Does any of this add up for anyone?

[CharlieDog]

I've been having these dizzy episodes lately. A LOT. And I'm rather tired of them. I start feeling, almost nauseous, but not like I want to throw up. Then my balance goes off, my face feels funny, sometimes my head hurts like I'm getting a headache, sometimes not.

It happens when I eat, when I don't eat, etc. It usually happens at work, but that seems like it's because I'm almost always there It happens at home too, and it's really bad it if happens when I'm driving. I have to concentrate really hard to get to somewhere I can pull over.

A friend told me I needed to start checking my blood sugar levels, and I bought a thingy and the strips (HIGHWAY ROBBERY!) and some lancets to start checking it myself to see if there's some sort of pattern. Both times Monday, and Sunday (Sunday was the WORST) it had happened RIGHT after I ate, within thirty minutes or so.

Sunday I was feeling GREAT. Work was going well, I was having fun, getting a little hungry, so I ate, and then within thirty minutes or so I started feeling bad. It wasn't the food, because my stomach never felt upset at all. I felt like crap the rest of the night, had dry heaves towards the end of my shift and ended up leaving almost an hour early.

Monday I was also feeling fine, and I ate again, (something different this time, lol) and it happened again. This time it wasn't as bad, but it left my disoriented almost for a good few hours.

Another few tidbits. My legs get bruised incredibly easily. I have no idea if that's relevant or not. I haven't had increased thirst that I've noticed, I haven't been peeing more lately. I've also not noticed an increase in hunger. My breathing hasn't changed, so none of that is really pointing to diabetes. Though it does run in my dads side of the family.

A few years ago, I had my vision blur out with similar symptoms. I started getting lightheaded, couldn't focus, my head felt like it was floating off almost. That was when my vision went completely white. I've never had it go white before, or since. That could be an isolated incident, but with the exception of the whiteout, things are still the same.

I've been dealing with being off balance (I can literally, fall over standing up and standing still) and with a lot of dizzyness for a long time. I get what my mom calls TV vision, where I get almost tiling and everythings black and grey and in squares. That happens a lot, especially if I go from any position to standing too quickly.

ETA. Also, I get headaches and migraines all the time. Like, ALL the time now. It's rare that a day goes by that I don't get some kind of headache. I've gotten headaches and migraines since the 2nd grade though, so..

So, I know you all aren't my doctors, but my insurance sucks and I can't afford to go to the doctor and have them run a bunch of vague tests. I just can't. I'm having to move back home as it is. And I know at least one of you IS a doctor, so yeah

 

[skittledoo]

I get a lot of those symptoms as well and I'm anemic. I would recommend you get checked out by a doctor because those can be symptoms for numerous different things

 

[Vivien]

I know I don't post on here alot but I thought I would chip in because I get alot of the same symptoms as well. I have very low iron levels, almost anemic. So maybe thats the problem?

 

[stardogs]

That's the type of thing I get when I either 1. have a migraine aura, 2. episode of vertigo, or 3. a panic attack.

Vertigo is super scary and can last just a few minutes or several hours/days for some people. There are meds for it and it can be related to inner ear stuff that can be fixed with a specific maneuver (I think you might be able to find info on that via googling).

 

[Doberluv]

It could be a lot of things. Are you saying that it seems to be triggered just after you eat? You really need to see a doctor, get your blood checked. Isn't there some low cost or state program or something that would enable you to see a doctor? This could be serious and cause some long term problems if you don't take care of it. Please do what you can to see a doctor. I hope you can get this figured out. Best of luck!

 

[Renee750il]

Do check your blood sugar levels. You can get a meter loaded with strips for about $12 at WalMart.

Anemia is also a good suspect. If you can't afford to get it checked, start supplementing your iron intake, making sure you are getting plenty of Vitamin C at the same time. Calcium levels are also important. Examine your diet. More eggs, red meat, DARK green leafy vegetables. If you notice a change in how you feel you've got an idea of at least part, if not all, of where the problem lies.

 

[xpaeanx]

Go down to a public hospital and ask to speak with one of their case workers. All hospitals here have case workers who know the ropes on how to get money from the state because trust me, they WANT to get paid. I say go to a public one, because a lot of times the state gives them funds to pay for medical care for people with low income/no insurance.

Do not go to a clinic, go to the hospital to ask.

They should be able to help get you set up and get all the blood tests you need, plus the ability to see a doctor at little or no cost to you, as long as it's an affiliate of the the hospital.

 

[MelissaCato]

Sorry to hear. What ever is posted here by members, your first priority should be to get a neurological examination. That said.

Can you tell us if your dizziness is a spinning in your head > clockwise or counterclockwise or more like a still fuzziness when you lose your balance or about to lose your balance.

Do your eyes jiggle rapidly at all, if so explain when and what happens right before the episode and right after.

Do you get dissiness when your bending for a few minutes (like in a garden) and then stand up ? If so, is it a common dissiness or directional dissiness ? Do you feel winded or need to take a deep breath ?

While this happens do you get numbness anywhere ? (fingers, toes, feet, arms, face)

While this happens do you get double vision, if so exactly when ?

At any point is your speech slurred, not able to speak or cannot speak ?

How long has your most concerning symptoms happening ? How long as your least concerning symptoms happening ?

What state do you live in ? The Freedom Works Foundation affiliates have set up free health clinics in most states for people who don't have health insurance. This service is courtesy of the right to life counsil of Christian Churches of America. All you need to do is show up. All private no state or federal gov involved. You might want to google free health clinics in your area and get yourself there for a neurological examination.

 

[Doberluv]

Good post Melissa. That's why I said it can be a lot of things. There is no substitute for seeing a good doctor as your first move. Those neurological sx can also be nothing more than "rocks" in your ears. You may have some calcified junk that can screw up your equilibrium. That's a simple fix. But because your symptoms can be the result of several possibilities, second guessing and trying this and that might take too long...in case it is something serious.

 

[xpaeanx]

Melissa, do you have any websites you can share with information about the health clinics? I tried a few quick googles with little luck.

ETA: CharlieDog, I did find this... maybe it will help?

National Association of Free Clinics(NAFC)

 

[Beanie]

I can think of a handful of things, because I'm dealing with a bunch of odd symptoms myself. It doesn't exactly sound like vertigo but the falling over that you talk about could be a result of inner ear problems - I have inner ear problems so I get vertigo really bad, like for days at a time, whenever I travel. But I feel sick and dizzy for literally days at a time, not just for a few hours and then I'm okay for a day or two and then feel sick again... so it doesn't exactly sound like that. But I also randomly fall over when I'm standing and my balance is crap as a result, so you COULD have some inner ear problems anyway and that could definitely be contributing. But if it seems to be linked to eating rather than your motion, then probably not.

Blood sugar, anemia, and even blood pressure issues are other ideas. Low blood pressure can make you feel dizzy whenever you stand up or if you move too fast, but it usually only lasts a moment and then goes away (I have to stop and lean forward to get blood back to my head.) How long have the increasing migraines been going on, and do you think it's weather related? I used to get migraines a lot but since I've started running (which is also theoretically what caused my low blood pressure... sigh) I don't get them as often, BUT I have been getting a few lately because the humidity is been so intense - is it possible that's part of the problem? That could explain at least the headaches.
Daily headaches are no fun. My mom has been dealing with that for probably 15+ years and has been through the gamut of drugs and stuff to try and get them under control and so far nothing has worked.


As much as it sucks, I WOULD at least recommend getting full bloodwork done, and going to a neurologist for a possible MRI or CAT scan is not a bad idea either. But I know what you mean about not wanting to have to go get a bunch of random tests done... I'm going to the doctor next Friday to talk about what I'm going through, and I know I'm going to end up getting sent to probably three or four different people and having a bunch of different tests done, and I'm just dreading it. I hate having a slew of doctor's appointments written on my calendar. It's a pain, but if you can find a way to get some financial help, I would do it... better to find out now if it's something that can be fixed relatively easy than have to keep living with the problems!

 

[sparks19]

Yeah I was going to say vertigo as well. my mom has that and it's pretty scary when she takes a spell.

Anemia is another good suggestion.

I'd definitely go see the doctor

 

[CharlieDog]

Well, I know I'm not anemic, because every time my mom and sister go to give blood, which is as often as possible for them, I go with them to see if they'll take mine (they won't, usually I don't weigh enough for my height) but they check my iron with the finger prick and the little jar of blue stuff or whatever, and I've never had low iron.

I DO get Migraines with aura sometimes, though not every time I get a migraine, and definitely not every time I get a headache, thankfully. I do have some problems with anxiety and my stress levels at work, but both times that it's been the worst at work I was actually feeling pretty good and nothing was really causing me to have to go sit down or anything, aside from the dizzy thing.

I'm not sure if it's vertigo or not. It's not like the world starts reeling and I'm going to fall off kind of dizzy, it's just my head is spinning (usually counterclockwise, though I'm not sure what difference that makes, because it sometimes goes clockwise too)

I've had my ears cleaned before, and I have had some "rocks" come out on their own. I was at the doctor recently for this thing on my leg, and they did a basic wellness exam, looked in my ears, eyes, etc.

It's not always related to when I eat. It can happen pretty much anytime. The only reason I mentioned that was because both times it happened recently it happened after I ate. I've got a blood sugar tester now, and the cheapest one with the cheapest strips I could find, (it was a horrifying experience to prick my own finger instead of someone else doing it ) and my sugar after I had faster for about an hour (from food and drink) was 100. I'm going to test it in a few minutes since I've been asleep for around 11 hours and see what it is with nothing in my system but a little bit of water.


