I’m currently 5 months post stroke and my recovery is going well. However I have been suffering from quite debilitating dizziness and I’m wondering if it’s stroke related.
When I first had the stroke I couldn’t even roll over in bed without experiencing extreme dizziness but this has improved. I went to my GP about a month ago as I was feeling dizzy and nauseous most of the time, the best I can explain it is it was like that feeling you get when your blood sugars dip. She checked my BP which was fine, and ran some bloods which did initially come back as having extremely low blood glucose levels. However a repeat, fasting blood test and a glucose monitor suggests that it was a blip and my blood sugars are fine.
I’ve noticed today that it seems to be triggered when I’m sitting or standing with my head down to read/write/work etc or when I’m walking and looking at the ground rather than straight ahead. I’m starting to wonder if it is an after effect of the stroke rather than something medical?
I spoke to my consultant the other day and she was a little concerned I’d had another stroke but said that as my symptoms were present when I had my most recent MRI which showed no further strokes, she felt it unlikely to be symptoms of another stroke. After that she didnt really offer any suggestions or seem concerned.
I don’t known where to go from here really, it’s affecting my day to day life quite a bit but no one seems overly concerned or even know what could be causing it!
1 Like
Hi @Sajara I understand totally what you are saying. I still suffer with dizziness and nausea following my stroke which was 4 years ago now. There are many things that can cause it but it could be your stroke. I was referred by my GP to ENT for them to investigate so perhaps ask your GP for an ENT referral.
It is an awful feeling and whilst I still get it it isn’t as severe as it was so I have learnt to live with it. In time, if it is stroke related, your symptoms will hopefully ease too.
Mine turns out to be caused, they think, by having under developed (hypoplastic) arteries in my neck and therefore I am stuck with it. Disappointing but at least I know why which has reassured me lots. This was found out after havjng a CT angiogram. Maybe request one of those too.
Hope that has helped a bit & i really hope it settles for you soon.
2 Likes
Thank you, that is helpful, I may have to go back to the GP and put that theory to her if it doesn’t start to ease soon. It’s so frustrating because otherwise I’m pretty much ok, I feel like without the dizziness I could almost be back to pre stroke health and fitness.
I guess if it is stroke related I will need to learn to live with it which feels impossible right now!
1 Like
Please do see your GP. I felt like you at the start. It’s really miserable and you have my full sympathy. I would definitely ask to see ENT. You have nothing to lose and it will rule out other issues that may be causing dizziness. If it does turn out to be stroke related there is still every chance it will improve. Most things stroke just take time to settle.
2 Likes
Out of interest, what kind of stroke was it? Was it cerebellar stroke?
Hello @Sajara - well done for looking for clues as to what might be causing you to feel dizzy.
I am pleased you have noticed that this seems to happen when you are looking down.
That is a massive clue especially if you can confirm that it does not happen when looking ahead or looking up.
Armed with this knowledge you can go back to your GP and/or stroke consultant and explain exactly this. If they are worth their salt, they will then do a bit of thinking and realise that something happens to cause you to feel dizzy but only when your head is down.
Here’s a bit of research I did …
I have done a quick Google check and it seems you may be experiencing effects caused by a condition called BPPV (Inner Ear Crystals)
'*
'**
'***
Click here to read more to learn about possible causes, symptoms and what you can do ...
Dizziness when looking down is frequently caused by Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). This happens when tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear become dislodged and move into the wrong canal, causing a brief spinning sensation when you change your head position, such as looking down or up.
Common Reasons for Dizziness When Looking Down
- BPPV (Inner Ear Crystals): Dislodged crystals, or “ear rocks,” create a false sensation of movement when they move in response to gravity.
- Low Blood Pressure (Orthostatic Hypotension): Bending down and standing back up can cause a rapid drop in blood pressure, leading to lightheadedness.
- Visually Induced Dizziness:
A conflict between visual input (like seeing the floor move closer) and the balance system can cause dizziness.
- Neck Stiffness/Injury: Tension in the neck muscles can interfere with nerve signals related to balance.
- Other Potential Causes: These can include vestibular migraines, dehydration, or ear infections.
Key Symptoms and Characteristics
- Short Duration: BPPV-related dizziness often lasts for less than a minute.
- Provoked by Movement: The dizziness occurs specifically when bending over, looking up, or rolling over in bed.
- Intensity: Can cause severe spinning, nausea, and unsteadiness.
What You Can Do
- See a healthcare professional: A doctor can diagnose BPPV using the Dix-Hallpike test.
- Epley Maneuver: This is a common, effective treatment to move the crystals back into place, often performed in a clinic.
- Move slowly: Avoid quick head movements, particularly bending down or standing up rapidly.
'***
'**
'*
Please note:
I am not a healthcare professional, nor have I any previous knowledge or experience of BPPV, however, if I was in your shoes, this is what I would have done.
Right now, I would be contacting my GP or NHS 111 and asking them to check for this and either confirm I have BPPV or rule it out and look for something else.
The key new information you have provided is the fact that this happens only when you look down. To me this cannot be unrelated and any doctor worth their salt would be able to follow up on that.
I wish you all the best.
2 Likes
My stroke was a “very tiny acute cortical infarction along with the right post central gyrus” according to the letter I received after my diagnosis. It’s never been explained what exactly that is! It also did not feel very tiny while it was happening or given how I felt afterwards!
1 Like
Thank you, this is very interesting and could possibly be the cause. I have issues anyway with my ears having a hearing impairment and a severe ear infection about a year ago. I also went completely deaf in my left ear a week before I had my stroke, completely unexplained, but I’ve always wondered if it was related. I wouldn’t be surprised therefore if it does turn out to be an ear ‘thing’
2 Likes
You’re welcome. It gives you something to look into.
If you are interested, I found a couple of videos which I think worth watching. I am not suggesting this is the answer, but by watching them, you may be able to compare this with your symptoms and see if it is the same.
I found them very interesting and certainly if you are experiencing BPPV then the treatment seems to be straightforward and it is drug free 
Hope you feel less dizzy soon
1 Like
Okay, so doing a cursory sweep, right post central gyrus, processes pain and sensory systems so your giddiness may be unrelated to stroke, but as I have no medical training, I cannot say for sure. However, as @ManjiB mentioned it could be BPPV. BPPV should only last for a short time (weeks, few months at most). I was misdiagnosed with BPPV which is why I always question it as the symptoms mimic cerebellar stroke. Not only is there BPPV, but there is also Menagiere’s disease and labyrinthitis that all have similar symptoms to BPPV. I think as @Mrs5K mentioned, straight to ENT.
1 Like
Some of my symptoms do fit BPPV but I don’t get a spinning sensation, it’s very much woozy lightheadedness. I would liken to when you haven’t had enough to eat. It does not pass after a few minutes, when I am having a ‘dizzy day’, it’s none stop and lasts all day. I notice it is worse on days when I am spending a lot of time with my head down, eg reading, or walking and looking at the floor.
I won’t rule it out though and will definitely mention it to my GP when I see her next.
3 Likes
This is why with cerebellar stroke, I try and explain that the feeling is giddy and not dizzy to rule out BPPV. Unfortunately, that kind of symptom can be connected to so many things, it could be a proprioceptive problem after your stroke or something else acquired post stroke. Oh, the joy of being a wellbeing detective after stroke, everything gets tainted! People who have not experienced stroke handle these kinds of situations much better.
2 Likes
