Persistent lightheadedness

[fisherdvm]

I am not a cardiologist, or a neurologist, but your symptoms can certainly be due to a viral infection. Usually a last resort diagnosis once you've ruled out everything else.

You certainly can try to trim a little more off from your neck seal, perhaps it is impinging on your carotid sinuses too much. See if a little less pressure on the neck can help those little pressure sensors work better.

A two thousand dollar diagnosis could involve tilt table exam, CT scan, etc... But it seems like you are relatively young and healthy, I would not expect them to do much more than a good physical exam, perhaps some basic labs, and tell you to stop diving for a month or so to see if the symptoms improve.

Returning to diving with recurrence of the symptoms could indicate diving (or the neck seal) as a cause of your symptoms.

He, he, he, I am just a dermatologist.... Are your zits ok??

[wreckchick]

You're a veterinary dermatologist???

Dr. PIMPLE-POPPER!!!! <--Seinfeld reference for the pop-culturally impaired

R

[DandyDon]

You're a veterinary dermatologist???

Dr. PIMPLE-POPPER!!!! <--Seinfeld reference for the pop-culturally impaired

R

I saw this thread earlier, wondered if it had any good posts, saw that Biscuit had posted, and thought "oh ok," as she usually so knowledgeable. And I get this...!?

...general light/fuzzy feeling all over that persists throughout the day.

It's often good to discuss possibilities here before calling DAN in not emergency situations, but you are ill. Why did you not see a physician last month...??

Qualified to talk like this as I almost killed myself altitude diving while ignoring DVT symptoms. But I have almost killed myself diving a few times.

[TSandM]

I have to say that lightheadedness is either one of the easiest or one of the most difficult things to sort out. The easy answers have to do with circulation -- "I get lightheaded when I stand up" sort of things. Medications are also an easy answer -- Put somebody on a new med and they get this kind of feeling.

But in an otherwise healthy, young person on no meds who has persistent "lightheadedness" in all postures and throughout the day, there aren't a lot of "I'm pretty sure it's this" answers that come to my mind. A good, really thorough neurologic examination is probably in order, though.

[fisherdvm]

And certainly should not take advise from a veterinary dermatologist who is trying to pretend to be a physician.

[Ben_ca]

Qualified to talk like this as I almost killed myself altitude diving while ignoring DVT symptoms. But I have almost killed myself diving a few times.

DD what's DVT?

[DandyDon]

DD what's DVT?

I found this explanation from Medical Encyclopedia

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) affects mainly the veins in the lower leg and the thigh. It involves the formation of a clot (thrombus ) in the larger veins of the area. This clot may interfere with circulation, and it may break off and travel through the blood stream (embolize). A resulting embolus can lodge in the brain, lungs, heart, or other area, causing severe damage to that organ.

Risks include prolonged sitting, bedrest, or immobilization (such as on long plane or car trips), recent surgery or trauma (especially hip, knee or gynecological surgery), fractures, childbirth within the last 6 months and the use of medications such as estrogen and birth control pills.

Risks also include a history of polycythemia vera, malignant (cancerous) tumor, and inherited or acquired hypercoagulability (a condition where the blood is more likely to clot).

Deep venous thrombosis is most common in adults over age 60 but can occur in any age group.

I had a sore leg last year, thought I'd pulled a muscle, became old & soft, etc - still went diving to 84 ft (110 ft altitude adjusted) over the weekend, with long drives, humping gear, girlfriend, etc. Really was lucky to survive.

[shakeybrainsurgeon]

A two month virus is unlikely, and the lightheadedness is not postural so it is unlikely to be circulatory. I agree with TS and M, nothing clearly jumps out. Things like diabetes, leukemia and anemia should be reasonably apparent on routine blood testing. Brain tumors present either with seizures or headache in 90% of cases, so that's unlikely. Your dive profiles make DCS unlikely too.

Thoughts --- Lyme's disease (been bitten by any ticks lately?) or some other very chronic infection (usually has a rash or joint pain, but can present as a chronic fatigue)

Hypothyroidism --- you have a relatively low bp and HR, which may be due to being in shape or could be due to low thyroid hormone--- any constipation, feeling cold all the time, fatigue?This won't be evident on routine blood testing.

Hepatitis --- again, may only present with vague symptoms and may or may not be detected with routine labs and exam. Thyroid and liver tests are easy and not particularly expensive.

Eye problems --- sometimes visual dysfunction causes vague symptoms, have your eyes been checked lately (cheap exams can be had at optical stores)

One bit of advice: I would not ignore this symptom...in a young man, it's trying to tell you something. In us over 50, feeling weird is par for the course, but not at your age.

[TSandM]

In us over 50, feeling weird is par for the course,

Oh, man, can I relate to THAT comment!

[DandyDon]

In us over 50, feeling weird is par for the course,

Oh, man, can I relate to THAT comment!

Yeah, but that's how I got so close to a stroke with my DVT - accepting that I'm older, so I must feel more pain at times. And physicians don't want to be treating themselves, if I understand correctly.

As occassionally mentioned, I take inventory of my aches before a dive trip, and watch for new ones - but any change is worth some review.

The OP should have seen a doc last month...