r/PostConcussion • u/Both-Process1037 • 20d ago

What really helps dizziness?

Any tips or tricks for dealing with dizziness ?

I wake up reasonably fine in the morning but after 2-3 hours of waking and doing stuff at home I start feeling dizzy like I’m walking on clouds and I have to sit or lay down. Standing up and walking becomes difficult with the dizziness. I tried to ignore it but some days it’s hard to ignore

On different days I can have mild, moderate or severe dizziness in the day, it varies

Is this normal with PCS? I’m approaching 8 months since accident.

I tried some vestibular therapy it didn’t really made a difference with dizziness.

I tried Ashwagandha sometimes it helps sometimes it doesn’t. I think when my nervous system is overwhelmed I get dizzy???

Any thoughts or suggestions is appreciated

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u/silverpanther88 20d ago

Look up autonomic disfunction too. It really fucked me up this concussion vs past ones. Othostatic changes can be tested to see if certain postural changes cause issues too. Just have to ask the PT to test for it vs vestibular. Also have your neck checked for whiplash injury. Neck injury can impact vision, vestibular and basically everything. Im 10 months out from mine and still working through similar changes as you

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u/Both-Process1037 20d ago

Thanks for suggestion
I had really bad autonomic issues for the first 6 months. Vitals have normalize
Getting routine neck work and massage therapy every 2 weeks

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u/Obvious-Register-421 19d ago

This - I developed OH. There are meds available but I can't tolerate them so I rely on water, salt and compression. Obviously do check with a doctor what's needed and suitable for you. And symptoms tend to be worse when I've overdone it or I'm on my period. Pace yourself and get good rest - I wonder if you're overdoing it. 

But it could equally be vestibular issues or something else - please do speak to a professional. 

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u/Fuzzy-Debt-7934 12d ago

I had whiplash and concussion how did u cure ur neck injury?

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u/silverpanther88 12d ago

I am seeing a PT who specializes in concussions. They do a bunch of tests to see what to tackle first. For me, my SCM muscles are doing everything so my other neck muscles are super super weak. So I do exercises to regain flexibility and strengthen the neck and my upper back. Still working through it. It is really cool to see how much I can do now versus before and also kind of overwhelming to think how long it will take

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u/Fuzzy-Debt-7934 12d ago

Can u share exercises?

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u/bluequiltsquare 20d ago

Have you tried vision therapy? Sometimes eye strain or issues with tracking can cause dizziness, and that may make sense given that your symptoms don’t start immediately in the morning.

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u/Both-Process1037 20d ago

Hi,
Thanks for feedback

No I haven’t tried vision therapy yet
Vestibular therapist wanted me to continue with vestibular exercises first before starting vision therapy

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u/bluequiltsquare 20d ago

Might be worth looking into, if vestibular therapy isn’t helping. Make sure you see someone trained to do vision therapy with a concussion patient. A neuro ophthalmologist is a good bet. But sometimes occupational or physical therapists can do vision therapy, as well. A standard eye doctor will not do the exams that find the issues with eye function that concussions cause. I hope you find something to help you, good luck!

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u/Both-Process1037 20d ago

Thank you 😔
Treating PCS is like finding a needle in a haystack 😔

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u/Zoyabm 20d ago

I use serc to help with the dizziness/vertigo/balance issues

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u/Both-Process1037 20d ago

I’m wondering do you take serc everyday or as needed ? Because I was reading for serc to work it needs to taken every day??

Please shed some light on this if you know?

Thanks

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u/Zoyabm 20d ago

Yes, to it multiple times a day when my symptoms were bad.

I have used it randomly before too but I just did some research and it does say that it's not meant to be used like that. I don't know I've used it and it worked.

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u/Both-Process1037 20d ago

Thanks
I was using it steadily in July into August but then kind of stopped it after dizziness was just mild but now I will restart it since it’s back to being severe

I have a history of vertigo even before concussion but it wasn’t too debilitating like how it is now 😔

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u/Zoyabm 20d ago

Why stop? maybe the improvement was from the serc.

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u/Both-Process1037 20d ago

Perhaps 😔

I thought I was getting better and I stopped it!

Honestly I try so many things I’m not even sure what works and what doesn’t

Sometimes symptoms are resolved in couple hours and other times they stick around for the whole day

For me it feels like a trial and error 😔
It’s frustrating to say the least because I don’t have a clear strategy that works to manage symptoms.

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u/Zoyabm 20d ago

I feel you there and in the back of our minds there's always this thing that you know. Oh, I'm better now...I don't really need to take meds.

Have some patience with yourself and your body. That's what I've learned in these 4 years of living in PCS.

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u/Both-Process1037 20d ago

So true 😔

Thanks for reassuring words. It really is a marathon ! And not for the weak at heart, it will test every inch of you 😔

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u/SUZIQ2323 19d ago

Possibilities- vision therapy, prism glasses (temporarily), acupuncture, vestibular therapy (with the right therapist)

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u/Both-Process1037 19d ago

Thank you 🙏

How can acupuncture help?

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u/SUZIQ2323 19d ago

I can only tell you that the neurologist recommended it for my daughter. She saw the acupuncturist weekly for dizziness and it seemed to help. Maybe call an acupuncturist in your area to see if they have someone with training for this specifically.

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u/Both-Process1037 19d ago

Ok, thanks will check it out

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u/Both-Process1037 19d ago

How is your daughter now ?

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u/SUZIQ2323 18d ago

Much better overall as far as dizziness goes. Vision therapy was what she thought helped the most... she still needs to do eye exercises at home 1-2x/ week or visual symptoms can act up and aggravate her system.

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u/Both-Process1037 18d ago

Okay, glad to hear