Dizziness- what investigations would you expect from your gp??

[pinkpiglet]

just a question, would like to hear your thoughts!!

What tests do you think are sufficient for a gp to carry out on a patient who suffers from persistant dizziness?
Would you say that testing for diabetes, iron levels and thyroid function is enough??

thanks x

[superjonboy]

Mine did things like make me shut my eyes and touch my nose, looked in my eyes, ears, blood test for thyroid and stuff. He also got a cotton bud and moved it towards my eye so when the fibres touched it made my eye shut. I guess just to see my reactions?

The thing is in my mind I think they should do a brain scan but then I'm not a GP. Dunno why I can't believe them.

John.

[margaret jones]

Maybe a visit to a E N T Specialist

[june]

:hugs:very much depends on the level of giddiness:blush: it could simply be anxiety I mean (simple in relation to major catastrophe) I suffer from virtigo and have to take meds for that BUT i still suffer the giddiness from anxiety:blush:
June

[marley]

You're asking people with health anxiety what type of tests they'd want from a doctor? That's like letting a kid run a candy store... This question is setting yourself and your doctor up for frustration.

Your doctor is trained to diagnose - to take symptoms and to evaluate accordingly. If your doctor is checking for diabetes, and your thyroid and saw you in an appointment, then you need to believe that your doctor is trying to work through the problem with you. I think many of us have a hard time believing just that - doctors are working WITH US to HELP US get better. They don't want us to be sick any more than we do, especially due to misdiagnosis.

[pinkpiglet]

LOL Marley, that post ,made me chuckle!
I know what you are saying but its just that each time i go with this problem he does these blood tests & they usually come back normal (except for my thryoid which is borderline underactive anyway). I just keep saying to him 'it was'nt that last month so why would it be that now?' Anyhow, he is now going to send me for an ECG, its the furthest i'v ever got with pushing for investigation. MY blood pressure is also low so he thinks every avenue needs exploring!
June i do believe that these recent bouts are NOT anxiety. I have always suffered form dizziness and its usually my anxiety butthis time, i have no other symptoms, i am confident and worry free. I have a 3 year old son so i need to be well balanced -literally!! Not falling and wobbling all over the joint.
Margarate, the doc as not even so much as looked in the direction of my lugs, never mind put a stethescope to them so heavens above knows. My ears do feel bunged on a regular basis and i have to pop them but he says it is not in accordance to the diziness i explain.
Thanks to you all for replies, very much appreciate them.
I have a good doctor/s and know that i can trust them but just sometimes wonder if they missing something simple xxxx

[mike_coventry_uk]

hi piglet,

i am suffering from dizziness like you. it is there most the time. altough i do not notice if i am kept busy. ive been suffering from health anx now for 10 months so obviously my fears are that it is a brain tumor.

i went to my docs in december and he diagnosed me with labyrinthitis - inner ear infection which he said was affecting my balance. he gave me some meds to aleviate the dizziness and sickness and i went away content. since then over the xmas period i didnt feel any of the dizziness bar a couple of odd episodes but last week it came back with avengance. the problem this time is i am worki myself up so much about it i am making it worse.

i went to the doc again on moday this week and said i feared i had a tumor,the dos checked the backs of my eyes(app you can get swollen blood vessels if there is something wrong).checked my ears,checked my nerve responses in my legs and face,checked my balance by asking me to shut my eye and touch my nose and moving my finger in different directions and asking me to tell him,checked my bp,pulse and told me that there is nothing to concern him. although i never really got any answers as to what is causing it my doc assured me its nothing.

i still have been working myself up so went to see my regular gp whom deals with my anx issues and he has put me on citalopram to try and sort out my anxiousness. the problem is these drugs can have side affects and then i would worry even more.

if your doc thought there was anything more to worry about then he would of had you down the hospital. they do not take risks with peoples lives. i mean honestly what does it take to refer you to the hospital? trust in your gp and im sure everything will be fine. in the mean time try and eat a balanced diet,keep doing regular exercise and stay positive.

hope you feel better soon. x

[june]

:hugs:Have you read this from 'symptoms' on left of screen?
Dizziness or light-headedness
What you feel:
You feel suddenly light-headed, woozy or dizzy. This is sometimes accompanied by a feeling that you might faint or pass out. It also may feel as though you are walking on a boat, or that the floor seems to move up and down and it's hard to balance. You may also have difficulty placing your feet because your perception of the ground or floor may be wrong. In some cases it may seem thateven though you are standing on a firm floor, the floor may be vibrating or moving.
This is a very common feeling that most sufferers get. It's usually as a result of hyperventilation but also of intense fear and the adrenalin hit.
Feeling faint is very worrying and very frightening. You feel as though you are going to pass out or the whole world seems to be spinning and you cannot focus on anything. Your vision is blurred and this causes more Panic as you are now 'sure' that you will pass out or collapse.
Even when you convince yourself that you will not faint, the feeling of un-steadiness or dizziness remains. This feeling can go on for minutes or hours and there seems to be no end to it.

What causes this:
Lots to read and it helps to understand causes:yesyes:
June

[pinkpiglet]

I have been for an ECG and this too came back clear! My gp as told me this morning that i have to accept that I have dizziness and learn to live with it!!! I have had blood tests to rule out diabetes, thryoid function and iron deficancy! All came back clear!! No other tests have been carried out. He hasnt checked my ears, my responses or anything else!!!! he is confident I am well. He also believes that i 'do not' have anxiety as he can see vast improvements in me since 18 mths ago. I am convinced that this dizziness will invite my anxiety to return in time though as it is getting impossible to get throught each day withou worrying about the dizziness.
Does this make sense?? does anyone know of any holistic therapies that might help banish the big 'D' once and for all or at least make it easier for me to live with?
I have a three year old son and trying for baby No 2. I am settled in home life and work, I am happy apart from these dreaded feelings!!!