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Comment by replwoacause | Hacker News Reader

I'm just going to ask this here because I'm not active elsewhere on social media, I'm curious and it seems germane:

I've started experiencing some balance issues recently and am otherwise healthy as far as I know. I am mid-thirties, double vaccinated and boosted, and may have had COVID but don't have a positive test to confirm it even though I had some mild symptoms consistent with the Delta strain.

Has anyone else who has either received the vaccine (I got Pfizer) or had COVID experienced a new feeling of instability when walking? Not necessarily a room-spinning vertigo but more akin to feeling like a toddler learning to walk or a little drunk. It seems especially noticeable when I'm walking and turn my head to look to around.

I've always felt sure footed and this slightly off kilter sensation began about 2-3 weeks after my booster.

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Maybe see a doctor. Vertigo can be caused by a whole lot of different things, with causes ranging from harmless to serious.

Yes, but prior to any vaccines or any known covid I have a suspected COVID infection but I really don't know. I experienced this same thing in winter of 2020. Symptoms lasted for 6-8 weeks from October to December. I finally went to see an Ear Nose and throat specialist in December 2020 as my symptoms were beginning to wane, everything was clear on my ears.

I had pretty much the exact same symptoms you are describing. I am also in my mid-thirties. It was extremely uncomfortable. It was disorienting enough that whenever I experienced it (which was daily) I would start to spiral out and have a near panic attack, i.e. it was extremely anxiety inducing. It was so uncomfortable, sometimes when I stand up (1 year later) I still brace myself for it.

I wish you a quick recovery.

My fiancee had previous issues with vertigo, and few weeks after getting COVID this got as bad as it was ever before. Took her a few months to recover fully, thankfully. A neighbor lady also reported she started having balance issues, though after a vaccine (not sure which one, but I guess it should have been Astra Zeneca). Most of my friends that have contracted the virus around me are reporting that whatever they had issues with before, worsened.

For me on the other hand there were no particular issues after the virus, though I certainly don't have the same strength I had before. Haven't yet vaccinated, as I've been instructed by my GP not to yet (still have ~600 bau), my next test is in 10 days. Still researching which vaccine is safest.

At the risk of playing internet MD, viral induced labrynthitis is real and could potentially cause those symptoms.

Way before COVID, I got vertigo for a weekend, caused by a cold. Apparently viruses can cause the fluid in the ear to change in viscosity.

For me that induced vertigo (really bad "spins" for two days), for you it could be less severe but longer lasting. As I understood it, it can be caused by any virus (unclear about COVID's relationship with it) and will likely go away.

While it was happening, I drank extra water and any time the spins got out of control, I'd sit down and take some deep breaths. It's easy to cope when it is just for a weekend. Best of luck to you.

P.S. Always best to check with a real doctor.

You should probably see a doctor. What you are doing here is exactly why this article is so bad: it relies on random anecdotes and confirmation bias to make its case. Any answer you get here will not help you. See a doctor, and get a proper exam and diagnosis.

ranks pretty high in the realm of psychosomatic symptoms. I had an anxiety disorder that primarily manifested itself that way in my mid-20s. went away when I recognized it as such and took on a meditation practice for handling my panic attacks.

Yeah I felt that way after I had covid, along with some occasional tinnitus, and I figured they are both the fault of the inner ear. A month later it’s mostly gone.

It’s a strange illness.

Obviously anecdotal, but I've had it since I recovered from Omicron (after 3 jabs).

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