The Dizziness Group: For those who are floating, boating, falling or flying

[[Yo...]]

It's old news that benzos can be dangerous and are only indicated for short-term use to treat episodes of anxiety or insomnia. "Baby It's You" old.

 

It's gross negligence, to put it mildly, that it still goes on today. All anyone has to do is read the Wikipedia page to get informed.

 

It may not be the pharmacist's job to question a doctor's script, but a conscientious one would. But most don't want to get involved for fear of reprimand or even losing their job.

 

The information sheet I was given said nothing except the usual may cause somnolence, so "don't drive", etc. They're at least concerned about the safety of motorists!

[[La...]]

abcd, just to clarify, I did a fair amount of testing before getting to the bottom of it all. By eliminating other things, you get closer to a probable answer. At one point, an ENT queried whether it might be a "retrocochlear lesion", but then, of course, my symptoms didn't follow that pattern. The neurologist was able to eliminate other things, but he couldn't say what it was. The opthalmologist and neuro-opthalmologist could eliminate other things. That reduced the number of possibilities. Anxiety-related dizziness follows different patterns than what I have, so that didn't make sense either.

 

By the time I got to the end of it all the testing (lots!), I'd come to suspect the medication that I was still taking. So did the naturopath, who had some experience with it. Tripping upon BB via the "floaty boaty dizzy" people who were writing about their experiences (about 85 pages worth, once I printed it all out) added some seriously eye-opening points to the discussion.

 

So, by the end, I was down to either SSRI-related dizziness or benzo-related dizziness. Or both.

[[...]]

Hey Lap, yes, I know you underwent all the tests.  And along the way I bet not one doc even hinted at your medication being the problem, right?

 

I wonder what would've happened had I suspected the benzo much sooner.  I even agreed to CBT *in case* it was due to some hidden underlying anxiety .  I pretty much left no stone unturned, just in case one thing led to another in solving the mystery.  CBT, I quit after a couple of waste of time sessions, it was clear to both of us that CBT wadn't gonna help nuthin' especially as I was so ingrained in mindfulness practice anyway.  Oh, but I was assured that Remeron was my answer!!!    I do wonder how all these past specialists I consulted with may have responded had I come armed with supporting documentation. 

 

 

 

Anxiety-related dizziness follows different patterns than what I have, so that didn't make sense either.

 

Meant to ask you about this, Lap, what supposedly is the pattern for anxiety-related dizziness?

 

[Guest [...]]

abcd,Lapis and Shook,I am so relieved I wasn't the only one to get the brush off comments from the pharmacists and docs!

 

We really need to do our ''side effects'' homework before stuffing pills in our pie holes!

 

 

 

 

[[La...]]

abcd, I did ask a couple of doctors about the clonazepam, but they said it was "such a small dose". Uh-huh. Right. That depends on one's genetics.

 

Anxiety-related dizziness would come on with a panic attack or other anxiety-filled situation. It's not constant, and it's not the intense and ongoing floaty-boaty kind. It tends to be lightheadedness from hyperventilation, or wooziness.

 

I got stuck in an elevator, and although I was scared, my dizziness level didn't change. I've had other situations where that type of thing happened. And then I can be calm even when I've got an 8-level floaty-boaty dizzy day. You can't say it's anxiety-related dizziness. That's illogical.

 

A couple of months ago, I fainted. It was an 8-level dizzy day for me, but then the pain-related blood pressure drop that I experienced brought on what's called "vasovagal syncope". I regained consciousness, of course, and eventually felt more "normal", but I still had my 8. I was exhausted. Brutal experience. Two different kinds of dizziness in one day.

[Guest [...]]

abcd, I did ask a couple of doctors about the clonazepam, but they said it was "such a small dose". Uh-huh. Right. That depends on one's genetics.

 

Anxiety-related dizziness would come on with a panic attack or other anxiety-filled situation. It's not constant, and it's not the boaty kind. It tends to be lightheadedness from hyperventilation, or wooziness.

 

I got stuck in an elevator, and although I was scared, my dizziness level didn't change. I've had other situations where that type of thing happened. And then I can be calm even when I've got an 8-level floaty-boaty dizzy day. You can't say it's anxiety-related dizziness. That's illogical.

 

A couple of months ago, I fainted. It was an 8-level dizzy day for me, but then the pain-related blood pressure drop that I experienced brought on what's called "vasovagal syncope". I regained consciousness, of course, and eventually felt more "normal", but I still had my 8. I was exhausted. Brutal experience. Two different kinds of dizziness in one day.

