Dizziness

Please ask our experts your adult medical questions about ME/CFS here.

Moderator: talkhealth

Locked
3 posts
Micfitz22
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Aug 15, 2013 10:37 am

by Micfitz22 on Thu Aug 15, 2013 11:41 am

Dizziness

Hello,
I've been diagnosed with M.E. for 16 years and can function pretty well most days if I stay within my limits.
However there is one symptom which persistently causes me distress and I'm hoping to get some pointers on how to help manage this.

It's dizziness! I can suffer from severe dizziness regularly, when sitting at a table for dinner, walking around or in a noisy place. It is almost a vertigo/spinning sensation.

Advice welcome.

I've approached my GP about this and the condition generally but her advice is that as I'm no longer severely ill these days, there's little point in trying to refer me for specialist help.

thanks

User avatar
Dr Charles Shepherd
Posts: 215
Joined: Wed Aug 07, 2013 11:30 am

by Dr Charles Shepherd on Thu Aug 15, 2013 12:45 pm

Re: Dizziness

We have already had several queries about dizziness and balance problems in ME/CFS - so I will repost below what has already been said

Your situation appears to be rather different to the type of unsteadiness and balance problems that are normally reported in ME/CFS

So I think from what you say that you would be fully justified in asking your GP for a referral to an ENT (ear nose and throat) department at the hospital for an expert opinion here on both diagnosis and management
Dr Charles Shepherd
MB BS, Honorary Medical Adviser, ME Association

User avatar
Dr Charles Shepherd
Posts: 215
Joined: Wed Aug 07, 2013 11:30 am

by Dr Charles Shepherd on Thu Aug 15, 2013 12:47 pm

Re: Dizziness

Previous reply re dizziness:


Problems with balance - often described as unsteadiness/walking on rubber/feeling drunk rather than spinning round - are a very characteristic feature of ME/CFS and there has been some research carried out into this aspect of ME/CFS

This indicates that in some cases balance problems may be caused by what is called vestibular dysfunction. This can be assessed initially by examination in the surgery.

If you want to follow this research up there is more information in the MEA booklet: ME/CFS/PVFS - An Exploration of the Key Clinical Issues and in 'Living with ME'.

Unfortunately, treatment with either drugs (Stugeron, Stemetil etc) or balance exercises in ME/CFS tends to be of limited value

This is a symptom that should always be carefully assessed and (where appropriate if more severe) investigated in hospital at an ENT (ear nose and throat) department

Speaking as a doctor with personal experience of this illness, balance problems in particular, I can sympathise with what you are saying and the frustration at not having an effective way of relieving this particular symptom

MEA website and pdf literature order form: http://www.meassociation.org.uk
Dr Charles Shepherd
MB BS, Honorary Medical Adviser, ME Association

Locked
3 posts