It's like a party in my ear ...

[NotQuiteCockney]

I've got labyrinthitis this morning, and just need to whinge. DS2 still likes to be carried around, but I keep feeling like I'll fall over. I dropped him this morning, but gently onto my bed, so he was fine, if a bit offended.

(Labyrinthitis is when the inner/middle ear gets confused, and keeps indicating that "up" is a different direction, randomly.)

My attacks normally last a few hours, and happen just after a snotty cold, so it's all normal. But I really want to go to a birthday party late this afternoon, but don't think I could face walking all the way there with my head like this.

It could be worse, a helpful childless neighbour is off work with a cold, and will have DS1 during DS2's nap, so I can at least sit still without worrying about them breaking things for a bit.

[dingdongmeggymooonhigh]

You poor thing I had this years ago and would randomly fall over and get very dizzy on the tube as if that wasn't bad enough the shame of people thinking I was a drunken strumpet too.

Must be hard with kids

Have you been given anything by your doc?

[NotQuiteCockney]

I think I get reasonably mild cases. I've never actually fallen over, I just feel dizzy and horrible.

I have reasonable coping mechanisms (no turning head quickly, no caffeine), and it's ok.

But no, not easy with kids underfoot.

I'm hoping it will be a standard case and pass after a few hours, half a day at most. It was already happening at 7am when I got up, so hopefully it will end soon.

[JonesTheSteamingSanta]

NQC - You have my sympathy - I had an attack last month and it was horrible (and quite scary as it had never happened before!!)

[NotQuiteCockney]

I've known people who were bedridden for weeks with this. I'm very very glad I've never had that bad an attack.

I know there are meds for it, but from what I know, the side effects are worse than the symptoms I get. Or at least they were when I first got this thing, 10+ years ago.

[NotQuiteCockney]

A neighbour has offered some sickness tabs. But I really don't feel like taking meds. It should sort itself out in the next few hours ... I could be tempted to take a pill if I'm not ok by the birthday party, I guess. But presumably I won't be able to have wine, then ... I've mixed Gravol and beer before, and essentially fell asleep ...

It probably doesn't help that I'm exhausted, and woke kinda feverish as well, although paracetamol has sorted that out, at least.

[NotQuiteCockney]

I think it's getting better.

I doubt I'll have much alcohol at the birthday party tonight, but I'd like to have the option.

[ISawFrannyandZooeyKissingSanta]

This is my favourite thread title so far today. I'm sorry you feel rotten - but hey, think of all the joy you have brought me

[NotQuiteCockney]

Hey, at least someone should get some amusement out of it.

I do try to see labyrinthitis as a quirky interesting experience, rather than a hellish nightmare (which I know it is if you get it badly).

[NotQuiteCockney]

Yeah, I was ok by the afternoon, finally.

I think my first attack lasted a couple of days, but every other attack has been only four hours, at most. And always after a headcold, so not entirely surprising. I've just never had it while having to manage both kids, before, I think.

[Cadeauxbury]

Oh you poor thing. I've had this before and it is really disconcerting.

[veuveclicquot]

I've got something similar, thankfully now very infrequent. Spinning room and nausea. It's horrible, like being really drunk - impossible to walk in a straight line.

I completely feel for you. If mine had got any worse I would have voluntarily taken the operation to cure it - which leaves you deaf .

Glad you got over it in time for the party. Did you manage to have a glass or two?

[NotQuiteCockney]

It sounds like yours is worse than mine. I just feel a bit dizzy and nauseated. This time I dropped the baby once (onto our bed), and had to be extra-careful while carrying him, after that.

I totally wouldn't have the op to fix it - I only get it every few months, if that.

It's funny, the first time I got it, I knew loads of people, socially, who had it really really badly. They don't know what causes it, but it must be a bug ...

[veuveclicquot]

I heard that it could be caught too - it's like a virus that attacks the inner ear. Mine developed during pregnancy, I think it's exacerbated by the higher blood pressure or something.

How scary to drop your baby. Don't you get any warning at all? I get a bit of a whining noise in my ear a few seconds beforehand.

Mine thankfully is getting better, the daily attacks have been replaced by a horrible vertigo which leaves me petrified and clinging for dear life on escalators. People hate me when they're running down them to catch the train. I don't care because I'm normally too pre-occupied with not dying.

[NotQuiteCockney]

Well, I generally come down with an attack soon after a head cold, but not every head cold goes into my ears. An attack lasts for four hours or so. But it can take me a little while to work out what's going on. Wednesday morning I knew I was unwell, but didn't know it was my ears playing up, iyswim.

I was pretty nervous carrying DS2 up and down stairs the rest of the day, though.

[spacecadet]

nqc, how are you today?
I had labs a year ago and never recovered, so was left with constant dizziness and motion intolerance, I find that my symptoms worsen during colds or virus;s,i was diagnosed with "a failure to fully compensate" and am receiving physio therapy to help my brain deal with the mis-matched signals,have you ever seen a neurotologist for balance function tests? I take cinnarizine(sturgeron) which is very effective but should only be taken during severe attacks as they stop you from compensating if taken for a long time. hope you feel better soon.

[NotQuiteCockney]

I'm fine now - I was really just bad Wednesday morning.

I'm more and more aware of how not-bad my attacks are! They're really not debillitating, I've never bothered taking anything for them.

I do have balance issues, but have had physio (knee/ankle problems), and my balance has gotten better. (Also, I get bad travel sickness, but I think this is because I'm almost never in cars, not because of the ear issues.)

[spacecadet]

glad you are feeling better