Balance Issues/Dizziness for 7 weeks - 22 year old, healthy female.

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone else has experienced a similar problem. I will keep it concise.

I have, over the past year, suffered two attacks of Labrinthitis (as diagnosed by my doctor). I'd never had it before, and it was unpleasant, and knocked me out to the point i couldn't get out of bed, for 2-3 days, but then would gradually settle within the space of a week. My last attack was in January.

About 7 weeks ago now, I started feeling decidedly "off", as thought I was "coming down with something" with an intense, intense pressure on the bridge of my nose, and in my eye sockets. 6 weeks ago, I started feeling dizzy. When I say dizzy, I don't mean lightheaded or really as though the world is spinning - I suppose you would say more that my balance was off, it felt as though I was on a boat and unsteady on my feet.

I have now had this sensation for 6 weeks so far, in varying degrees. It has not been so intense that I am unable to function, unlike previous labrinthitis attacks (which is initially what I thought this was), and it comes in waves. It isn't constant, but I cannot seem to work out a pattern as to why and when it comes on.

At the beginning, I had occasional shooting pain in my right ear, which has since died down although a slight residual "fullness" is still apparent. After about 4 weeks, it did start to improve in as far as the horrible spaced out, unfocused feeling that came with it went, the pressure went away entirely, and I was left with what I can only describe as good days, and bad days of balance. I could go one day, barely feeling a thing, and wake up the next feeling awful. Tiredness certainly seemed to affect it, as did being hungover - but not always. As i said, there is no solid pattern.

Last week was my best week and I had 3 days were I was almost 100% free of any balance issues, and it was great! However, over the weekend, I have come down with a cold, and since the onset of this - the sensation is back to as bad as it was in the initial 3 weeks. i cannot believe that that is a coincidence!

A couple of interesting details however -

When I am on a moving vehicle (train, plane, car), I cannot feel the sensation at all.

The sensation is significantly worse when I am in a confined space (toilet cubicle, changing room) or when I am in a shop/supermarket.

My GP says there is nothing wrong with me, or my ears, so an infection has been ruled out.

It is important to note that while the sensation is unpleasant, and when it's bad, makes me feel incredibly nauseous, it has not been at any point so severe that it has made me fall over/changed the way I walk.

It is worse when I am standing or sitting still. Particularly standing. It eases when I walk (although not entirely) and when I move in general.

Yes, it is horrible. But it is manageable, and now that I know I can get to a state where I barely feel it, i'm really positive. But i'm just wondering if anyone has any insight?

I have no other medical issues bar an under active thyroid for which I have been on thyroxine for for 2 years now with no problems. I had my thyroid tested recently and it's function is normal.

Thanks,

Lauren

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