Dizziness
Thread Starter
Aluminum Tubing Inspector
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,000
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From: Costa Geriatrica
Dizziness
Here's the deal...
Sitting at PC then suddenly overcome by a dizzy spell! Another one 10 mins later then none since...this was yesterday....never had this before...BP checked and 136/84
Had a less worrying spell earlier today....
I feel fine...felt like earth was moving...I felt like I had to move...can anyone help?
Cheers
Hr
Sitting at PC then suddenly overcome by a dizzy spell! Another one 10 mins later then none since...this was yesterday....never had this before...BP checked and 136/84
Had a less worrying spell earlier today....
I feel fine...felt like earth was moving...I felt like I had to move...can anyone help?
Cheers
Hr
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,414
Likes: 2
From: Europe
HR,
Go and see your physician so that he/she can take a full history and appropriate examination.
The causes for giddiness/dizziness/vertigo are multiple and range from being a benign nuisance (most common) to more serious (not so often)
Bulletin boards are not good for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
Go and see your physician so that he/she can take a full history and appropriate examination.
The causes for giddiness/dizziness/vertigo are multiple and range from being a benign nuisance (most common) to more serious (not so often)
Bulletin boards are not good for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
Joined: Feb 2004
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 118
From: USA
rae,
Flying Dutch is right, but be prepared for a very frustrating go of it with the docs. The causes cover a very broad range with diagnosis being very difficult unless something like a tumor can be quickly found. This seems to be one of those conditions where science gives way to "art". They'll eliminate the nasty causes first ( easy to find ) and go from there. You'll quickly be able to relax a bit.
Don't bother with your family doc; this is out of his league. It takes testing equipment and expertise he won't have. Go right for the big guns on this one. Most likely it's BPPV and will resolve itself. The ALPA docs told me they get a call a week about this condition so it's more common than you think. Ive talked to many guys who've had this thing.
Good luck.
Flying Dutch is right, but be prepared for a very frustrating go of it with the docs. The causes cover a very broad range with diagnosis being very difficult unless something like a tumor can be quickly found. This seems to be one of those conditions where science gives way to "art". They'll eliminate the nasty causes first ( easy to find ) and go from there. You'll quickly be able to relax a bit.
Don't bother with your family doc; this is out of his league. It takes testing equipment and expertise he won't have. Go right for the big guns on this one. Most likely it's BPPV and will resolve itself. The ALPA docs told me they get a call a week about this condition so it's more common than you think. Ive talked to many guys who've had this thing.
Good luck.
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 182
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From: London
Or possibly viral labyrinthitis which sometimes follows on from flu or a viral infection.
It causes problems in the balance mechanism in the inner ear and gives a feeling of nausea and spinning.
If it is then tablets such as stemetil for a couple of days should help, but as others have said, go and see your GP.
It causes problems in the balance mechanism in the inner ear and gives a feeling of nausea and spinning.
If it is then tablets such as stemetil for a couple of days should help, but as others have said, go and see your GP.
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: GRR
Homesick Rae,
if there is no biological cause, it could be a stress symptom.
It can disappear for while and then be back suddenly when you does not expect.
It belongs to the whole psychosomatics symptoms of stress.
It's a warning sent by the body to tell you that it is enduring something it can't stand anymore.
Very often, it's not the "someting" that is responsible but the way you handle it.
Hope it will help.
if there is no biological cause, it could be a stress symptom.
It can disappear for while and then be back suddenly when you does not expect.
It belongs to the whole psychosomatics symptoms of stress.
It's a warning sent by the body to tell you that it is enduring something it can't stand anymore.
Very often, it's not the "someting" that is responsible but the way you handle it.
Hope it will help.
Thread Starter
Aluminum Tubing Inspector
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Costa Geriatrica
Thanks for the replies.
I might add that I have been spending long hours at the PC and have been under a lot of pressure work wise.
I have no other symptoms whatsoever and have never had this in my life.
I am scheduling an appointment with the doc.
Yesterday, I MAY have had a dizzy spell, but my mind is working overtime at the moment and I feel sometimes that I may be imagining it...it was certainly not as severe as Saturday.
Today I just had another "sensation." again not as severe. I was standing up and it did not cause me to wobble, but I noticed it.
So, I hope to get seen today.
I will keep you updated.
Cheers
HR
I might add that I have been spending long hours at the PC and have been under a lot of pressure work wise.
I have no other symptoms whatsoever and have never had this in my life.
I am scheduling an appointment with the doc.
Yesterday, I MAY have had a dizzy spell, but my mind is working overtime at the moment and I feel sometimes that I may be imagining it...it was certainly not as severe as Saturday.
Today I just had another "sensation." again not as severe. I was standing up and it did not cause me to wobble, but I noticed it.
So, I hope to get seen today.
I will keep you updated.
Cheers
HR
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 45
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From: Edinburgh, UK
As mentioned above, a possible cause is stress/anxiety. I had a really bad time of it a few months back with almost constant dizziness and the doctor now thinks it is caused by anxiety combined with a jaw clenching tendency (brought on by stress). I have since identified a lot of the causes and removed them from my life and am making a slow but steady recovery.
