Persistent Dizziness
 

Hello all.

I experienced a minor brain injury 8 months ago. I have shown some minor improvement with time but still experience chronic headaches, dizziness, and constant tinnitus.

The dizziness is basically non rotational vertigo,unsteadiness when walking, and dizziness with head movements. It worsens with lots of visual/auditory stimulus as well as fatigue. After a thorough workup, it’s determined to be a central issue and not a peripheral ear issue. I’ve been conducting vestibular rehabilitation therapy for 7 months with minimal improvement.

I know most people who recover tend to no longer return to the message board, but I was curious if anyone had heard of success stories after persistent symptoms of 8 months, particularly with dizziness. It’s discouraging that with proper therapy and lifestyle changes that I haven’t seen more improvement.

Thank you.

TomAce994,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

Traditional vestibular therapy does not resolve all vestibular issues. Vision therapy can help with some. Myofacial release therapy on the upper neck helps some. Gentle traction and mobilization by a PT can help. Upper cervical chiropractic helps some. Chiropractic neurology or functional neurology helps some. They all focus on the nerves in the upper neck.

Have you had any therapies focusing on your upper neck?

The challenge is finding the therapist who understands what is happening in your body.

Hello Tom

I am one with persistent, non-vertigo dizziness and tinnitus too. Unfortunately, I have had many doctors tell me that those of us with the persistent dizziness after concussion often take the longest to heal. I am going on 4 years since my injury with this last year being the best as far as dizziness goes. I say this not to discourage you, because I know it sounds like a long time, but to let you know that it does get better - it just may take a long long time.

Unfortunately, not all vestibular therapists are created equal. If you are not seeing improvement with your current therapist, you might search for one that is more specialized in vest. therapy. I was lucky to find a clinic in my area that employs PHD-level therapists that are all specialized in vest. therapy.

As Mark said, sometimes vision therapy can help and working on the neck can help. Have you been evaluated for cervicogenic dizziness? That could also be a source of your dizziness. This past year I received treatment for cervicogenic dizziness due to cervical instability from a very skilled PT, and it helped a lot. I personally did not like or benefit from chiropractic.

Other things that helped me with dizziness were acupuncture, going on a very strict diet of only protein and lots of vegetables (no gluten, no dairy, no sugar), not working, reducing any stress as much as possible, meditation, and light to moderate cardio exercise.

Unfortunately this process involves searching for the right kind of therapies, providers and lifestyle choices that help you. It can be frustrating, but there is hope.

I had persistant dizzy & severe tinnitus. Dizziness went away completely and tinnitus is almost gone with jaw massage at the physical therapist. These symptoms can both come from neck or jaw.

Thanks everyone for your responses.

Cervicogenic dizziness was ruled out. I saw a neuro-opthamologist who only found minor discrepancies with my vision.

Supposedly the dizziness is from the brain injury, and my brain needs to habituate to what is the new normal. Eventually over time, the dizziness may subside. However, I had a couple ENTs tell me that typically if someone still has dizziness at a year from injury then it most likely is permanent.

I've been seeing a highly qualified therapist for VRT. I just recently cut out all processed food to see if that would help at all. I've been doing moderate cardio 3 times a week for months and have tried to continue my life and expose myself to things that worsen my symptoms to expedite habituation. I take fish oil, multi-vitamin, Q10, Vitamin B, and magnesium.

I am frustrated by the lack of progress even though I have put in a lot of effort into my recovery. That is why I was hoping to hear if other people had recovered from a similar situation that I'm at now.

Did anyone palpate neck, upper back muscles for possible trigger points?
Pain Reference Chart
Free Trigger Point Charts

C1,C2 /upper cervical misalignment checked?
MDs rarely look into that unless glaringly obvious on imaging..

Thanks. But my PT checked and I lack any neck component of dizziness. It’s all brain apparently.

A neck component would not be a physical limit with your neck. It would be inflammation at the neck that impacts the brain stem and cranial nerves. That is a neurological condition. Nerve inflammation can be subtle but cause symptoms.

I learned about trigger points from members postings here.
I had many sessions of PT for repetitive strain/TOS, none of them mentioned or checked for trigger points until I started mentioning it..
There is a wide range of knowledge & skill sets for all practitioners.. PTs, DCs, MDs...
Sometimes you have to try many before finding the special ones.

I'm sorry to hear that you are trying so much with little improvement. But i wiuld say keep doing what you do. Its your best chance for it to get better.

I have seen brain dizziness in patients with brain hemmorage and severe tbi. It doesnt completely go away but it does get better over the years. I'm always skeptical about timelines. Its true that after some time there is theoratically less chance for it to go away but i have seen people get better. after years. So dont give up.