Vestibular neuritis diagnosed after weeks of thinking I was going crazy! ) :

I really feel for you with these horrible symptoms.  I haven't had the same thing but I've had the same feelings about myself.  I suffered from something called Hemifacial Spasm (flickering of one eye, eventually total spasm of one side of face, loss of confidence, loss of personality, emotional wreck etc).  I also suffered from dizziness in the latter stages of this condition so I do have some idea of what you mean when you talk about general anxiety and being 'off balance'.  I am pretty sure that you have something completely different here, but I just wanted to say that I know how horrible it is to feel like this.  I eventually had surgery last year which thankfully gave me back my life and personality - it was a big and risky operation but the outcome could not have been better.  So, my advice to you is never to give up hope and to always press for more tests if you feel that the medics are not getting your diagnosis right.  I paid for a privately funded MRI scan and consultation in order to be sure that my diagnosis was right, and I found the country's expert in my condition.  I do hope you will find some relief and that I haven't made things worse in writing this.  Don't give up on yourself.  With love, Roseann

First of all, welcome to the gang, you are in good company :-)

Like you I was diagnosed with Vestibular Neuronitis and how it was explained to me was that a virus came along, killed some balance cells and then buggered off again. Those balance cells won’t be coming back...they are gone!!

Everything you are feeling is a result of this virus, everything you describe is a result of this virus and all those yukky feelings you're experiencing is the result of your brain receiving a faulty signal and not knowing what to do with it.

The anxiety/ panic attack feelings is a path for the course and it’s completely normal, I promise you. it’s your body’s way of protecting you. Perhaps its being a bit over protective and the danger with anxiety is it that can fuel the vertigo so you end up on a bit of a merry-go-round (Excuse the pun). Once you accept and understand what has happened to you, the anxiety will subside and you will start to feel better.

Everything you have said, I have experienced. I know exactly what you are going through and your body will eventually compensate but it will take a long time, your vision will probably be over sensitive, you’ll probably be a bit fidgety, one day you’ll be dizzy when you are in motion and another day you’ll feel dizzy when you are standing still. One day you might feel nauseous another day you won’t. It’s a weird thing !!

Like I said you are in company here and if you are feeling a bit crappy, sound off here, a few of us have/ had Vestibular Neuronitis & Labyrinthitis (which is probably more vile...same as VN but with tinnitus I think) and we’ll answer any questions you have or compare notes so you don’t feel so isolated.

Darren