Vestibular Neuritis- any recovery stories?

I truly feel for you. I suffered with Mineare's Disease for 21 years. Then had my left ear balance nerve cut to stop the vertigo messages to the brain. I had 5 sons at the time. I offer a couple of ideas that I think might  help you.  I took 2 mg. of Diazepam if I felt the pressure and fullness coming on. It seemed to help stabilize my inner ear so I could function better.  If that doesn't work for you, I would try 1/3-1 full scopolamine patch. It is normally used to prevent sea sickness.  Put it behind your ear that is causing the problems before you go to bed. It makes you really thirsty and messes up your eye sight a little but hey, if you have children to take are of you need it.  For some people the problem does "burn out" after awhile. I didn't for me.   Practice smiling for your children.

Hello, anyone who is reading this forum... I understand Cally is away from it right now. Just a quick question. I am scheduled for an MRI in the near future (Jan.) and I am curious... it is going to be of my brain (I had one about 18 months ago, so I know they are not that bad), but will it show any details of my inner ears, the vestibular nerve, etc.? I know it is primary used to look for lesions, but since I just had one not too long ago (after my dizziness began), will this show any inflammation etc. which will accurately diagnose my problem? (Dr.s think it is neuritis). Thank you.

Hi cally44873

Thank you for starting this dissucission,  I have read through a lot of the responses and can say I am happy that I found this site.  I have been suffering from severe dizziness and on & off nausea for about 2 or 3 months; along with neck pain, jaw bone pain, ringing in my ears - more severe in the left, and also my left ear feels like it is clogged.  Sometimes I get headaches also. I haven't been diagnosed with anything specific from my GP, but he has suggested I start VRT.  Can I ask you exactly how you were diagnosed with  Vestibular neuronitis?  

I have had some type of inner ear disorder for almost 6 years now. I have constant drunk feeling, visual changes (static vision), constant ear popping everytime I swallow, which I also have problems with along with other neurological symptoms like some numbness on my right side. Sucks so much. My symptoms have not changed since they came on. Everyday is the same for me. Constant drunkness but sober at the time, anxiety that follows. I only make it through the days with medication most of the time. I have been to ENT's who disagreed where one said it was inner ear disorder of some sort either vestibular neuritis or meniere's and one said it wasn't inner ear disorder, it was neurological. Then the neurologist said he couldnt find anything wrong. Tested for MS, vitamin defiency, etc..before anybody asks. still  no answers. I honestly think it was casused by a virus and its nerve damage. I have searched and searched for answers and have yet to find someone with my exact symtoms. With people on here saying they have gotten better. I'm glad you have, but you cannot promise it will bc mine never has...and I'm almost 7 years into this. If anyone has any success stories or anything that has helped them or anyone who just needs to talk to someone please reply.

Hi

I'm so glad I've found this forum. I am a healthy 38 year old, no previous illness or ongoing issues. In June 2015 I was sat in my garden when I felt like a switch was pushed in my head and I felt drunk or lightheaded. I'd had a cider and was on hay fever relief and put it down to mixing the two.

The day after I felt the same, light headed, like I was in a dream, hazy or just disengaged from reality. I shoot weddings for a living and the following weekend I fell asleep whilst the wedding breakfast was on, so I figured I was unwell and went to see my GP. She diagnosed a severe ear infection and gave me a antibiotics.

4 weeks later the haziness was just as bad, making driving hard and I was constantly worn out at 5pm. I found dealing with my then 4 month old really hard and avoided helping my wife. Work was a nightmare, exhausting and I'd be so dizzy by 7pm. Then disco lights would send me all over the place.

i went back to the doctors (different GP as the wait was 3 weeks for my own one), he blamed it on hay fever. I knew it wasn't and rebooked for my own GP in September. She said my left ear was recovering but was still inflamed and the dizziness should have passed so she referred me to an ENT.

I Opted for a local ish one in Rochdale at a private hospital via an NHS referall. I had an ear test which showed no loss of hearing. ENT has pretty much ruled out VN and has instead opted to operate on a deviated septum which I had in December 2015. After the operation I felt worse and now there is no improvement. ENT saw me in January then told me to come back in March but says there's nothing wrong with my hearing or ears.

I think it's VN. My symptoms came on suddenly, have not improved over 7 months at all, are constant with no relief, I feel hazy, light headed and tired. I don't feel 'sharp' or 'on it'. My vision is blurred at times and I'm sensitive to light, wearing glasses make me feel even worse (but I need glasses or contacts). I've never felt sick or unsteady on my feet, but I don't feel like me. I'm working hard to stay positive but feel frustrated at my symptoms.

A family friend is an NHS physio and has done an assessment and given me so VRT exercises (30 seconds looking left and right and up and down 4 times  4 times a day). Been doing this for 2 weeks, some days I feel less affected but I'm always hazy. Seeing her again this week for the next set of exercises.

i read these forums and I am convinced I have VN. I feel like other people on here. My ENT isn't having it though. I'm booked back in with my GP in 3 weeks (earliest appointment) as she's very good no pro active. I've not had any of the tests done that others have on here looking at my eyes. I have seen a chiropractor based on advice on other forums and he thinks my tracking is off on my left eye. Chiropractic sessions offer short term relief but no overall improvement.

Can anyone advise on what I can do to get relief from symptoms and should I demand an MRI (the physio says I should just to rule stuff out) and I feel that I should have far more tests than a hearing test to rule out VN. Manchester has a huge vestibular department which I feel I should go to to be fully checked out at. Should/can I demand this on the NHS. 

Any my help or advice would be appreciated as I have 46 weddings booked in to shoot this year and I can't do another year of struggling like last year.