Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Chi chi on May 14, 2015, 03:42:55 PM

Title: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: Chi chi on May 14, 2015, 03:42:55 PM
My anxiety isn't nearly as bad today but I feel soooo off balance, I wouldn't say dizzy like everything's spinning but almost like I'm a little bit drunk, woozy but not in a sickly way if that makes any sense?? Kind of like the feeling you get while on a boat, anyone else get this?
Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: toffeecushion on May 14, 2015, 04:06:05 PM
I have had this on and off for a while now.  I'm sorry I can't offer any help with preventing it, but wanted you to know you are not on your own :)
Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: Chi chi on May 14, 2015, 04:11:14 PM
Thank you  :)
Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: Annie0710 on May 14, 2015, 04:16:43 PM
Mine is light headed and is almost daily, not constant but episodes

I can't stand still for long, I need to lean on things or sit down and I keep bumping into things, have a whopper of a bruise on my bum right now but can't remember doing it


Annie
Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: Chi chi on May 14, 2015, 05:58:46 PM
Awww Annie it's horrible isn't it  :-\
Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: Annie0710 on May 14, 2015, 10:03:24 PM
I hate it, this is one reason I rarely go out

I'm ok shopping as long as we're on the move, the minute we have to stop and chat with people we know and I'm standing still I go light headed.  It happens sitting down too but I'm learning to deal with it, my head is 'fuzzy' constantly and I think this light headedness is an extreme of the fuzziness, well that's how it feels


Annie
Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: warwick01 on May 16, 2015, 10:36:23 AM
Hi

I have suffered the dizziness/off balance feeling for 7 years. It began when I started peri meno, I was told it was a middle ear problem. Looking back I always new hormones played a part. The week of my period (was still regular age 49) I would be so off balance, I avoided everything.

This has caused me to lose confidence and I avoid going out as much as possible. I gave up work last year due to the stress of this. No one ever believed me when I said it was hormonal. However I did e-mail Dr Currie who replied that she had heard this many times.

Currently I am trying a new HRT to see if any improvement.

Although it started before HRT, I did find some HRT's made it worse.......

W
Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: Annie0710 on May 16, 2015, 11:02:01 AM
It has to be hormones, in fact this was my very first symptom that took me to the docs, it panicked me


Annie xx
Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: honeybun on May 16, 2015, 12:58:46 PM
I think it's a very common anxiety problem. Your description of not being able to stand still was very familiar to me when my anxiety and panic attacks were really bad. I was always sure I was going to faint.
It was definitely anxiety related for me.

I has affected my driving confidence and I'm restricted to short distances now. I also find sitting in a restaurant very challenging.

You have my sympathy as its just horrible.

I don't have any answers though except to keep on going out and not get into the situation of avoiding things. It makes it so much worse. I can now do shops and supermarkets and queue. I just kept plugging on with my hubbies support and that part has got a bit better.


Honeybun
X
Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: Annie0710 on May 16, 2015, 01:40:04 PM
That first episode I had I was sitting at work minding my own business doing accounts when I went 'spaced out/light headed'

I remember being at a local music concert and we were standing (it was dark in there) and I said to OH I had to sit down, as soon as I did I felt better, so it's definitely not a 'standing still 'thing but both but 'if ' I was to faint (which I think would've happened by now) I'd rather be seated !

That, and the fuzzy head I think are my worst symptoms or at least the ones I'd like sorted first !

Annie x
Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: Suzyq on May 17, 2015, 01:52:20 AM
For me it was related to low progesterone - I had it for 2 weeks every month and very very low(nil) progesterone. I was prescribed progesterone as my first foray into hrt and it solved the dizzyness and I felt great for a long time. I only went to full hrt when my estrogen levels also feel (around 2 years later I think)
Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: Cassie on May 17, 2015, 07:50:24 AM
have your ears checked, when the little miniscule"stones" inside them get out of sync, it makes one very offbalance, relatead vertigo etc, not necessary the hrt....hope you feel better soon.
Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: Annie0710 on May 17, 2015, 09:43:41 AM
For me it was related to low progesterone - I had it for 2 weeks every month and very very low(nil) progesterone. I was prescribed progesterone as my first foray into hrt and it solved the dizzyness and I felt great for a long time. I only went to full hrt when my estrogen levels also feel (around 2 years later I think)

Interesting Suzyq, my oestrogen is high but progesterone very low but because I had a hysterectomy I'm repeatedly told I don't need progesterone , but do I ?


Annie xx
Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: Smokey on May 17, 2015, 04:18:28 PM
Hi
I also know what you mean,I have had it too, however I also have Ms and it is just like having a ear infection, mine I think was due to stress I went on holiday recently and it arrived more or less as soon as I got there and when I got home it disappeared again. I thought I was having a new symptom but stress is a very complex thing as in you can have it without knowing it.

Ann
Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: samanthalois on May 18, 2015, 11:01:19 AM
Hi, I have just joined this forum and looking for answers - already have seen I am not the only one with dizziness and light headedness... I also feel extremely tired, that I could just curl up and sleep all day and have a funny "fizzy" feeling in my tummy - anyone else feel like this?  It is around the time that my period is due (its late in fact, but I am not pregnant!) and so wondering if it is all connected...
Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: Suzi Q on May 18, 2015, 12:04:22 PM
My anxiety isn't nearly as bad today but I feel soooo off balance, I wouldn't say dizzy like everything's spinning but almost like I'm a little bit drunk, woozy but not in a sickly way if that makes any sense?? Kind of like the feeling you get while on a boat, anyone else get this?
I wrote a whole POST on this a few years back its one of the worst PRE meno symptoms@less known one
I had brain scans etc they were looking for a Tumour ended up take your pick meniers or sinus(37 early)
Of course it wasnt it was meno I found chiropractors helped a lot I cut back to almost zero Milk products
I went to GP who gave me Stemital to take I learnt after a while when the attacks were coming on
Not for another 3 years did someone put it together. It started suddenly one Friday night in work June
It was the April before I was finally taken to hospital and had the tests that showed nothing wrong
So it is normal see your GP about sick tablets which help the dizzies as I call them xxxxxxx
Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: oldsheep on May 19, 2015, 02:21:19 PM
have you had your blood pressure checked? It could be low?
Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: CLKD on May 19, 2015, 02:22:57 PM
I have a nerve in the back of my neck which if I bend my head backwards or move head suddenly it goes kind of 'woosh' inside  ::) and I feel momentarily 'dizzy'.  DH has this too.  Wear and tear in the upper cervical spine maybe?

Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: Briony on May 24, 2015, 04:40:23 PM
HRT/the pill massively improved this for me (to the extent, until I saw your post, I fogot I used to get it!). At the time I was convinced it was low blood sugar, but now realise that was not the case x
Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: jedigirl on May 24, 2015, 05:16:36 PM
I have this most of the day, though it generally is alot better by evening.
I can relate to the fizzy tummy too samanthalois. As long as 4 years ago i remember feeling like a tummy bug was coming regularly and remember describing it as fizzing.
Can't say I've found an answer to either, they've just changed as time goes on  ::)
Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: warwick01 on June 01, 2015, 02:17:41 PM

I agree with SuziQ. I started with this in peri (first symptom) and suffered many years to the extent I was afraid to leave the house. Gave up a good job in TV.

Over the last 10 months the dizziness/off balance has got worse so just changed to a combi HRT and have noticed an improvement immediately with the dizziness. Although suffering other symptoms like low mood and nausea. Hoping this will settle as it's only been 4 weeks on Angeliq combi.

SuzieQ - it was your early post that helped me as deep down I new it was hormonal ;)
Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: Briony on June 01, 2015, 04:28:41 PM
Bless you , Suzie Q. I remembered how much one of your posts helped me back along too and am still grateful to you!

Funnily enough, I had the dizziness for the first time in ages last night. Then today, randomly, I have started to bleed. (On the pill so usually v regular - today day 19).
Doc says random spotting on the pill is usually a sign that it's too low a dose of oestrogen (mine is the lowest there is).  Makes sense.

I used to get so annoyed when people (family) said my dizziness was in my head or just anxiety as I knew there was a pattern to it. Now when I get it, I don't panic like I used to.  .I have this internal dialogue: 'right, girl. It's annoying but you now know what it is; it's just your hormones; you won't die; it's a bummer, but it will go. Just chill, girl'.  Sounds mad but repeating this to myself (in my head!) prevents me from worrying and making thieving worse. Hope that makes sense!



Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: warwick01 on June 01, 2015, 05:21:15 PM
Hi Briony,

I can relate with everything you say. I can still remember the first it happened I was having a really heavy bleed. Then after every month the week before my period. It was scary. Doctors said it was middle ear problem, vestibular problem. But I always it was my hormones. No one would listen ??? therefore I have suffered this problem too long.

Fingers crossed at 56 and just started a combi HRT things will get better and I will gain my confidence back! W
Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: Briony on June 01, 2015, 07:35:52 PM
Fingers crossed for you W - and everybody else in the same horrid boat!! x  :foryou:
Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: Annie0710 on June 01, 2015, 08:35:41 PM
Bless you ,

I used to get so annoyed when people (family) said my dizziness was in my head or just anxiety as I knew there was a pattern to it. Now when I get it, I don't panic like I used to.  .I have this internal dialogue: 'right, girl. It's annoying but you now know what it is; it's just your hormones; you won't die; it's a bummer, but it will go. Just chill, girl'.  Sounds mad but repeating this to myself (in my head!) prevents me from worrying and making thieving worse. Hope that makes sense!

I did exactly the same, I'd panic when I felt off balance, which increased the intensity, now I too tell myself I've survived all the others and I haven't fainted so as much as I don't like them and can't wait to see the back of them, I'll cope with the future ones

Horrible hortible symptom

Annie xx
Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: SallyG on June 02, 2015, 05:15:23 AM
I just can't believe how awful I felt yesterday. The dizziness almost knocked me off my feet. It was like a panic attack but I know its hormone depletion. I have a knowing pain in my left ovary side and generally just want to hide under the duvet. But feel like I have to soldier on despite feeling terrible.

What a crazy thing this is.
Sallyx
Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: Ju Ju on June 02, 2015, 06:08:24 AM
Interesting. Never thought this being hormonal. Over the last few years, just occasionally, I'd be walking along when I would become dizzy and would have to stop and hold on to something or someone while things settled down. As it didn't happen often enough, I didn't do anything about it. I do not suffer from anxiety or depression fortunately.
Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: warwick01 on June 02, 2015, 09:05:06 AM
Ju Ju

I can relate to that. Still happens when I walk around shops or down the street. For me it got worse closer to full menopause.

People including close family don't really talk about this subject but I recall my Nan telling me she suffered giddy turns when she was going through the change!!! I guess these were the same?

W
Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: Ju Ju on June 02, 2015, 09:17:25 AM
Interestingly I don't think I have had any episodes since starting HRT.
Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: warwick01 on June 02, 2015, 04:59:10 PM
Ju Ju - which HRT are you on??
Title: Re: Dizziness/Off Balance
Post by: Briony on June 02, 2015, 05:57:16 PM
http://www.34-menopause-symptoms.com/dizziness.htm

Worth a read, for reassurance if nothing else! xx