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Original poster

Anyone suffered from Labrynthitis?

33 replies

AlwaysReadyForABlether · 11/04/2013 17:07

I have had this for a couple of weeks now and it's really getting me down. Thought I was getting over it then did too much yesterday and set myself back.
Just wondered if anyone else has experienced this and any tips on things that made you feel better?

OP posts:
Original poster
AlwaysReadyForABlether · 11/04/2013 18:34

Bump

OP posts:
SchroSawMargeryDaw · 11/04/2013 18:36

I have just had a diagnosis of BPPV which is apparently similar.

My top tip is don't move at all unless you really need to, I think some people get some relief with anti-emetics but I don't know how much difference they make, perhaps sea bands? (haven't tried).

I hope you feel better soon, it's horrible.

magso · 11/04/2013 18:44

I would agree with SchroSaw, the only thing that really helped was to stay very still! I found keeping my eyes shut helped as I had nystagmous (wobbly eyes) with it. I was given some anti-sickness pills, which I think helped. It gradually got better. I still have odd moments of dizzyness but mild in comparison.

Hassled · 11/04/2013 18:46

I've had this quite a few times - it really is awful, and exhausting. Talk to your GP - I was prescribed something which did help with the nausea but didn't actually stop the rocking/dizziness. It will pass - although I have to say each episode I have takes longer to pass.

Original poster
AlwaysReadyForABlether · 11/04/2013 19:09

How long did it take to get over it? I thought I was on the mend but tried going out yesterday and ended up all dizzy and being sick again.

OP posts:
VerySmallSqueak · 11/04/2013 19:15

I have had two episodes in the past year.

It's so debilitating - I literally cannot look after the kids and I have to stay in bed other than staggering to the loo.

I was told that tiredness is a big factor and it is important to get enough sleep - if I find myself getting dizzy episodes I always try to get a bit more sleep to try and ward off another bout.

I find that dizzy spells can continue even after the main bout is over,for a couple of weeks.

VerySmallSqueak · 11/04/2013 19:16

Also I was told plenty of fluids are important.

lyndie · 11/04/2013 19:20

Look on YouTube or Google Brandt- Daroff exercises. Are you taking any medicines?

Original poster
AlwaysReadyForABlether · 11/04/2013 20:13

Just anti-sickness meds. Doctor said there wasn't anything else that would help.

OP posts:
buildingmycorestrength · 11/04/2013 20:15

My friend had it and it was awful. The exercises she was prescribed helped her a lot. Don't know the name, sorry. Fat lot of help I am!

PickledMoomin · 11/04/2013 20:22

It's awful.

I had it for a few weeks. Stematol (sp) really helped as did another medication. Take it easy until the dizziness passes.

VictoriaPlum01 · 12/04/2013 11:17

I suffer from it quite frequently too. I find that I can cope so long as I don't move my head too much I.e. I can move around freely, but can't suddenly turn around or twist my neck sharply to look up/behind me. Resting helps, but it is exhausting.

Schro - have you been offered an Epley's manoeuvre for your BPPV? I have also had this condition (and this was debilitating, even more so than the labyrinthitis), but after an Epley's manoeuvre I was better within a couple of weeks, and (touch wood) have been clear ever since.

SchroSawMargeryDaw · 12/04/2013 12:19

Victoria I was given a list of a couple of exercises to do but it says on them that you have to sleep sitting up for 48 hours and not bend down for a week. I can't do that as I have a toddler. :(

Did you have the manoeuvre done by someone else?

Sorry for thread hijack! Desperate!

Stillcluelessat40 · 12/04/2013 12:22

I wasn't given any exercises, but was prescribed tablets which did the job for me - Prochlorperazine

orangeandlemons · 12/04/2013 12:28

I had it really badly and so has dh, although it affected us differently. I had it really badly for 3 months. Dh has had it for ages off and on since November.

You are not meant to stay on tablets for long , I thought max of 2 weeks. Why you need is vestibular rehabilitation. Download Cawthorne-cooksey excercises. Lots of head shaking, but they work as they rebalance the crystals in your ears

VictoriaPlum01 · 12/04/2013 13:01

Schro - I had it done at my GP surgery, but I think physios can do it too. My GP just said to take it easy. I didn't sleep sitting up and I also ran around after my children, and it cleared up. I'd read stuff on the Internet about having to sit up etc. but I figured that I had nothing to lose, so went for it. You can have it repeated after a few weeks if it doesn't work first time. I am so glad I did because I lived with the condition for about 8 months and I thought I'd never feel normal again.

(Also sorry for the thread hijack, but it made such a difference to me that I thought it was worth sharing xx)

SchroSawMargeryDaw · 12/04/2013 13:05

Thank you Victoria, I'm going to ask about this as I am getting seriously down with not being able to even move my head! It's been going on for ages now as well. :(

x

orangeandlemons · 12/04/2013 15:12

I never slept sitting up, and the exercises kicked it into touch in 2 weeks

Original poster
AlwaysReadyForABlether · 12/04/2013 18:12

Feeling very fed up with it today. Have not moved off the sofa but feel exhausted and dizzy again. I can't believe how horrible it is.

OP posts:
ISingSoprano · 12/04/2013 18:17

I had it a long time ago but remember clearly how bloody awful it was. You have my sympathy! Walking down stairs was very hazardous. I was referred to ENT eventually and they gave me exercises but it was such a long time ago I can't remember them - sorry.

Original poster
AlwaysReadyForABlether · 12/04/2013 18:20

The doctor has said it just takes time. Unfortunately I am not the most patient person!

OP posts:
absentmindeddooooodles · 12/04/2013 18:28

I have this too. Suddenly just collapsed one day last September and have been dizzy on and off ever since. Have been taking strematil? Don't know how to spell that lol. And it seems to help. So so hard with a toddler though isn't it?!? Haven't felt normal since, but some days are a lot better than others. I was also told by the doc to use some pure olive oil as ear drops.....it feels bloody awful for half hour, but does help reduce that awful pressure in the ears for a little bit. Didn't help the sickness or dizziness for me, but the discomfort in the actual ear eased a bit. Hope everyone is feeling better soon!! X

VerySmallSqueak · 12/04/2013 18:36

It's funny you say that absent as I've been getting the dizziness on and off for a couple of weeks and have been worried I'm coming down with another bout.I then started feeling a bit 'other-worldy' with blocked ears,and tried dropping in some olive oil - my ears have felt miles better since and the dizziness has definitely decreased a bit (touches wood).

Always hang in there and try to rest.

invicta · 12/04/2013 18:40

I've had it on and off for years. stematil ( prochlorpamide) does the trick for me.

EddieVeddersfoxymop · 12/04/2013 19:44

I've had this too......unfortunately for me it's been long lasting. I had 3 months where it floored me, another 6 months where it would disappear for a week or two then come back for a week......I am now a year into recovery from it and still get dizzy with every slight sniffle/virus or headaches. My GP said that's quite normal apparently.......Confused

I am over the worst of it though, but remember how horrifying and debilitating it was. Good luck OP

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