Jump to content
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Ear Problems? Dizziness?


PicturePerfect

Recommended Posts

PicturePerfect Explorer

Has anyone had any ear problems or dizziness? Or ear problems that caused dizziness???? Mid-June last year, I had a horrible "dizzy attack." It went on for about 5 days or so and was constant. It calmed down the next few days, but kicked up again after I went on a plane.

The dizziness is STILL there, after more than a year, and gets worse when I swim, go in high altitudes, or fly in an airplane. I almost think I always have it, but my body is just so used to it, it has adapted.

I went to many doctors, and one doctor thought that I had less water in one ear, or something like that. The only problem is, is that he didn't do anything about it. When my regular doctor found out that I had Celiac, he said that dizziness may be a symptom. But, it isn't that much better.

Ooh, and another symptom is that I also have head rushes. Like when I stand up, even if its really slow, I black out for a second or two.

Anyone else had problems??

Thanks,

Lisa


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



nettiebeads Apprentice
Has anyone had any ear problems or dizziness? Or ear problems that caused dizziness???? Mid-June last year, I had a horrible "dizzy attack." It went on for about 5 days or so and was constant. It calmed down the next few days, but kicked up again after I went on a plane.

The dizziness is STILL there, after more than a year, and gets worse when I swim, go in high altitudes, or fly in an airplane. I almost think I always have it, but my body is just so used to it, it has adapted.

I went to many doctors, and one doctor thought that I had less water in one ear, or something like that. The only problem is, is that he didn't do anything about it. When my regular doctor found out that I had Celiac, he said that dizziness may be a symptom. But, it isn't that much better.

Ooh, and another symptom is that I also have head rushes. Like when I stand up, even if its really slow, I black out for a second or two.

Anyone else had problems??

Thanks,

Lisa

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

well, yes and no. I think you may have more than one problem. My head was congested all summer-could even feel the water sloshing around in my eustatian tubes and I don't swim! Took otc decongestants and that helped some. But it wasn't until I realized that I had been giving myself a very low level of gluten every day that my ears cleared up. I had been eating a cereal sweetened with malt (I feel so stupid for that) but cut it out two weeks ago and the congestion in my ears cleared up. And the head rushes are a medical condition related to blood pressure. I don't remember the name of it, but it can be treated. Please see your gp and mention the head rushes to him/her. It isn't uncommon.

jenvan Collaborator

perhaps you are having some vertigo issues. i had those for a while after having a middle ear infection. my mom has off and on chronic vertigo issues. the drs told her there isn't much they can do for it. she takes antrovert when she has an attack...

  • 4 weeks later...
valniles Newbie

There are a lot of things that can cause vertigo. The best thing to do is go to an ear, nose and throat specialist to be tested. Vertigo is a horrible condition to have. I have suffered from it off and on for over 25 years. You can get on line and just type in vertigo and learn a lot about it and the different things that can cause it. There are some options that include medication and sometimes a soft cervical collar. Again, go to a specialist, not your regular MD. I am NEVER without medication that helps because my vertigo attacks can happen at any time. Flying and swimming can make it happen and swimming can be dangerous because your body doesn't know what direction is up if you are in full verigo. Good luck.

Felidae Enthusiast

Last year there was a virus going around where I live that caused dizzy symptoms.

bluelotus Contributor

Vertigo and dizziness may also be a silent migrane. Whatever the cause, if you have celiac disease, dizziness is a symptom as you well know. I have suffered from it too on occasion, mostly when sitting (at computer, watching tv, eating dinner, etc), though it happened once while driving, which was very scary. Although gluten free, I have been glutened unintentionally and repeatedly for months, so that may explain why this dizziness isn't gone for me yet. Don't know if it ever goes away after being gluten-free......

  • 2 weeks later...
PicturePerfect Explorer
Vertigo and dizziness may also be a silent migrane. Whatever the cause, if you have celiac disease, dizziness is a symptom as you well know. I have suffered from it too on occasion, mostly when sitting (at computer, watching tv, eating dinner, etc), though it happened once while driving, which was very scary. Although gluten free, I have been glutened unintentionally and repeatedly for months, so that may explain why this dizziness isn't gone for me yet. Don't know if it ever goes away after being gluten-free......

That is exactly how it is for me.

I recently had an EEG done, but that turned out negative. My mom was diagnosed with MS just a few days ago because of dizziness. She says that I would be too young to have it though, so I don't know what to think is causing it.

Lisa


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



stef-the-kicking-cuty Enthusiast

I also had severe dizziness the last years before being diagnosed with celiac. After going glutenfree it took about 6 month. I'm completely free of any dizziness whatsoever today. So I think, if it's caused by celiac, that it can get better and even disappear with time.

Hugs, Stef

Claire Collaborator

Are you gluten free? In addition to ENT specialist you might see a neurologist. Some dizziness can be traced to the ears - some to the brain. Cover all the bases.

By all means get the gluten out. Try Bonine for the dizziness. A whole pill may not be necessary - less is better because it may make you sleepy.

I don't know how old you are but MS usually strikes late twenties and onward to about forty. Obviously there is leeway either side of those ages but that is the general rule.

Cover all the bases. Claire

tarnalberry Community Regular
Vertigo and dizziness may also be a silent migrane. Whatever the cause, if you have celiac disease, dizziness is a symptom as you well know. I have suffered from it too on occasion, mostly when sitting (at computer, watching tv, eating dinner, etc), though it happened once while driving, which was very scary. Although gluten free, I have been glutened unintentionally and repeatedly for months, so that may explain why this dizziness isn't gone for me yet. Don't know if it ever goes away after being gluten-free......

The dizziness associated with my migraines is the main thing that makes it so disruptive in my life. Driving is simply not an option when you're that disoriented!

I hope an ENT can help you find out what the problem is, lisa.

darlindeb25 Collaborator

All gave you very good advice--I do know that low blood pressure can cause dizziness. Have you checked everything you use--you may be getting a minimal amount of gluten--vitamins, shampoos, lotions, soaps, a daily med you may be taking??????????????? I get dizzy when standing too close to someone and I look up to them--my sweetie always keeps and arm around me to support me cause I always tip--but that is usually the only time I am like that. Deb

kimjoy24 Apprentice
Has anyone had any ear problems or dizziness? Or ear problems that caused dizziness???? Mid-June last year, I had a horrible "dizzy attack." It went on for about 5 days or so and was constant. It calmed down the next few days, but kicked up again after I went on a plane.

The dizziness is STILL there, after more than a year, and gets worse when I swim, go in high altitudes, or fly in an airplane. I almost think I always have it, but my body is just so used to it, it has adapted.

I went to many doctors, and one doctor thought that I had less water in one ear, or something like that. The only problem is, is that he didn't do anything about it. When my regular doctor found out that I had Celiac, he said that dizziness may be a symptom. But, it isn't that much better.

Ooh, and another symptom is that I also have head rushes. Like when I stand up, even if its really slow, I black out for a second or two.

Anyone else had problems??

Thanks,

Lisa

I started suffering from vertigo over a year ago. My issues are primarily when looking up, though I have had the head rushes, a "giddy" feeling, especially when walking in stores with lots of aisles. I don't know if mine is gluten-related or not, as the symptoms have cropped back up again in the past couple of months, even after being on a strict gluten-free diet. My symptoms are mainly at my desk at work, where I sit in front of a computer all day. It is a horrible feeling. I went to the doc (a neurologist) and they said there's not a whole lot they can do about it. My MRI came back fine. My primary care physician thought my ears had too much earwax, so they flushed them, then that I had low blood pressure, so I was put on a high-salt diet which made me very ill. I went to a physical therapist who gave me special exercises to do. Things slowly got better, but now it's back. I hate it when people write things off as totally stress related, but I don't doubt that some of my symptoms may have been aggravated by a lot of stress.

