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Labyrinthitis - will it keep coming back?

Posted , 6 users are following.

katy68188
katy68188

Hello all,

I have just recovered from my third bout of labyrinthitis. I first had it when I was 19 a year and a half ago, it lasted for just over a month.

3 weeks ago it came back again. I immediately recognised my symtoms but went to the doctor anyway and got diagnosed with labs again. I recovered within 5 days. 

I then went on with my daily life, even managing to go away for a week but as soon as I was home again it came back for yet another 5 days. I hadn't had any dizzy spells whilst I was away.

The main symptoms I get are extreme dizzyness and vomiting. The medication I am given stops the vomiting and nausea but I cannot sit up from a horizontal position which means I cannot do anything whilst I have this.

Is anyone else experiencing this coming back and repeating like this? If you are can I expect this to happen the rest of my life? Is there anything I could do to help prevent it? I'm 21 and I don't want this to affect me every few weeks, months or years so any advice from people in the same situation would be much appreciated.

Many thanks,

Katy

:-)

0 likes, 18 replies

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  • susan15198
    susan15198 katy68188

    Posted

    When you said "3 weeks ago it came back again. I immediately recognised my symtoms but went to the doctor anyway and got diagnosed with labs again. I recovered within 5 days. "

    What helped you recover within 5 days?

    • katy68188
      katy68188 susan15198

      Posted

      Hello,

      I think it was a combination of things but I can't be sure of course since I'm not a healthcare professional. 

      1. Since I have had this before my body may have built up anti-bodies to fight this in the past

      2. My second bout of labs was less severe than my first (my third on par with my first however)

      3. When I spoke to my doctor after 48 hours I was prescribed tablets for my nausea and vomiting

      4. Lots of bedrest and water! No gulps, just sips. It's best if you have someone who can take care of you also. Not a luxury I had first time round but second time I had someone who would try to make me eat and try standing and sitting (even if I couldn't without support or for very long)

      That is what I thinked helped me to recover so quickly but as doctors will tell you this typically lasts 4-6 weeks so as well as the points above it's just luck!

      I'm sorry if that's not much help but I'm happy to answer any other questions you have. 

    • susan15198
      susan15198 katy68188

      Posted

      I am no doctor by any means. I joined this forum to find a solution to my own issue. I had leg and knee surgery almost 6 weeks ago now and have been sick ever since - here's the weird thing - I'm only sick in the mornings and it gets better as the day goes on. Never had any issues like this before, so it had to be related to the surgery some how - and I stopped taking all pain meds over 5 weeks ago. No, I'm not pregnant. My GI Specialist put me on Pantoprazole and meclizine. Said it would take about a week. There is improvement - diarrhea and vomiting stopped, but still wake up not feeling well and I can't lay down. I have an appointment with my acupuncturist on Thursday night - I'm hoping he can help.

      I was reading your post in hopes that both of us find a solution - and quickly

  • marie43202
    marie43202 katy68188

    Posted

    Hi Katy,

    Sorry to read you are going through this sad

    What medication were you given for dizziness and vomiting?

    I was prescribed Serc but just took a bit of the edge off. 

    I am wondering if this is hereditary. In February, my mom had a bout of vertigo, severe vomiting, lasted about a month. Now I get it?

    Hope u r feeling better soon smile

     

    • susan15198
      susan15198 marie43202

      Posted

      Hi Marie - how is your mom? Is she over it? What did she take or do to get over it if she did
    • marie43202
      marie43202 susan15198

      Posted

      Hi Susan,

      She is over it for now. As far as I can remember she has complained of dizzyness but again, she has arthritis in neck and I truly believe there is a connection between the two  due to the numerous nerve pathways. The episode in February was the worst, vertigo accompanied with vomiting. The last time she had an episode with vertigo, no vomiting was about 25 years ago. So, not bad. Both vertigo episodes lasted for about 2 months. She was prescribed Serc during her last episode and she was hospitalized during those 2 months in February and while there contracted pneumonia (go figure) so it did delay recovery time.

      Myself, I experience dizziness too from time to time. Extreme heat is a big factor and not due to dehydration. I am also seeing a pattern of late summer, early fall as being peak times for this dizziness. Maybe allergies? I don't know. But this particular episode I am going thru is definitely ear or neck related. The vertigo I experienced after this balance test has definitely incapacitated me. 

      Whatever this is, I truly believe in exercise as difficult as it may be. A long time ago I read a book titled, The Brain That Heals Itself and was quite impressed with the information I read. In his book, Dr. Doidge delves into the science of neuroplasticity and how remarkable the brain is in rewiring itself after injury. Definitely worth a read. I think he has recently written another book.

