Chronic subjective dizziness or?

I am a 33 year old gal who was diagnosed with MS 11 years ago. My main symptom going through the MS diagnosis was vertigo or unsteadiness which I have felt every second of my life. I have been told for years that there is a lesion on a nerve in my brain which is causing me to be off balance. 11 years later its still the exact same. No better, no worse. The other day i went to my new gp for some paperwork information and he asked me to explain in depth how I feel. He smiled and said… ’ I dont think this is ms… It sounds to me that you have chronic subjective dizziness’. I explained my lesions in my brain and he said there are other things that can cause lesions. I am feeling blown away. I dont even know what to think. This unsteadiness is really the only symptom I have aside from fatigue. I guess I am just looking for feedback from fellow dizzy friends :slight_smile:

Hi,

Were you diagnosed by a neurologist? Have you been on meds for your MS ?MRI exams can show areas that look like MS lesions to an untrained eye. They are often lesions from migraine which can cause dizziness and imbalance,
I would suggest a consult with a neuro who specializes in MS.
Hope you get to the bottom of what’s causing your dizziness.

Thanks for the response. Yes i was diagnosed with ms by a neurologist 5 months after my vision went ‘dizzy’. I had an mri done as well as a few other testing. Years later I have not progressed any worse (thank goodness) and my vertigo/unsteadiness is still with me. Now another doctor is claiming chronic subjective dizziness. It is rare that ms patients suffer from this kind of vertigo if ever.

It’s good to hear no progression with the MS. I think we as patients often have symptoms of disease that overlap. Makes an accurate diagnoses difficult. I hope you get answers and feel better soon!!

It might not harm you to see another neuro specialising in balance/otology? There are several well known balance clinics and experts in the US and UK. Where are you based? Have you had any Vestibular Rehab? My chronic balance issues were helped greatly with migraine prophylaxis.

I highly recommend this set of youtube video’s that cover most of the balance disorders:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNJDA3ep5cp2HwbIv6K7iHQ

Thanks for the info! I will definitely look at my options. I’m on Vancouver Island in Canada. Thank you for the help. I am intrigued by what could be and only time will tell I suppose :slight_smile:

My suggestion would be to give SSRIs a try! :slight_smile: Sometimes it’s all about trial and error. Good luck!

Thanks Leslie! What is SSRIs?

No problem! Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors like Paxil, Lexapro, Zoloft, Prozac, etc. They’re “anti-depressants”, but they are also used for those with CSD as well as migraines and many other medical conditions including fatigue! :smiley: