Hi everyone,

This is my first time on this board. It's been a great resource and comfort knowing I'm not alone. Anyway, I recently had a viral illness that lasted about 2 weeks. Well, once my viral symptoms were gone, I was left with one or two episodes of vertigo and then a feeling of disequilibrium (like I'm out on a boat) and occasional nausea. The only relief I get is when I sleep. I went to the ER for my viral illness because of issues breathing and everything checked out (blood, CT scan from neck down). When I continued to feel poorly I went to a internist twice. He was no help, blood was normal again. I did some research on my own and decided to see an ENT. He did an exam and everything was fine, but said that I could have an inner ear issue from the systemic viral illness I had. He said to wait two weeks and see if the dizziness goes away and if not come back and he would run more tests. Well, I'm about 5 days away from two weeks and I continue to feel the disequilibrium.

-Florescent lights are awful and make it worse
-Nausea
-Certain head movements are bothersome
-Sometimes I feel like a weird vibration in my head when I move around
-Foggy and disconnected from things around me
-Difficulty concentrating
-Anxiety as symptoms worsen (short breathing and lightheadedness)

Can anyone offer any advice or feedback from their experiences as to what this may be? I'm at my wits end! I feel like I'm going crazy.

Thanks!

where in dc are you and who did you see for an ent?

where in dc are you and who did you see for an ent?

Dr. James Piepergerdes with Arlington ENT Associates.

Nan...it sounds like Labs or vestibular neuritis...

Most cases go in 8-10 weeks, for 40% of us though it goes longer. Some believe symptoms can last up to 1-2 years...but for most...that is not the case for most.

I have had, or have most of the symptoms you have. Store lighting is bad for vestibular issues...because the lighting flickers fast...and our eyes are still trying to read the mess up signals from our ear problems. Feeling woozy, funny vision, off when you turn your head, vibration in head feeling...all are signs of an inner ear issue.

If symptoms persist..I would find an ENT that specializes in dizzy patients.

Nan...it sounds like Labs or vestibular neuritis...

Most cases go in 8-10 weeks, for 40% of us though it goes longer. Some believe symptoms can last up to 1-2 years...but for most...that is not the case for most.

I have had, or have most of the symptoms you have. Store lighting is bad for vestibular issues...because the lighting flickers fast...and our eyes are still trying to read the mess up signals from our ear problems. Feeling woozy, funny vision, off when you turn your head, vibration in head feeling...all are signs of an inner ear issue.

If symptoms persist..I would find an ENT that specializes in dizzy patients.

Thanks Charlotte. I've been reading that it's best to keep up with your normal routine, but I'm struggling. Every time I go out in public and feel this way, I panic and it just makes it worse. Any advice on the best way to deal with this? Are there any vitamins/supplements I can take to help? My ENT recommended Meclizine, but it makes me so loopy/drowsy. Has anyone tried acupuncture? I haven't even been to work in weeks because I cannot drive and the (again) lighting makes it rough.

You can try 1/2 the dose of meclizine...that seemed to work for me. Also, some say ginko helps with the dizzys.

I just threw myself into it...

I am still dealing with some symptoms after 4 1/2 months...it does take time for some.

agree, sounds like vn or labs, the vibration in the head, can you try to describe it a bit better....
i live in springfield and saw a ton of local drs.....all idiots! my diagnoses finally came from dr poe in boston and dr sismanis in richmond.....if you go for a second opinion, consider richmond

You can try 1/2 the dose of meclizine...that seemed to work for me. Also, some say ginko helps with the dizzys.

I just threw myself into it...

I am still dealing with some symptoms after 4 1/2 months...it does take time for some.

Thanks Charolotte, it does help to know that I'm not alone in dealing with this. I am so sorry that it has been months for you. I had read that ginko works for some. I'm willing to try anything.

agree, sounds like vn or labs, the vibration in the head, can you try to describe it a bit better....
i live in springfield and saw a ton of local drs.....all idiots! my diagnoses finally came from dr poe in boston and dr sismanis in richmond.....if you go for a second opinion, consider richmond

Thanks Lib, my goodness, all those doctors and they couldn't figure it out! Why is this so tough to diagnose? More about the vibrations in my head, it's moreso when I move. When I walk, if I were to step down hard, that's when it occurs. However the feeling of imbalance/"being off" seems to never turn off. I feel like I'm constantly out at sea. Even just sitting here typing this. I've also noticed that mornings are easier than evenings. Odd. I will add this, my hearing has not been affected, so if I had not done any research on the inner ear I would have not thought to seek out an ENT.