Persistent Dizziness

Lebber · 01-18-2018, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomAce994

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.

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.

TomAce994 · 01-18-2018, 12:57 PM

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.

Jomar · 01-18-2018, 02:19 PM

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..

TomAce994 · 01-18-2018, 06:53 PM

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

Mark in Idaho · 01-18-2018, 09:04 PM

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.

Jomar · 01-18-2018, 09:33 PM

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.

Lebber · 01-19-2018, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomAce994

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.

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.

TomAce994 · 01-19-2018, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lebber

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.

Thank you! I know every injury is highly individual. Hearing actual success stories helps maintain hope though.

russiarulez · 01-20-2018, 12:12 AM

I've been dealing with dizziness ever since my last concussion. It seems to come and go now.

I think that most of my dizziness has to do with my vision issues (but it's just a guess). For example if I go for a walk in the woods I feel dizzy or unsteady, but if I go for a hike in the mountains where there are no trees around me, I feel fine.
I do get dizzy and feel worse in busy places, like Costco for example.

Driving makes me dizzy, I feel fine while driving (although my eyes do struggle at times, but I don't feel dizzy) but after I get home and sit down I feel dizzy and need to take an hour sitting still for it to go away.

I've had various therapies with no improvement so far.

TomAce994 · 01-20-2018, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by russiarulez

I've been dealing with dizziness ever since my last concussion. It seems to come and go now.

I think that most of my dizziness has to do with my vision issues (but it's just a guess). For example if I go for a walk in the woods I feel dizzy or unsteady, but if I go for a hike in the mountains where there are no trees around me, I feel fine.
I do get dizzy and feel worse in busy places, like Costco for example.

Driving makes me dizzy, I feel fine while driving (although my eye do struggle at times, but I don't feel dizzy) but after I get home and sit down I feel dizzy and need to take an hour sitting still for it to go away.

I've had various therapies with no improvement so far.

I’m sorry you are going through this. I feel fine driving too! I do feel dizzy afterwards though. I also feel my best outside and my worst inside a busy store with fluorescent lights.

Anyone have experience reducing visual triggers of dizziness?

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