I had my surgery in 2019. I’m still dizzy quite often. Everyone keeps saying I’m fine, but I’m not. Any suggestions?
So tough when people are looking at your outside and not feeling what is actually happening inside. You may be looking fine, but know it is okay if you are sometimes feeling frustrated. The people around you, I am sure, are merely trying to be supportive, but they may also be unsure of what to say. They are thankful you are here with them, but may not know how to express it.
As for the dizzy – have you spoken with your doctor? Not being a doc myself, but having gone through what you are facing, I will share a couple of things. Sometimes my balance is a bit challenged because my vision has changed so I have learned to slow down and be a bit more steady. I have also experienced dizzy, but I believe it is from other concerns rather than the Annie. Sometimes my balance is off because I don’t sleep enough. Another thought: are you drinking lots of water? I know everyone says that, but it really does make a difference. I find that my unbalance is worse when I am dehydrated.
Hope any of this helps.
I know my experience was not as extensive as yours has been, but I had a bout of dizziness post an angiogram that lasted a few weeks, not years like you!
Long story short, I think what actually was the cause was not the angiogram but a change of medication that happened just a couple of weeks before (new generic that I was not taking with food). I admit it is highly unlikely to be your reason, but just wanted to throw it out there on the very remote chance it may be side effects.
Hoping your doctors can help!
Fin Whale Fan ![]()
Definitely reach out to a neurologist if you have one, if you don’t, try to get in with one. Neurology deals with brain things and many of us end up here end up with one. I can on occasion still get dizzy, usually it’s because of not hydrating enough, getting up too fast, bending over and on some occasions when I’m in a lot of pain, my BP goes up. BH gets dizzy, went to a neurologist who gave similar diagnosis as me - atypical migraines. I didn’t think of sleep like @KrysG mentioned, good one! Which reminds me - blood sugar can make folks dizzy when it goes wrong. Mom’s would drop and she became really dizzy. Her fix was peanut butter crackers and something sweet. The sugar if I remember correctly was for the quick uptake, peanut butter with its protein was for the longer uptake. I may be wrong though.
Let us know what you find out, please.
Sorry to hear about your issue. Being dizzy really is terrible. I had a rupture in 2010 and a recoil in 2022. I have terrible dizzy spells on and off and after numerous angiograms and MRIs I am fairly convinced it’s not because of the aneurysms. I think my blood pressure gets too low when I am doing certain tasks, like gardening, completely unrelated to the brain aneuysym. Heat also make a huge difference. The hotter is is the dizzier I get.
While this may have nothing to do with your symptoms, I understand how easy it is to make that connection. If you have had an MRA with contrast and an angiogram of the brain, and they turn up nothing, you’ll need to look elsewhere. I’m not sure of this help - being dizzy can be caused by many things. Best of luck.
Very good advice. I have often been dizzy. Same issues: eyes, dehydration and problems with blood pressure. So much changes after surgery for an Annie. After ten years of trouble (Annie clipped in 2015) they finally were able to identify the problems and help me. I use an apnea machine to improve my rest and take a low dose to control my blood pressure. I have been much more stable now. You are your own best advocate so hang in there.
Went running this morning and on a completely flat, paved sidewalk my right foot (the side that was paralyzed from the Annie) decided not to lift and I ended up face down on the cement with scraped skin and broken glasses. Yep, sometimes balance is just challenging.
But I completed the miles!
I’m glad you were able to finish your run. We just have to push through and make adjustments. Keep up the good work. I’m using walking sticks on my walks just in case for balance. Take care!
Yay you! Except for the foot drop and broken glasses of course. I don’t like having foot drop, always seems to happen at the wrong times. But dang, major kudus for completing your run!
That’s a good idea. I use them when in the mountains, but never think I need them in the city. Obviously not right about that! But this past week I pushed myself and did a lot – helps to have friends who push! ![]()