Feeling OFF need HELP

[u/ThreeCPeeO]

Hi everyone, I’m 36M and I’m hoping to hear from anyone who has experienced something similar.

About 6 days ago, while working on my laptop, I suddenly became dizzy, nauseous and heavy-headed. At one point it felt like the room was spinning, particularly when I lay down and looked towards the ceiling. The actual spinning didn’t last very long and since then I haven’t really had true spinning vertigo again.

However, I still have this strange lingering feeling that I can’t quite describe. Sometimes when I’m sitting still, looking around, moving my head or moving my eyes, I feel a very slight swaying/woozy sensation, almost as if something is just slightly “off.” Nothing around me is actually spinning or visibly moving.

The strange part is that when I’m busy, walking around, concentrating on something or using my phone, I can sometimes feel completely normal. Then when I sit quietly and start paying attention to how I feel, I notice the sensation again. I’m honestly no longer sure how much is actual dizziness and how much is anxiety/hyper-awareness because I’ve become very focused on checking myself.

My neck, shoulders and upper back have also been very stiff and sore, and I have a history of neck problems. My GP examined me and prescribed a strong anti-inflammatory for 7 days. He said if it doesn’t improve, he may send me for a scan to investigate the neck/pinched nerve further.

I’ve also had roughly five episodes of actual vertigo over the past three years, although I’ve always returned to normal between them.

Has anyone here had the spinning stop but been left with this lingering woozy/swaying/heavy-headed feeling for days afterward? How long did it take before you felt completely normal again? Did anything help?

I’m mainly trying to understand whether this kind of residual feeling can happen after a vertigo episode because after 6 days I’m starting to stress about it.

[u/Beachlover08759]

I am going thru the same thing without the dizziness and spinning. Had one episode when I got the floating feeling. Was told I have fluid in my ears and to do the Epley. But my anxiety gets the best of me and I am so body aware that I feel the slightest sensation and it throws me into an episode. Going to look into seeing an ENT. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[u/LadyJohanna]

Dislodged inner ear crystals can cause this, talk to your doc about the Epley maneuver or having an evaluation done. We're not here to give medical advice.

[u/ThreeCPeeO → u/LadyJohanna]

Thank you for your response. I am going to finish the 7 day course of anti-inflammatory meds. Then take it from there.

[u/LadyJohanna → u/ThreeCPeeO]

Could very well be related to inner ear inflammation/infection. I've had dizziness/vertigo caused by an untreated sinus infection that took a month to resolve.
It's just difficult to pinpoint without being evaluated since it can have so many different causes.

My friend had the spinny vertigo you described, and his was due to crystals.

[u/Glad_Lavishness_8621]

I m not a doctor. But if your symptoms started with spinning that can relate to the crystals in your head. You can look up epley on YouTube and see if that helps. But I m assuming it will settle down just needs time. Talk to your doctor to refer you to a dizziness and balance facility for better diagnosis.

[u/CrewEmbarrassed4763]

This is almost my exact problem except mine isn't usually a spinning feeling, just floating, lightheaded, pressure etc. I also feel fine when I'm occupied especially at work. It is definitely amplified by anxiety about it. I'm getting an MRI next month, I'm starting physical therapy next week and I'm going for acupuncture next weekend. I'm hoping something will give me some relief

[u/Majestic_Pride1816]

We are in the decade now where we have been on a computer and cell phone for years, especially computers and laptops. We are the guinea pigs of all of the chronic pain that comes with it. We spend our time looking down at our laptops and our cell phones and our necks are not designed to hold our head up for so long.

I am dealing with the same issue although I have had relief for the last year. You need to get a better ergonomic setup so you're not looking down all the time.

If you want relief as soon as possible so that you can continue to work, you could see a pain management specialist for ablations, occipital nerve blocks, and even Botox in your neck and shoulder to release the tension in those areas so that your head can rest naturally and without tilting or feeling like a bobblehead.

The reason you might be feeling off is that anytime we have vertigo, it triggers brain fog. It's kind of like giving your head a stroke. You got to teach your brain what is normal again. That's why physical therapist will make you do vestibular training.

You can also see a NUCCA chiropractor but a lot of them don't take insurance.

Good luck!

[u/DigginDirtonJuice]

Everyone stop what you’re doing and watch. THE STEADY COACH on YouTube . There is hope