That faint feeling - Inner Ear Disorders Message Board

krisdance83 · 09-13-2004, 10:06 PM

For those of you that experience that lightheaded/short of breath/about to faint feeling, I'm wondering about how long it lasts. I started w/ that "about to faint" feeling in April and it lasted for about 5 days which was weird because I was having a good period--dizzy wise that is. So my doctor figured it may have been another virus making me feel like that. But lately it has been happening more and more in conjunction with my dizziness but it is very bothersome because it lasts for upwards of 5 days and makes me feel extra nauseous.

I get the feeling like it's hard to breathe and when I do breathe I feel like it isn't deep enough. It also gives me the sensatio in my head like I could just fall to the floor at any moment. Of course this is a different sensation than that "normal" foggy head. What I also find weird is that I don't even feel relief when lying down; for instance I will be falling asleep and the lack of breath, or what I think is lack of breath, will wake me up startled. It is as if I fall asleep for a few moments without breathing and then my body wakes me up. And, annoyingly, this also makes me feel nauseous but maybe that is just the anxiety. My mother thinks that my anxiety is what is causing the faint feeling in the first place but I don't see how because it is CONSTANT for DAYS!! I am starting to get worried that maybe it is my heart and not so much my head! I do get pressure in my chest when it happens. I am a 21 year old female, do you think it could be a cardiac problem rather than my innear ear problem?

All of these symptoms are just building and building and I find it unbearable as I'm sure many of you do. This inner ear thing is truly a nightmare.

studyin · 09-13-2004, 10:49 PM

Hi Kris,

While I have not experienced the fainting feeling or shortness of breath, I would say it's highly likely that the anxiety is doing this to you. It gets everyone differently creating a whole myriad of symptoms....and they tend to be different in everyone. Some are consistent but most different. And it can go on for days - no question there. I had strange stuff happening that would just be relentless and then stop....then it would return. For example, I would wake in the night freaking and couldn't stop swallowing all the time. All of that madness stopped once I got the anxiety under control via meds. If it's really pushing you to the edge, you might consider some sort of meds (like an SSRI) to give yourself a break from it and help your body desensitise to the constant alarm bells going off.

Best.....Scott

Walty10 · 09-14-2004, 11:38 PM

hey kris,

i know what you are talking about. Although i dont have the feeling of short breath I have felt that lightheaded/ about to pass out feeling for days. It just seems to be something that goes along with my dizziness. Personally, I think that it is a very real feeling going on in your head, but anxiety takes it to that next level. I would guess thats where the shortness of breath comes from. Ive felt this way many days tho and never actually passed out so I am not too worried and I dont think you should be either. We have problems with dizzyness so its not a surprise at all that we should feel lightheaded sometimes. I also know what you mean about trying to fall asleep only to be startled back awake. I wouldnt worry about it... Im sure its something that will eventually go when the rest of all of this fun dizzy stuff goes away.

Chris1968 · 09-15-2004, 04:27 AM

Hi Kris,

I know exactly what you meam. I feel faint alot of the time and more so with any exertion. A couple of times my vision has started to grey out and Ive gotten on the floor quickly as Im positive I would have passed out otherwise. My doc wont do any type of heart tests though. Sometimes when I have it though I think it could be anxiety and overbreathing. Its hard to know for sure. I feel worse with this the week before my period too and cant stand or walk for long without feeling faint.

Wish I could help or advise but just wanted you to know you are not alone. You are right this dizziness stuff is a nightmare and still makes me as anxious as it did 6 years ago when it first started. Take care,

Chris

Anastasia · 09-16-2004, 06:52 PM

hi kris

you may want to get your heart checked. theres a guy i work with thats had a cardiac thing since he was a kid and gets pretty dizzy at times. its nothing serious just bothersome. only a suggestion, but if i were to take a guess i would def agree with the others and say its an inner ear disorder mixed with anxiety. i've had brain fog since march of 2003. dont know if thats what your talking about but anxiety and brain fog can be a lethal combination! my vision goes out and i feel like im going to puke and/or pass out. i haven't yet but it still scares the crap out of me ever time. you'll be okay. take care

Anastasia