 

 

 

Lapis,that describes the dizziness I have exactly.It's constant,not just when anxious.It does ramp up more when a panic attack comes,but the boatiness is always there.

 

It must have been scary to faint!You are so lucky you didn't hit your head or get hurt falling!

[[Yo...]]

abcd,Lapis and Shook,I am so relieved I wasn't the only one to get the brush off comments from the pharmacists and docs!

 

We really need to do our ''side effects'' homework before stuffing pills in our pie holes!

 

You're all about baked goods, 2200! 

[[La...]]

Scared the peedoodle (and poodoodle) out of me, 2200! Someone caught me, so that made all the difference. I was sitting down, and my head just rested on her shoulder for that time, I guess. I was unable to get to a lying position before losing consciousness, so I fainted sitting up. Very sucky. Much harder to get the blood pressure up in that position. I eventually got over to the bed to lie down for awhile, but standing up to get there was almost impossible. So weak!

 

 

[Guest [...]]

Scared the peedoodle (and poodoodle) out of me, 2200! Someone caught me, so that made all the difference. I was sitting down, and my head just rested on her shoulder for that time, I guess. I was unable to get to a lying position before losing consciousness, so I fainted sitting up. Very sucky. Much harder to get the blood pressure up in that position. I eventually got over to the bed to lie down for awhile, but standing up to get there was almost impossible. So weak!

 

 

Darn Lapis,too bad when it happened you didn't faint into the arms of some dashing, good looking guy,like what happens to the ladies who faint in those Harlequin romance books!

 

And then you live happily ever after too!

[[La...]]

Here's one other thing on the topic of panic and anxiety. It's from PubMed, and I posted it earlier today in the News section.

 

In this line, they say that a panic attack may be caused by a vestibular dysfunction (e.g. One gets anxious when dizzy, which is common), but that does NOT define panic disorder:

 

"Although panic attacks may originate from the direct effects of substance use, medications, or a general medical condition like hyperthyroidism or vestibular dysfunction, they must not derive solely from these."

 

And here they describe some of the physical characteristics of a panic attack:

 

"Panic attacks in patients with panic disorder are more often characterized by severe dizziness, episodes of irregular breathing, and fears of losing control or "going crazy." Although physical examination of these patients is often normal, nonspecific findings may include elevated heart rate, elevated blood pressure, mildly elevated respiratory rate without increased work of breathing, mild tremors, and cool, diaphoretic skin to palpation."

 

 

My dizziness can't be characterized this way. Again, it's an ongoing, all-day, floaty-boaty affair.

 

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430973/#article-26587.s1 

[Guest [...]]

abcd,Lapis and Shook,I am so relieved I wasn't the only one to get the brush off comments from the pharmacists and docs!

 

We really need to do our ''side effects'' homework before stuffing pills in our pie holes!

 

You're all about baked goods, 2200! 

 

 

 

That is true.....if someone is at my house and gets a headache,instead of aspirin,I offer them pie for their pill holes!

 

I know,that's so bad!

[[La...]]

Scared the peedoodle (and poodoodle) out of me, 2200! Someone caught me, so that made all the difference. I was sitting down, and my head just rested on her shoulder for that time, I guess. I was unable to get to a lying position before losing consciousness, so I fainted sitting up. Very sucky. Much harder to get the blood pressure up in that position. I eventually got over to the bed to lie down for awhile, but standing up to get there was almost impossible. So weak!

 

 

Darn Lapis,too bad when it happened you didn't faint into the arms of some dashing, good looking guy,like what happens to the ladies who faint in those Harlequin romance books!

 

And then you live happily ever after too!

 

Right! And where ARE those guys when I need 'em? What the heck? Well, the truth is, I look like crap these days, and I'm rather embarrassed about it, so I'll need to get myself together before I faint dramatically into some "dashing" guy's arms.

[[...]]

Sounds horrible, Lapsy, hope you don't pull another stunt like that, even though I was pleased to read you did regain consciousness  sorry, that part made me grin.

 

Re this "anxiety related dizziness", oh yes, even though I informed them in no uncertain terms that it was 24/7 and began within seconds of barely being awake, Remeron was the answer to my underlying anxiety.  J.effing.C!!!  Well, there's more to the Remeron story ... hah, don't we all love dodo doctor stories ... Sooo, when I asked whether there were any sxs or withdrawal issues (yea, just testing cos I knew darn well I'd never again touch an AD in my life), the dude actually shook his head and said, "No".  Just that.  Nothing More. Finished.  Honest to Gd!  However ... I was informed that I'd need my glucose levels checked every three months, though just for fun, I guess.

