Dizziness Caused by Anxiety? Really?

Updated on May 26, 2011
K.G. asks from Fort Lauderdale, FL
10 answers

Last September I had really bad bronchitis. It wasn't going away after the first round of meds, so they put me on prednisone. I got really dizzy from it and "assumed" it was a side effect.. That was 9 months ago and I'm still dizzy on and off (more on)....
I have been to countless doctor's for this (2 primary doctors, 2 ENT's, 2 neurologists, dentist, TMJ doctor) and have done MANY tests ( contrast brain mri, mri of my neck and spine, CT scans, ALL blood tests,allergy tests, etc) everything came back normal... The ENT did a balance/hearing test on me and it showed I was significantly off on my right side, so I was sent to physical therapy to correct the crystals in my ears. Didn't help at all....
In the meantime, I also sometimes get numbness/tingling in my legs, hand and side of my face.. My concentration is GONE!!! I feel like I have 1 braincell left.. I don't know if this has to do with my dizziness but it's extremely frustrating!!!
I grind my teeth at night so I went to a TMJ doctor, he said this can definitely be causing this... He wants me to get a new mouthguard, and start coming to therapy, BUT it cost about 3,000 after it's all said and done.. My insurance won't cover it.. ALSO, my insurance isn't the best so I've spent A LOT of money on trying to figure this out...
3 weeks ago I got a head cold, the dizziness came on really strong again!!!!! I went to a new neurologist yesterday and after doing physical exam (because I LOOK totally normal) he said, I have low blood pressure 98/58, I should be drinking more fluids and add some salt to my diet. BUT really thinks overall that this could be anxiety and prescribed me klonopin, lol (won't be filling that).. I was actually offended because this all started when I had BRONCHITIS, nothing to do with anxiety.. And he's a doctor at the Cleveland Clinic....
So I'm really at a loss..... I feel like, if I have anxiety (which I don't feel that) it's now because noone can figure out what's wrong with me.
Let me add that I have very mild asthma... I was diagnosed at 22.. I haven't taken an inhaler in about 4 years because I feel as if I don't need it..My friends say that maybe I'm not getting enough oxygen in my blood and it's causing all this. That I should be seeing a pulmonologist.
Any input or suggestions?
PS I do have sleeping issues, so I take xanax (.25-.50 lowest dose) to go to bed (have been for almost 2 years).. So if he's thinking it's anxiety, I ALREADY take xanax (which is technically considered a anti-anxiety NOT a sleep aid)...

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S.G.

answers from Norfolk on

Have you been exposed to ticks at all? Lyme disease might be a possibility. The dizziness, confusion, and numbness/tingling are all sensations that could be associated with Lyme disease. I'm sorry you're going through this. And yes, anxiety can definitely cause dizziness.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Yes, see your Pulmonologist.
I have Asthma.
Oxygen levels, can really affect... your health.

And, have they ever done an EKG? To check your heart?
Just in case, to rule out anything else.

But.... You seem to have "Vertigo."
Maybe.
My friend had that... and it was due to stress.

Have you ever researched the side-effects of Prednisone? Try doing that. So you know about it.

Maybe try acupuncture.... ?

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C.B.

answers from Boston on

I get dizzy and I have low blood pressure, sometimes 100/60 like yours. That will definitely cause dizziness as well as tunnel vision right before you pass out. I experience tunnel vision when I go into a very cold store after being out in the 80 degree weather in the summer. Make sure to drink LOTS of water, and my doctor also said that I was one person who he did not have to tell to restrict salt. Low BP is good for everything EXCEPT when you fall and hit your head, lol! Make sure to drink lots of fluids! Sounds to me like the low BP combined with low oxygen due to asthma would be the cause of your dizziness, but I am no MD.
PS: CVS sells tooth guards that you boil in water to soften and then put in your mouth to better fit your teeth. I would try that before spending the $$. I spent about $400 at my dentist and had a custom one made. Sound like we have a lot in common. Cheers.
PPS: I am not anxious at all either, so don't let the doctors talk you into something you do not have.

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A.C.

answers from Boca Raton on

Hi! Well, contrary to all the other posts, I can agree with the potential that it could be anxiety. I have had bouts of anxiety over my life, and dizziness has certainly gone hand in hand. When I first was diagnosed with anxiety, I had no clue. I had been seeing a doctor b/c I thought I had asthma...but I really DID have anxiety. I know...different than your symptoms...but my point is that I had no clue I had anxiety..but once I started to think about it, it was really true. It was not something forced on me...it was something I was living with, but just didn't understand. And as far as it starting with the illness...well, that could be true...if you were ill, were you missing work, or having a hard time caring for your kids. Those things could certainly add to anxiety. I used to feel embarassed..but anxiety is an illness, just like any other. And talking things out with a therapist can help immensely. You could certainly give that a try...and then they can help you determine if you have anxiety or not.

