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Feeling Of Walking On Conveyor Belt, Floor Rising Higher. Taken Benadryl. What Is Going On?

Posted on Thu, 13 Sep 2012

Question: Yesterday, I was walking across a hardwood floor, when all of a sudden, I felt like I was on a conveyor belt and other times it feels like the ground has physically gotten higher, like it raised up 2 or 3 inches and I lose my footing. Keep in mind, that I have had constant pressure on one side of my face, in the cheekbone and temple area. So, I spent the rest of the day walking around feeling like there was movement under my feet. I ended up going to the hospital, where they gave me Antivert and Benadryl , neither one worked for me. I woke up this morning, and I could walk normal again, although my legs were quite anxious in anticipation of it happening again. So, I went back to the same location that the incident took place, and lo and behold when I walked in the same area, the same symptoms returned. Do you have any idea what is going on??? Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (2 hours later)

Hi

Thanks for the query

After going through the history I presume your problems could be inner ear or nerves related. This is more of a dysbalance rather than a XXXXXXX vertigo.

You will have to undergo a battery of tests to know the actual cause of this problem. The pressure over the one side of the face is not related to the dysbalance. Consult a good ENT specialist for performing tests related to inner ear issues.

The constant pressure over the cheek bones and the temple could be sinus related which has to be confirmed with either an x-ray or CT scan of the nose and sinuses.

Benadryl will be of less help in reducing your sinus pressure. You need to use saline nasal spray followed by steam inhalation 3-4 times a day. A mucolytic such as bromhexine or ambroxol is required to remove the secretions from the sinus and reduce the pressure. Drink plenty of warm water. For dysbalance you can try using betahistine.

Hope I have answered your query; I will be available for the follow-up queries.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (12 minutes later)

Thank you for your response,

What do you think of the significance of having the symptoms rush back to me, after being absent for sometime, once I returned to the location that it all began?

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (14 minutes later)

Hi

Welcome back

This could be related to mismatch of the sensory inputs to the brain from the touch receptors in the feet or displacement of otoliths in the semicircular canal of the inner ear.

The sensation of balance is the result of appropriate information detected by the vestibular (inner ear apparatus), ocular, and proprioceptive sensory receptors that is then properly integrated within the cerebellum and brain stem. Proper gait, posture, and visual focus during head movement all depend on an intact sense of balance. Loss of sensory information, central integration, and output control mechanisms all result in a sense of imbalance.

As I mentioned in my previous response, certain tests like Hallpike's maneuver has to be performed to rule out inner ear causes and neurological examination to look for any brain related issues. Even though this seems to be a minor issue, still one has to look for any underlying problem. Please follow the advice as mentioned in my previous response, you will be alright.

Good Luck

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar