Labyrinthitis - please help

[QuestionableMouse]

I was diagnosed with it last Friday at urgent care after having a couple of days were I felt lightheaded on and off then woke up feeling like everything was spinning around me.

Was given three days' meds for nausea which has now gone totally but I'm still experiencing the spinning. I'm absolutely miserable - I've been out of my house for the grand total of two hours since Friday because I just can't manage it.

I was told I needed to see my GP again either today or tomorrow. I'm struggling to get an appointment.

If you had it, what helped? I feel absolutely fine and normal laying down flat but I can't stand for more than about ten mins before I have to sit down. I'm 40 and also have Long Covid. Thank you!

Betahistine worked for me. Good luck, it’s miserable feeling like that!

It absolutely is! I really just want it to stop now.

You poor thing - labyrinthitis is absolutely miserable. I have found that prochlorperazine helps a bit. Also, in the mean time, until you can see your doctor, you could try Stugeron from the pharmacy. Hope you feel better soon x

Another vote for prochlorperazine known as Stemitil. Does your GP do 'emergency appointments' at the end of a session?

I had prochlorperazine for three days for nausea but tbh it didn't really help much. No appointments at my GP, including emergency. Receptionist told me to ring 111 or go to urgent care.

So annoying you can't see the GP. Ring 111 I guess - bank hol weekend approaching, you want to be well sorted by close of play Friday really.

Google the Epley Manouevre

Hope it helps!

I really recommend stugeron from over the pharmacy counter too! My labyrinthitis was awful, but almost as soon as I took these tablets I felt so much better.

Will pick some up tomorrow, thank you!

Came on to say epley manoeuvre. It worked for me. Not immediately but did it regularly over a few days and it did the trick

Thank you. I've been reading about it but haven't dared to try it in case it made things worse!

I had the same symptoms, dizziness and lightheadedness. GP gave me some anti-sickness pills. I lay on the bed unable to move without the world swimming around, with a very low heart beat, quietly dying. DH rang 111 who sent an ambulance who took me to hospital and the next day I was fitted with a pacemaker.
The dizziness was caused by my heart not receiving enough oxygen.
Don’t be fobbed off; it might be labyrinthitis or it might be something else. Ring 111 or go to Urgent Care as advised.

I have been seen in person and my pulse/blood pressure and such is absolutely fine. It's 65 currently with 97% oxygen saturation. ☺️

I was told to go back if the spinning didn't stop but I can't get an appointment!

I second this but it will eventually go away on its own. I've had it several times and have some hearing loss because of it. You have my sympathy it is totally debilitating.

Wow! The first time I had it I went to A&E and had all kinds of examinations including electricardiogram (?) until eventually they brought an ENT doctor in who diagnosed labyrinthitus. They sent me home but I had to go back as I couldn't keep anything down at all and spent a day and a night on a drip.

I had it several times after that with varying degrees of severity although I didn't have to go back to hospital. I haven't had it since 2014 🤞and hope I never get it again.

My main issue at the moment is I'm very unlikely to get a GP appointment tomorrow and I really don't want to sit in urgent care for hours again if I don't need to. So I'm not sure what to do!

I'm also struggling because I'm living in a village ATM and I'm not allowed to drive - public transport is rubbish so I'm relying on my sister for lifts.

It will make you feel like vomiting as you do it but it really does help move all the floaty bits back where they need to go.

Thank you! I'm going to give it a try in the morning when I have someone with me. ☺️

I came on here to say this too. Made such a difference.
Also the labrynthititis society website was really helpful. Advice re drugs and getting a vestibular physiotherapist was invaluable. I was off work for six months but I got my life back and teach secondary school full time now.

You poor poor thing. It’s absolutely hideous. I thought I must be having a stroke the first time I got it.

its like the worst kind of drunken room spinning combined with walking in a fairground fun house with wobbly floors. Just hideous.

I also took Sturgeon and did various violent head shaking techniques. For me, it lasts a few days to about ten days per episode.

I also get awful motion sickness in cars,
coaches and certain inter-city trains. Along with motion sickness in houses with uneven floors.

In often wondered if it was related/means i am susceptible.

hope you get sorted soon, OP.

I get this every once in a while and it's horrifying. I'm okay when standing up but it's the lying down that triggers it for me. However, a couple of years ago I read that it can be linked to B12 deficiency, and I haven't had it since taking B vitamins regularly. (Also Vitamin D). So that could be worth a try?
I tried the Epley manoeuvre but it just made me really sick.
But don't despair - it does eventually get better!

And get the wristband travel bands from a chemist, they really help me.