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J.C.

answers from New York on

You poor thing!! I'm so sorry that you are feeling this way. I went through something similar and it ended up being post-partum anxiety.

So you've been to the ENT. Did they stick that black rubber LONG tube into your nose to check your adnoids? Infected adnoids make you dizzy so it could be that.

Also, see the pulminologist - rule it out. It's worth the peace of mind.

Also, since it's been a year almost, I'd ask the doctor for an antidepressant that also treats anxiety (Zoloft or Lexapro). And then I'd get myself in to see a therapist - preferably a female. And just talk - and keep talking. Talking helps so much. She will give you some breathing exercises to try and some imagery.

The meds will take 2-4 weeks to kick in. It could be anxiety and you are just not seeing it. Anxiety is horrible. I have to go away tomorrow and now my colitis is acting up due to stress and anxiety. UGH!!!!!

Feel better!!!

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J.B.

answers from Detroit on

I went throught the same thing for almost a year. It really did start out as the inner ear issue but in the end it was actually Anxiety/panic attacks. It has been terrible. They gave me xanax to take also it is fast acting but not for long term use as it is highly addictive. I started in counseling doubled up on my balancing cream and I started drinking a lot of decaf green tea (organic) and camomile tea both have properties that help with anxiety and help you sleep. Mine started due to the people next door (I am a domestic violence surviror) he was abusive and the story is way to long to put on here. Anyway it really most likely is anxiety. I was doing great it was gone my husband had an allergic reaction last Thursday to a new medication and had to be rushed to the ER by ambulance it is trying to come back but I am fighting it and drinking extra tea and doubled back up on my balancing cream again. Good Luck try to find something that is peacefull to you and makes you relax it is hard but you can do it! I opt not to take long term medications since there are so many side effects. I haven't taken the xanax since my 3rd therapy session.

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M.R.

answers from Chicago on

Although I am certainly not an expert and it probably isn't anxiety in your case, yes - anxiety can cause dizziness.

Anxiety can change the way you breathe, very subtly and in ways that you don't necessarily recognize, that could decrease the amount of oxygen to your brain thus causing the dizziness. The LBP can play a role too.

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R.H.

answers from Boston on

I tend to think your dizziness, numbness and lack of concentration are all related. Keep a journal and write down a few things every single time any of these symptoms occur: What you ate and drank for the 24 hrs leading up to the symptoms, when you last ate/drank (was it hours ago, or a few minutes?), What you mental state was just prior to this happening, or even jot down where you were and what was happening at the time. Hopefully you will notice a pattern. Perhaps it is related to low blood sugar; sometimes a carb-heavy meal can create low blood sugar later on. THat is something you would be able to see emerge as a pattern in your journal of symptoms. Bring the written info to doctors visits as well, as they may see significance in something where you don't. Don't give up! In the meantime I would just suggest trying to maintain as healthful a lifestyle as possible. I know a lot of people are encouraging you to drink a lot of water, and that's fine but there is such a thing as water toxicity, so don't go overboard with the water and salt. Coconut water or probiotic/enzyme drinks like kombucha can provide hydration along with electrolytes and other good stuff to keep your gut and immune system healthy, so you might want to add those types of drinks to the mix so you're not just downing a ton of water. Besides your blood pressure is not terribly low in my opinion, I live with a BP in the 90's/50's. FOr many people that is their baseline BP and it's not an issue. You can buy a blood pressure monitor at the drug store and keep track of yours to see what your normal BP is. Aha, there's something else you can add to the journal! Good luck!

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M..

answers from Ocala on

I don't know about you but I am truly sick of Dr.'s. They don't care about us. They want to get paid.$$$$$$$$$

Lately I have been For a week now I have been getting lightheaded / headache / dizzy. I went online last night to see what I could find and I read about how a sinus infection could cause this.

It's funny how I just posted my question like two minutes ago for this same thing.

I hope that we both feel better real soon.

Good luck.

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R.K.

answers from Appleton on

Have you ever noticed that doctors 'practice' they never actually do anything? I hate the fact that so many doctors don't do enough to find the root of the problem. If you go into a typical doctor's office and say 'my arm hurts' they offer pain killers but never look to find out why your arm hurts.
My blood presure was the same as yours for years. I remember being in my 20's taking the pill and smoking and my blood pressure was 98/58. I wasn't dizzy--I was extremely healthy.
Anxiety could be the cause of all of this but if it were me I would be doing a lot of online reasearch. This could be Chronic Fatigue Syndrom--Epstein-Barr--MS--ALS (Lou Gehrig) And it could be a simple sinus infection or the fact that you grind your teeth.
See if there is a Doctor of Holistic Medicine in your area. I don't think insurance covers this but you might get a better diagnosis and treatment. Holistic doctors treat the whole body, not just the part that 'hurts'

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