Inner ear problems

[OneSnugBear]

Hi first time poster here. Ive had ear problems on and off since January, two ear infections. And labyrinthitis. My last infection was a middle ear infection at the end of March. Since then I've had non stop nausea, tinnitus and lightheadedness, its also making me very anxious about going out in case I fall over.
I've been referred to ENT but have been told not to expect a magic cure. And been given medication but told not to use too much. Has anyone any experience like this or any tips for dealing with it?

Thank you.

I had an inner ear infection and labrynthitis about 6 years or so ago but no pearls of wisdom here unfortunately.
I think my ear drum perforated and it’s been confirmed I have some hearing loss in that ear now. Constantly blocked and ringing too.
I had countless antibiotics and I could barely leave the house for about six months, certainly not without someone with me.
I’m still wobbly now if I look in a different direction to where I’m walking, or if I close my eyes in the shower.
I hope yours isn’t as bad as mine was!

Thank you. Anyone else?

When I has this I was prescribed a nasal spray. What medication have you been given?

Just anti sickness tablets that dont really work and I feel worse when I try to go out into busy places like supermarkets. I'm so fed up with it all now. Im assuming that its labyrinthitis again but GPs seem clueless

I really feel for you. I had this some years ago and it just went on and on. It's incredibly debilitating and frankly depressing. A couple of tips. Supermarkets bring on attacks for some reason ( my ENT told me to avoid M&S, which has a particularly well known effect). If you are going to the supermarket, wear sunglasses, it reduces the visual input and will help avoid attacks. DON'T stop going out and doing the things you enjoy - you will end up with labyrinthitis and depression. Just have strategies to deal with things, so when you go somewhere, scope out where the seats are. If you feel an attack starting, ask someone for a seat, tell them you feel faint ( it's easier than explaining labyrinthitis!). Don't stand near platform edges on stations, hug the back wall til the train arrives. If you can, avoid highly patterned/ chequered floor coverings - I never went near Embankment station on the London tube for about 10 years ( chequered floor tiles). ENT will give you exercises to " retrain" your ears, which basically involve moving your head side to side and up and down every day. And tell yourself this will pass. It will, at some point. Just hang in there!

I could have written your post. Had the same symptoms since December 2024 after a nasty bout of some virus or other-my ears were making bubbling noises at the time. Left with vertigo for months on end - saw GP after 3 months and she said my Earsdon looked fine - but BP dropped upon standing, so she sent me down the Syncope clinic route - all normal. I've always had low BP. Been back about 3 times to GP now and finally referred to ENT-the falling sensation is horrible. I've just had a big 'whoosh' of it as I typed this post -moving my eyeballs seems to cause it. The syncope clinic tried the Epley Manouvre but that made no difference either. I feel nauseous when reading text and I'm also really fed up, so following. Sorry you are feeling this crap, OP-I empathise.

Vestibular rehabilitation exercises saved me when I had inner ear issues. You can Google them. Took about three months to resolve completely but three years on still have the tinnitus.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/persistent-postural-perceptual-dizziness

pppd.
you start doing less because of the dizziness etc and then it’s a vicious circle because your ears don’t rebalance, so you feel worse and do less, and then the symptoms get worse and so on.
It's a recognised thing, it’s not in your head, however you have to force yourself to act more normally rather than giving in to it and doing less. Combined with exercises, it does work.

Thank you all for your responses. I'm seeing the ENT privately next week so I'll update again. My GP also thinks I may have issues with my eustachian tubes which can also causes dizziness, tinnitus and nausea. It seems there's a lot that can go wrong in that area. PPPD seems to fit in too

Also, for those who have had the same issue. Did it trigger anxiety? Seem to have become super nervous since this all started.
Thanks again.

How are you doing today?

Anxiety - omg yes. I've never had anxiety. But when I lost hearing suddenly and developed pulsing variable tinnitus it has thrown me into a very anxious loop I'm still struggling with. It's really truly a horrible thing. Ears and ear disorders and how they can affect your life are vastly downplayed and I don't know why.

Still much the same unfortunately but will take on board all the advice. I'm not sure I'll even get a diagnosis from the ENT without more tests etc