Labrynthitis questions - any sufferers around?

[PMTIsMe]

I have had this a couple of weeks, tho it has come on with a vengeance since last weekend. I have fallen over a couple of times, but now that I know whats going on I can avoid that by being careful. I also have blurred vision, an on/off headache, no appetite (tho not much nausea luckily.) But I also feel just so bloody unwell and could sleep all day as well as all night if left to my own devices. And it still seems to be getting worse. I thought it was meant to be bad for a bit then to slowly improve? How slow is slow is my question I guess. Thanks for any advice/experiences.

[DonkeysDontRideBicycles]

Am not medical but my neighbour had this. She didn't fully recover for at least 4 weeks and actually worried she'd suffered a stroke. Rest and more rest, in her case.

[PMTIsMe]

4 weeks? thats what I was worried about. Wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have children to get to school and a DH away on business next week. Time to call in favours I guess, and get the DCs collected by friends.

[DonkeysDontRideBicycles]

It's grim but it should be over by end of term.Btw have you had this confirmed by your GP?

[PMTIsMe]

Yes, it was GP diagnosed. I try not to self diagnose via google these days due to the number of brain tumours I have had over the years

[intarsia]

I've had this a couple of times. The tablets from the doctor to go under your tongue help. The last episode took a couple of weeks to get over the worst but I was still having the odd dizzy spell 6 weeks later if I moved to quickly.

[andadietcoke]

DH had this a couple of months ago -he was off work for three weeks. If you're not on prescribed meds a GP friend recommended Stugeron but like anything this just masks the symptoms while your brain works out how to compensate.

Hope you feel better soon.

[EddieVeddersfoxymop]

Unfortunately, once you have had this horrible condition, it will probably recur . I had it a year ago, it took 4 months before I felt it subsided.....I would have a good week, then three bad etc etc and eventually the bad times were less and less frequent. But one year almost to the day on, and it still comes back if I get a cold, or a headache. My GP says this is entirely normal - the dizzy feeling is nowhere near as bad as it was , but it is still there. Apparently it's do to with damage to the little hairs etc inside your ear that control balance?

Hate to be the merchant of doom, but best to be prepared and have medicine in to stop it before it starts, so to speak.

[Chaoscarriesonagain]

Hi OP. sorry to read you're suffering- it can be a terrible thing.

What symptoms are you having , and for how long?

I have Ménière's disease and have explored several options with doctor; being treated for vestibular I.e.igraine like symptoms which had limited success and now take tablets purely for labrinthyitus/Ménière's , they're fantastic.

What I would say about it being early days is watch out for a pattern, should it reoccur - hopefully not. Any sudden change of pressure affects me greatly. Now I have appropriate meds I prepare in advance when I see the forecast!

[Chaoscarriesonagain]

Meant to say, head to doctor and persevere with getting something to control the symptoms. Although I'll have it long term a friend did have just one episode of labrinthyitus that was eradicated with meds. All the best !

[valiumredhead]

I've had it for about 8 weeks, it's just starting to get better , felt really rough with it

[AlwaysReadyForABlether]

I had it a couple of months ago and was off work for three weeks. I found it totally draining and, even when I was back at work, I was coming home and sleeping for hours
I had the anti-sickness tablets from the doctor but it was just a case of giving it time really.
I know it can come back but I haven't had anything so far so I'm hoping I escape that.
Definitely call in as many favours as you can to help while your DH is away. If you try to do too much you will feel worse for longer. (I tried to go out for the day too soon and ended up being sick at the side of the road!)

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

It took about 6 weeks for the worst of it to go but it was 18 months before things settled down properly. The long term effects were more of the ilk of feeling like the floor was 'breathing' (best way I can describe it!) and like I was on a rocking boat when laying down.

I took betahistine for several months. I was referred to an ENT as it went on so long but he said time was more important than any meds and that in most cases it goes in a couple of months but some last longer into years.

I still feel a little unsteady from time to time but only when really tired or headachey but it is rarer now thankfully. Ds is about to leave year 2 and I was in the classroom dropping him off for one of his first reception classes when it first hit in room spinning awfulness.

I hope you are luckier and it is over much quicker for you.

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

Oh and seabands really helped me. I still use them from time to time when I'm feeling a little ropey.

[xigris]

My best friend gets this. I'm sorry I don't have any advice, but having seen how poorly it makes her feel, you have my sympathy! I hope you feel better soon

[PMTIsMe]

Thanks for the stories and advice. It's still early days by the sounds of it. Tho annoyingly, I did have it very briefly around this time last year, only a couple of days, but sounds like it may well be a recurring issue from now on then

My symptoms are severe dizziness if I look up or down (such that I have fallen over a couple of times), generalised dizziness where the world will just slowly spin for a few hours (makes me feel really spacey), and the odd acute 'Oh my god I need to sit down now!' moment that can then pass quite quickly. Some nausea but no vomiting, so could be worse! That said I had a couple of hours this afternoon when I didn't feel too bad at all so all very inconsistent.

But it's clear from others stories that there's no particular norm for how bad it is or how long it lasts so I guess I just have to sit tight. Literally

[Lovemynailstoday]

Is your hearing ok? I also have Menieres but it usually gives additional symptoms such as hearing loss or tinnitus or a feeling of pressure in the ear as well as vertigo.

[andadietcoke]

Just remembered - one of the things that worked for DH when he was getting better (at the beginning it didn't help at all) was seeing an osteopath who did the Epley Manoeuvre on him - definitely worth considering. Physios often offer it too.

[bubbawubba]

I had this for 15 weeks. Out of the blue woke up one Wednesday morning in March room was spinning, rushed to the toilet to vomit, was vomiting all day. My dh was away for a week so my sister had to come and look after 3yo ds as I was totally incapacitated. The vertigo kicked in if I turned my head to the right or lay on my right side. It was bloody awful and frightening. My vision was distorted, the floor seemed to be moving almost like it was breathing, I felt sick and so so unwell. I went to the GP who gave me stemetil which didn't work and told me it will go in time. I tried the Epley manouver which made it worse. Tips? No caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, too much salt or sugar. Plenty of water. Drink a big glass before bed and another in the morning upon waking. Chamomile tea. Exercise, do things that challenge you so your brain compensates (that's if it is labs) I haven't had an episode since.