Dizzyness, tinnertus and numbness in leg - Open to All Other Health Topics Message Board

rico123 · 06-09-2003, 11:04 AM

Hello, I am after some advice! about 4 months ago I started getting dizzy spells. They have started to get worse and last week I developed tinnertus in the ears. Also my legs feel really numb! I have had a blood test that has come back clear and have had my ears tested which were ok. The doctor has put it down to stress and anxiety but im still not convinced! I would like some advice on what it could be and what to do next! Many thanks

Rico123

zuzu8 · 06-10-2003, 01:15 AM

Hi- Dizziness or lightheadedness is indeed a common symptom of anxiety. Parasthesia (numbness or sensations of tingling and pins and needles) can also be anxiety-related.

Tinnitus is NOT usually an anxiety issue unless you possibly clench your teeth or jaw a lot because of tension.

Is the tinnitus bi-lateral (both ears?) or in one only?
Is it constant or does anything in particular make it better or worse?

Is the leg numbness more like pins and needles? Or truly numb?

Do you have any headache with all this?

Do you feel normal in between the dizzy spells, or are you feeling lightheaded all the time? When you have the spells, is it a true spinning sensation? Descibe it if you can.....

Do you by any chance consume any sugar substitutes that might contain aspartame? Dizziness, leg numbness and tinnitus can be symptoms of an adverse reaction to this substance.

Also, are you on any medication? Some drugs are well known to cause these side effects. List them here if you take any.

Is your doctor a neurologist? Or family medicine/general praticioner only.?

If your symptoms persist, and you haven't seen a neurologist yet for a full neuro work-up, that's what I might do, if only to get some reassurance that this really is anxiety after all, which in spite of you not quite believing it, it well may be.

When we're anxious, we tend to hyperventilate (over-breathe) without even realizing it. And hyperventilation can cause your symptoms! (Although the tinnitus might still be a coincidence)

zuzu xx

[This message has been edited by zuzu8 (edited 06-10-2003).]

rico123 · 06-10-2003, 03:06 AM

Hi the tinnitus is in both ears. It is not constant and usually comes when thinking about it. However I woke up this morning and it was really bad! The leg numbness has only just started this week. It is not pins and needles and it feels like I have to concentrate really hard just to move them about. I have this problem in my arms to.

No, I do not have any real headaches but my head feels very tight. I also find it really hard to focus on anything without feeling ill.

My dizzy spells are pretty constant. The room does not spin but I feel off balance. It just feels like I am going to faint but I have not yet.

I am not on any medication and my doctor is a general practitioner.

zuzu8 · 06-10-2003, 12:05 PM

Hi- You're a bit of a puzzle really. These all could really be symptoms of an anxiety disorder. It might be interesting to try a short low dose anti-anxiety medication to see if some if not all of your symptoms abate. The fact that you have been feeling this way for a while, (not acute) and that these odd numb sensations are not confined to just one part of your body, I think are all GOOD signs that it's not likely to be something neurological. Sensations of feeling lightheaded, spacey, ungrounded, tippy, float-y, detached from the earth, sea-leggy, are all classic anxiety symptoms.

Ask your doctor if medicationmight be worth a try.

zuzu xxx

Ron · 06-12-2003, 05:00 AM

Hi Rico,

Have you had your Vitamin B12 levels checked?

Have you been camping in deer country before these symptoms began? (Lyme Disease)

Have you also been gaining weight? (low thyroid)

Ron