I just wanted to come on here and share my story. Back in January I started getting intense episodes of dizziness (in addition to a variety of other symptoms including nausea, headaches, anxiety, sensitivity to light and sounds, etc.). The symptoms would typically come in waves, but I had a baseline level of dizziness/imbalance 24/7. For a period of time I was bedridden and was walking with a cane. Over the course of the next few months I made several trips to the ER, had several neurological scans done (CT, MRI), and saw a bunch of specialists (ENT, Neuro-Ophthalmologist). I was prescribed all kinds of medications from beta blockers to SNRIs and even Botox. I did several months of vestibular therapy and even cognitive behavioral therapy. Unsatisfied with my progress and tired of only having pills thrown at me, I eventually went to a functional medicine doctor who quickly suggested mold toxicity. I had testing done in my apartment which confirmed the presence of toxic mold and submitted a urine test, which showed I had high levels of 3 different types of mold toxins in my system. I moved out of my apartment and started a detox regiment. Since then most of my symptoms have subsided and although I’m not quite 100%yet, I have greatly improved and I have my life back. I am back at work and was even able to get married and go on my honeymoon in Italy this past August.
If you have having unexplained dizziness/vertigo/imbalance, especially in the presence of other symptoms, I would encourage you to consider the possibility of mold toxicity. During my sickness I was mis-diagnosed with migraine, vestibular migraine, and PPPD. None of these ever really made sense to me since I had no history of migraine or motion sickness. It seems like doctors sometimes make these diagnoses as a “catch all” when they don’t really have an answer for what is ailing you.
If you have instagram account you can follow me at @tacklingtoxicmold. I have been documenting my story there as well as discussing what has helped me in my recovery.
Wishing everyone the best on their healing journey!