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[holidaylover]

Hi Ladies

I've posted in the past about my constant tingling sensations in feet, nose, tongue etc.  Still have this, getting worse I think, and also have now, a tingling crawling feeling up my legs and into buttocks, which at times turns into a terrible itch. (Thought I had fleas). The itch can be all over by body.  But now I am finding it hard to get by each day with this awful constant anxiety. (Which I believe is stemming from my worry regarding all my tingly sensations).  I have this horrid spaced out feeling where I feel I'm almost drugged and not quite there (if that makes sense), and I know when this is the case that when I go out, I'm most definately going to have panic attacks.  When I'm out walking I feel everything around me is spinning and the pavement feels like its moving up and down, I feel so dizzy, and I'm sure I must look drunk! I get the sweats, hands shake and everything feels unreal.  This can last until I get home again, not like a panic attack that last for minutes. In the supermarket with daughter this morning, and I knew it was panic but really thought I was going to die.  Went to a function with hubby at the weekend, lasted ten minutes, and had to be brought home.  It was so hot in the place, my heart was pounding, felt everyone was looking at me (they weren't), and just felt so out of it.  I am so sick of myself, as at the moment my life has grounded to a halt. Have been trying breathing techniques, and have read Claire Weekes book.  People swear by her books and I thought it would be my answer but I just dont get her theory of 'floating' through the panic, as I just much too busy thinking that I'm about to collapse'  Any one else felt this bad with their anxiety?  So sorry for the long post (again!).

[Taz2]

Hi holidaylover. Reading your post I wonder if you have ever been investigated for inner ear problems? Your symptoms of the ground moving up and down (a bit like walking on marshmallows maybe?) and the spinning and spaced out feelings are very typical of an inner ear or vestibular problem. It may be worth asking your doc to check.

I hope you feel better soon - it's easy to blame everything on panic.

Taz x

[holidaylover]

Hi Taz,

Yep, I have been tested for inner ear problems in the past, ie. balance tests, and MRI.  Doc said I had labyrinthitus, but when I had that I had the dizziness even whilst sitting at home.  This is solely when I walk outside.  I have been bothered with this in the past, especially in wide open spaces, like the beach for example, but this time it is so much worse.  I do have AD's but haven't taken them yet, as I'm waiting for my B12 blood test coming back (re tingling), but see doc on Monday so will have to address this issue then.  I know this could leave me housebound so I know I have to get a grip on this before it gets that bad. I just worry that the AD will make me even more spaced, and I know that this would make my panic worse.  I long for a clear head!!!

[honeybun]

I do understand how you feel. I get a bit of the same when anxiety strikes. My head does not feel as if it's,attached to my body and when I'm standing still things around are moving. I get it if I'm in a busy place or standing in a queue. It's the most horrible thing.

What gets me though is by telling myself that not once have I collapsed or been sick, not once. So although the feelings are awful they have not done me any harm ever. If I'm stuck in a queue then I get my phone out and browse photographs just to give me something else to think about. You have to develop coping techniques to get through it.
Have you tried going for a walk and listening to music or a self help CD.

Terrible though they are these feelings won't harm us and we will get better in time. Fighting them for me makes me worse, letting them come and saying...Well I've felt like this before and got though it in one piece really helps.

Honeyb
x

[Rowan]

Have you looked into BPPV holidaylover  a foggy head is one of the many symptoms

http://www.labyrinthitis.org.uk/bppv.htm

Has anyone told you about the  Epley Manoeuvre ?

[Kathleen]

Hello holidaylover and sorry to hear you are having a rough time.

Apart from my sympathy I would only add that I've had labrynthitis and I felt as if I was on board ship, every time  I got up I listed to one side! I remember holding on to the washing line in the garden when hanging out the laundry. I honestly don't remember what it was like to walk outside. I was given some anti inflammatories and it soon resolved.
Hope this is of help to you, take care.

K.

[toffeecushion]

I am like this all the time - think it is anxiety.  It's horrible and I wish it would go away.

