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Been diagnosed with labrythinitis

Posted , 12 users are following.

brendan03485
brendan03485

Hi all

I hope this forum is still active I live in Australia Brisbane and have just been diagnosed with this. I've had it for 3 weeks now and I'm questioning how long it will last. Doctor has said if not better by Monday to go see him for a referral for an ENT specialist but I need to go to work Monday. I've had 3 weeks off already and it doesn't feel like it is going away. My biggest thing apart from getting ear aches and headaches is my balance is completely gone. I fall over when I walk and I can't stand straight. I thought this would be over in 3 weeks but I'm worried it might last a while. Has anyone heard of this only lasting a couple of weeks? I'm worried that it might last months or years and this stresses me. What do you guys do to deal with this? Also is there any support groups around for this? I feel like it's all in my head as I look fine, but then I'll have an episode of dizziness and need to lie down.

I'm kinda frustrated as I don't feel any better than I did 3 weeks ago.

0 likes, 22 replies

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  • brendan03485
    brendan03485

    Posted

    Hi again all

    Thought I'd give you all another update. I developed a sharp pain in the back of my head behind my left ear - went to the doctor today and getting CT scans done again. Might be mastoiditis from the sounds of it. Anyone had this? Is recovery time quick from surgery and antibiotics?

    • fasthorse
      fasthorse brendan03485

      Posted

      Hi Brendan..I hope you can avoid surgery...perhaps this is pain coming from the neck?..Did a quick read on mastoiditis..usually in kids, but can be adults..article says blood and inner ear samples are taken to diagnose..and that there is ear drainage. Do you have that?  .I also had pain behind the left ear..first time i had a severe bout with vertigo..then .3 days ago, i got left inner ear pain after plugging ears to ride...sure enough I developed a milder case of vertigo again...took lots of Vit D, B vits, did the somersault exercise and nasal rinses, went to chiro...today i was ok, with only a residue of dizziness this eve, but still low energy. Hope this helps. Keep us posted!!
    • marie43202
      marie43202 brendan03485

      Posted

      Hi Brendan,

      With my dizziness/vertigo, I also had pain behind right ear and began to feel a bit of pain on my chin. When I visited the ER the other day, the Dr. there picked out the trigger points on my right mastoid muscle (believing this was the cause of my pain) & injected Dopo-medrol (anti-inflammatory) to the area and wow, pain was gone. In fact, the next day I was able to actually walk without the vertigo. But after 2 days, vertigo kicked in sad.  Fingers crossed, still no pain behind right ear. I think I am on to something here but still feel I need to address these vestibular issues, bilateral BPPV (why stop at one side, I go all out...lol). Anyways, I think one problem area affects other areas and that is why it is so difficult to diagnose and treat. Of course my ENT dr is on another vacation, but when he comes back I want to discuss this with him. Take care. I know this sucks big time but try & keep positive.

    • donna40025
      donna40025 marie43202

      Posted

      Hi Marie , I've just started having pain behind my both ears and comes on Randomly sharp and thinking of heading back to the doctors today ( Saturday)!  I'm still awaiting for my Omniac Balance appointment in Sydney which I'm trying to explain to the young receptionist that it takes me two flights to get there and my consultation needs to be treated as a procedure not a clinic visit as I've had all that done with the other specialist who are sending me to sydney ( look at the referral please)! It just frustrating when your so far away from these medical facilities that could possibly get your life back on track.  Anyways I'm into my 15th week attempted to head back into the classroom which was ok but by 10;30 a cracker of a headache forced me to leave and in bed half an hour later!  So reading your comments I'm heading back to see the dr - what are you taking for your BPPV? I'm taking Serc - Betahistine @ 8mg x 3 a day ! Not sure if that's strong enough , I just want all this to go away and have clarity again - hmmm sounding frustrated and depressed better go and pat my dog and remind myself that life is good! 
    • marie43202
      marie43202 donna40025

      Posted

      Hi Donna,

      Wow, I can imagine that being real frustrating having to travel those distances. I get overwhelmed just thinking how I can travel one hour in a car to the city, so I feel for you greatly. Until you experience what we are going thru, I don't think anyone can appreciate how difficult it is for us as we never know we are going to feel that day. Not to mention the anxiety of never knowing when it is going to happen because when it does, most of us can't move. I had to cancel a dr's appt today because of the vertigo.

      I was prescribed Serc, 16 mg, 1-2 a day. I did not find that helping, so stopped. I am trying out Nystatin, 5 ml, 3x a day, I'm on my 4th day of this. Nystatin prescribed thinking this may be an auto-immune ear disease which has seen good success with Nystatin. As usual, no definitive diagnosis, just covering all bases.

      And yes, nothing better to escape depression than spending time with your dog. Thank god for our pets smile

      Take care Donna, keep me updated smile

  • caroline471968
    caroline471968 brendan03485

    Posted

    Hi, I have been suffering for about 25 years now and the longest episode I have had has been about 6/8 weeks, 4 weeks of that I was in bed not able to move at all and I had to sleep sitting up.  These episodes can last a long time, one thing I can say is that you should rest as much as you can if you try to do too much to soon then the recovery will be much longer.  In fact I am having another strange episode at the moment and I am just off to the doctors as I am having different symptoms.  Let me know how you get on.  Good luck
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