Labyrinthitis - anyone had it?

[messylittlemonkey]

Hi

I went to my GP a couple of days ago as I've being feeling dizzy/wobbly/weird since I had a tummy bug over three weeks ago.

It started when I was walking along the street, I had to stop as the ground seemed to slip from under me.

Since then, I've had a fuzzy headed feeling and when I move I don't feel quite right - as though I'm not placing my feet properly and things are a bit wobbly.

I also have a really blocked feeling in one ear and tinnitus.

Some days the balance issues are worse than others. Today, my head feels very foggy and my eyes don't quite focus properly.

Anyway, GP says it's mild labyrinthitis and it will go by itself.

I'd be interested to hear other people's thoughts on this.
thanks

A friend of mine had it, and my stepmother. Stepmother got over it in time (viral) but it took a few weeks (sorry!) to go completely - came and went a bit.

Friend got better too, but it kept coming back - in the end, she went to ENT and had a very simple manoeuver done which basically re-positioned the fluid in her ears (she had to lie in certain positions for exact amounts of minutes, that was all - nothing nasty!) and after 24 hours the whole problem went away.

So yes, I think your GP is right, but if it doesn't get better in due course you could a) check that you don't need ABs for sinus infection and b) ask for ENT referral, and enquire about the positional thing.

Good luck, it sounded so unpleasant when my friend had it, hope you're better soon.

Yes I've had it a few times. The worst was following a really bad virus and I could hardly move my head for a week. It lasted 3 weeks altogether.
I find it tends to occur when I have been ill or very stressed. My mother also has it and hers flares up under the same circumstances so I wonder whether there is an hereditary aspect?
My Gp gave me Stemetil which treats symptoms not cause but is fairly effective. I find it can head off an attack if I take one at the first hint of dizziness.
I think there are different causes, I've heard of the manoeuver you mention. I'd certainly want to try something else if symptoms persisted because it's really unpleasant.

Gah- I've got it now!

I too have had the tummy bug; although the whole family all had it, I'm the only one who's got this.

Since i've never had it before, and we have both had a tummy bug, it would seem that this is a side effect of the bug, no?

the doctor has given me prochlorperazine, which i think is stemetil under another name- they are anti-sickness tablets and have made me feel a lot better, although still not great. Am only on day 2 though.

Thanks for your replies.

I've read about it being caused by cold/flu type viruses, but didn't realise it could be linked to a tummy bug, but that's most definitely when mine started. Like you, tethersend, the bug went round the family, but I was the only one to get the dizziness.

Mine is manageable but a pita nonetheless!