Labryinthitis newbie

Sorry to hear you aren't feeling great. I know how you feel! I was diagnosed with Labyrinthitis on April 28th and the worse of my symptoms subsided just over 2 weeks ago. 

Similarly to you, I had no sickness but a chronic rocking sensation which was more evident when I was stationary. I also experienced the thick/muzzy head feeling as well as a magnitude of other unpleasant effects and although I do feel better, I still don't feel 100% myself. 

On a positive note, you will get better and the dizziness will subside and your balance will return to normal. Unfortunately, it can take a while and Labs can be known to display residual symptoms for upto 1 year.

You are right about remaining active. I'm not sure if you've been advised on VRT but you have no doubt read about these exercises. I found these helped, but to be honest, ANY exercise that you can manage will have a benefit. I started yoga since Labs (never exercised before ever!) and I've found this helps keep my anxiety down and the positions improve my balance.

Also, the advise you had re medication is correct. I refrained from taking any suppressants as it can prolong recovery. That said, 2 doctors and my ENT advised taking a small dosage of anti-depressants (SSRI's) can really have a huge benefit in those with Labyrinthitis. It sounds alarming and unease carry but it is thought SSRI's calm your nervous system, of which your balance system relies on.

Right now, I struggle with my energy levels. I've never felt so tired like I have done for the past 3 months and that, together with that muzzy head, is something I'm still struggling with. On occasions, my vision can play tricks on me, particularly if I stare at the pavement, or a busy pattern. I'm pretty sure my anxiety can bring on that sense of imbalance, too! Strangely, my alcohol tolerance has halved. I've never been a big drinker but it seems 1 sip goes straight to my head!

My best advice to you would be to maintain that level of activity - perhaps even try yoga, or swimming, both great for balance. Also remember to relax, though. Your body will always appreciates a nice bath and an early night.

Where you can (and I know it's a lot easier said than done), try to ignore your symptoms as much as possible. Not paying as much attention to them certainly helped me.  Too much focus isn't good!

Lastly, try to come off the medication and re-teach your brain to cope without the tablets. It's supposedly the reason our body doubles up on some organs, because most of the time, you only need 1 to function. Your ears are the same. Your brain and body can work with just 1 - it just needs to learn.

I found Labyrinthitis really hard to deal with. Like you, I'd completely break down, but these things are sent to test us and however unpleasant, it isn't a death sentence. It's also made me reevaluate my lifestyle and encouraged me to do some exercise, so some positives, I suppose!

I hope I've given you some comfort. Just hang in there! Keep us updated with your progress :-) take care.

Ashley x

I have just got over this horrible illness (16 weeks later).  You're doing the right thing by keeping active, at the begining I could only walk a short distance and always had someone with me, brave of you to oo to work.  I read from various source from early on not to take any medication as this could hinder my brain compensating, this was really hard but I pushed myself on a daily basis often suffering horrible headaches and major anxiety.  I also went one step forward and one back but finally it did improve (around 14 weeks)  There is light at the end of the tunnel although it hard to see sometimes, I hope you can manage your holiday and be symptom free or at least able to funtion to a near normal state soon.  Take care.

I'm just on week 17 now and much better than I was. I still get woozy/drunk feelings more so when in tired or done too much too quickly. I'm also extremely tired but have also recently been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. 

I'm still taking betahistine as that increases blood flow to the inner ear and brain and both my neuro physio and ENT consultant recommended it. I am on a very low dose though. It does get better, at week 7 I was still very poorly and not going out much etc. most days now I can ignore the dizziness as symptoms are minimal anyway. You'll get there. My neuro physio said to me "stroke a bruise and over time it will heal well, continually poke a bruise and it will get worse before it gets better" by that she meant do bits but don't over exert yourself. Know your limits. There's a fab Facebook group called labyrinthitis support which I've found invaluable while I've been poorly. Take a look. 

Babz xxx 

As for the CFS I was poorly with that before labs. I'd been backwards and forwards to the Drs with tiredness, repeated sore throats etc. I'm being referred to physio for graded exercise therapy which is meant to help. X 

Ive just been off with Labrythitis for 3 weeks. Its horrid and i have a lot of sysmpathy for fellow suffters! My docter has been very little help :-(

Im starting to feel a bit better but ive found im super anexious when i leave the house. I see some people on here have headed back to work. Would you recomend? It seems if i want to wait till im 100% i could be home for a very long time!!!! the tinnitus comes and goes depending on wherther im outside of sat at home chilling. I feel pretty wobby, weak and nauseous most of the time and im taking prochlorerzine. Few questions.....

- do people recomend continuing with the meds

- did removing ear wax help at all

-Do people work through this or does work make it worce

Please tell me this will end?!!