Labyrinthitis- feel so terrible

[Newhouse76]

Was diagnosed with labyrinthitis on Boxing Day. Have spent most of the time on the sofa with the room spinning around me.

Im due back at work tomorrow and the thought of taking the Tube is making me feel quite anxious 😬. Feel quite unsteady.

Hopefully someone else may have experienced the same and may have some hints and tips to share

It is awful but either homeopathy or this or both cleared it in a day and i had it for a week prior to trying anything.

Your doctor should have signed you off work. I was signed off for two weeks with Labyrinthitis about 15 years ago

I forgot to say by doctor also recommended Ginkgo Biloba which worked well for me

Yes, my hearing was affected but it is better now. Only my left ear was affected. I had it following a cold, with earache.
Coffee, chocolate and alcohol (in excess) tend to make me dizzy now, which is a bit pants but could be worse.

Thanks everyone for the advice and links. Really sad that some pp have experienced that their hearing has been affected

I will definitely read through the replies more fully tomorrow

I have had this several times. Sometimes it has gone on for about three weeks (certainly the first time when I ended up in hospital overnight on a drip because I couldn't keep fluids down) and twice it got better the same day. It usually came on after I had had a cold and thought I was better.

Had some more attacks over a 6 month period, but none anything like as bad as the first - they got lighter and shorter over that time.

No lasting effect on my hearing, though, OP .

I was at home for at least two weeks but I felt 'not right' for months.' My hearing hasn't been affected though.

My sympathies. It is bloody awful.

My sympathies - I had this several times during childhood and the last time was when my now 15 yr old was 3 months old. Up till that point it had never been diagnosed and the morning it started on that occasion I puked 20 times and no idea how I managed to feed the baby. Worst feeling ever, including a heart attack.

Take all the meds and give it time, horrible bug

I've had this about four times, it's not fun. No hearing loss though.

I hope you can take time off work, or if not then possibly work from home and do only the critical things. Can you delegate some of your responsibilities?

Hope you get better soon

OP, you have my sympathies as I’ve had episodes of this. I would say plan to be off sick for a couple of weeks.

Also interesting to read what people above say about feeling detached and anxiety. I have huge problems with anxiety and derealisation but labyrinthitis seemed to make them much worse and usual techniques to relieve it didn’t help. I thought it was all in my head so somewhat relieved to see that others without mental illness experience similar symptoms (misery loves company!).

Sorry to hijack, but those who’ve had this multiple times, do you have any tips on preventing repeat attacks and managing kids/work while you have it? I have a 5 year-old and am about to go back to work after a period of long-term sick leave for MH reasons. I have a spell of lab again now and to say it’s as timing is an understatement!

Bsf

‘Bad’ FFS!

Thank you all - I saw the dr yesterday and he has also diagnosed an infection in the middle ear of my affected ear and prescribed antibiotics.

He has signed me off till Monday of next week so I’m just going to (try and) take it easy and to delegate some work items

You have my every sympathy Op, I had it for months whilst I was pregnant and could honestly have killer myself it was so horrific.

ENT were amazing and although they weren't convinced it was BPPV they did the Epley manoeuvres on me and although it was horrible at the time it did help. They gave me a hotline number and would see me at the drop of a hat to re do it, they were life savers!

They did say the worst thing you can do it lie down or sit still, you need to keep moving for your balance to find itself again.

10 years on and I still get the odd episode if I'm particularly tired.

Hope you get better soon x

@user1470132907

Mine normally comes when I've been really ill with a sinus cold which I get bad as my sinuses are buggered on one side. Its like a LOVELY extra bonus (bastard thing).

One thing I have found is not to get my bad ear wet when I'm having a shower as it lessens the chance of an infection getting in. My dodgy ear is nicknamed the gremlin cos I can't get it wet :)

My doc prescribes anti nausea/ dizziness tabs and I have a supply for emergencies but over the counter sea sickness ones do the same thing. Check with the pharmacist as I think they need to contain a certain substance (not sure what though!). If you start feeling the symptoms start taking the tabs immediately!!! Do not wait!

They do help when I have a mild attack but nowt I can do but wait if I'm on "face palm on the floor" attack mode.

Thank you @GetawayfromthatWelshtart! I have both diazepam and promethazine for anxiety which are also supposed to help with the vertigo, but have taken as much as I’m allowed and no dice. Am seeing my GP Monday so will see if there is anything else she recommends, but suspect I’m stuck on rest & fluids & patience (latter really not my forte)...

Thanks for the other tips also. I have been naughty recently and cleaned my ear with a cotton bud, which probably wasn’t clever given I already had a streaming cold.

If nothing else, some small comfort to know I am not the only one who suffers this misery .