anxiety and constant lightheadedness

[Gennifer83]

Hello out there,
 I have spent the past 5 years with a persistent and constant lightheadedness that goes away occasionally but always comes back. I have never been officially diagnosed with GAD but definitely have it. Have always been an anxious nervous person. The lightheadedness began when I was working at a very stressful job (high volume waitressing) since then I have eliminated most of my stress but the lightheadedness is always there, and has been for years. It strangely went away when I got pregnant then came back worse then ever postpartum, since then it has become a depressing battle. I am a stay at home mom, so perhaps I have more "time" to obsess about how I feel and I am always aware of it.
It is not dizziness, but more like a off balance rocking sensation accompanied by the lightheadedness. At times I feel I may tip over if I am standing still and have to hold onto the wall. I have done some tests over the years heart and blood work.... I have tachycardia, but had that really bad when pregnant and no symptoms of ligthheadedness so don't think that is a connection, recently blood pressure has been a bit high every time I go to the doctors but that is most likely anxiety, for I have had this for years with no blood pressure issues in the past. ah there is so much to say...but I don't want to bore you all. I guess I am just searching for kindred souls out there...people who are experiencing the same symptoms as me, the constant lighteadedness even when there is no anxiety present, that is what confuses me and then I worry that is will only get worse, cause it has gotten worse and that I will have some nervous breakdown and I cant because I have a beautiful little girl to take care of. please if there is anyone out there who understands....the strange effects of anxiety and what they do to our sense of balance and perception. calling all fellow lightheaded people out there...is there light at the end of the tunnel?

[TarheelBabe1980]

Hello. Thanks for posting this.  I was considering posting something similar.  32 years old, and have dealt with anxiety and depression since childhood (no obvious trigger for this).  In my 20s, I was usually on some kind of antidepressant and honestly felt better...however, I WILL NOT take them again because for me the "cure was worse than the disease."     Having said that, the last 2 years have been awful.  Exact same symptoms you mentioned, with totally normal tests.  Therapy alone (minus meds) does not cut it.  I exercise, meditate, and keep busy almost daily.  I am however, considering finding a psychiatrist to try off-label meds like Neurontin/Gabapentin, as that can at least take some of the edge off the symptoms.  Have you tried anything like that? 
In the meantime, I have taken away some useful points from therapy, as far as changing my perspective goes.  I have learned not to let this get me down, but yes, living with this can be challenging.  Cliche' as it sounds, I try to remember to smile, even if I have to fake it at first. :)

[camel]

For me I get that fuzzy head feeling and dizziness when I am not drinking enough water or when I have neck tension. So maybe try addressing these two issues and see if it helps.

The correct amount of water is half of your body weight and drink that amount in ounces.
So if you are 100lbs, then you need 50 ounces of water per day.
So make sure you are getting that. And keep an eye on diuretics like tea which will dehydrate you and you will need more water.

For the tension, get someone to massage your neck and shoulders, and alternate cold and heat on the area for 10 mins each and then leave for 30 mins before repeating.

[Tam0630]

How much water are you drinking? Even slight dehydration can cause lightheadedness, an off balance feeling, chronic headaches, fogginess, brain fog and the likes.

We need half our body weight in ounces a day of water. If you're 120 lbs, you need 60 ounces of water a day, or four 16 ounce water bottles of water a day.

Also, a poor diet can cause issues like this, as can neck tension. Is your neck tense? Sometimes we don't even realize it is.

[Gennifer83]

its not an water issue...pretty sure of that, wish it was though. I still breastfeed and drink about 90 ounces a day.
as for the neck tension, yes I have some of that I've had massages for it, but it doesn't seem to help.
I feel this must be all in my head and I am just so caught in the hamster wheel of anxiety and depression.
I am just wondering if anyone has overcome these issues without meds...I am very against them and have not heard great feedback from those that are on them.
thanks everyone out there

[Tam0630]

Have you tried alternating cold and heat on your neck? It helps me a lot with my symptoms.

