Labyrinthitis/ Vestibular Neuritis...Please Help

I was getting up fast from a physical therapy table and everything began spinning; I mean really fast and furious. Someone had to walk me home and put me in bed.

My GP said it was Vestibular Neuritis. I was shown the Elpay maneuver (turlnling head in certain prescribed ways for 1 minute each. After 5 days inside, I went out. While walking I had 2 spinning attacks and stopped to hold onto a building. I felt I could manage. Then, almost 3 weeks after onset, I was sitting up and felt a bubbling or popping, watery feeling in my bad ear. It went on for almost 5 minutes. I felt I'd turned a corner. And I didn't get severe spinning. But, unfortunately, I had a different kind of vertigo. It was a more general sickening dizziness with nausea. I'm still doing the exercise, but will make an appointment with ENT doctor who specializes in ear problems like this. I hope I won't have to wait too long. I had felt I could manage this, and I do plan to go out to the theatre tomorrow if I can. May take a cane. And I can't take the subway (I live in NY) but will take a cab. I don't happen to be having panic attacks--but mentally I am worried. I am normally very active and don't look or feel my age: I am 75. People think I look in my 50's. But when hampered like this from racing around the city and doing lots of chores in one day, I kind of feel 100. The idea of this taking years will color all my days black. But I am a person who perseveres and pushes. I hope I can keep doing that. Even as I write this, I am nauseous. But, having suffered two deaths in my family recently (a son and a husband, from painful cancers), I try to tell myself that this isn't so bad.

Marion

I don't know if my experience will be of help to you, because I am much older than all of you. I am a young 75--I say that because I walk a mile or two every day (normally), carry heavy packages, go to the gym, take subways and buses and go crazy when I can't get out. But a month or 5 weeks ago, that changed. I was on the table at my physical therapist's for a back problem. As I pulled myself up I got the most horrendous spinning--it was violent. He had to walk me home and put me in bed!  I didn't have much nausea but these spells were bad enough that I stayed inside for about 5 days. I was--and still am--doing the Epley Maneuver for Vest. neuritis. While doing it, I can be very dizzy, but I'm told that's to be expected. I was very down but not depressed or anxious (I deal with depression but it is ender control with meds for years). I was just cranky. After about 2 or 3 weeks, I was sitting down and felt vigorous whooshing and bubbling in my ear (the bad one). It went on and on for minutes. When it was over I felt cured. BUT the next morning I still had it, but the form had changed. Instead of acute spinning, I had dizziness and nausea. This site has helped me, because I was led to believe it would go away in days. Now that I know it's much longer, I have become more active. I walk outside--I live in a busy urban city--and sometimes have a spell of dizziness. I stop and hold onto a building till it goes away. I am pushing myself to do more and more and sometimes forget I have it.

It seems as if I am getting better--but in increments, not dramatically. I have an ENT appointment in 3 weeks. As I said, I'm feeling better and am living in the moment with that. When I look up, I do get dizzy, or rise from a chair too fast. I am a very determined person. I work at keeping physically and mentally busy as mch as I can. Perhaps it will get worse; I don't know. But for now it seems as if it's phasing out. I will not "awfulize" about the future. I can't afford to or I will give up in despair.

Two years ago I suffered the deaths of two dearest people in my family. I am probably not over that. But I will never get over that. Amazingly, I did not sick then or while they were sick. I don't think this has anything to do with this VN, which it seems to be. No one knows what triggers it--mostly people say a virus. Everyone around me seems to think I can take a pill and get rid of it. I don't even try to explain. I have to use my energy for important things.

As I said, my case seems lighter than many of you. But I do think I'm helping myself by disciplining myself not to "awfulize", by trying to move my body when I feel okay, by doing the Elpay maneuver, and by occasionally staring at one spot in front of me as I walk across the floor. When I did this last, I feel no dizziness at all. But I do get more tired than usual. And I've always had a problem sleeping. I'm going to try melatonin. And I HAVE used Valium on and off for sleep, otherwise I'd be up till 2 or 3 AM. I do have to push myself to eat and I don't drink enough water; apparently that's important. But the point is, I PUSH.

Oh, by the way, at the end of each day--this sounds kind of silly but it helps me--I count off the things I've accomplished.  That includes going to the bank or even calling a friend or helping someone on the street. Do anything you can to keep spirits up. I had stopped listening to music (or doing much of anything when I suffered my losses). Now I've bought a radio for the bedroom and kitchen.

Good luck. We must all help each other not give in to despair. We are still alive and do not have a fatal disease. That's the end of my rant--I hope parts of it help .

Marion

Hello, not sure if this post is too old now.

What you described here is exactly the same problem I'm currently suffering from. My first symptom was a panic attack, something I had never had before, before this happened I never had any symptoms of anxiety. I had a blocked ear and the doctor told me it was Labrynitis, also viral. I spent 2 weeks at home and strangely noticed feelings of anxiety more than my ears. I have to agree that this was worse than the ear.

My ear felt blocked and I went to the doctors 3 times until they eventually gave me steroid nasal spray. I suffered at work because I was feeling anxious, foggy thinking. I felt like I couldn't follow a conversation. I also felt it in my eyes as if I couldn't focus. I started to realise that the nose spray helped. I also started to take st johns wart for anxiety and exercise and meditation that helped almost immediately for the anxiety.

Lately I have to keep popping my ears constantly, opening my jaw wide, massaging around my cheek, yawning anything to unclog it. As soon as I take the nasal spray all the symptoms of anxiety and poor vision disappear instantly. My doctor finally is sending me to an ENT, if you have any feedback on your outcome I would keen to hear. Thanks

Hi all. So similar to all of you. Suddenly dizzy/vertigo in February after flu. GP's initially said it was anxiety - well yes, I've bben ill for weeks and never like this.

I'm now into my fourth month and getting nowhere - I've seen an ENT consultant who confirmed no hearing loss but said likely viral labrynthitis. I pointed out there should have been hearing loss with that but it fell on deaf ears (pun intended).

He has referred me to an audio scientist for balance tests. No MRI or anything yet. 

I did have full bloods done and aside picking up a slightly underactive thyroid and a benign liver thing (Gilberts Syndrome) all clear. No distress in my system at all. They ran these twice.

My wife has been close to taking me to A&E a few times and I am pretty much housebound. I can't drive and can barely function. On good days I force myself to walk as far as I can as it seems to ease it. Otherwise I am laying on the sofa most of the day trying stop the vertigo.

It is the worst period of my life. Early 50's and otherwise good health. 

I've no idea what to do and just hoping the appt in a week or so gives me some guidance.

Best wishes to all.