This has been a strange symptom form me during this whole episode, and from what I gather its not common between all of us. I would be interested to know who else suffers with this.
Quite often I actually see things moving that are stationary e.g. buildings seem to slightly sway or objects in my peripheral vision.
A strange example is this… When I am in a moving car I don’t feel any symptoms at all, however, as soon as it is stationary it feels like everything around me is moving slightly…
Doctors have said this is due to your own postural sway when standing, but how can this be explained when sitting down and my body is in no way having to keep me upright, as its fully supported by the seat?
I swear, sometimes I feel like I am having some crazy acid trip or something!
I wouldn’t say that I see things moving when they are not, as in my eyes actually tell me totally wrong information, however I feel that 24/7 swaying or pulling feeling and my head feels dizzy/disequilibrium. When I am really bad it can even be when I am lying down resting my head but normally that is ok but I can always feel it when I am sitting down on a chair when my head is not supported. Sometimes if it is mild I can shut it out, other times I am focused on it and it prevents me doing things. I am fine in a moving car but when it stops and when I get out sometimes I feel like I am still moving for a few seconds/minutes. I also have feelings of false motion and sometimes when I am trying to fall asleep I will awake suddenly feeling like I am falling. From what Dr S said at my appt, it seems to be that the brainstem where all this balance information passes through is now not functioning correctly so the brain is not trusting the balance information it gets anymore. This is why we feel dizzy because of the conflicting signals our brain is getting and also why we over-rely on visual clues for balance information. I think that is why I get this dizzy falling feeling when I am sleepy because my eyes are closed so my brain is more confused. Are your meds helping at all Richy? x
I see things moving all the time even when sat absolutely still. If I blink and move my head slightly it lessens. When I am moving, then stop, everything continues to move especially in the car at traffic lights. Cars at the side of me are still moving to me although they are still. This isn’t something new for me have had this for 15 years, but all got worse 12 months ago.
Everything constantly sways in my vision. It’s a VERY common symptom so my neuro tells me. For me it almost looks as though things are breathing - the walls, the pavements etc. Also my eyes pulse with my heartbeat which is so irritating! My eye lid often twitches too which doesn’t help with motion in my vision! x
And felt like things are moving in the midst of my recent bad relapse- like you know when you look up at the clouds and you can see them moving very slowly round.
Its the same with me.buildings move and sway when the car is not moving but as soon as the car starts to move the buildings don’t sway anymore.I have self diagnosed myself as suffering from visual snow syndrome aka permanent migraine aura along with mav which makes sense Cz doctors don’t understand this 24/7 visual bullshit that I have but r confident that the dizziness is migraine related.
Hi Richy,
I saw this today when looking at the old Compensation video by Johnson & Johnson. It’s a Youtube video explaining how the vestibular system works. I think it may help u to understand how the brain receives signals from the vestibular apparatus. It’s quite nicely presented in simple terms. I’m going to see if this Professor has more detailed info. I just thought this one might be helpful in how it explains the sense of movement. Will probably post it over at DT as well. Compliments of Prof Fink - Physiology - the Vestibular Apparatus
these videos are related to the balance apparatus in the ear, however we are suffering with migraine vertigo which is a central vestibular issue… do you know any good videos more for that side of things?
Depends what the underlying issue is. But assuming it will resolve spontaneously, in the meantime you should consider a vestibular suppressant like Amitriptyline. Discuss with your doctor.
This is an issue of mine. It’s a migraine symptom. I wish James @turnitaround was right that it resolves spontaneously, and it’s not impossible that it could I suppose, but given it’s so interwoven with migraine I’d say the only way that symptom is going away is if you get the migraine under control. That usually means medication trials. I think I saw less false movements when I was on Effexor. They ramped back up again when I quit the drug. Now when Botox is holding VM at bay I see less false movement. But when I’m having a breakthrough migraine, am over tired or stressed it’s one of my more prominent symptoms. Your best bet is to get migraine under control with a combination of diet, trigger management, lifestyle changes and medication.
I’ve been having permanent dizzyness for over a year because of some neck problems, a few months ago I felt like things were moving slighty and this has been worsening for a while now.
I’m so glad I’m not alone in this, I couldn’t find anything similar to what I was feeling and this makes so much sense!
In my case it worsens when I’m indoors and I can see walls and stuff and also when I stare to one particular thing for a few seconds.
I too experience this sort of things. Very disconcerting however from all I’ve read it is common amongst people who suffer from any vestibular issues and unfortunately ongoing. It’s not unusual for brief occurrences to happen on into the future. I’ve experienced it on and off for years. I suspect it occurs more often when I am more symptomatic generally but it does still occur even after years of medication.
If you are sure your issues are most probably due to your neck problems do check out Cervicogenic headaches. If unsure suggest you consult a specialist. You may already be aware but most vestibular issues also cause tightness and/or stiffness of the neck so the fact that area might appear to be the cause it could actually be MAV/VM anyway. All a bit confusing initially maybe. Even for specialists to work it out.
I’m almost a 100% sure that it is because of my neck. I’ve had some major issues with contractures and they are heavily related with my dizziness. Also I dont really know a lot about migraines but I dont experience headaches that often and when I do they tend to be really light.
I’ve read about oscillopsia too but if Im not mistaken it get worse with movement, with me its totally the opposite, when I’m moving it gets so much better!
Also I have a dissociative disorder so at first I linked it to that but now I kinda feel like it may be a mix of both things, permanent dizzines for over a year now and dissociating may amplify that.
Again, thanks so much for your answer, knowing that is a common thing among people with vestibular issues really calmed me. I’ve been struggling for a while now (its now slowly getting better though) but I’m so glad I found this community!!
Please make sure you seek the best available medical advice to get your condition under the best possible control. Whatever the cause it is not reasonable to feel constantly dizzy for so long. There may well be treatments on offer.
