posted
I've been feeling so off balance and wobbly. Almost like I'm gonna tip over. I've never actually fell down, but feels like I easily could. I hate this feeling. It comes and goes too. Was fine this morning, but now this afternoon it's horrible.. What causes this? Do others get this? How do you treat it or deal with it?
I also just started my antidepressants yesterday and am wondering if it is adding to it. I'm not taking much. I'm taking half of what she prescribed to start out. No side effects yet, but I'm wondering if it is making me MORE dizzy and off balanced?
posted
I have this everyday. I have Lyme and Bart, retesting for Babesia in a couple of weeks, hopefully.
I was originally misdiagnosed 15 years ago, after an untreated bulls eye rash, with Meneire's Disease.
Two years ago, I was "undiagnosed" and then dx'd w/ Migraine Associated Vertigo. Then undiagnosed again...
I was finally dx'd w/ Lyme a year ago and Bart 8 months ago.
Mine fluctuates, but has been present off and on for 15 years and continually for the last 3 1/2.
Wish I had the answer, besides hoping treatment will help.
Lyme, Bart and supposedly babesia can all cause this off balance feeling.
I was rx'd antidepressants 2 years ago to see of it would help the dizziness. I did not notice a change.
I hope this is short lived for you.
Posts: 819 | From East Coast | Registered: Apr 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Oh, sorry to hear about this. My guess is that the new medicine is the connection. Sometimes, even a very, very tiny amount can do this.
You can check several sites and read about the side-effects of your Rx . . . and see if it is metabolized by the Cytochrome P-450 liver detox pathway. If so, even a trace of some in that class can cause vertigo due to the effect on the liver.
it also could be the fillers used in the medicine.
Be sure to take one of your pills and match it against a photo of the Rx at the manufacturers website. There are lots of fake pills that, sometimes, even pharmacists get, so this is a good exercise to use with each new bottle of pills.
Some antidepressants cause relaxation of the muscles. If the vestibular system is compromised (as is frequent in lyme), any additional relaxation can toss your inner ear off the tracks and make balance so much harder for you.
Since you only started the new med yesterday, I suggest, not taking it today and tomorrow to see if your balance is better. If so, there are other options to pursue to support your mood that would not affect your balance. Gotu Kola comes to mind or SAMe.
posted
Thanks. I always have the dizziness/ off balance problems. Today it just seems worse or magnified. Dizziness is listed as a side effect of the AD. I was told it may help with my brain fog and wobbliness. This is disappointing, as I was optimistic that I got help for my depression. And normally I get horrible side effects from AD for the first week of so, but so far NO side effects with this except for the possible dizziness?
I'm wondering if I should tough it out and see it if gets better since or stop. It says normally the side effects go away after a week or two. I could really use a mood boost. Tried SamE and couldn't tell any difference.
I hate feeling like this though. The is by far one of my most debilitating, annoying symptoms. It is very distressing.
Is it lyme, bart or babs that causes it? I haven't been tested for coinfections.
lymemomtooo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5396
posted
My daughter had this for a while..A chiropractor did some type of adjustment and it was much better. lmt
Posts: 2360 | From SE PA | Registered: Mar 2004
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MDW005
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22706
posted
This was an issue of mine yesterday. Couldnt even type.
I had a hard time driving up to the bus stop to get my boys.
If i bent over to pick something up I thought i
would fall over but never did.. Laying down didnt
help either. Mine was triggered by smoke from the fire place.
Woke up with the dizzys.
Some days I feel like a weeble. (weebles wobble
but they dont fall down). This is an off on symptom
of Lyme for me. Hope you feel better soon
-------------------- God's promises mean you always have something wonderful to look forward to. Posts: 2150 | From Georgia | Registered: Oct 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
- I have to rest a bit but will come back with some links for other things to help your mood.
In the meantime, you might search for articles at www.vrp.com
in the search bar, just pull down from products to articles.
I assume you are taking magnesium and fish oil as those are the two basics. If any kind of porphryia or elevated porphyrins are involved (and that can cause depression), BETA CAROTENE is superb.