 

Just saw 2200's post. 

[[La...]]

abcd, I guess it's possible that I haven't regained consciousness, and I'm still out of it. Perhaps I'm sleep-walking right now! Who knows?!

 

I think they all feel compelled to offer meds. And some people want meds. So, it works some of the time! But they should offer other options for treatment too.

[[Yo...]]

Is this how you remember it Laps?

 

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2-GJnoSlZ5s/TSUmUMqP8gI/AAAAAAAAAHw/GLbvDIQJsZk/s1600/reg17.jpg

[[La...]]

Omigosh, Shook! How did you get that picture of us? I thought we were alone! And why am I wearing light blue instead of lapis blue? And why has my hair changed colour? Any why.....

[[La...]]

....and why didn't this guy help me get my head down so that I could recover faster? I mean, really! Don't these guys learn anything in Harlequin Romance School? Seriously!

[[La...]]

And on a more serious note, I was checking PubMed to see what's up, and I came across this study on Meniere's Disease. I'm not sure if anyone saw that benzo documentary by Irish filmmaker Shane Kenny, but he was given a benzo for his Meniere's Disease, and that led to quite the nightmare, according to his film.

 

Anyway, this report on the latest updates for MD show that the thinking has changed on the causes of the disease. And that just goes to show you how changeable the state of medical knowledge is. More is being learned all the time -- which is great, of course -- but it also means that some people might have been treated with remedies that don't get to the cause of the problem.

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28635760 

[[...]]

And on a more serious note, I was checking PubMed to see what's up, and I came across this study on Meniere's Disease. I'm not sure if anyone saw that benzo documentary by Irish filmmaker Shane Kenny, but he was given a benzo for his Meniere's Disease, and that led to quite the nightmare, according to his film.

 

Anyway, this report on the latest updates for MD show that the thinking has changed on the causes of the disease. And that just goes to show you how changeable the state of medical knowledge is. More is being learned all the time -- which is great, of course -- but it also means that some people might have been treated with remedies that don't get to the cause of the problem.

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28635760

 

But see, Lap, it's changeable yes but is it really that more is being learned all the time?  All this study really proves is that over the past 150 years  , they've come up with one hypothesis after another.  And the latest stab at a theory is "priority to the role of contamination of perilymph with calcium ions".  Kewl.  And so what?  Who's next?  150 years?!  Sad.  I would like to read the full study though, it's too bad always having to contend with abstracts.

 

Thanks for the share, Lapsy, and I promise I had no idea what Shook was up to when he asked to borrow my camera!  Lol, great pic of you guys, both looking exceptionally hot! 

 

 

[[Yo...]]

And on a more serious note, I was checking PubMed to see what's up, and I came across this study on Meniere's Disease. I'm not sure if anyone saw that benzo documentary by Irish filmmaker Shane Kenny, but he was given a benzo for his Meniere's Disease, and that led to quite the nightmare, according to his film.

 

Anyway, this report on the latest updates for MD show that the thinking has changed on the causes of the disease. And that just goes to show you how changeable the state of medical knowledge is. More is being learned all the time -- which is great, of course -- but it also means that some people might have been treated with remedies that don't get to the cause of the problem.

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28635760

 

But see, Lap, it's changeable yes but is it really that more is being learned all the time?  All this study really proves is that over the past 150 years  , they've come up with one hypothesis after another.  And the latest stab at a theory is "priority to the role of contamination of perilymph with calcium ions".  Kewl.  And so what?  Who's next?  150 years?!  Sad.  I would like to read the full study though, it's too bad always having to contend with abstracts.

 

Thanks for the share, Lapsy, and I promise I had no idea what Shook was up to when he asked to borrow my camera!  Lol, great pic of you guys, both looking exceptionally hot! 

 

Got a dad bod now and tend to keep my shirt on. Plus I don't go out in lightning storms anymore to catch fainting women and romance them. I favor staying in with nachos and Netflix... 

[[La...]]

And on a more serious note, I was checking PubMed to see what's up, and I came across this study on Meniere's Disease. I'm not sure if anyone saw that benzo documentary by Irish filmmaker Shane Kenny, but he was given a benzo for his Meniere's Disease, and that led to quite the nightmare, according to his film.

