Does this sound like Vestibular Neuritis?

Posted , 31 users are following.

Hello, this is my first time posting.  I have a serious health issue, but the doctors haven't been able to pinpoint what it is.  Basically, I've had six weeks of dizziness and unsteadiness.  It sounds like Vestibular Neuritis, but please let me know what you think.

On June 9th I got some kind of stomach flu or food poisoning.  I had severe vomiting and diarrhea.  Other than a canker sore under my toungue, I was starting to feel better.  I was exercising again and working again.

While walking across a bridge in the park on June 14th, I suddenly got a fear of heights.  I felt the same sensation the next day while sitting at a traffic light, that happens to be on top of an overpass.  I felt panicky.

As the week went on, I was getting panicky in the car every time I had to stop at a light.  I had to look down at the sterring wheel because the cars criss-crossing in front of me was making me disoriented.

Then I began to get dizzy spells throughout the day, plus I felt a permanent unsteadyness 24 hours a day.  A lot of times I had to concentrate hard to walk.  My eyes were not going where I wanted them to go.  Work really brought on the systems.  I started missing days.  I also had to have people drive me around to places. One time I had heart palpatations when there were a lot of people around me.  Eventually I asked for a leave of absense.

On the 26th, a dizzy spell got so bad I had to go to the hospital.  It was mainly disorientation, not like the room was spinning. I was still able to walk around the hopital, but very slowly, and had to concentrate hard to do it.  MRI showed no tumors or stroke.  They said it was a middle ear issue, perscribe some medicine and sent me on my way.

So far I've seen one ENT, but other appts are coming for nearologist and another ENT.  My hearing test was perfect.  The ENG/caloric test came out normal, which surprised me.  He suggested I might have Mal de Debarquement Syndrome.

I became became imprisoned in my home, and I started to feel physically weak as the days went on.  After learning about vestibular exercises on the Internet, I decided to start doing them on my own.  They seem to have helped with my balance and with my eye-darting issues.  I now go for very long walks. I am starting to drive again too.  However, everything feels totatlly different than it did before this all began.

There were a couple of nights where my brain was doing odd things. I got hot flashes (even though I'm a guy) and heart palpatations in the middle of the night one time.

My persistent systems right now are:

-suceptible to dizziness when on the computer, watching TV, doing quick head turns, being inside stores

-high-pitch ringing in my left ear

-fullness in my right ears that comes and goes, almost like there is fluid in them

-harder to concentrate

-unsteadiness as I move.  Sometimes it's a "bobble"; othertimes it's like I'm leaning in one direction or another.  Sometimes it's almost normal.

-sensitivity to sound, like the bath water running

-misidentification of sounds.  I sometimes think the garbage truck is outside, only to figure out it's our air conditioner.

Let me know what you think.  I would like to begin living a normal life again: return to work, use a computer and watch TV normally, be able to drive long distances without worry.  I'm thinking it's VN, but I did not have an "acute" spinning phase, plus the caloric test was normal.  The canker sore may be relevant because I've read that the herpes virus can attack the nerve. 

 

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  • Posted

    Hi Kevin, I am not too sure about Mal de Debarquement Syndrome as you didnt mention that you have travelled on a plane/ship on a extended duration before you experience this syndrome.

    It could be a viral infection which affected your ear. I have heard that from my GP. But usually it will clear in a few weeks and should get better.

    In my case, i experience the dizziness in stores especially when walking between shelves of items.

    Is your tinnitus only noticeable in a quiet room? For me I hear high pitch hissing sounds when I am in a quiet room and when wearing in ear earphones and ear plugs.

    Other than that they don't seem to bother me. How about your sleep pattern? Do you sleep early and have enough sleep?

    Take care! 

  • Posted

    Don't wait to make an appointment. Make it now for Jan if she even has any openings. Sorry you are still not feeling well. I went to her last week and got anoither prescription. It is better then the last one and I feel a bit better. It will take time. Some days I feel crappy and others pretty good.
    • Posted

      wow shes really that booked  ok then......dont know if I mentioned they are going to do an mri of the top part of my spine c1 to c7 to see if anything is going on.......thye are doing it day after Christmas......Have a great Holiday!!!!
    • Posted

      She really does get booked up fast. I had an MRI, nothing really found. I had it done at an open MRI site, I don't like the tunnels, lol. Try to feel better and have a great holiday.
    • Posted

      I go to this real big MRI machine because I cant go into a regular MRI machine.......FRom what I understand this is the only one aroung..Its in Carmel/Brester .......Going Saturday.....still need to take a little something to just take the edge off......and honestly I probably dont even need to do that....but once Im there thats it.........LOL....Have a great holiday.......Thanks for all your help......
  • Posted

    Hi Kevin, I also had some similar symptoms as you, such as sometimes feeling dizzy when looking at motion (especially side to side). I had it for almost a year already and still i had no diagnosis. I not sure which part of the world you are in but have you heard of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)? From what you mentioned and from the tests you had done (caloric test, MRI etc) you had ruled out the dangerous and life threatening conditions. However, your condition had not improved and is affected the quality of your life. 

