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Suggest Treatment For Dizziness, Balancing Issues And Stiffness In Neck
Question: I feel dizzy and off balance mostly upon waking it can last several hours. I also run into things all the time resulting in multiple bruises. I have stiffness in my neck, shoulders and a constant headache in the back of my head at the base of my neck. Sometimes I am very sensitive to light and noise, it gets so bad I will change my sleep pattern from day to night. I have BiPolar II that is treated with long term medicine therapy and is closely monitored by my doctor. I have taken the following medications for over 10 years: Amphetamine salts 20 mg, - (2 a.m.) Lamotrigine 150mg - (1 a.m. and 1 p.m. Trazodon100mg - (2 p.m.) Doxapin 25mg - (1 p.m.), Zolpidem Tartrate10mg - (2 p.m.).
Brief Answer:
Medication side effects.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
In my opinion the first thing to be looked at regarding those symptoms is the possibility of medication side effects. You seem to take several drugs (like trazodone, doxepin, zolpidem lamotrigine) which all can cause dizziness, drowsiness, coordination difficulties. They can do that alone by themselves, when combined with each other the possibility of that happening is even higher.
So I believe you should discuss with the doctor who is following you closely these symptoms and the possibility of reducing the number or dosage of drugs you are under.
Medication side effects.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
In my opinion the first thing to be looked at regarding those symptoms is the possibility of medication side effects. You seem to take several drugs (like trazodone, doxepin, zolpidem lamotrigine) which all can cause dizziness, drowsiness, coordination difficulties. They can do that alone by themselves, when combined with each other the possibility of that happening is even higher.
So I believe you should discuss with the doctor who is following you closely these symptoms and the possibility of reducing the number or dosage of drugs you are under.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for responding to my question. I see my doctor on 10/7. We have talked about side effects and possible ways to lessen their impact. I am reluctant to change my medications, this combination has helped me control my anxiety and depression so I am not cycling as often. I have tried several different combinations and medications. They made me sick.
I have experienced the dizziness off and on for about 1 month but it was intermittent. I rarely fall but I did faint while in the shower. I hit the floor really hard and narrowly missed the corner of the vanity. I have never fainted before. In the last few days my dizziness and balance have changed to severe. I'm not sure that I could drive to the emergency room if I needed to. I live alone.
Is it normal for side effects to change so rapidly and increase in intensity?
I have experienced the dizziness off and on for about 1 month but it was intermittent. I rarely fall but I did faint while in the shower. I hit the floor really hard and narrowly missed the corner of the vanity. I have never fainted before. In the last few days my dizziness and balance have changed to severe. I'm not sure that I could drive to the emergency room if I needed to. I live alone.
Is it normal for side effects to change so rapidly and increase in intensity?
Brief Answer:
If previously doing fine and now changing it is not normal.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the additional information.
If you were already under this medication before and were feeling fine then you do have a point, they shouldn't be increasing in intensity now. In that case other issues should be considered as well.
Dizziness is a not so specific symptom, meaning that it can be due to many different causes. Some common ones would be anemia, metabolic abnormalities, blood pressure fluctuations (which you seem to have excluded), heart arrhythmia, inner ear issues, neck spinal arthritis, brain lesions, sleep apnea etc.
So if symptoms seem to increase I believe some routine blood tests are necessary, even if you have had them in XXXXXXX (since symptoms present for a month), tests such as blood count, liver and kidney function, electrolyte panel, thyroid function, vitamin B12 level. Also an EKG is an initial screening test. If the results are all normal, then depending also on the presence of other signs on physical exam it will be decided whether to have imaging tests like brain and neck MRI.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
If previously doing fine and now changing it is not normal.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the additional information.
If you were already under this medication before and were feeling fine then you do have a point, they shouldn't be increasing in intensity now. In that case other issues should be considered as well.
Dizziness is a not so specific symptom, meaning that it can be due to many different causes. Some common ones would be anemia, metabolic abnormalities, blood pressure fluctuations (which you seem to have excluded), heart arrhythmia, inner ear issues, neck spinal arthritis, brain lesions, sleep apnea etc.
So if symptoms seem to increase I believe some routine blood tests are necessary, even if you have had them in XXXXXXX (since symptoms present for a month), tests such as blood count, liver and kidney function, electrolyte panel, thyroid function, vitamin B12 level. Also an EKG is an initial screening test. If the results are all normal, then depending also on the presence of other signs on physical exam it will be decided whether to have imaging tests like brain and neck MRI.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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