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What Causes Lightheadedness, Balancing Issues And Dizziness?
Question: I am 32 years old with no history of any major illness. I wear glasses (myopic , with my left eye being -2.0 and right 0.5). Stress has been there due to my mothers cancer struggle (1 year ago) and fathers by-pass surgery. I work in IT.
For the past 4 months I have been feeling 'Off-Balance' and 'Lightheaded' especially while walking around or seeing bright lights such as monitor screen.
The condition was so bad initially that I felt 'dizzy' when I saw moving trains or cars or patterns on carpet and was extremely sensitive to light and sound where I had to dim the lights, however its getting better now.
This condition just set all of a sudden with no other symptoms - No cold or Fever prior. I had the gone through the exact same condition last year - However it resolved by itself in 2 months.
I consulted an ENT - Vertin 16 was prescribed, Which made no difference
Visited a Neurologist - Was tested for Thyroid,B12 - B12 came a bit on the lower side (300 range) . I was put on B12 injections for over a month.
Visited an Ophthalmologist - Went through Eye exams , Eye muscle exams etc. Result of Eye exam - Mild convergence inefficiency (Over-convergence).
CT Brain scan was done recently - All clear.Nothing major.
Can you please help with the direction and approach I should take to get to the root cause? Which specialist should I visit to get this sorted?
Also I do feel a bit better if I take Brufen 400 - The 'off-balance' feeling goes down for a while then comes back
For the past 4 months I have been feeling 'Off-Balance' and 'Lightheaded' especially while walking around or seeing bright lights such as monitor screen.
The condition was so bad initially that I felt 'dizzy' when I saw moving trains or cars or patterns on carpet and was extremely sensitive to light and sound where I had to dim the lights, however its getting better now.
This condition just set all of a sudden with no other symptoms - No cold or Fever prior. I had the gone through the exact same condition last year - However it resolved by itself in 2 months.
I consulted an ENT - Vertin 16 was prescribed, Which made no difference
Visited a Neurologist - Was tested for Thyroid,B12 - B12 came a bit on the lower side (300 range) . I was put on B12 injections for over a month.
Visited an Ophthalmologist - Went through Eye exams , Eye muscle exams etc. Result of Eye exam - Mild convergence inefficiency (Over-convergence).
CT Brain scan was done recently - All clear.Nothing major.
Can you please help with the direction and approach I should take to get to the root cause? Which specialist should I visit to get this sorted?
Also I do feel a bit better if I take Brufen 400 - The 'off-balance' feeling goes down for a while then comes back
Brief Answer:
You have already followed the correct direction.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Mr XXXXXXX
Thank you for posting your query.
I am Dr Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist, and would try my best to help you.
I have noted your symptoms and details of consultations. You have already consulted the correct specialists- Neurologist and ENT.
The most common cause of your symptoms could be migrainous vertigo, where all these symptoms occur. Brufen would cause symptomatic improvement. However, it is also better to start preventive medications such as Sibelium (Flunarizine) to prevent the recurrence of symptoms.
I have noted that CT scan was normal. If you do not get better after 15-20 days of above treatment, then, an MRI of brain should be done.
I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in
You have already followed the correct direction.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Mr XXXXXXX
Thank you for posting your query.
I am Dr Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist, and would try my best to help you.
I have noted your symptoms and details of consultations. You have already consulted the correct specialists- Neurologist and ENT.
The most common cause of your symptoms could be migrainous vertigo, where all these symptoms occur. Brufen would cause symptomatic improvement. However, it is also better to start preventive medications such as Sibelium (Flunarizine) to prevent the recurrence of symptoms.
I have noted that CT scan was normal. If you do not get better after 15-20 days of above treatment, then, an MRI of brain should be done.
I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you doctor for the prompt reply. It gives me immense relief to know the direction taken is correct.
I can relate a bit now since last year this 'off-balance/lightheaded' problem began ONLY after I had severe /pulsating like headache.
Can such a migrainous vertigo occur without having any 'headache' like symptoms? and that too over a course of 4 months?
I usually do not have any severe headache but its more sort of a floating/disconnected feeling. Very occasionally do I get headaches.
Also can such migraine's cause 'mild eye pain/discomfort (the pain feels like it extends from behind left eye to left temple)
I can relate a bit now since last year this 'off-balance/lightheaded' problem began ONLY after I had severe /pulsating like headache.
Can such a migrainous vertigo occur without having any 'headache' like symptoms? and that too over a course of 4 months?
I usually do not have any severe headache but its more sort of a floating/disconnected feeling. Very occasionally do I get headaches.
Also can such migraine's cause 'mild eye pain/discomfort (the pain feels like it extends from behind left eye to left temple)
Brief Answer:
Yes, these symptoms can occur in migraine
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
I agree that in the most common type of migraine, headache is the most prominent symptom. However, in less common migraine variants, vertigo or off balance feeling symptom can be the main symptom, and headache would be less prominent or it may just pain around the eyes.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Yes, these symptoms can occur in migraine
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
I agree that in the most common type of migraine, headache is the most prominent symptom. However, in less common migraine variants, vertigo or off balance feeling symptom can be the main symptom, and headache would be less prominent or it may just pain around the eyes.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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