 

Anyway, this report on the latest updates for MD show that the thinking has changed on the causes of the disease. And that just goes to show you how changeable the state of medical knowledge is. More is being learned all the time -- which is great, of course -- but it also means that some people might have been treated with remedies that don't get to the cause of the problem.

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28635760

 

But see, Lap, it's changeable yes but is it really that more is being learned all the time?  All this study really proves is that over the past 150 years  , they've come up with one hypothesis after another.  And the latest stab at a theory is "priority to the role of contamination of perilymph with calcium ions".  Kewl.  And so what?  Who's next?  150 years?!  Sad.  I would like to read the full study though, it's too bad always having to contend with abstracts.

 

Thanks for the share, Lapsy, and I promise I had no idea what Shook was up to when he asked to borrow my camera!  Lol, great pic of you guys, both looking exceptionally hot! 

 

Well, let's hope that they're moving closer to figuring it out! I was given a Meniere's Disease med called betahistine, which, of course, did nothing for me because that's not what I have. Shane Kenny was given diazepam for his MD, but it appears that that wouldn't address the cause at all. I'm sure this kind of mismanagement happens all the time. Big waste.

 

Awhile ago, I read a NYTimes article on the increased research that's taking place in the field of hearing and balance. They said that "ears are the new eyes" (or something to that effect)! What they meant was that there's been a lot of recent research and advances in the field of vision and eye problems, but less of that in the field of hearing and balance. I really hope we see some of the results of that increased study soon. SOON!

[Guest [...]]

Is this how you remember it Laps?

 

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2-GJnoSlZ5s/TSUmUMqP8gI/AAAAAAAAAHw/GLbvDIQJsZk/s1600/reg17.jpg

 

 

 

Shook,that's a hoot!!!Now I want to faint like Lapis!

[Guest [...]]

....and why didn't this guy help me get my head down so that I could recover faster? I mean, really! Don't these guys learn anything in Harlequin Romance School? Seriously!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest [...]]

And on a more serious note, I was checking PubMed to see what's up, and I came across this study on Meniere's Disease. I'm not sure if anyone saw that benzo documentary by Irish filmmaker Shane Kenny, but he was given a benzo for his Meniere's Disease, and that led to quite the nightmare, according to his film.

 

Anyway, this report on the latest updates for MD show that the thinking has changed on the causes of the disease. And that just goes to show you how changeable the state of medical knowledge is. More is being learned all the time -- which is great, of course -- but it also means that some people might have been treated with remedies that don't get to the cause of the problem.

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28635760

 

But see, Lap, it's changeable yes but is it really that more is being learned all the time?  All this study really proves is that over the past 150 years  , they've come up with one hypothesis after another.  And the latest stab at a theory is "priority to the role of contamination of perilymph with calcium ions".  Kewl.  And so what?  Who's next?  150 years?!  Sad.  I would like to read the full study though, it's too bad always having to contend with abstracts.

 

Thanks for the share, Lapsy, and I promise I had no idea what Shook was up to when he asked to borrow my camera!  Lol, great pic of you guys, both looking exceptionally hot! 

 

Got a dad bod now and tend to keep my shirt on. Plus I don't go out in lightning storms anymore to catch fainting women and romance them. I favor staying in with nachos and Netflix... 

 

 

 

[Guest [...]]

And on a more serious note, I was checking PubMed to see what's up, and I came across this study on Meniere's Disease. I'm not sure if anyone saw that benzo documentary by Irish filmmaker Shane Kenny, but he was given a benzo for his Meniere's Disease, and that led to quite the nightmare, according to his film.

 

Anyway, this report on the latest updates for MD show that the thinking has changed on the causes of the disease. And that just goes to show you how changeable the state of medical knowledge is. More is being learned all the time -- which is great, of course -- but it also means that some people might have been treated with remedies that don't get to the cause of the problem.

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28635760

 

But see, Lap, it's changeable yes but is it really that more is being learned all the time?  All this study really proves is that over the past 150 years  , they've come up with one hypothesis after another.  And the latest stab at a theory is "priority to the role of contamination of perilymph with calcium ions".  Kewl.  And so what?  Who's next?  150 years?!  Sad.  I would like to read the full study though, it's too bad always having to contend with abstracts.

 

Thanks for the share, Lapsy, and I promise I had no idea what Shook was up to when he asked to borrow my camera!  Lol, great pic of you guys, both looking exceptionally hot! 

 

 

abcd,