      Take care smile

    • susan15198
      susan15198 marie43202

      Posted

      Sadly yes, exercise is a challenge. I still cannot put any pressure on my leg, so I have to hop around on one leg with a walker. Luckily I have a ranch style home, so when I start feeling better I do as many laps as I can.

      Since I'm very sensitive to meds, my Dr. Started me on only 12.5 mg of meclizine as opposed to the regular dose of 25 mg. tonight I will up it to 18.75 mg. I am praying for a little more improvement. I will keep you posted. Please keep me posted with you as well - hopefully we get each other through this nightmare.

    • marie43202
      marie43202 susan15198

      Posted

      Yes, I will. Try and have a good night and prayers for you and everyone else I have been communicating with--this is a great support group. We shall connect soon smile
    • katy68188
      katy68188 marie43202

      Posted

      Hi Marie,

      I am so sorry to hear about your mother and yourself.

      I was given Prochlorperazine Tablets by my doctor which stop the vomiting but does nothing for the dizzyness you just need to "ride that out" as they would say rolleyes I am however in the UK so some of the medication that is on offer to me will certainly be different to yourself if you do not live here. 

      Interesting theory idea I get travel sickness from going on planes but I take medication and it doesn't really affect me after that but it is from my mother also. My doctor said that this might mean that the cochlea and laybrith in my ear is more sensitive and therefore more likely to get labs than others. 

      I hope you feel better soon and I hope that your mother is well.

      I do also believe that more exercise and a healthier diet will help to fend further infections off. I just wondered if anything further could be done smile

    • marie43202
      marie43202 katy68188

      Posted

      Hi Katy,

      Hmmm, interesting. I easily get motion sickness in cars. Back seats are def out of the question. Once I get better (fingers crossed), I want to reschedule my vacation but now I am afraid of flying in case it sets it off again. God help me if this happens while on the plane. How embarrassing would that be? I can easily see how this prob we are having leads in to panic attacks sad

    • marie43202
      marie43202 katy68188

      Posted

      Actually, just throwing this one out there, I also am fearful of heights as it sets off dizziness in me. I love skiing and it takes quite a bit to muster the courage to ride up that chairlift. Wonder what or if there is a connection due to the physiology of our eyes? Perhaps we have a particular anomaly of our eyes that makes us more susceptible to dizziness/vertigo? Idk, just grasping at straws at this point. And I am def not ruling out a virus as I feel so incredibly weak, like a ran a marathon.
  • jonAustralia
    jonAustralia katy68188

    Posted

    Hi, once again I feel the urge to comment, when I have nothing of new substance to add. I'm in my second bout with two years duration between. Mine consists of vomitting only for 6-8 hours on day one, and of course violent room spinning. The source is my right ear. This time it has lasted 10 weeks and continues but I am able to do lengthy gym work (at home) and running and walking for around 10 k's so I feel rather priveleged when compared to many. I have noticed that footpath running/walking is easier than undulating surfaces. . I have had from day one a theory that the neck is definitely associated with our issues and when I lean my head right back there are noises in my neck and related pain in the upper base of my head. This brings on no other symptoms than the pain though and I believe the leftovers of a rear-end collision and thanks to a hit-run driver, even though it was 25 years ago. So,I offer hope where there is depression (some days I just stay in bed all day; not good practice) and I live in further hope that the unsteadiness will again disappear as it did last time; may you be so lucky. Regards, Jon
    • katy68188
      katy68188 jonAustralia

      Posted

      Hi Jon,

      Thanks for adding to the conversation and sorry to hear you are going through your second one but glad to see you are on the mend with your gym work and 10 k's. 

      Day one is always the worst for me too. It got to the point where I just laid on my bathroom floor for the day because if I moved anywhere I would just vomit again. 

      I hear noises in my neck when I lean it right back but haven't been in a collision like yourself. I put it down to hours of staring down at my laptop but now I am not so sure...

      I hope for you too, it can be difficult to find motivation at times but we persevere. Thank you for your well wishes.

      Kind regards,

      Katy

    • jonAustralia
      jonAustralia katy68188

      Posted

      and best wishes to you too Katy. My run was just beautiful along the sand dunes and extraordinary views looking out towards the Antarctica. All the best, Jon biggrin
  • neil70271
    neil70271 katy68188

    Posted

    Im on my second spell of this labrynthitus now..1st spell was 17 years ago...this hasnt been as bad this time..thankgod dr just gave me stemetil...feel much better
    • katy68188
      katy68188 neil70271

      Posted

      Thank you for commenting, glad that you feel much better.

      The 17 years gives me hope as maybe mine won't come back for another 17 years!

      Mine wasn't as bad second time round either but the third was awful so I do hope you don't have to experience this again.

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