Struggling

Hi,

I'm from England. I'm already seeing an ENT

Hi GG,

Some ENT doctors know about inner ear problems, but the anecdotal evidence from posters on here suggests that the majority are completely in the dark.

I consulted an ENT for my first attack of what was clearly BPPV 25 years ago. I know this now, because I had another severe attack earlier this year which was diagnosed as BPPV and successfully treated, and the symptoms were identical to that first attack, albeit in the other ear. The ENT I saw was hopeless, left me feeling much worse, and I had to wait nearly a year for the BPPV to clear up spontaneously. This last time, I saw a vestibular physiotherapist and was cured in minutes by the Epley manoeuvre.

I have to say from reading your original post that your symptoms don't really fit BPPV. When you have BPPV you can stave off the spinning by keeping your head still and upright. You get a constant background feeling of brain fog and mild seasickness (as if the ground is moving slightly under your feet) but the out-of-control spinning only kicks in when you move your head into the wrong position, and only lasts a few seconds. That doesn't sound like what you're having. Also, I don't think BPPV ever causes ear pain.

I worked in the NHS for ten years, so I know how difficult it is to get a timely, and correct, referral. However, riccosan is right. If at all possible it would be better to try and get a referral either to a neurotologist (a neurologist also specialising in inner ear problems) or a balance/vertigo clinic.

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. I was told by an ENT doctor that I had BBPV and then saw a GP the other day and he said there's no way I can have that seeing as I have extreme ear pain so I'm back at square one. He said he was writing an urgent letter to ENT so I'm just waiting for an appointment. I have also just emailed almost begged an ENT doctor earlier today.

I don't feel like I have BBPV either. The symptoms you just listed and how long they last do not match up with what I have. I don't even think it's vertigo it's just what I've been told by an ent doctor who saw me for like ten minutes. 

Thank you for the advice.

Hi GG,

Sorry to hear you're still suffering.

I was wondering what you meant when you said you don't even think it's vertigo. Do you experience symptoms of movement that doesn't have any objective reality? That could be either the sense that you're spinning or that your surroundings are spinning uncontrollably around you. Another symptom of vertigo is a feeling in your stomach like you get when you're in an aeroplane that's just dropped into an air pocket (but occurring when you're completely still or even lying down in bed). These sensations can cause extreme nausea. Other manifestations of vertigo are the sensation that the ground is moving under your feet, or difficulty focussing your eyes on things. Any of these symptoms, whatever is causing them, can cause brain fog and anxiety.

If you don't have any of these, it doesn't sound as if it's actual vertigo, though you obviously have an ear problem if you have pain in your ear. I hope you can soon get that ENT appointment.