Lightheaded and ears ringing

[Cut-Throat]

Hi,

I have had these symptoms for about 3 years. A cough, clearing my throat, lightheadedness dizzy, no spinning or vertigo though, ringing in ears. I started taking the OTC Chlor-trimeton and most of the real bad symptoms went away (I was almost incapacitated). I have been taking the drug for about 2 years. Still clear my throat and cough have slight ringing and lightheadness.

I have been to 4 allergists, they agree that I must be allergic to something, but they are out of answers. I have been to countless other specialists, ENT, Brain, Etc. all negative.

I have also been allergic to seasonal stuff for 25 years (tree pollen, grass) etc. But, this is all the time.

The antihistimines that I tried at first, were the ones that didn't make you sleepy. Like allegra or clariton. They did not work for me. I tried the OTC Chlorotrimeton, which does make you sleepy (it has a 'brain component' in it). I was feeling much better in about 2 weeks.

Anybody out there who has or knows anything about this allergy?

[KelceyB]

In May of 2000 I woke up with my left ear plugged and ringing in that ear. Nothing really helped as far as decongestants, etc. An ear specialist said it was probably a virus that had attacked my inner ear and now was gone, but the ringing was still there. He did not prescribe prednisone at that time. In September the same thing happened with my right ear. I went back to the ear specialist. He said he no longer thought it had been a virus, since it is unlikely that someone would contract a virus in both ears at separate times. He put me on 60 mg of prednisone and the whole situation cleared up. At the same time I had a blood test for food allergies and found I am allergic to some foods. I went off those foods, but going off the prednisone I eventually got the same symptoms back. Lately I have been taking an adrenal supplement and getting the best results I have ever had without prednisone. I am still investigating my allergies, but since the prednisone cleared up my symptoms I am suspicious that my adrenal glands (which should do the same thing as prednisone for me unless they are fatigued) are not working properly. There is a saliva test I am going to have done next week to check my hormone levels and adrenal function. Good luck with your situation. Did you have any hearing loss associated with the tinnitis? I have some hearing loss.

[Cut-Throat]

I tried predisone also. It did not help these allergy symptoms, but it does help with my spring pollen allergy symptoms.

I have not had any hearing loss.

I did try an allergen free diet prescribed for me. I found out that I am not allergic to any foods. I believe that I am allergic to something airborne, I just don't know what.

[KelceyB]

Do you recall how many mg of prednisone you were on and for how long? Have you had any allergy testing yet other than the diet you mentioned? I had a blood test you can now get through some chiropractors by US Biotek Laboratories called the ELISA/ACT test. Also I am going in to the allergist for skin scratch testing next week. I thought the blood test was really helpful, but there was at least one thing I discovered I am allergic to that was not on the list of foods, that is safflower oil. Hope you find your answers soon.

[KelceyB]

I forgot to mention, my son had a strange cough that went away when we took him off all dairy products. I don't know if that helps.