I eat a lot of broccoli and collards, and I can't really afford red meat at the moment, lol, so I've had a lot of chicken and fish. I guess I can try to add it in once a week or so and start drinking more orange juice. I'll see if that helps anything. I know my diet hasn't been the best these last few weeks, but this has been going on longer than that, and this episode last sunday was what prompted me to start examining my overall health.

More coming. Almost reached the character limit

 

[Baxter'smybaby]

I would say low blood pressure could be a culprit---but also wonder if you have been bit by a ticK at all?

 

[JessLough]

oh I get the same stuff. Not sure what it is, test after test done. All led to normal levels and everything. I have a neurologist appointment... in January x__x

 

[CharlieDog]

Paean, I will definitely do that. I have insurance, but they hardly cover anything, so I can't imagine they would cover any kind of expensive tests. I'd like to have the MRI or a CAT done, but those are very expensive tests to have done, and I can't afford any out of pocket costs.

I probably need to have a sleep study done as well because I wake up all the time now. I think it's probably sleep apnea, but I can't afford the sleep study either.

MCato.

The dizzyness is a spinning usually counterclockwise, though it can go clockwise. I get a fuzzy feeling with it anyway, sometimes my face feels weird. Almost numb. Sometimes it's in my hands too, and usually its harder to control fine motor coordination. (I have only realized this because I handle cash daily, and it's very difficult for me to make change if this is going on) and I do usually lose my balance, I'll end up leaning one way or the other and having to stick a leg out to keep from just completely face planting.

I've never noticed my eyes jiggling, nor have I ever had double vision.

This happens even if I haven't bent over or stood up too quickly. I DO sometimes feel winded and have to take a couple really deep breaths, and like I said, sometimes my face feels very strange and my fingers as well.

This dizzy spells and their accompanying problems have been going on for at least a few years. They've started getting more frequent and worse in the past two months to three months or so.

Thank you for that reference. I will have to see if there are any in Georgia, and if there are, I will definitely be going.

Beanie, I know that I have a lower blood pressure, but it almost always falls within the normal range when I'm at the doctor because I'm usually nervous there. I just had it checked at the doc's and it was 100/62 or something like that.

I know exactly how you feel. I don't MIND the doctor, but it's not one of my favorite things. I really don't want to go an accrue a bunch of bills that I can't pay, so I'm definitely going to look into the free clinic thing. There are a bunch in my state, but none near me, of course, lol. There are a few up near my dads though, so I may make a day of it and go up there.


Baxter, I have been bitten by a couple ticks, but neither one of them was on me for more the fifteen minutes. We go out riding often, and I'm very vigilant about checking for ticks the whole time we're there, and I've never found one after I've gotten home, even after a through check of every where and including my head. Both times I pulled ticks off me recently I felt them crawling on my before they'd even bitten. And even that's been a long time ago.

 

[CharlieDog]

Well I just tested it after fasting, and it was at 79. I've got to eat now though, and I'm sure it will go up after eating.

 

[Dreeza]

Charlie,

I don't want to scare you or anything, but if I had a clinic (i'm getting my doctorate in physical therapy) right now...I would sit down with you, can call the doc & get you in somewhere ASAP.

The fact that your whole face is feeling numb/tingly, along with your fingers/hand....I am really worried that we are talking about a possible brain issue. A solely inner ear issue wouldnt be causing all those other symptoms (but it would more explain the dizzyness). I understand it is obscenely expensive...but do your best to get to a free/reduced pay clinic ASAP & get a cat scan/MRI (talk to them in great detail to ensure you are getting the more appropriate test).

Maybe it is something easy to treat like anemia...but if its not...and it is worsening (is it??)...then do you REALLY want to mess with it? This is your life & health...we are talking about.

 

[Renee750il]

Get checked for Lyme, CD. And don't let them pawn you off with the standard test. It gives a false negative over 80% of the time. TruthAboutLymeDisease.com

 

[CharlieDog]

I know that its definitely something I need to take care of. I've been living with most of these since high school, so until it started happening more frequently, I just figured it was something to deal with. What has been worrying me is that its happening more and more frequently. I've been putting it down to stress (having to move back home because of money problems, etc. Things haven't gone well finacially since we had to put an engine in our car.) And just brushing it off.

But the fact that I'm dealing with it daily now and its interfering with my ability to do things on my own, like shopping etc, and I have to cut things short or just not at all has been the real kicker. It seems like I'm never not some kind of feeling ill, and I don't want to keep complaining to my family, because then it seems like I just want attention almost (probably they don't feel like that, and that's just me being weird about asking for help) but meh. I don't want to keep on keeping on and end up in a worse position because I never did anything about it.

I'm kind of afraid I'll go in and they won't find anything wrong with me at all, and think I'm making it all up.