Ear infection causing dizziness or something else?

[Maybaby1994]

Hi all,

Bit of a hand hold needed as I suffer with severe health anxiety (who doesn't). But don't know if I'm overthinking or not. On Wednesday last week, I woke up with some ear pain in right ear, took some tablets and got on with it. Then early hours Thursday the pain was much worse and there was quite a bit of discharge. Woke up Thursday morning to feeling of dizziness but not like the room was spinning, more like intense imbalance, almost like I was on a really rocky boat. Was advised to go to A&E by my GP due to sudden onset.

Anyway A&E assessed me and took bloods etc and said that there was an increase in my inflammation levels which they put down to an ear infection. They done neurological checks (no scan) and said they weren't concerned about it being that. I've since been sent home with strong antibiotic's and anti sickness tabs. I then googled (I know, stupid) high inflammation levels in blood and the dreaded C word was mentioned as being an indicator. Since then I've convinced myself that I've got cancer/some sort of brain tumour.

I have to book another appointment with my GP tomorrow to try and get an ENT appt and repeat bloods booked but just wondering if anyone has experienced anything like this who may be able to talk me down? I've got a 2 y/o so I've been very teary thinking this is more serious than an ear infection.

Thanks in advance

Hi OP. I read this and honestly thought it was me. I had an ear infection in September 2023 and had the exact same symptoms as you and thought the worst naturally despite passing the neurological examinations. I felt like I was unsteady on my feet, like I was going to fall when standing still but not room spinning dizziness.

My NHS GP referred me to an ENT after 6 months of feeling imbalanced and these symptoms and couldn’t bear the wait so I went private and was reassured I didn’t have a brain tumour/MS. The ENT put me for a MRI of my brain, neck and spine just to help me feel better as he was very sure it wasn’t anything like that and just residual dizziness.

Long story short, my MRI was completely unremarkable and was diagnosed with “PPPD”, the medication was VRT and breathing exercises. They have really helped and I sometimes feel unbalanced still but it’s much, much better. Moral of the story is, listen to your doctor. A brain tumour is incredibly rare and you would have other symptoms with it, not just dizziness. Please try and think rationally. Book that GP appointment but they’ll just say the same thing mine did, it’s very very unlikely to be anything sinister. I know exactly how you’re feeling. Good luck!

@Junaluma thanks so much for your reply!

I think it's the blood markers being high for inflammation that's thrown me, especially after googling. But yes I will definitely be asking for an ENT referral and will probably go private depending on the wait as my ear is very blocked and there's tinnitus too so want to get it all sorted out asap.

Definitely reassuring to know someone else has went through this, it's a horrible feeling and wouldn't wish it on anyone!

It really is! Inflammation in your blood can mean many things, not usually clear. A brain tumour wouldn’t raise your inflammation in your blood but an ear infection definitely would!

The raised markers and dizziness will 99.999999% be because of your ear infection. I had occasional dizziness on and off. Very occasionally I still get it. But I struggle with my ears becoming slightly infected on a cyclical basis. Worse with a cold. When I asked the GP about it after it happened a few times I was given a nasal spray and told it was middle ear congestion. This was five years ago.