HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Lightheadedness,loos Of Balance,dizziness And Eyelid Spasms?

default
Posted on Thu, 22 May 2014
Question: Lightheaded/off balance sensation/eyelid spasms especially after working out/dizzy spells /tightness feelings on face are my symptoms.

March 1st I drank a lot of alcohol on empty stomach. Next day still barely ate. Had Random dizzy spell that evening. Scared the crap out of me. Since then I quit smoking 3 days after with two relapses but stopped for 1 1/2 weeks now. Also started and stopped prozac in the month in between these two months of hell!

Been lightheaded/ off balance a lot of the time sometimes not 24/7. Very nervous and anxious I can feel it even though I'm not anxious. I have had GAD and Panic Disorder since I was 14 I'm now 26.

I've seen my general practitioner about four times and an ENT , who both said it's anxiety triggered from the dizzy spell I had night after drinking. They did neurological exams on me, checked my eyes, my hearing and said I don't even need an MRI to ease my brain tumor or MS fear because I would have much worse symptoms. Are they right? I am sick of feeling like I have 80 pounds of cement in my skull and I'm looking through a glass bowl. I take Xanax as needed.

I am scared to death I have something terrible

Thanks!
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
There is no need to worry.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX

Thank you for posting your query.

I have noted your symptoms.

First of all, I would like to reassure you that there is no need to worry about your symptoms and they are not suggestive of a serious brain disease such as brain tumor or multiple sclerosis (MS).

This is because your symptoms are episodic and a detailed neurological examination is within normal limits.

I agree that situations you have described could cause your symptoms, which are made worse by anxiety.

Already you have GAD. If you take alcohol binge, it can cause withdrawal. The symptoms of withdrawal are same. These symptoms can go on for 2 - 3 weeks. Thus you need to avoid smoking and alcohol as these can precipitate anxiety. The treatment of choice is alprazolam.

You also need to take regular, healthy meals and avoid taking alcohol on empty stomach. You should also take vitamin supplements that include thiamine, vitamin B12 and other B complex vitamins.

I am sure you would improve with current treatment.

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, Hyderabad, India
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. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (1 hour later)
Thank you for your answer. So you think no reason to worry about brain tumor. Even though the lightheaded feeling is almost always here. It's worse after I work out then gets better. I fishing right now and talked to someone for a half am hour and didn't notice the off balance feeling. I take fish oil and B12. Do you think it would be a lot worse of brain tumor or brain cancer I worry to the extreme and sometimes I have light headaches.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (4 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, I dont think you have symptoms of brain tumor

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.

I agree that you have no symptoms of brain tumor or brain cancer. They would be much worse, such as severe headache, fits, vomiting in mornings, weakness of arm or leg, imbalance while walking, or double vision.

You can continue with current treatment and diet and I am sure you would improve.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (4 minutes later)
One last thing before the rating do you think I may have some BPPV ? Even though I don't have vertigo?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Symptoms are not like BPPV.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.

As of now, your symptoms do not suggest a diagnosis of BPPV.

Best wishes,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sudhir Kumar

Neurologist

Practicing since :1994

Answered : 6231 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Lightheadedness,loos Of Balance,dizziness And Eyelid Spasms?

Brief Answer: There is no need to worry. Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX Thank you for posting your query. I have noted your symptoms. First of all, I would like to reassure you that there is no need to worry about your symptoms and they are not suggestive of a serious brain disease such as brain tumor or multiple sclerosis (MS). This is because your symptoms are episodic and a detailed neurological examination is within normal limits. I agree that situations you have described could cause your symptoms, which are made worse by anxiety. Already you have GAD. If you take alcohol binge, it can cause withdrawal. The symptoms of withdrawal are same. These symptoms can go on for 2 - 3 weeks. Thus you need to avoid smoking and alcohol as these can precipitate anxiety. The treatment of choice is alprazolam. You also need to take regular, healthy meals and avoid taking alcohol on empty stomach. You should also take vitamin supplements that include thiamine, vitamin B12 and other B complex vitamins. I am sure you would improve with current treatment. 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, Hyderabad, India Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in