[Milamam]

Hi holidaylover, I was absolutely like that in April/May this year, each and every day I felt as if constantly drunk, dizzy, spaced out, I couldn't go out to get groceries. Funny and embarrasing all the time. As if floating on the street and need support to walk straight.  This was adding to anxiety, or was caused by anxiety, I don't know. I was on ADs for about 8 months already when these feelings begun so don't think ADs did anything to help.

Then one day an older friend came over andI complained. She told me that when she went through menopause she often felt like walking like a drunk, hands shaking etc. This lit a bulb in my head that my woos could be hormonal (didn't think about this at all). Next thing I went to check hormones and yep, I was perimenopausal indeed.

So from what you describe and what I have felt before, I think it is the anxiety related to hormones. I think you should describe how you feel to you GP and select the best course of action.

Hang in there, and keep is updated!

Milamam

[Taz2]

Hi again. Labrynthitis often lasts for life - not the really bad symptoms but you can be left with a feeling of unsteadiness and it comes and goes. It is made worse by anxiety so maybe you have got the two together? It's a horrible illness and can stop people getting on with their lives. The damage done to the inner ear is permanent and it depends on how well the brain is at compensating as to whether you  make a full recovery nor not. I just think that this can't be discounted.

Kathleen - I've never heard of anti inflammatories for labrynthitis? Most treatment is with Stemitil which has to be taken for a really short time if you want the brain to begin compensating. Were these prescribed by a specialist. My son has had this for quite a few months now and it has impacted so badly on his life but none of the ENT specialists he has seen has suggested anti-inflammatories. Might do a bit of research! 

Taz x

[Rowan]

I agree with Taz  vestibular  disorders and panic symptoms feed on each other, symptoms of imbalance,  effecting vision, hearing, dizziness, feelings of unreality the list goes on. The brain is trying to compensate all the time.

I have never heard of anti-inflammatories being used for disorders of the ears I must admit.

Holidaylover you could be having a few things going on besides the lingering effects of  labrynthitis , also your anxiety is being fed from the physical symptoms and it becomes a vicious circle.

I have BPPV and it never goes away my brain is always compensating.

[karenja]

Hi I suffer terrible from anxiety and I had funny feelings sometimes which I can only describe like I was going to keel over when I was standing up or when I was walking I could not walk in a straight line, still got anxiety but that seems to have passed, though I do worry im going to pass out or worst when I get some anxiety symptoms x

[Kathleen]

Hello ladies, regarding my diagnosis of labryrinthitis, I've been consulting the archive (my old diaries) and here's what I found.

In 2010 I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis and given anti inflammatory drugs. Whilst being treated I developed labyrinthitis which is inflammation of the labyrinth or inner ear.  I thought it was odd to develop a second inflammatory illness whilst already taking substantial amounts of anti inflammatories for my bowel problems. I thought I had noted in my diary any extra meds I was given for the ear problem but I can't find a record of any so now I'm not sure what I took at the time. I do remember being told to keep moving so that the brain re-wires and learns to ignore the wrong signals from the ear and I did manage to do this. The balance problems resolved quite quickly and I haven't had a recurrence since so who knows, maybe the UC drugs worked on the ear as well!

I just thought I'd clarify all that for anyone who is interested.

Wishing everyone well.

K.

[Taz2]

Thanks Kathleen.

Taz x

[warwick01]

Hi Holidaylover

I could have written that post myself. I had a severe bout of vertigo at age 49, I remember being on a very heavy period that day. That was the start of things to come!! I was tested and told it was Labrinthitis?? I noted every month before my period I would get dizzy/vertigo. I was also diagnosed with perimenopause.

Over the last few years I have felt really odd most of the time with spacey head, dizziness esp when out. Not sure if it's anxiety related as I always feel tense. I have just left my dream job because I couldn't cope with working. I hate feeling like this, but be reassured your not alone.

W

[holidaylover]

Morning Ladies,

Thanks to all who have read and replied.  I do think the 'spacey dizziness' is agorophobic panic, as i'm not dizzy when I'm in the house.  I think I have a period approaching, although I'm never sure at the minute!!  I do know that in the past, when I was 'due', my panic was always heightened. I am spending my days consumed with worry over my other symptoms and I think my worrying has put me in a continual anxious state.  It's a real rollercoaster, and I really want to get off now!