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What Causes Persistent Dizziness?
Posted on
Sun, 19 Oct 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 19 Oct 2014
Answered on
Tue, 11 Nov 2014
Last reviewed on
Question : Hello,
I would like your help. The last 2 weeks I suffer from dizziness, lightheadedness and feelings of imbalance. I was a completely healthy individual until a month ago that I started a birth control pill. I have tried to use birth control pills 2 times in the past and both times I suffered from severe depression. This time, the pill affected me in a different way. It caused me anxiety attacks. I had fast heartbeat, tingling sensation on my face and felt like my tongue was swollen. I couldn’t sleep at night, I was scared and I kept thinking that I am going to have a heart attack. I went 2 times to the emergency room, to a neurologist, general practitioner and ENT. The ENT realised that the symptoms I was describing were psychosomatic from stress, so he suggested I stop the pill and gave me Deanxit and Xanax so I can calm down. The next few days I was feeling great until the lightheadedness and dizziness started. I had a blood test, including a thyroid and iron test, that showed that everything was good. Also, the ENT checked my ears and found them fine and he suggested that I should continue deanxit as he believes my dizziness is from stress. However, I keep taking deanxit, I am not stressed at all but my lightheadedness persists every day and it really decreases my life quality and happiness. Also, I had a body composition analysis at my dietitian and showed that I am dehydrated so I don’t know if my dizziness has to do with that or with the anxiety phase that I had or with deanxit. What do you think? Please help.
I would like your help. The last 2 weeks I suffer from dizziness, lightheadedness and feelings of imbalance. I was a completely healthy individual until a month ago that I started a birth control pill. I have tried to use birth control pills 2 times in the past and both times I suffered from severe depression. This time, the pill affected me in a different way. It caused me anxiety attacks. I had fast heartbeat, tingling sensation on my face and felt like my tongue was swollen. I couldn’t sleep at night, I was scared and I kept thinking that I am going to have a heart attack. I went 2 times to the emergency room, to a neurologist, general practitioner and ENT. The ENT realised that the symptoms I was describing were psychosomatic from stress, so he suggested I stop the pill and gave me Deanxit and Xanax so I can calm down. The next few days I was feeling great until the lightheadedness and dizziness started. I had a blood test, including a thyroid and iron test, that showed that everything was good. Also, the ENT checked my ears and found them fine and he suggested that I should continue deanxit as he believes my dizziness is from stress. However, I keep taking deanxit, I am not stressed at all but my lightheadedness persists every day and it really decreases my life quality and happiness. Also, I had a body composition analysis at my dietitian and showed that I am dehydrated so I don’t know if my dizziness has to do with that or with the anxiety phase that I had or with deanxit. What do you think? Please help.
Brief Answer:
Deanxit is causative.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Madam,
I have carefully read your query and understand your concern.
The persistent dizziness in your case can be attributed to the drug Deanxit in my opinion.
Relative dehydration and contraceptive pills do not contribute to dizziness under normal conditions.
Deanxit which is a combination of flupentixol and melitracen. These antidepressants have very high propensity to cause dizziness which is long lasting and moderately severe.
I recommend you to taper this drug dose finally before stopping it.
In case of persistent depression, drugs like SSRI's ex Escitalopram would be more effective with relative safety profile.
Note:These changes have to be carried only under the strict supervision of your doctor.
Xanax can be continued as usual.
Dehydration if any can be corrected with 3-4 liters of water intake daily.
Post your further queries,if any.
Thank you.
Deanxit is causative.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Madam,
I have carefully read your query and understand your concern.
The persistent dizziness in your case can be attributed to the drug Deanxit in my opinion.
Relative dehydration and contraceptive pills do not contribute to dizziness under normal conditions.
Deanxit which is a combination of flupentixol and melitracen. These antidepressants have very high propensity to cause dizziness which is long lasting and moderately severe.
I recommend you to taper this drug dose finally before stopping it.
In case of persistent depression, drugs like SSRI's ex Escitalopram would be more effective with relative safety profile.
Note:These changes have to be carried only under the strict supervision of your doctor.
Xanax can be continued as usual.
Dehydration if any can be corrected with 3-4 liters of water intake daily.
Post your further queries,if any.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thank you very much for your reply. Today i had my last pill of Deanxit (took it for 1 month). Could you please let me know when, approximately, the side effects of the medication will go away? Does it take a long time? I can't wait to be lightheadedness and dizziness - free. It has been a horrible month for me.
Brief Answer:
Symptoms resolve within a fortnight.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Madam,
Welcome back.
These symptoms of yours would take 7-10 days for complete resolution once you stop the drug.
Drugs like long acting benzodiazepines like Clonazepam 0.5-1 mg in mouth dissolving/MD form. are extremely useful to combat this acute dizziness in your case.
This drug should be used for a short period until the dizziness resolves.
The beneficial effect will be evident from the first dose itself.
Note:This drug should be used only under strict medical supervision.
Xanax can also have similar benefits but of lesser degree.
Drink plenty of fruit juices containing lemon and gelatin desserts.
Practice: Lie down for a minute or two.
This will allow more blood flow to your brain.
After lying down,sit up slowly and remain sitting for 1-2 min before slowly standing up.
Avoid caffeinated drinks.
Post your further queries,if any.
Thank you.
Symptoms resolve within a fortnight.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Madam,
Welcome back.
These symptoms of yours would take 7-10 days for complete resolution once you stop the drug.
Drugs like long acting benzodiazepines like Clonazepam 0.5-1 mg in mouth dissolving/MD form. are extremely useful to combat this acute dizziness in your case.
This drug should be used for a short period until the dizziness resolves.
The beneficial effect will be evident from the first dose itself.
Note:This drug should be used only under strict medical supervision.
Xanax can also have similar benefits but of lesser degree.
Drink plenty of fruit juices containing lemon and gelatin desserts.
Practice: Lie down for a minute or two.
This will allow more blood flow to your brain.
After lying down,sit up slowly and remain sitting for 1-2 min before slowly standing up.
Avoid caffeinated drinks.
Post your further queries,if any.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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