I'm so dizzy... my head is spinning

Talk about being a dizzy blonde!

Last Thursday when I woke up and got out of bed, I nearly hit the floor. I was really dizzy and just thought maybe I didn't sleep well.  It happened again once I was dressed and downstairs. I brushed it off and left for work.

Once I got to work and was at my desk I again felt strangely dizzy and had to grab on to my chair to keep from falling.  Again, it happened when my boss called me to her office, I had to grab ahold of her door. My lips then started going numb before traveling down my chin to my throat.  By then, I was feeling really scared and called our staff Dr's. office only to find out that they only see injured people... and I wasn't bleeding.

The numbness left my throat and went to my right cheek, still staying in my lips.  I was absolutely terrified! I was sure I was having a stroke.  I called my beloved to come and get me and without question he left work and came and picked me up.  I went to Patient First and was told I have vertigo and that I was not having a stroke (after testing).  They said all of my tests came back fine. I was not dehydrated, my electrolytes were good, my iron level was fine, etc.  The only other concern was my heartbeat so they did an EKG on me.  My heart rate is half of what it is supposed to be (a concern they had when I was last there in April).

They sent me home telling me to follow up with my own physician which I went to the next day.  He ran some tests, was not  concerned with my heart since I am not having any pain and has in his records normal heart rates for the last 4 years.  He believes I have a viral inner ear infection that should clear up in a week. He sent me home with Singulair for any congestion in my ear or sinuses and lorazapam (Valium based) which would also clear up the dizziness.

I missed work yesterday. When I woke up I felt positively drunk, dizzy and in a stupor.  My speech felt slurred, my tongue felt thick and I didn't even feel that I could stand in the shower without falling over.

Today, it's been a week; no improvement.  I have an appointment next Wednesday with a E.N.T DR. 

Has anyone ever gone through anything like this?  This is some scary ****!  I'm at work today though I stagger slightly when I walk. Not constantly or maybe the staggering is in my own mind, who knows?  I walk closely to walls and furniture to grab ahold of in case the dizziness rips the carpet out from under my feet!

I just want this crap to go away.  Other than the dizziness, staggering, etc. I feel fine.  I do not feel drunk today, my speech does not feel slurred and my tongue does not feel thick. 

Geez! What is up with THIS?????

My regards,
Ren

Wow Ren, I had no idea it was getting worse.  For sure it sounds like an inner ear problem.

I hope you don't have to drive.  I  hope you can make it till next wendesday.

and I hope they figure it out soon darling.


IF you need something let me  know.

Thanks Nessa. I appreciate the offer of assistance.

Unfortunately I do have to drive, although it doesn't seem to be affected because I'm sitting down I guess.  It's the standing and walking that gets to me.

Thanks for your support.
Ren

It sounds really scary and I am scared worse because I ahve been having dizzy spells. Nothing as bad as yours but my vision starts darkening around the edges and I have to grab hold of stuff. Please keep us updated, maybe I have what you have in the early stages. Good luck with all the doctor's visits and if you need anything, let me know.

Sylvie... maybe it's the water in Elkridge/Linthicum??

Yes, it is definitely scary.  Yours sounds like it might be migraine symptoms. Is that something you've had issues with?

I'll let you know what I find out when I go to the ENT on Wednesday. Good luck with yours and I hope it clears up soon.

Ren

oh yeah I have migraines. Have had them for so long I know whento just pop the pills and lie down in a cool dark room. This is completely different. Maybe it's because oft he double surgery within a month.

Ren:

I haven't had it, but did have a former employee that had it.  It took a long time before she started feeling any better . . . months.  I think they changed her meds several times over the course, but it is definitely scarey.  Please be careful.  Hope you feel better really soon.

Thanks Lisa. Hopefully I won't have to wait that long.  I have a few theories of my own as to what the problem can be also. 

1. The pharmacy changed manufacturing companies on my generic prescription and that might have something to do with it.

2.  I feel a lot of tension in my neck and shoulders and if I rub it sends a shap pain into my head, which immediately makes me woozy.  A pinched nerve maybe?

3. Something as simple as the ear infection?

Since the stroke has been ruled out, I have to believe it is something simple and easy to fix.

Thanks for the support!
Ren

Wow Ren I am sorry you are feeling bad. I do hope they can get to the root of your problem. Please be careful what you do till you are feeling better. I had vertigo before and felt similar to how you are. It lasted 2 weeks and I felt like crap. Get well soon.
                                                                                                                       Julie

Thanks Julie.  Hopefully mine will clear up within that time too.  It's the not knowing that is the most bothersom I think.

Ren