Hello all, I don’t frequent here often, but usually when I have a flare up I come running.
I have had a really bad sickness since Monday. Flu and COVID negative, but definitely have something. A lot of upper respiratory symptoms. Headache and sinus pressure, sore throat, cough, sneezing. Body aches, chills, sweats.
Went to the doctor on Wednesday, prescribed me amoxicillin. Also, when sinuses started to loosen and I can blow my nose, getting a lot of stuff to come out. Sorry for the TMI.
Thursday, I’m in the shower and I close my eyes to wash my face and oh, I feel myself sway a little bit. Today, it’s a more consistent swaying feeling, so not just when I close my eyes.
Have any of you experienced anything like this while sick? Could it be from the sickness itself and it’s something more serious? I didn’t mention it to my doctor because I wasn’t experiencing this when I went. Could it be because of my clogged sinuses? Or could it be a combination because I am already susceptible to pressure changes and that can trigger me? (Like when I flew on a plane a couple years back).
Any suggestions to help combat this would be helpful. I’d call my doc but their office is already closed.
Hi Renee, I am no expert but having had this similar thing for a couple of years and from reading others’ experiences, it seems like you may have mild symptoms along a similar continuum that many of us are on, and that yours will resolve quickly, in my opinion. (Wisconsin, United States)
Vestibular migraine can flare up due to any kind of virus or illness. But congestion itself can also cause dizziness so it could be either of those things. Hope you feel better soon.
My vestibular symptoms are always worse when I’m poorly. Covid and respiratory infections completely wipe me out and it takes a long time afterwards for my vestibular symptoms to then settle again. I think part of it for me is that if I’m ill enough to be in bed, I’m then not moving as much which impacts my balance etc. But it’s definitely not just that, the infection or virus also just goes to my head and ears. I do sympathise!
When I saw amoxicillin, my first thought was your doctor suspected sinus infection.
I too went through this little dance a month ago. The doc tested for COVID and flu and I came up negative for both. She said go to bed, drink plenty of water and juice, take Tylenol and ibuprofen, and call her if I’m not better in a week.
I think I need a new doc. My wife was sick during the same time, coming down with symptoms 4 days after me and she tested positive for Type A Flu.
I had dizziness and a touch of Vertigo during this illness and for a few days after. But, I couldn’t be sure, because Humana denied one of my meds and forced me on to one that didn’t work. So was it the illness or was it the drug, I’ll never know for sure.
BTW, have you install hand rails in your bathroom? When I have my episodes, it’s the only way I can take a shower.
I’m still pretty unwell and pretty weak, but I agree with everything everyone has said. I am a little better vertigo-wise but I’m still a little swayish, thankfully the nausea subsided. I also agree that my lying down so much is hindering my balance.
I rarely ever get sick and when I do, it’s for like two days and I’m good. Even when I had COVID in 2023, it was so mild that I didn’t have any vestibular issues even though the illness itself did give me a a headache. I was only sick for two days and it was honestly nothing for me.
Whatever this is, worst respiratory illness I’ve ever had in my life.
And no, I don’t have railings in my shower. I just stopped closing my eyes for long periods if I get unbalanced.
Thank you everyone for listening and responding. I’m still on the mend and I see the doc this Wednesday. I’m sure I’ll be back with an update.
Hi, this happened to me on thanksgiving. I was sick with the brief fever and then lots of sinus pressure. I had increased dizziness for two straight weeks I could barely leave the house to walk outside.. some things you can try that have really helped me
Keep your showers to a medium temperature and not too hot. Keep the door open in the fan on. The heat and humidity always make things worse for me
Download weatherX app, it tells you every time the pressure shifts and warns you in advance too so you can plan ahead.
I use red light therapy devices for my ears and my nose. Such as the brand No more colds. But there are many brandsThis really helps me and my family members. Reduces inflammation and can help with tinnitus vertigo etc.
Echinacea and goldenseal extracts are phenomenal for healing. They are natural antibiotics and they helped me a lot this last time. They say not to use them at the same time as regular antibiotics. So do some research.
I wouldn’t assume anything worse is going on can just be due to the cold alone increasing pressure etc in your head. Best wishes!
Thank you so much for the info! I’ve never heard of red light therapy for sinuses and things. Are those over the counter products I can just order? I do get tinnitus from time to time as well.
I’ll look into the echinacea and stuff as well. Obviously, after my antibiotics are through.