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Labyrinthitis, Anxiety and Brain Fog

Posted , 18 users are following.

kieran81408
kieran81408

I've been suffering with Labyrinthitis for a two months now, the dizziness seems to have gone except for random moments. The worse part is even though the dizzness is going away i appear to have constant anxiety all of the time, it is worse when i wake up in the morning and my head doesnt feel the same. Has anyone had this brain fog type feeling and is there anything i can do to help it, will i recover from this?

1 like, 37 replies

37 Replies

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  • kate30345
    kate30345 kieran81408

    Posted

    Hi,

    I happened to google online and you have literally just hit the nail on the head with my symptoms. I was wondering if you're feeling any better smile

    • mohoo
      mohoo struth77

      Posted

      Hello ... how r u doing ...I'm just wondering and want to know how long for  everyone's recovery ? 😊

  • struth77
    struth77 kieran81408

    Posted

    Hi there, I was just wondering if 11months On you’re feeling better? I’m 9 weeks in and starting to get really down with it, I have a great few days then suddenly wham it’s back!! Feel like there is no light at the end of the tunnel!?
    • paulflynn50
      paulflynn50 struth77

      Posted

      Hi Struth, How are you feeling now? What were your symptoms and how were you diagnosed?
    • struth77
      struth77 paulflynn50

      Posted

      Hi Paulflynn,

      I feel so much better now but it has left me with mild anxiety which I am dealing with through hypnotherapy !! The turning point for me was finally going to the Dr with my husband and at this point I was literally broken, the Dr proceeded to tell me he thought the Labs had gone and I had anxiety ....it sounds daft but it was like a weight lifted and I cane out fighting, don’t get me wrong every time I get a cold or my ears bung up I have a panic that it’s coming back but I now know I can fight it!? I hope this helps?

    • paulflynn50
      paulflynn50 struth77

      Posted

      That sounds great. I have massive massive anxiety now. I am so scared that this is something more.

      My symptoms started 7 weeks ago with 1 week of ear pain (and top of head was sore). I then noticed my eyes were a bit odd and my balance felt woozy. My left ear was full and I had ringing in both ears.

      Since then Ive seen 2 x GPs one of which referred me to ENT. 

      ENT said ears are fine and I have some vestibular issues that have been brought on by virus.

      I go back tomorrow and I'm in such a state I feel I need an MRI to know for sure. 

      What were your symptoms?

       

    • struth77
      struth77 paulflynn50

      Posted

      I had a cold for 2 weeks...typical ears blocked, sore throat and bunged up nose, then that started to feel like bunged up feeling in my face, then started feeling nauseous and dizzy constantly but all these symptoms are anxiety symptoms too so be careful not to think you have something else when it could by anxiety!! Since learning to manage the anxiety I feel so close to being back to me!!!xx
    • struth77
      struth77 paulflynn50

      Posted

      I’m was an odd whoozy feeling really, like I was drunk constantly but feeling nauseous with a hangover if you understand what I mean, how are you feeling? Hope this helps!?
  • caleb12676
    caleb12676 kieran81408

    Posted

    I created an account with this site specifically for this thread.

    About 6-7 weeks ago I had a very similar attack, which ended me up in hospital.

    I thought I was dying. I couldn’t hear anything and felt like I was spinning out of control.

    I had a blood count and various tests and was diagnosed with a “vestibular disorder” and prescribed 3 days worth of Stemitil.

    Whilst in the hospital I was given something (I believe it was stemitil) via IV and my hearing and balance returned immediately.

    I went home and thought I would be ok in a few days. This could not be further from the truth.

    I have been absolutely crippled by dizziness and anxiety, so badly that I can’t leave my house.

    I have a feeling as though I am not myself, and as though familiar places to me are “different”. For lack of a better term.

    My memory has also been severely affected.

    I have been for an MRI to rule out MS, Stroke, cancer or similar, but I am really fearful that this is how I am going to be forever. 

    I am currently taking Venlaphaxine for the anxiety, and have Stemitil on hand for the vertigo.

    I am 34 years old and have never experienced something like this.