Try to pay attention around the time you get dizzy as to whether you have been taking fairly short shallow breaths and also whether your teeth are together (sounds silly but it really does affect some people!), if they are then drop your jaw and relax.
Also practice deep breathing and go get a nice relaxing massage
Jimmydacraw
Try to pay attention around the time you get dizzy as to whether you have been taking fairly short shallow breaths and also whether your teeth are together (sounds silly but it really does affect some people!), if they are then drop your jaw and relax.
Also practice deep breathing and go get a nice relaxing massage
Jimmydacraw
Thread Starter
Aluminum Tubing Inspector
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Costa Geriatrica
Well, I have fluid in my left ear and an infection in my right ear!?
Bizarre as I feel no pain or discomfort!
Prescribed with Augmentin, but given Amoxycillin as the pharmacy had none of the former.
10 days 3 a day starting today!
I would never have known! Well, I probably would have eventually as it got worse.
Still, the dizziness still scares the crap out of me, albeit is not as severe as the first bout, but I am a little more relaxed than I was before.
Thanks all for your replies. It does help to discuss it with fello Ppruners.
Cheers
HR
Bizarre as I feel no pain or discomfort!
Prescribed with Augmentin, but given Amoxycillin as the pharmacy had none of the former.
10 days 3 a day starting today!
I would never have known! Well, I probably would have eventually as it got worse.
Still, the dizziness still scares the crap out of me, albeit is not as severe as the first bout, but I am a little more relaxed than I was before.
Thanks all for your replies. It does help to discuss it with fello Ppruners.
Cheers
HR
Thread Starter
Aluminum Tubing Inspector
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,000
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From: Costa Geriatrica
Thank you...well I it's the horror stories that concern me...my blood pressure was fine, but my pulse was racing as I was so scared!!
Still hopefully all will be fine once the pills have been popped.
Again thank you for your replies and good wishes.
Cheers
HR
Still hopefully all will be fine once the pills have been popped.
Again thank you for your replies and good wishes.
Cheers
HR
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Bishops Castle
Homesick Rae Ive just had an ear infection also, albeit without the dizzy spells. I took amoxcyilin for about a week which cleared the infection. I then carried on flying but found I had qite a bit of fluid in the ear which would not relent. I am now seeing a very good doctor but the damn fluid is still there ,it just won,t budge, which is frustrating because apart from that im in good health.
Any advice on how to get rid of this affliction would be most welcome as its driving me spare!
Any advice on how to get rid of this affliction would be most welcome as its driving me spare!
Thread Starter
Aluminum Tubing Inspector
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,000
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From: Costa Geriatrica
Well, I have 4 more days to go of pill popping. The dizziness is less evident, but I get what can best be described as a "sensation." I feel fine otherwise, although starting to get a wee bit sweaty, no fever..temp is normal, now and again and can feel something happening in both ears...I am hoping that this is the antibiotics doing something...
Funnily enough my sister in law had exactly the same months ago, last year actually, but hers cleared up quicker although she was prescribed the same for the same length of time.
I assume that if I have fluid in the ear that any head movement will disturb this and therefore upset the balance a tad?
All for your info in case it helps anyone else.
Cheers
HR
Funnily enough my sister in law had exactly the same months ago, last year actually, but hers cleared up quicker although she was prescribed the same for the same length of time.
I assume that if I have fluid in the ear that any head movement will disturb this and therefore upset the balance a tad?
All for your info in case it helps anyone else.
Cheers
HR
Just another number
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,077
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From: UK
homesick rae
Do you hold a Class 1 or 2 medical certificate? If so it would be interesting to know what the CAA (FAA?) view of this is. Perhaps you could let us know after your next revalidation?
Airclues
Do you hold a Class 1 or 2 medical certificate? If so it would be interesting to know what the CAA (FAA?) view of this is. Perhaps you could let us know after your next revalidation?
Airclues
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3
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From: lONDON
CA,
I had a similar problem in January with a problem eventualy diagnosed as Vestibular Neuronitis.
On reporting the condition to the CAA I received a letter revoking the Privileges of my licence' until signed fit to fly by an AME.
After a two week period the symptoms had gone away.
I then informed the AME who notified the CAA. The Caa have now asked for a two moth period clear of symptoms before returning the Privileges of my licence'.
NTB.
I had a similar problem in January with a problem eventualy diagnosed as Vestibular Neuronitis.
On reporting the condition to the CAA I received a letter revoking the Privileges of my licence' until signed fit to fly by an AME.
After a two week period the symptoms had gone away.
I then informed the AME who notified the CAA. The Caa have now asked for a two moth period clear of symptoms before returning the Privileges of my licence'.
NTB.
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3
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From: lONDON
bafanguy,
Initially treated by my GP with Amoxycillin which had no effect.
That ruled out a bacterial infection apparently leaving a viral infection. Positional test and balance testing with eyes closed.
I don't have a good medical knowledge of the condition so cannot expand any further.
NTB.
Initially treated by my GP with Amoxycillin which had no effect.
That ruled out a bacterial infection apparently leaving a viral infection. Positional test and balance testing with eyes closed.
I don't have a good medical knowledge of the condition so cannot expand any further.
NTB.