Mostly just dizziness...

Posted , 7 users are following.

Hello...just curious if any of you with labyrinthitis or vestibular neuritis had or have dizziness only as your symptom? I have noticed some light sinus pressure across the bridge of my nose and perhaps a little tinnitus but nothing very pronounced.

My problem is a general feeling of dizziness and a sort of under water or spaced out feeling that comes and goes and substantial bouts of vertigo that are triggered by head position. If I sleep propped up, the vertigo seems to be at bay but I still carry that foggy or underwater dizzy feeling throughout the day. It is so hard to describe but it's like my eyes won't focus as fast as they used to before the sudden onset of this thing 2 weeks ago and the world is kind of shifting around me as I move. I feel nothing if I'm perfectly still. I went to the doc and had the Epley maneuver done but don't think that was it as it hasn't gone away. I have an appointment with an ENT next week and want to be armed with as much info as possible so I can point her in the right direction. This is debilitating. I feel unsafe driving and can't look after my child and don't feel "present" or sharp like I was before.

To all you suffering much worse than I am, my heart goes out to you. I took my normal healthy state for granted and now know there are so many dealing with so much.

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • Posted

    You describe many of the symptoms I am struggling with.

    I was diagnosed with labrinthitus 12/13 weeks ago and have steadily improved. I am now left with a constant 'spaced out/drunk' feeling like I've had a few pints or maybe the feeling you have when on a plane or even if you've had a smoke (even though I don't) I find it very hard to deal with as its 24/7 constant at all times.

    The doctors says it's either vestibular damage or anxiety which leaves me in no mans land without a true answer. I seem to go worse at night maybe after 6pm ish.

    • Posted

      I'm so sorry to hear about how constant this is for you. For me, I seem to be able to regulate fairly well by keeping my head from tilting below the horizon line, for lack of a better way of putting it. I have to sleep propped up, but not laying flat seems to keep me functional, at least.

      What was the course of treatment for you, if you don't mind me asking? I'd like to know what options are out there. It doesn't sound like treating the infection did anything to reduce the symptoms for you.

  • Posted

    That sounds awful and quite debilitating. My symptoms are not severe- it feels like the ground is moving and it comes and goes, not constant. I'm only worried because I don't want it to get worse. I love my new job and don't want it to affect my work! I'm pretty sure it must be to do with the lift but want to rule out anything else.

    i hope you get some answers from your doctor. 

    • Posted

      Mine has gotten a little better. I can at least function and feel safe driving. I do know what you mean about the world kind of moving around or under you, and not constantly...mine is not constant and seems to be worse if I've let my head tip too far forward or if I lay flat.

      That's an interesting theory about it being related to the elevator. I wonder if there's something increasing the pressure in your head as you go up in elevation...? Do you think you'll go see a doctor for this at some point?

  • Posted

    Thats pretty much what i have. Was told 10 years ago it was bppv. But middle of August it got way worse. Bouts of vertigo daily. Dizzy all the time. ENT ordered tests. First he said menieres isnt the problem. Now he said it might be. Years ago was hard to tell what side it was. Now its easy. Left side barely responsive to stimulus. Right side over sensitive. Last night was really bad. Only slept 2 hours. The monster wouldnt leave me alone. Doing PT. Have to see a neurologist next.
    • Posted

      Ten years...? I cannot imagine dealing with this for as long as ten years. I am so sorry for your condition. I'm the same as you were in that it's hard to tell what side is affected right now. The dizziness seems to be stimulated by head position regardless of the side I'm moving toward.

      I know why you call it the "monster." I hope the neurologist can give you some answers, and good ones..not the scary ones. Sending you good vibes.

    • Posted

      Theres no doubt it's my left ear. But I have no idea what, if anything, they can go. There is no cure I know that. But to go from being not to bad to unable to do anything sucks. 10 years ago a PT did a couple simple tests told me what side it was. Now it's very easy to tell. Left side non responsive to VNG test. Right side went off bad. So I am getting no signals from left side. To much from right. Hoping PT works again. Been a week and so far it's not. Time will tell.

  • Posted

    Hi dynogal, I know what you mean when you say it's hard to describe how you're feeling as spaced out was the only way I could describe it to. I do have labyrinthititis and your head position I was told by the doctor, does affect your dizziness especially sudden movements. Where you mention your eyes not being able to focus I had the exact same issue when I was in work as I couldn't focus on the computer screen or when I came home to watch TV or even just typing on my phone. Like yourself I felt better just being led down on my back or asleep really which was really frustrating. It is really debilitating and I can completely sympathise with you, the important thing to remember is that it isn't forever and you will get better! I only got diagnosed because I went to A&E as my GP suggested it was just stress and anxiety from starting a new job. Anyhow I've been off work for two weeks and been prescribed Prochlorperazine to help cope with the symptoms and they've worked wonders! At first I felt like they wasn't doing much apart from make me sleepy but they took the sickness feeling away and now I feel better without them but I'm going to be finishing the course tomrorow and going back to work. You aren't aloud to drive on them as they can make you extremely tired. Also I've suffered with quite a lot of brain fog aswell which has started to ease also to. The main symptoms I felt though was definitely the diziness and my eyes not being able to focus the buzzing in my ear only developed when the diziness got too much. Goodluck for your ENT I hope you get the help you need and that this post has made you feel not alone! I feel way better now after getting some help so just know you'll be back to yourself in no time.

    • Posted

      I didn't need glasses.to read til i had my first couple episodes of vertigo

    • Posted

      Thank you so much for this info. I am convinced I have labyrinthitis or neuritis. That's all that makes sense to me. I can't lay flat because that's what seems to trigger mine. I have to lay propped up on pillows.

      I'm so glad to hear that the medicine helped you function and that your brain fog is dissipating. I wondered if maybe my brain fog was more relevant to the stress of fixating on the dizziness. For anyone who has never suffered from vertigo or dizziness like this, they would not understand how stressful it can be. Thank you for the thoughtful encouragement. You have made me feel like perhaps there is a light at the end of this tunnel for me and it's not chronic. Good luck to you too...I hope yours is over and done with sooner rather than later.

    • Posted

      I'm still at a stage where I can't decide if the 'brain fog is the stress or lasting symtom but have summised the recovery process is pretty much the same whatever.

      I'm trying to relax (very hard) but the times I do manage to relax I do feel a little better.

    • Posted

      If I could sit in a dimly lit room and not do anything the rest of my life, I could handle it. Lol. But who can do that. Who would want to.
  • Posted

    My consultant diagnosed vestibular neuritis 15 weeks ago. Now I feel -like you - constantly dizzy when walking, fine when I sit down.  I'm seeing someone at Medway Martime hospital and have asked for physio help locally (Sussex) in case I'm not doing the exercises properly.

    • Posted

      I'm convinced that I have one of the two inner ear infections (labyrinthitis or neuritis). I'm sorry to hear you've been dealing with this for so long. I hope that the doctors give you some answers and help soon. From what I'm reading, there is a lot of mystery surrounding how to treat the vertigo and dizziness. Sometimes I wonder if the "professionals" just shrug and give people the at home exercises since they cannot hurt anything and to give the patient some hope. Anyway, I will stay hopeful that you'll get some relief soon. Thank you for replying to my post and telling me of your experience.

    • Posted

      Vertigo is a symptom. Not a disease. Not enough people have it to make it profitable for med companies. They fund the research. Vestibular system is very complexed. To many things can cause the symptoms.

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.