    I need to know there is light at the end of the tunnel.

    • helen60137
      helen60137 caleb12676

      Posted

      Hi Caleb

      My symptoms are exactly the same as yours!!

      I have suffered from anxiety for years but had it under control by taking citalopram until now.

      The first Bout of labrynthitis scared me so much that the anxiety returned with a vengeance. I can't leave the house as I'm too weak and my head feels awful along with my nerves etc.

      I've seen a doctor twice and off to see one tomorrow and have been given no advise on how to help with dizziness or anything. I've been off work for 2 weeks and I have now resigned as I feel so unwell and hate letting them down by being off ill.

      I feel like I'm in a daze all day although I had a good day yesterday and did household stuff but today I feel worse.

      I'm glad I found this forum as I feel like no one understands how I'll it makes you feel.

      I agree with previous comments about treating anxiety and the rest will eventually get better but it's so hard not to be anxious when you feel so unwell.

      Hope there will be light at the end of the tunnel.

      Wishing everyone a quick recovery.

  • jessica49958
    jessica49958 kieran81408

    Posted

    Hey there, I am struggling with this exactly, had a virus first with ear pain drainage and the worst part has been anxiety depression and as soon as I wake up my anxiety is really bad. I feel like I’m in a dream and just not myself, I was wondering if you got better and how long it took! It feels hopeless! I am on week 7!  The ear pain is much better but when I wake up in the morning I have fluid that drains out of my ears. I have been on an antibiotic and that did nothing. I just recently started a nasal spray to see if that would help. 
  • caleb12676
    caleb12676 kieran81408

    Posted

    Three key things which have helped me substantially.

    1 - GET MORE SLEEP. A solid 8 hours at least. Turn off your phone and wear earplugs if you need to.

    2 - follow a ketogenic diet, and stick to it. No cheating.

    3 - Google and perform the”Epley maneuver”. This may or may not help, but it seems to be with me.

    It could be a combination of these things, it could be a placebo effect, and although I don’t feel 100% yet, the improvement is magnificent.

  • a51170
    a51170 kieran81408

    Posted

    Thank you for your story. 7 years ago I had severe Labyrinthitis for the first time. Immediately went from feeling perfectly fine to feeling dizzy and nauseous (like being instantly drunk).  Vomited about an hour later and could not keep food or water down for about three days. So I had to be hospitalized and administered 2 IV bags of fluids.  Was bed-ridden for about 10 days with severe dizziness. When I tried walking to the bathroom it felt like walking on a trampoline with loose springs, or on a rocking boat. It was terrifying. An MRI confirmed that there was no brain tumor.

    So after the first 10 days, the worsening symptoms plateaued. It took about 3 months after that to recover from the balancing and dizziness disorders. After the MRI and seeing several doctors, the best guess was that a vestibular nerve that controls our balance was swollen from a virus. I was going through a very stressful time with work which may have been a cause. I was also stung by several hornets the day before. The good news is the symptoms eventually resolved, went away after about 3 months.

    It probably was about 12 months before all traces were gone. For 7 years I had little-to-no experiences with labyrinthitis and vertigo. Until about 1 month ago. Again, I was suddenly hit with major nausea and dizziness. I was vomiting for 3 days straight and could not even get up to drink water. Canned ginger ale in bed helped eventually. Then was able to start eating without vomiting or having diarrhea.

    Have been extremely exhausted and in bed for much of the past 30 days. The nausea and vomiting have dissipated. But the dizziness, imbalance extreme fatigue persist. I think stress triggered this, and it is not a loose crystal in the inner ear issue. It is a very unsettling feeling because the symptoms are extreme and take a long time to resolve. You think you're dying. The good news is, most people seem to recover from it. Maybe not 100%, but mostly so that you can function relatively normally.

    Balance issues and extreme fatigue have been most persistent about 5 weeks into this.  Have had tinnitus for years and recently head congestion.  Vision is out of focus too.  The recovery trajectory has generally been good, but with extreme fatigue and balance setbacks occasionally.   

    It would be good to know if anyone else has experienced this and what treatments, if any, have been most helpful. Thank you. 

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