fritzicurls Rookie

I too have recurrent vertigo. I think mine is related to and inner ear infection related to yeast infection. I am hoping to get them both cleared up. In the meantime I went to an ENT guy who showed me two exercises - one to take care of the veritgo episode immediately (it works!) and one for long term help. Vertigo is caused by little calcium balls in the inner ear that get in the wrong place and roll around and disturb the fine little hairs in the inner ear that help maintain balance. You can find these exercises on the internet (I did) - the one to take care of the immediate episode is called the Epply-Applington Movement and the one for the long term has the word Brandt in it - sorry I can't remember the name better than that. I found them cruising the vertigo sites. Actually the doctor did the Epply Applington movement on me in his office and charged me $175 for it. I found it on the internet for free - hahahaha. It only takes about three minutes and it works. Sometimes you have to do it twice. Ativan also takes the symptoms away but you have to be careful with it because it is so addictive. The second exercise helps keep episodes at bay. Good luck.

fritzicurls

PicturePerfect Explorer

Thank you so much for all of your help, everyone!!

Lets see. I have gone to a neurologist- she was the one who prescribed the EEG. I have an appointment this Thursday with her, so we will see what happens.

I will check all the labels on everything again, just to be sure. Plus, it is hard (as it is for most of you) to be gluten-free in a gluten household. My mom might go gluten-free too, though, because Celiac may be what is causing her MS.

I don't know what else it would be other than Celiac. None of my symptoms are described in any illnesses that I know of. I don't have vertigo - all the doctors ruled that out. I am pretty sure that it is my head that is the problem, if it isn't Celiac. Hmmm... :unsure:

Again, thanks for all of your help!

Lisa

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Recent Activity

    1. - knitty kitty replied to Jmartes71's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      8

      My only proof

    2. - Wheatwacked replied to Jmartes71's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      8

      Related issues

    3. - NanceK replied to Jmartes71's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      8

      My only proof

    4. - Wheatwacked replied to Scatterbrain's topic in Sports and Fitness
      4

      Feel like I’m starting over

    5. - Scott Adams replied to Kirita's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      3

      Recovery from gluten challenge


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,291
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    DottieLyn
    Newest Member
    DottieLyn
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      @NanceK, I do have Hypersensitivity Type Four reaction to Sulfa drugs, a sulfa allergy.  Benfotiamine and other forms of Thiamine do not bother me at all.  There's sulfur in all kinds of Thiamine, yet our bodies must have it as an essential nutrient to make life sustaining enzymes.  The sulfur in thiamine is in a ring which does not trigger sulfa allergy like sulfites in a chain found in pharmaceuticals.  Doctors are not given sufficient education in nutrition (nor chemistry in this case).  I studied Nutrition before earning a degree in Microbiology.  I wanted to know what vitamins were doing inside the body.   Thiamine is safe and nontoxic even in high doses.   Not feeling well after starting Benfotiamine is normal.  It's called the "thiamine paradox" and is equivalent to an engine backfiring if it's not been cranked up for a while.  Mine went away in about three days.  I took a B Complex, magnesium and added molybdenum for a few weeks. It's important to add a B Complex with all eight essential B vitamins. Supplementing just one B vitamin can cause lows in some of the others and result in feeling worse, too.  Celiac Disease causes malabsorption of all the B vitamins, not just thiamine.  You need all eight.  Thiamine forms including Benfotiamine interact with each of the other B vitamins in some way.  It's important to add a magnesium glycinate or chelate supplement as well.  Forms of Thiamine including Benfotiamine need magnesium to make those life sustaining enzymes.  (Don't use magnesium oxide.  It's not absorbed well.  It pulls water into the intestines and is used to relieve constipation.)   Molybdenum is a trace mineral that helps the body utilize forms of Thiamine.   Molybdenum supplements are available over the counter.  It's not unusual to be low in molybdenum if low in thiamine.   I do hope you will add the necessary supplements and try Benfotiamine again. Science-y Explanation of Thiamine Paradox: https://hormonesmatter.com/paradoxical-reactions-with-ttfd-the-glutathione-connection/#google_vignette
    • Wheatwacked
      Your goal is not to be a good puppet, there is no gain in that. You might want to restart the ones that helped.  It sounds more like you are suffering from malnutrition.  Gluten free foods are not fortified with things like Thiamine (B1), vitamin D, Iodine, B1,2,3,5,6 and 12 as non-gluten free products are required to be. There is a Catch-22 here.  Malnutrition can cause SIBO, and SIBO can worsen malnutrition. Another possibility is side effects from any medication that are taking.  I was on Metformin 3 months before it turned me into a zombi.  I had crippling side effects from most of the BP meds tried on me, and Losartan has many of the side effects on me from my pre gluten free days. Because you have been gluten free, you can test and talk until you are blue in the face but all of your tests will be negative.  Without gluten, you will not create the antigen against gluten, no antigens to gluten, so no small intestine damage from the antigens.  You will need to do a gluten challange to test positive if you need an official diagnosis, and even then, no guaranty: 10 g of gluten per day for 6 weeks! Then a full panel of Celiac tests and biopsy. At a minimum consider vitamin D, Liquid Iodine (unless you have dermatitis herpetiformis and iodine exasperates the rash), and Liquid Geritol. Push for vitamin D testing and a consult with a nutritionist experienced with Celiack Disease.  Most blood tests don't indicate nutritional deficiencies.  Your thyroid tests can be perfect, yet not indicate iodine deficiency for example.  Thiamine   test fine, but not pick up on beriberi.  Vegans are often B12 deficient because meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy are the primary souces of B12. Here is what I take daily.  10,000 IU vitamin D3 750 mg g a b a [   ] 200 mg CoQ10 [   ] 100 mg DHEA [   ] 250 mg thiamine B1 [   ] 100 mg of B2 [   ] 500 mg B5 pantothenic acid [   ] 100 mg B6 [   ] 1000 micrograms B12 n [   ] 500 mg vitamin c [   ] 500 mg taurine [   ] 200 mg selenium   
    • NanceK
      Hi…Just a note that if you have an allergy to sulfa it’s best not to take Benfotiamine. I bought a bottle and tried one without looking into it first and didn’t feel well.  I checked with my pharmacist and he said not to take it with a known sulfa allergy. I was really bummed because I thought it would help my energy level, but I was thankful I was given this info before taking more of it. 
    • Wheatwacked
      Hello @Scatterbrain, Are you getting enough vitamins and minerals.  Gluten free food is not fortified so you may be starting to run low on B vitamins and vitamin D.   By the way you should get your mom checked for celiac disease.  You got it from your mom or dad.  Some studies show that following a gluten-free diet can stabilize or improve symptoms of dementia.  I know that for the 63 years I was eating gluten I got dumber and dumber until I started GFD and vitamin replenishment and it began to reverse.  Thiamine can get used up in a week or two.  Symptoms can come and go with daily diet.  Symptoms of beriberi due to Thiamine deficiency.   Difficulty walking. Loss of feeling (sensation) in hands and feet. Loss of muscle function or paralysis of the lower legs. Mental confusion. Pain. Speech difficulties. Strange eye movements (nystagmus) Tingling. Any change in medications? Last March I had corotid artery surgery (90 % blockage), and I started taking Losartan for blood pressure, added to the Clonidine I was taking already.  I was not recovering well and many of my pre gluten free symptoms were back  I was getting worse.  At first I thought it was caused a reaction to the anesthesia from the surgery, but that should have improved after two weeks.  Doctor thought I was just being a wimp. After three months I talked to my doctor about a break from the Losartan to see if it was causing it. It had not made any difference in my bp.  Except for clonindine, all of the previous bp meds tried had not worked to lower bp and had crippling side effects. One, I could not stand up straight; one wobbly knees, another spayed feet.  Inguinal hernia from the Lisinopril cough.  Had I contiued on those, I was destined for a wheelchair or walker. She said the symptoms were not from Losartan so I continued taking it.  Two weeks later I did not have the strength in hips and thighs to get up from sitting on the floor (Help, I can't get up😨).  I stopped AMA (not recommended).  Without the Losartan, a) bp did not change, after the 72 hour withdrawal from Losartanon, on clonidine only and b) symptoms started going away.  Improvement started in 72 hours.  After six weeks they were gone and I am getting better.  
    • Scott Adams
      Hopefully the food she eats away from home, especially at school, is 100% gluten-free. If you haven't checked in with the school directly about this, it might be worth a planned visit with their staff to make sure her food is safe.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.