    Currently, I am trying TCM. TCM focuses more on improving the overall "energy" in the body via various methods such as eating certain foods, massage, accupuncture etc. For my case, the TCM physician mentioned that it could be that I didnt sleep properly. Due to work activities, I didnt manage to sleep early every night (i average 12 to 1 plus every night including weekends). Therefore, I am trying my best to sleep earlier in the hopes that it will improve my condition. Not sure about your sleep patterns, but maybe you can try sleeping earlier (accoridng to TCM best time to wind down is before 11pm and fall asleep). 

    For me, i will be going to see a chiropractor to check my neck/cervical vetebrae. Previously I did a simple scan and they show some tightness and possible misalignment. Therefore, you may consider going to see such a specialised. I not sure what is your day job, but for me i do a lot of computer work and maybe due to the muscle strains over time, some misalignment occurs which can cause some issues such as dizziness

    Just my 2 cents, hope you will get well soon, Merry X'mas and a Happy New Year! 

    • Posted

      Jeremy I'd like to compare notes with you if you have time.  Let me know what you think.  Thanks.  
  • Posted

    Kevin, 

    Hey man did you ever look into vertical heterophoria?  Your story sounds very similar to mine.  Your head tilt, dizziness, ear problems, stomach illness prior to symptoms, shoot man I wouldnt doubt that you and I have the same thing.

    • Posted

      I suggtested vertical heterophoria as well. That is what I was told I have. Since you have it do you mind a few questions? I have had my glasses changed about 4 times already and things have gotten marginally better. How long did it take for you to feel better? I have been dizzy for 4 yrs, so I guess I am asking how long were you dizzy and how long did it take to get better and are you no longer dizzy?
    • Posted

      Well I havent been diagnosed with it but it really does sound like me.  Im looking for input from someone who has been treated for it.  Ive been looking online but all I can find is a few people that say that there symptoms didn't go away or only saw slight improvement.  It's very discouraging to hear your reply.  One eye doctor told me that I have slight exophoria and that i needed to do pencil pushups.  One neuro told me that my dizziness was related to a vestibular imbalance and he began simple eye exercises which did help some.  Wow, I'd really like to compare notes with you if thats alright?  
  • Posted

    Hi Kevin ive got the same symptoms as you but had my diagnosis - its silent migraine although I now do get a lot of headaches and migraines.  Its the dizziness that does my head in.  Had it three and a half years now with no let up.  Very debilitating.  Can get really fed up of it.  Ive had loads of drugs but nothing worked so now had botox to give the trigeminal nerve a rest. 
  • Posted

    Hi Kevin,

    How are you feeling these days? smile

    Any better or worse. Could you give us an update of your progress please, i have VN and am trying my best to grt rid of it but it is very debilitating and makes me extremly fearful for the next episode ill get. Puts me in tears sometimes but im trying to stay positive.

    How are you feeling, any progress?

  • Posted

    Did you ever get better? I have the same thing now for a little over 8 months driving at night is out of the question and hard to drive in the day. Im dizzy mostly at places around people and in the car. It only took about 8 drs before i was diagnosed. I still dont know how to get better i would like to work but i cant.
    • Posted

      Hello Marie so sorry your feeling like that I know the feelings all to well...what are your daily activities like and I can tell you what you are doing wrong if you like...I've been researching vertigo for the last two years because myself as well suffers from vertigo but I rarely have the attacks

    • Posted

      This all started one day while i was driving i felt lightheaded n dizzy i believe after my 1 year old headbutted me. I was really dizzy and when i tried to drive i just couldnt my eyes were all over the place i went to every kinda dr got mris blood noone knew what it was until i went to my cardiologist he made me do some stuff n told me what it was. I try to walk every day i play with my son do normal e eryday things but i cant drive. Im tryimg lil by lil but forget about night time i cant even see. I feel like its all my eyes n my ears pop alot. I have to go back to work n im worried i wont be able to i havent been to work sinve i had my son 2 years ago but i need to go back financially. So i am worried that i wont be able to drive myself and since i work with computers and do spreedsheets and admin stuff im very worried i wont be able to focus or type. I have been like this for abput 8 or 9 months i even thought about trying for didability but im worried i wont get it.i have to try n get better as fast as i can.

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