Labyrinthitis/ vertigo

[RacketeerRalph]

I seem to have vertigo or labrythitis. Everytime I move I feel like I've just got off a kids roundabout. When I pie down the room spins like I'm drunk. It's been coming on slowly over about 10 days, at first it was just the big transitions - first thing in the morning and lying down. But now it's bending over, changing direction too many times (such as walking in and out of rooms putting stuff away). Today I couldn't drive - every time I moved my head the room continued to move after I stopped.

I have a Drs appointment tomorrow but I'm just wondering is there a cure? A quick fix? I read online it can last 6 weeks. How am I supposed to not drive for 6 weeks? My work (NHS community) involves lots of driving. The kids need driving to school (near my work, opposite direction to DHs).

Argh! Is there anything I can do?

Usually gets better/able to drive sooner than 6 weeks. Tomorrow they may be able to try “Epleys manoeuvre” if they think it is a particular type called BPPV.
They may be able to give you exercises to do “cawthorne cookery” or others. Or medication that can be used short term to ease symptoms if you need.

I had an episode when I was pregnant 9 years ago. Since then a few brief episodes.

I get giddy if overtired or stressy, it can also hit me before and/or after a migraine
I think it might be a family fault...my ma and ds1 both have had really bad times with it!

But do google the Epley manoeuvres, I can stop mine in its tracks with a couple of rounds AM and PM and keeping it steady for a couple of days after.

Great to hear, thanks.

Stugeron travel sickness tablets also help. Take care, it's a horrible feeling

They can give you medication that will help in the short term, depending on what's causing it. In many cases you will improve quicker than 6 weeks - however you should not be driving while suffering from vertigo attacks / labyrinthitis. I was quite poorly with it for 2 weeks and could barely walk to the bathroom let alone do the school run. DH had to take time off work and I had to pull favours left, right and centre. I hope this passes quickly for you.

@MythicalBiologicalFennel

They can give you medication that will help in the short term, depending on what's causing it. In many cases you will improve quicker than 6 weeks - however you should not be driving while suffering from vertigo attacks / labyrinthitis. I was quite poorly with it for 2 weeks and could barely walk to the bathroom let alone do the school run. DH had to take time off work and I had to pull favours left, right and centre. I hope this passes quickly for you.

Yeah, I think DH will need to do 6 day weeks, though I'm not sure I can cope with child care to be honest! He'll do it, but it's already a really stressful period for work.

Will a GP sign me off if I can't drive and my job involves it? I've never been signed off before. I feel ok in myself, just very dizzy.

Stugeron, OP. You can buy it over the counter. Take two, then eight hours later take one. Miraculous stuff. I use it for my own labyrinthitis.

I feel for you OP, I’ve been diagnosed with vertigo caused by recent COVID, it’s awful.

I can't even scroll Facebook 😭 mumsnets ok because it's more static.

Nearly drowned in the bath! Won't be doing that again (sat up after lying down and ended up doing a barrel roll).

@Babdoc

Stugeron, OP. You can buy it over the counter. Take two, then eight hours later take one. Miraculous stuff. I use it for my own labyrinthitis.

Ooh will take a look

Sympathy op, I had it years ago and it was awful! I couldn’t walk in a straight line, never mind drive and nothing the dr gave me helped. After 3 weeks off work, in desperation I tried acupuncture and that seemed to do the trick. That was more than 20 years ago and I’ve never had it since thankfully!

You can self certify for 5 days (I think) then the GP can do a Sick note after. You definitely need the time off to fully recover.

I had it a few years ago and I had recovered within a week. I think I was given promethazine for the sickness which helped. I just spent all my time in bed with a bucket every movement made me sick, and had to crawl to the bathroom it was miserable!

Yeah, I don't feel sick but I never ever ever get motion sickness, which might be why. It's the not being able to walk/ staggering as if drunk/ room spinning type stuff.

Oh sympathies OP, my mum has this at the moment. It's horrible

And my ear/ jaw now hurts.

Off to bed I think.

Thanks for the practical tips and sympathy.

I've done epley manoeuvre for left ear and will do it again tomorrow. What I've read suggests once a day, it it worth doing more?

I had Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo - BPPV - and it was anything but benign...
Horrific dizziness & my mind was so f**ked my duvet's pattern took on a life of its own.

AskDoctorJo on YouTube was a great help as were Brandt-Daroff exercises. They can be done on your own whereas you can need help to do the Epley manoeuvre.

Best of luck & hope you get well soon. Vertigo is a shitty thing to get.

I had Labyrinthitis about 12 years ago which came on quite suddenly - the GP came and gave me an injection in my backside, and a course of medication to take. I can't remember the names of either, but it worked & the horrible 'drunk on board a ship in a storm' feeling went by the end of the day. I was on my own with a toddler & twin babies at the time as dh was away, i still thank god for a couple of friends who came and basically took over for the day and looked after the children, I couldn't even stand. Hope your GP can sort you out OP and you're better soon.

@RacketeerRalph how did it go? Did it pass fast!l? X