What about 85% dark chocolate. It is very low is sugar and if taken with nuts or after a meal one or two ounces a day can work very well regarding glycemic index as it's so low in sugar but high in mood support.
My favorite at that high number is Green & Blacks Organic 85% DARK chocolate. I think it's even made in the UK so you might find it less expensive than we can here in the U.S.
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Be very careful when you go out. It would be best to talk to a vestibular therapist for safety rules.
When you are out in traffic, or among people, try to track the point to where you want to go with your eyes. But, if someone moves in front of that point, you can go down.
There are some very precise ways to work with this. Can you ask your doctor for some vestibular therapy - even if just instruction for how to compensate, it can save you injury.
I suggest getting a cane, too. However, your muscles may freeze when the inner ear is overwhelmed so the cane can be tricky. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Jane2904
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15917
posted
Anti dep and anxiety meds caused this for our daughter.
She even had these side effects on very low doses. The Dr. said no way, finally stopped meds and went away.
Hope you feel better .
Posts: 1357 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
It's one of those things that no matter which one you look at, it can cause the problem.
I occasionally have the 'off kilter' feeling also.
Love the 'weeble' comparison.
I worked for almost 6 years in an extended care/rehabilitation center and learned quickly that event he steadiest of patients can fall in the first 72 hours after starting an anti anxiety, anti depression drug.
Best advice is to take it easy in either case and if you think it is drug related and it doesn't go away, contact your doctor for drug reduction or discontinuation.
I've discovered that the feeling is transient with my Lyme. There one minute and an hour later gone.
Best advice is stay safe. I slipped on ice last month and think I cracked a rib.
No fun whatsoever!!
-------------------- Why don't they make Front Line for humans? Think about it! Posts: 78 | From North Eastern Missouri | Registered: Oct 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- If a drug causes balance problems, that can be a sign that it is toxic to the ears.
Now, it could be that the Rx causes a drop in blood pressure and that causes balance problems, but it warrants a good search to be sure since inner ear dysfunction / damage can also cause blood pressure to drop like a rock when the vestibular system is suddenly asked to switch gears tracking stimuli, even smells.
Some ear specialists (including my ear specalists) advise stopping any drug that adversely affects any function of the auditory or vestibular system. Even if it causes tinnitus as that can be a sign of toxicity.
Liver support can help but it is no guarantee that the ears won't suffer damage from excess toxins. Ginger, too, to calm vertigo and nausea.
Neil Bauman is the main researcher in this area. There is so much more in this book than what is available on line.
You can look inside this book and see reviews at this Amazon link:
Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
Get checked for small fiber neuropathy. You are describing some symptoms of it. A punch skin biopsy is the only test for it, you need to find a neurologist who does this. It's a relatively new diagnosis, and is caused by Lyme disease.
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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Starfall1969
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17353
posted
I get this from time to time.
The way I describe it is it feels like I have a 5 pound weight strapped to my head, and it's knocking me off balance.
Posts: 1682 | From Dillsburg, PA | Registered: Sep 2008
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posted
I don't FEEL LIKE I will fall over. I DO fall over.
Posts: 252 | From NJ USA | Registered: Mar 2004
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- dsiebenh,
So, for you, it's a surprise attack, not having the warning sensation first?
If so, that could be Tumarkin's and it is classic with vestibular dysfunction.
Has your MD checked blood pressure (and drops in that when you stand?) Blood sugar levels okay?
Do you have an ear specialist who is following you?
You can search Google - or the Vestibular site above - for "Vestibular drop attacks" or "Tumarkin's otolithic crisis"
Such events could also be drop seizures. The inner ear can trigger seizures of this type - or it could be from other reasons.
Also know that seizures of all types can be from too many toxins - frequent with lyme. Adrenal exhaustion can also cause various kinds of seizures.
After a fall, you might consider taking a homeopathic called ARNICA. It really helps me not to be so bruised later. My ND (Naturpathic doctor) recommends it. Bioron is the brand I use.
You might also check all your meds and OTC stuff for side-effects affecting blood pressure or blood sugar. Drops (or rises) in many things can cause a drop for your body - especially where lyme is concerned.
I hope you carry a cane when you go out. Bamboo are the lightest ones.
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