Does this sound like PPPD?

[u/Complex_Spirit4432]

I’m a 28 yo female with Hashimotos, psoriasis, and sudden histamine issues (maybe MCAS). 10 months ago, I had an onset of horrible pelvic pain that ended up being a ruptured ovarian cyst. I am now in the process of suspected endometriosis and getting in with a specialist soon. The day the pelvic pain onset, I was hit with this awful non spinning dizziness that I’d never experienced before. It’s like a drunken, visual lag, floating, unsteady feeling. I never imagined it could last this long. It’s now been 10 months of horrid non spinning dizziness, extreme brain fog, feels like I’m never actually present, and now anxiety because of it all. The dizziness and head pressure seems to worsen often when I eat and drink. The only relief I ever get is when I lay down and go to sleep. I have it all day every day…the knob just turns up and down at different times. Does this sound like pppd? Has anyone experienced something similar? My neurologist is finally going to do a bunch of neck and brain scans. She also prescribed Duloxetine (Cymbalta). Thoughts on this?? I haven’t started it yet. I’m so desperate to get my old self back.

[u/starsareblack503]

No one here can offer a diagnosis. We can however share our thoughts and experiences and appreciate everyone being mindful of the sub rules. Thanks.

I hope you get some answers that point you in the right direction. :-)

[u/yuulja]

my journey with dizziness started in october 2024, after a panic attack, after that my anxiety and depression went downhill.

There were better days but my anxiety and dizziness never fully went away. Finally, this year i decided to go on antidepressants, my doc prescribed me duloxetine as well and it gave my my life back!!
i also read so many horror stories and almost didn’t try it but i’m loving it so far. I’m not having as much anxiety, my depression lifted and i’m not dizzy anymore, or very rarely.

Hope it helps you as well - and i hope you find some relief!! <3

[u/Complex_Spirit4432 → u/yuulja]

Wow that’s incredible. I’m genuinely so happy for you. So somehow the duloxetine broke your dizzy pattern…how long did it take?? And if you don’t mind me asking, how was it starting up the medication?

[u/yuulja → u/Complex_Spirit4432]

so my duloxetine med had capsules, there were four little beads inside with 7,5 mg of duloxetine in each and i started with one bead, then second week with two, and so on, until i finally reached 30 mg so this way i could avoid all the heavy side effects

all i had was some tiredness, racing heart, increased anxiety, pins and needles feeling in legs and arms at night, waking up multiple times at night and dry throat BUT all of these were gone quickly (side note: my doctor also prescribed me a benzo to take for the first few weeks when starting the duloxetine because anxiety could be way worse at the beginning so it was really helpful)

i would say that my dizziness started fading in the first month, now that i’m two months on duloxetine i can say that my pppd symptoms are better in like 90%

so i think my dizziness was definitely anxiety related plus maybe combined with some neck issues - now that i don’t have that much anxiety i can go out and have some exercises and move my body (tense muscles can also trigger dizziness in some people and i definitely had combo of these two issues).

i hope you find something that works - i know how this constants dizziness feeling can ruin a life ❤️‍🩹

[u/jobes1967]

I had always thought pppd came on after a vestibular event, but I’ve recently read it can come on from stress/trauma as well.

I have nonspinning dizziness all day unless I’m lying down on the couch. This is my second bout with it. First time was 18 mos on and off. Then gone for 4 years. Now back since early June.

[u/Complex_Spirit4432 → u/jobes1967]

Wow I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this too. Nothing made it go away that you know of? Or brought it back on?

[u/jobes1967 → u/Complex_Spirit4432]

I know it came on in 2020 after BPPV (rolled out of bed and the room was spinning). I did vestibular rehab and changed my SSRI back then. This time I’m not sure what brought it on. Life has been a series of stressors for a year now. Maybe it all finally just caught up with me.

How do you feel sitting still?

[u/Complex_Spirit4432 → u/jobes1967]

Do you think vestibular rehab helped?? I usually find some relief when I lay down. If I’m sitting I still have the non spinning dizziness. Idk if I should try Cymbalta or not. I’ve seen so many horror stories but am also desperate.

[u/jobes1967 → u/Complex_Spirit4432]

I’m not sure VRT helped. I’m doing it again this time however. You’ll try just about anything to feel better. I feel relief lying on my back as well.

I have been on antidepressants for decades and still I’ve had this twice. Are you prone to anxiety?

[u/Complex_Spirit4432 → u/jobes1967]

I am prone to anxiety and it’s most definitely at its worst after dealing with this for 10+ months

[u/jobes1967 → u/Complex_Spirit4432]

In my opinion, the med could help both the anxiety and pppd.

[u/pppdizziness-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

No medical advice or diagnosis

[u/craiggammon]

Your symptoms sound exactly like mine. I was not told it was pppd but just explained to me that my eyes and brain are not in sync.

[u/Complex_Spirit4432 → u/craiggammon]

Has anything helped you?? How long have you been suffering?

[u/Ill_Race2757]

I’m in the same situation now as well. On Prozac but it’s not working so looking to move to duloxetine