I was diagnosed with viral labyrinthitis about 3 years ago. I've had good days and bad but I can honestly say I don't think my inner ear problems will ever fully go away.

Well I was diagnosed with mono about a month ago. I felt awful, but it didn't seem to last very long. Now that I am feeling better, I am extremely dizzy! I haven't been this bad in 3 years! I can feel a lot of fluid and tinnitus in the same ear where the first virus occured.

do you guys think I should just do my vesibular rehab exercises or should I got to the doctor? I can feel tons of fluid in the affected ear, but the doctor rarely ever has any good solutions aside from exercises.

Basically I'm not sure if the dizziness is caused by the mono or if it's caused by the extreme inactivity. Since I've been sick I have not gone to the gym or gone outside very much.

Hi Loralei,
So sorry you've been sick and that you find yourself back in the old familiar dizzy neighborhood. I'm no expert, but I'm wondering if once we've had the vestibular insult (whether labs, VN, etc.), the damage is always there. And any stress on our bodies, esp. coupled with the inactivity you mentioned, causes a decompensation.....

I know that I have experienced that myself 2 years into this. Whether physical stress (such as an illness) or mental stress, I always notice my symptoms worsen. Even when I feel great, if I am inactive for very long (so busy at work that I don't have time for much physical activity), I always see an increase in my vest. symptoms. I've come to the conclusion that I simply cannot stop moving!

Just wanted to add my 2 cents, and hope you're feeling better soon. I think that's what I would do if I were you - get some of those old VRTs out, and try to get physically active as soon as you can. I'm betting you'll begin to feel better quickly! Remember, you've already seen that your brain has learned how to compensate. I think you just need to "jump start" it to remind it again of what it needs to do!

Take care!