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Lab?

Posted , 6 users are following.

Lockerby
Lockerby

So, this is my firat time on this site and I guess I just want to see if anyone had felt this way or if something is seriously wrong with me.. I've had anxiety for over 5 years, I've had long periods of time where it doesn't bother me at all and then lomg periods of times where I'm constantly in attack mode. I was getting dizzy since valentines day, I was eating dinner I prepared with my gf and it just hit me. Dizziness and a horrible panic attack. I went to the ER and they told me it was just anxiety and an ear infection and gave me antibiotics. I took maybe 3 of the antibiotics and stopped because it started freaking me out. (Bactrim) I went another ER and they told me my ear looked fine and diagnosed me with vertigo, gave me no medication. It cms and went some bad days and.

other really bad days. So I got super irritated and went back to the first ER they told me I was dehydrated and gave me two bags of fluids, dizziness was still there. Doctor told me it was just my anxiet. I went home and slept decent that night. Yet again it came back. My girlfriend and I decided to move back west and drove 2000 miles back towards my mom's. I was still suffering with dizziness and anxiety attacks. I went to the ER here when I got back and yet again they told me just anxiety. Blood, urine, and my cat scan came back good. Yet AGAIN still dizzy. I got fed up with it and went to an urgent care. The doctor there did the SAME exact tests the ER did and told me I have Labrynithitis. He put me on zpack. I just finished. the zpack the day before last and I am still feeling dizzy with some vertigo attacks. Now I'm really starting to freak out. Arm will go numb, I have wHat I heard people call brain zaps. I feel like my memory has gone to craps. I'll know what I've done during the day but it feels like it was either forever ago or that it wasmy real. I feel like everything is a dream, like I'm looking out of someone else's eyes or watching a weird movie. Some nights when I don't take my ativan I have major trouble sleeping. My mind doesn't seem to want to shut off. Racing thoughts, dizziness, irritation, static vision when my eyes are closed, headaches, constant ringing ear, sometimes tolerable other times it makes my anxiety worse. I really don't know what to do at the point. I start work monday and it feels like this is just getting worse. Am I going crazy?

1 like, 16 replies

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  • jodie77731
    jodie77731 Lockerby

    Posted

    Hello! Glad you found this site. It may offer you great solice to know you are not alone... and there is hope! Please read through all of the conversation threads on this subject... I have learned so much since finding this site myself and it has given me great peace of mind while I work to discover the underlying cause of my own symptoms... For example,

    Look up Cassie21714 she just posted the following 20 minutes ago

    I have a lot of the symptoms you are describing. As soon as I go to shopping centers I instantly feel sensitvity to light and I get so unbelievably dizzy as well as being in large crowds. I get the foggy feeling from my anxiety and when I look at things it is hard to focus. My dizziness is so so so bad at night time when I lay down in bed and also around loud noises. I sometimes feel like I am swaying when I'm standing, I have to look to the ground when I walk to make sure I don't fall and I also feel very tired. I just went to a dizzy center yesterday and she confirmed (after a year of having these crappy symptoms) that I have vestibular neuritis. It all started last year in March when I got a cold and I went out for my birthday, when I got home that night the room was spinning and I was lighteheaded and everything just didn't look right. After seeing about 6 different doctors whom have said to me it could be vertigo, bppv, labrynthitis, also having an MRI which came back 100 % fine, all blood results were fine had an ecg done on my heart that was 100% perfectly fine. I developed anxiety and panic attacks over this crappy stuff and now finally feel relieved after a year that I know what the problem is because local GP's could not work it out as they weren't trained in the ear field. I have started vestibular training and hope to be on the mend soon, although I still know I have a long way to go. Also just want to say don't let anyone tell you that "oh it's just anxiety or you are making this up in your head, your not dizzy you just think you are" because so many people said that to me, and you are YOUR OWN person, you know when something isn't right. Try not to stress because if everything else is fine with your blood, brain and heart, it is most certainly probably an ear problem. If you guys have any dizzy centers whereever you are, I suggest you see someone who specialises in vestibular disorders and balance disorders because they are very very well trained in this field. Hoping you get better and are on the mend soon, it truly is the worst feeling ever and just know that you aren't alone.

