Labyrinthitis - How long to get better?

[kaleishorrid]

I woke up last Saturday with the room violently spinning - I thought I had drunk too much but a week later I am still dizzy - although not as violently. GP said it was BPPV but now says labrynthitis as it has being going on so long and the fact that there has been vomiting.

I know other people have had this but I was wondering how long it will take to clear. I have had a week off work - the longest time I have been sick from work apart from when pregnant. We are a small team and I feel really bad at dropping everyone in it but there is no way I could have worked last week. I feel extremely sorry for myself- when it's bad I can't even watch tv - when a bit better I can read a book. Still get dizzy when I bend down or move. Realistically I think I am going to have at least part of next week off. Please tell me it will be better soon

Have you been given anything for the dizziness?

And have you tried the epley manoeuvre?

You poor thing, it's awful, isn't it?

Look up the Epley manoeuvre... if you do it right the relief can be instant. It is something you can do yourself. Take a look online, it is a life changer.

I had been recommended Brandt derhoff exercises by the doctor- but he told me to stop as there was no change.

Will look up Epley manoeuvre- can I do it by myself?

@DonLewis

Have you been given anything for the dizziness?

And have you tried the epley manoeuvre?

You poor thing, it's awful, isn't it?

I have some anti sickness tablets which provides some relief

Looking online the manoeuvre appears to be for BPPV - does it work for labrynthitis as well, does anyone know?

I had it a good few years ago but maybe not as severely because I remember having episodes which lasted maybe an hour or two rather than it continuing. Very frightening the first time, I thought I had a brain tumour or something. I THINK I got some medication and have never had it since. Sorry cant be more helpful.

It depends on the severity to be honest. I think it lasted over a month for my sister, she had to lay down for about 2 weeks and literally couldn't move, it was awful. I really hope you feel better soon.

I had it very mildly but it lasted about 6 weeks. Our health centre has a couple of people trained to do the epley manoeuvre, it's worth asking.

I had it afew years ago and it was horrific, it was about 10 days before I started to get back to some sort of normality but I understand it can take longer for others

I had a mild case but was off work for six weeks. I tried going back sooner but quickly realised that it wasn't going to work and that I finicky barely walk in a straight line!

Around 7 days for me, it's rough isn't it but it does pass, I'm sure I woke up one day and it had jus my suddenly gone, hope yours goes soon too xx

My first episode was about 2 and 1/2 years ago. Lasted 4-7 days? Cant exactly remember. The sickness was unreal!
Had it a few times since unfortunately too. Lasted a few hours before taking it easy the rest of the day. Only sick one of the times.

I think mine is still there in some ways, as I have to be careful some mornings to not go dashing around for the first couple of hours.

It is something I just live with now. I cant watch things spinning on tv, like helicopters[blades spinning], certain views[something to do with perspectives], anything spinning eg plates.

I have learnt not to look up too much. And not to look down to much. And most certainly not up down up down!

I've spoken to an ENT consultant about this and he said once you've experienced labyrinthitis your ears don't 'recover' as such. Your brain/eyes just get used to balancing the body without the help of the ears but this can take a while and there will always be a weakness. This means you need to be a bit slower about getting up from sitting and getting out of bed - your eyes need to send the message to your brain that you are moving positions without the help of the ears so done too quickly means you'll get dizzy.

I hope you feel better soon!

Thank you fir starting the thread. I never connected some of the things I experience now with the labrynthitis, but it does make sense!

Wow. I never would have connected them 🤦🏻‍♀️

I agree there is an element of learning to avoid what triggers it. I didn't even realise this was what I was doing when I started taking longer to go from vertical to horizontal in the mornings.

Thank you for all of your replies. I'm feeling nervous about taking an extra week off work – although the doctor has signed me off – but I think I'm actually going to have to take the week. Although I am feeling a bit better today everything is still a bit hazy around the edges.

I am going to try the Epley manoeuvre. I will wait until DH is around so that he can make sure that I don't fall off the bed.

It is horrible. And of course like everybody else I hate feeling ill.

I had / have BPPV. It was so scary when it started a few years ago. I got given some medication by my GP ......pro... something? It only helped with the sickness. It did go but kept coming back so I got referred and they did an Epley manoeuvre on me. It did fix it but I still suffered with but it was very mild and liveable.
I had a flare up again a few weeks ago (weirdly after my COVID vaccine!) and my H followed a YouTube tutorial and did the Epley manoeuvre on me and it seems to be ok now.
The Epley can make you feel very sick and wobbly for a while and I would recommend that you get someone to do it for you rather than do it yourself. Your head will need holding in position .
Some GP's will do it and some physios for it as well if you go private.

Just in case anyone is interested, 13 days after my symptoms I am starting to feel human again. Today I have had no dizziness, headaches or vomiting. Hopefully this is the end of it and praying that I won't have another episode.

Thanks for all your replies x

Thanks for coming back and updating. Did you try the Epley manoeuvre?

@GingerFigs

Thanks for coming back and updating. Did you try the Epley manoeuvre?

No I didn't - I had felt so terrible doing the Brandt Derhoff exercises that I was too scared to even try.

It seems to have just got better with time and rest.

Epley is for BPPV, it moves the crystals back. Won’t help with labyrinthitis as that is not to do with the crystals. Usually takes 1-2 weeks for the very bad symptoms of labyrinthitis to improve, then a few more weeks to get fully better. Keep moving! It helps recovery and avoiding things can make it worse. If you don’t get fully better try vestibular rehab exercises (especially gaze exercises, google is your friend here) or get GP to refer you to ENT or vestibular rehab. Labyrinthitis is usually a one off, if symptoms reoccur ask GP to refer you to a specialist to rule out other conditions.