it's the little, average, every-day things that make my day. One good thing (and there have been many) that has come out of dealing with my head symptoms is a fuller appreciation for the little, wondrous things that so often are taken for granted.

Wishing you a peaceful day. xo

I guess anything's possible. I don't know what to make of that though. I'm sitting here thinking back to when I was my sickest with cold or flu and having congestion. I remember feeling something in my ears, but good Lord, NothinG like what I experience now.

These ear problems really do destroy your quality of life. Just this last Friday, I cried and apologized to my husband for not being the woman he married. I used to do so much. I try to tell my daughter what Mommy used to be like, I don't even know if she believes me.

Just keep searching for answers. Don't take any doctor's words for more than face value. YOU know how you feel. Keep seeking out specialists and always remember to write everything down. Everything! Sometimes what seems to you a very little thing, can mean all the difference.

Keep coming here, I know personally that I'd lose it and give up if it weren't for the caring people on this board who know the hell you live everyday.

Don't ever give up!

Love,

SL :wave:

Hi Deena,
Wowwwweeee said it best! Also remember that it's perfectly normal to be sad and angry that this is happening to you. I used to deny myself the release of any negative emotions regarding this inner ear junk, and once I started to realize it's okay to cry about what's happening to me I felt a lot better.
I have support from some friends and family, but there are still people who don't understand what I'm going through and try to pressure me into doing things I'm not 100% comfortable with. It's hard to be patient with those people, but I try my best. Setting my boundaries is an important skill I've learned over the past 4 months, and I feel much stronger for that.

I'm also undiagnosed, after having been to 5 different doctors (including an ENT and neurologist), but I think I'm getting close. Not knowing what's wrong with you can cause a huge amount of anxiety. The neurologist I saw back at the beginning of January told me that I was letting my nerves get the best of me. He actually gave me a paper bag and wrote a prescription telling me how often and when to breathe with it. I thought it was so cliche and humiliating, but it did put a lot of things in perspective for me. After that appointment I decided that I would try my best to get out and test the waters... and I was impressed with how much I could actually accomplish. It's frustrating that things aren't as easy as they used to be, and I still miss out on some things, but I've come a long way. Just give yourself some time and find activities you enjoy and safe environments and you'll get through this.
Good luck with the ENT tomorrow!
- Cori

Thanks for your replies. I hvn't seen a ENT yet. i think i will seek that option.