    So hang in there! Keep fighting for a diagnosis to find appropriate treatment! You have support here!

    • Lockerby
      Lockerby jodie77731

      Posted

      Thank you so much. That pretty much described most of what I'm feeling. We do have dizzy centers here in Arizona but you have to be recommended by a doctor which hopefully will happen tomorrow. This is hands down one of the scariest things I've ever experienced. It is right up there with my first panic attacks.
    • jodie77731
      jodie77731 Lockerby

      Posted

      Yes indeed! I'd guess everyone on this site would agree it's terrifying for sure! The anxiety is real and the dizziness is real, the key is to find a way to keep them from feedind off each other and consuming you. It is so hard, but you must find the thing that will help you relax in the midst of the chaos... Music, a walk, watch your favorite DVD, even read posts to this site to remind yourself you have company along this journey... some better off and some worse... Helps me to know that here i'm just average smile And here in Washington state i too have had to wait for referrals, but know they will come... and sooner than later! Some in the UK have posted having to wait up to 9 months! Can't imagine... We are blessed here in the states in many ways. Stay positive! Fight to find your diagnosis and approprite treatment plans for the dizziness and the anxiety. When you are the most scared, come out swinging! fight to take your life back. Eat, breathe and move every day! Educate yourself on what helps you, the educate your loved ones on how to support you. You CAN do this! smile
    • Terry6872737
      Terry6872737 Lockerby

      Posted

      Seek out an Otologist, Neuro-Otologist, to help you with this. They deal only with inner ear issues. An ENT or GP is a waste of your time. I am in month 13 recovering from Vestibular Neuritis and I saw ENT after ENT before seeking out an Otologist. I have had all the tests, done VRT, taken all kinds of medication and there is not quick fix. It takes time, patience and courage to overcome this. At 13 months I am probably 95% of where I was before all of this happened. Things are definitely easier for us in the US in seeking out specialist for help.

      Great advice and insight from Jodie. Good to see that there is a representation of those of us from the US reaching out to help each other. This condition spurns anxiety. Don't let you doctors convince you that what you feel is not real and emotionally draining. Also important though, don't let the anxiety fuel it.

  • keith31290
    keith31290 Lockerby

    Posted

    Hi how long have u had this for now? Is it getting any better I am on my 8th week think it is getting better slowley
    • Terry6872737
      Terry6872737 keith31290

      Posted

      The normal course for Vestibular Neuritis is 6 to 8 weeks. Sometimes it can take up to 12 weeks and then there are the lucky few of us that have been recovering for months.  The difference in VN and Labrynthitis is that Labrynthitis involves damage to both vestibular nerves and includes a loss in hearing.  The loss can be temporary or long term dependent upon the amount of damage. The course of treatment is the same for both. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy, which can be in a formal setting, or just continuing on with everyday life.  Either way true VN or Labs will improve from this.  So, if you are in the early stages and are seeing improvement, things will get better in the near term.  It is a good idea to keep a journal so that you can see the improvement.  The other issue is dealing with the anxiety that comes along with it.  Anxiety can keep you from seeing improvement and hamper the recovery process.  Medications that supress the vestibular function can hamper recovery as well.  Ativan, meclazine, antivert, Xanax, any other Benzodiapene, will prolong the recovery process.  They may make you feel better but only short term.  Cinnarizine  is an antihistamine and helps reduce the inflammation and fluid that may be affecting the inner ear.
    • keith31290
      keith31290 Terry6872737

      Posted

      Thanks Terry it certainly looks like you know your stuff! I had it really bad to start with I have had no loss of hearing.

      I have noticed it a lot more at night I get a severe dizzy spell prior to going to sleep I tend to wake up groggy and with a sore head some times with blood shot eyes. Also got very weak legs.

