Zebastian Karlsson-Ax, 24, has lived with debilitating dizziness since he was 11, relying on a walker for mobility. Despite numerous medical consultations, the cause remains unknown, affecting his daily life and activities. His story highlights the challenges faced by many with undiagnosed dizziness in Sweden.
Zebastian, 24, Faces Daily Dizziness: A Life Altered by an Unsolved Mystery
Zebastian, 24, Faces Daily Dizziness: A Life Altered by an Unsolved Mystery
When Zebastian was eleven, he experienced his first dizzy spell. Since then, he has lived with dizziness almost every day and must use a walker. Doctors are unsure of the cause.
Thirteen years ago, eleven-year-old Zebastian Karlsson-Ax was playing at a playground when he stumbled and felt everything start to spin.
"It just happened suddenly. I screamed in panic for my mom and dad, and they came to get me. I had to lie down on the couch."
Since that day, dizziness has been a constant presence in Zebastian's life. Now 24, he has spent more than half his life with a spinning sensation dominating his daily routine.
Most days are spent at home in his apartment in Katrineholm, watching TV. As soon as he moves, the spinning becomes unbearable.
"I can't work, play sports, or attend hockey games that I love. I can't go to the playground with my four-year-old niece when I want to. It's tough. You want to find the problem and live a normal life," he shares.
No Known Cause
Zebastian often needs to use a walker both outdoors and indoors. Despite its help, he sometimes feels embarrassed and notices people staring at him when he uses it outside.
But the dizziness is so severe that he can't manage without it.
Since the first dizzy spell, Zebastian has visited several doctors, but none have identified the cause. He has undergone numerous tests, including blood tests and EKGs.
Dizziness has sometimes halted medical investigations. When Zebastian's brain was to be MRI scanned, he couldn't endure lying in the machine.
"It was so uncomfortable. I got so dizzy going in that the nurses had to hold me, and they had to stop."
"It's scary not knowing the cause. It could be anything."
Common Yet Hard to Diagnose Condition
Dizziness is common among Swedes—up to two million are affected annually, according to Yrselcenter.
Despite this, many, like Zebastian, don't know the cause. Many dizziness patients fall through the cracks in healthcare, and knowledge about the phenomenon in general healthcare is relatively limited in Sweden. According to Yrselcenter, the majority of those seeking care receive no diagnosis.
Dizziness is often harmless but can also be due to serious illnesses like cancer or heart attack, usually accompanied by other symptoms.
Three Common Causes
Three causes account for about two-thirds of all dizziness cases, explains Mikael Karlberg, a doctor at Yrselcenter.
"These are BPPV, migraines, and something called PPPY, a type of dizziness where there's no physical fault, but the dizziness is a symptom of anxiety, experienced as instability."
Dizziness cases affecting one's life as much as Zebastian's are rare, says Karlberg. However, he notes that all Yrselcenter patients seek care because it significantly impacts their daily lives.
"Many describe it as the worst thing they've experienced," he says.
It's precisely for others affected that Zebastian wants to share his story.
"If others have the same problem as me, I want to reach out and let them know they're not alone."