Has anyone had labyrinthitis?

[Rocketman4980]

I've had it for more than six weeks now - the initial room spinning and throwing up have passed thank god, but it's left me partially deaf in one ear (which also feels like it's full of glue), my head feels like it's full of electric fuzz and the dizziness is like being on a rollercoaster. I've been to the GP a few times and they gave me Buccastem for the nausea and antibiotics for an associated ear infection, which has cleared up. I have an ENT appointment at the end of Jan but just wondering if anyone else has had it and discovered anything to ease the symptoms. It's affecting my ability to work (in front of a screen) and I can't drive. Help!

Yes i have had it. It was one of the worst things i have ver experienced in terms of illness. I had a variety of travel sickness pills but i am not sure they helped. I also had the manipulation thing (can't recall what it is called). In the end it just took time for me to recover. I had an ENT appointment about 6 months after the first attack and i was pretty much cured by then. The consultant told me that i had done the right thing in forcing myself to go out and about and do normal things even though i felt awful as it helped by brain to normalise the sensations.

Thanks ApolloandDaphne, that's what I'm trying to do, apart from the driving, don't think that would be wise. Am terrified it's going to stay like this.

I think it’s called the Epley Manoeuvre.

Apparently there’s a YouTube on how to do it so if I get Labrynthitis again dh is going to have a go.
Poor you, op, it’s a horrible thing and I hope you feel better soon.

@Ilovewhippets, thanks, will have a look!

My DF had it. Horrible. There are manovers you can do that get everything sloshing around again in your inner ear. Google labarinthitis manovers. MAke sure you do them when there is someone else around. They make you feel even worse for about an hour after. But its worth persevering as they really help after a few days. My DF did them tting on the bed, so he could lie down right after.

I feel for you OP - I have had it three times. The last was the worst - I couldn't move my head without vomiting and the dr had to do a home visit to give me an injection (anti-nausea? I'm not sure what it was). Once the initial room spinning was over, the only thing that helped was slow and consistent activity as your sense of balance is damaged and your brain almost has to 'relearn' it's spatial awareness.

This happened to me seven years ago and my balance is still not 100% - but I am generally fine. I can get a little disorientated walking at night and I will never, ever get on a swing again!

The ENT appointment might be helpful - Meurnieres Disease might be something they consider - it is like labrynthistis and can affect your hearing.

thx @SeaToSki @GoldenBuns

Yes and it was horrific! Since then I've had bouts of vertigo and blocked eustacian tubes (sp?!)

Have you tried steaming? I really do recommend it, especially using Albas oil for 8-10 mins twice a day.

My last bout back in November took about 8 weeks before I felt 'back to normal'!

I had it.
GP prescribed me something and i stsrted feeling better within a few hours.

Haven't tried steaming @wineandsunshine. You mean just holding your head over a bowl of boiling water with some Olbas oil in it?

My mum had it when I was very young. She went to a herbalist and got a big bottle of black liquid. No idea what it was but she said it really helped. She still has slight balance issues 30 years later. She always has to hold on to the stair rail.

Yep it’s not much fun

OMG.

This explains SO much.

I had it a few years ago. I was home alone and it was horrific. It took a while to get over it, but I eventually did.

...or maybe not. It could explain the fact that my ‘travel sickness’ is getting worse, WAY worse. I now have the same motion sickness on rides, I cannot watch anything the kids have made on minecraft, I can’t watch 3D and recently I’ve felt ill with scrolling too quickly and flashing lights on a Christmas tree. This could all be from having that?!?!

I hope you get rid of it soon and don’t have any lasting effects 💐

I've never had it, but have supported a friend through it and just wanted to send you massive hugs, OP.

It was ROUGH for her and I can't imagine how horrible it must feel.

Sorry nothing practically useful to add, but hope the good vibes make it through the internet waves to you!

...and I forgot the balance thing. I always had very good balance, backwards walkovers on beams etc as well as stuff like being able to stand on one leg while blindfolded etc. These days my balance is absolutely shot to pieces.

Yep - be careful not to hold your head too close to the steam but pop a towel around and breathe through your nose. It's harsh at first but actually afterwards I blow my nose and wipe face it's quite nice!

I've been trying to remember every evening as it helps the inflammation around the ears - good luck op!

ILoveChristmasLights - definitely steer clear of 3D films. The last bout I had started of as dizziness and nausea - I thought I was recovering and very stupidly went to the cinema with DC to watch Toy Story in 3D. It was after that that I got scarily ill.

GoldenBuns. I will! Because I hadn’t connected it to labrynthitis I had been annoyed but not worried about it. I just thought it was getting worse as I got older.

I had to ask a friend to turn her flashing Christmas lights to still mode after a day as I felt so ill.

...something else to add to my list of can’t do/eat/see 🙄

But thanks for the warning.