      Any top tips for the weak legs and dizzy nights I certainly don't have it 24/7 and some days I am perfect 100%

    • Terry6872737
      Terry6872737 keith31290

      Posted

      I find that the weak legs come from the spatial feeling, disequilibrium, from the nerve damage and the brain trying to sort things out.  The dizzy spells at night are more than likely associaated with fatigue from the course of the day.  There is a lot of fatigue caused by the brain having to owrk overtime to sort things out.  You will more than likely continue to see those issues diminish with time.  The important thing is to push yourself to do the normal day to day activities.  The brain will relearn the meaning of the mixed signals and sort things out.
    • Terry6872737
      Terry6872737

      Posted

      With no hearing loss, even temporary, you more than likely suffered Vestibular Neuritis.  Same treatment, as I mentioned, just no hearing loss because only the 8th cranial nerve is involved.  That one deals with balance and spatial orientation.
    • paula59
      paula59 Terry6872737

      Posted

      Hi Terry, Im wondering if thats what mine is, but Ive had hearing test and it was OK.  My diagnosis is silent migraine but Ive had it now for two and half years.  Im no different really apart from not got jumpy eyes any more.  I have terrible trouble with lighting in shopping centres and the light on my phone and this PC.  The lights give me physical pain in my eyes.  Im truly getting sick of it and no further forward really.  My next appmt with neurologist has been cancelled for april 8 and no new appmt received.  Whats the 8th cranial nerve ?
    • Terry6872737
      Terry6872737 paula59

      Posted

      The 8th cranial nerve is the nerve that is connected to the inner ear.  It is also known as the vestibulocochlear nerve, it connects the inner ear with the brain and has two different parts. One part is involved in transmitting sound; the other helps send balance information from the inner ear to the brain.  VN results from damage to the major part of the nerve and Labs results when both are damaged.

      I haven't followed your comments much but, have you been tested for acoustic neoroma?  The test is through an MRI with contrast.  At 13 months I still have problems in big stores and with some lighting in buildings.  You really should try to see an Otologist for this problem.

    • paula59
      paula59 Terry6872737

      Posted

      Hi Terry, Ive had an MRI but not with contrast as far as I know.  It was just a regular MRI.  We dont have otologists in the UK but Im going back to see the GP and going to ask to go to a dizziness clinic.  The only checks I had with the ENT was the manoevre where they twist your neck and that was negative. Done all the balance things which were Ok.  Had a hearing test which was OK.  Blood test OK.  Ive got a prolapsed disc in my neck at C3 but they said it wasnt pressing on anything.  So when I saw the neurologist after endless ENT and a neuro surgeon, he said I had silent migraine.  I do have bad sinuses but the majority of the headaches are connected to that.  I dont actually have that many headaches, its the dizziness and pins and needles over the top of my head. I did have jumpy eyes but theyre OK now.  Really struggle in bright lights, with light on phone and Pcs.
    • Terry6872737
      Terry6872737 paula59

      Posted

      With ongoing vertigo I would think that they would want to rule acoustic neuroma out.  You can look the symptoms up on the Internet, it is rare but one of the first things my Otologist wanted to rule out.  You would think that the neurologist could help you if it truly is silent migranes.  Jillian, Anne and Marlene have mentioned Otologist, Neuro-Otologist in the UK.  You may want to reach out to them for information on this specialist.
  • Lockerby
    Lockerby

    Posted

    I appreciate all of that Terry! That helps a lot. I've felt loads better today and yesterday. I had a pretty bad vertigo attack in the store today but for the most part it's been a lot easier. I've noticed since I've been going on with daily activitys other than driving it's been easier to cope with. Went out yesterday and played with my pups and washed my car. Today I had my mom drive to the grocery store and the drive kind of sucked because of everything moving and the change of elevation seeing as I live on the boarder of Nevada, Arizona, and California. I'm not sure exactly what it is lab or VN because I can still hear out of my left ear but it's somewhat quieter than my right and its constantly ringing. I've not gotten to the point where the world is spinning per say nor have I thrown up thank goodness! If I move my head around quickly for a second I get the spinning world but then it goes away. Its more like a fuzzy vision kind of thing. It's hard to explain. Lol I took zpack for this and I guess its supposed to work 5-10 days after the last dose so I guess we will see!
    • Terry6872737
      Terry6872737 Lockerby

      Posted

      You could also have a component of BPPV if you get spinning from certain positional movements of the head.  That is usually corrected with an Epley manuever.  Usually you get BPPV secondary to VN/Labs.
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