[jwall378]

This is a very common symptom of anxiety. I've had it in cycles for 3 years now. It comes for a few days and leaves for a few days. I've seen 2 different neurologists. Both have done numerous neuro tests and 2 MRI's.....everything negative. They both told me to take a Dramamine (over the counter med for motion sickness) when I felt it coming on. Dramamine does help a bit, but it also makes me tired. So, I'll take 1/2 tablet when I get home after work. Also, I've noticed that neck tension makes the dizziness/lightheadedness worse, so hot showers also help somewhat. Keep hydrated and get good sleep. Good luck.

[Lightguy813]

I totally know how you feel. I get light headed all the time. I don't feel dizzy either but as though the ground has gave out from under my feet and I'm falling. It is normal for people with GAD. I remember the first time it went from light headed to a falling over feeling. I was setting up a stage at a NASCAR track for a very big concert and I freaked out in front of 50,000 people and was carted off the stage. When it happened my heart started racing and I could feel it in my chest and when I told the Medics, they immediately thought it was chest pains and gave me Nitro and rushed me to the hospital. All test came back normal. Needless to say it was very embarrassing and expensive. Not to mention I was 1,000 miles away from home. So that set off the anxiety even more. I am an EMT and I have learned that the only real concern for light headedness is a low blood pressure. I have found comfort in a BP monitor. They are cheap and you can get them at Walmart. I would say next time you get that feeling, check your bp and reassure you're self that its only your anxiety!

Best Wishes!

[harr077]

I have the sane problem. Since I stopped working three months ago I've been having almost every day dizzyness. I been getting really bad anxiety due to recently finding out I have innocent heart murmur and that I am slightly anemic. Since then I've been worrying so much about my heart and constantly monitoring my pulse. Its a lot worse at nights though.

[cutecat25]

I also have constant light headness, off balance feelings etc.
I feel like when I'm walking I'm kind of floating, or the grounds moving.
I think it has become a habit in our brain, we are so used to feeling this way, we forgot what it's like to feel any other way.

[LindaRK]

I think it's important to make sure this isn't an inner ear disorder or sinus related.

Yes, it is a common occurrence with anxiety, but it could also be the above.  You might want to get a basic check-up at an ENT to exclude this issue before you attribute it to anxiety.

I've had anxiety for 36 years - I've had the off-balance issue AND inner ear problems - that's why I'm suggesting this.  Good luck!

[camtcb]

I had many of the exact same symptoms with the lightheadedness and tachycardia. I was diagnosed with POTS. Does it get better when you lay down? Do you get more symptoms if standing still for a long period of time? If so it might be worth investigating. Its not life threatening just life altering. Take care.

[cutecat25]

Cam.. What is POTS?

[flowersblair]

After my first panic attack I just had to think about being lightheaded and felt it. I spent hours WALKING OFF a faint, as if thats even possible.

So, looking back, the lightheadedness was just the anxiety playing on this fear of fainting I had and is definitely psychological. Even being tired made me think I was going to pass out, as opposed to lie down and go to sleep.

But I think I know (for me, anyway, and it might be the same for you, so I'll mention it) breathing has a lot to do with this. I breathe too fast, even if I don't think i am, or i have periods of breath holding that i'm also not aware of until i start feeling a bit woozy, then do my breathing exercises. (in through the nose, out through the mouth, slowly) Infact i've found that incorrect breathing has a lot to do with the weird symptoms of anxiety. Especially if you're a mouth breather - mouth breathing, especially when its rapid, leads to hyperventilation & panic.

[TarheelBabe1980]

camtcb, good idea! I myself am looking into the same route.  Gotta be aggressive with doctors, because from my understanding, alot of GPs are clueless about dysautonomia.  I think the usual tests include: ekg, stress test, tilt table test, catecholamine test, holter monitor.....right?  I used to think D.A. symptoms had to be constant, but many folks from those forums say not necessarily.  I have had episodic issues for years now, and recently, my vitals have been all over the place.  I do not have the classic orthostatic hypotension/tachy, but rather ortho. hypERtension, and sometimes resting bpm of about 105, which i think is mild tachy.....