u/FastEther

fyi, burner account for privacy.

Since now almost a full year I have been dealing with serious dizziness. 22yo, male. It is seriously impacting my daily life and on some days I cannot walk even short distances. My GP is somewhat dismissive and doesn't seem to take the impact it has serious. Please help me with your recommendations and how to proceed...

My history:

- Middle of Summer 2025, I was at an outdoor sport event. Sun was pretty extreme and I didn't feel well. I drank a lot of water and went back home but has serious dizziness.

- A few days later I go check blood pressure. Nothing unusual, but high pulse. They recommend to eat salty and drink more.

- I continue to feel bad and call my GP. Waiting time is long so I get an appointment 2 weeks later.

- I go to work and some events in the meantime, but have to abort or cancel them because I have fear of falling.

- GP finds nothing concerning, sends me home with some tips for nutrition. An MRI is made of my skull with no findings.

- 5 days later, I attempt to buy groceries and feel very bad. I have high pulse (185bpm) and have to drop to the ground to not fall. I feel like blacking out.

- I call GP, another appointment scheduled. I have some major headaches on the weekend and the 24/7 medical hotline asks me to go to hospital. Hospital finds nothing and sends me back home

- I visit GP again, high blood pressure and pulse, cannot walk. They send me to stationary hospital. Blood work shows nothing unusual, B12 is a bit low. Ultrasound of heart shows nothing. Rhythm normal. No further exams are made. After a few days I am sent back.

- A few months pass. I don't go to work for months. I can luckily work from home but it is daily torture, even while sitting.

- GP schedules me for ear exam. They find major over sensitivity on both ears but no problems with inner ear.

- GP schedules me 4 months later for neurology. Both neurologists find nothing unusual but diagnose me with PPPD and possible anxiety.

- GP schedules me for psychotherapy in summer 2026

During the whole timeline, I also went to physio weekly with no to only minor results. I recently switched to a better physiologist experienced with vestibular therapy. She is helping me the most of everyone. I left out details for privacy and not giving out identification.

So with another appointment finally discussing medication and SSRIs, here are my questions:

- I feel like I have a bit of chest pressure and always have anxiety on wide flat squares. I was never afraid of heights but now I am. Do my symptoms line up with PPPD?

- What can I do about my GP? Switching is nearly impossible since I have no nearby doctor and waiting times are >4 months.

- This whole thing has been going on for so long, because waiting times for appointments are usually 3 weeks - 6 months. What can I do? I already wasted thousands and my insurance is constantly maxed out. I could afford private care but am not willing to do that unless someone really can help me. Until now most attempts were fruitless.

- What SSRIs should I consider? I've seen Zoloft.

- My family is against all medication. They are supportive otherwise. What should I do?

- I have fear of fainting and also sometimes blacking out or worse. What can I do?

- Walking up makes my symptoms worse. What can I do to avoid that?

I am at an all time emotional low and I need help. I should soon have a psychiatrist. But I still fear that my symptoms will stay. Please comment on your advice... Thank you all 🙏