Hi all
I was a frequent visitor to this site a few years ago when I had labyrinthitis. It was a great help and kept me focused. It started in September 1999 and lasted until April 2000. After it completely went away I felt normal until March 2003. On March 15, I got a severe sinus infection, some of the symptoms wont go away. I am going down the same old path of seeing many docs with no help. My symptoms are not as severe. I have a foggy headed feeling that comes and goes. In the begining it was constant. My ears feel full and click alot. My head feels like there is a lot of pressure and it seems to come and go with the weather and the pollen count. My best guess is that the sinus infection has had an effect on my inner ear. Three years ago, the neurologist told me that I most likely had permanent damage and this could happen. Anyone else ever had a recurrance of symptoms?

Hi, I have had l'itis can reccur but this is my first time with it (had it now for 7mths). I think any infection can cause the brain to "decompensate". can I ask what were your symptoms the first time round? Just dizziness? How would you describe the dizzies? You said it took 7 mths, did it completely go at this point? How did it go - suddenly? Did you sometimes think it would never go? Sorry for the questions xxx

Hi,

I'm new and have been suffering with my inner ear problem since March 9. I also came down with a severe sinus infection at the same time. Although I have felt on the mend a few times, I seem to have gotten worse again. I am just as bothered by the sinus problem as anything else. The balance problems are not as bad as they were originally. I will be making return trips to my ENT on Monday and my internal medicine doc on Tuesday. I have seen an otoneurologist twice who sent me to a physical therapist. She has done the Eppley twice, which didn't really help. Anyway, I think it's interesting that someone in Pennsylvania has this sinus problem along with the inner ear problem, just like me (I'm not far away in New Jersey). Maybe there was an epidemic of this bug. I also have a low grade fever and am very, very tired, more tired than before.

Hope the docs have something positive to say this week. So far they all keep saying is it's a virus and will go away... (Did anyone ever get antibiotics for this?)

Marilyn

Hi EMsybobs
I was diagnosed with viral labyrinthitis/ neuronitis. It was the result of a sinus infection that I got in September 1999. For the first few months I felt like my head was in a bubble and everything was out of focus. The more jumbled the space the harder it was for my brain to compensate. I would say it almost completely went away by April 2000. There was not a sudden disappearance of symptoms. Everything gradually got better until I did not notice any more. For months after if I would ride elevators in tall buildings or drive the car for many miles, I would have small attacks that would go away within an hour. Kind of like the feeling you get when you go on rides at the amusement park. Other than that I was what I would call completely healed until March 15 2003. I had a really bad sinus infection that sent me to bed for a week. Since then I have had similar symptoms to my previous experience, but no where near as severe. Things are jumbled when I try to focus on many things at once, driving is not fun. My symptoms seem to be triggered by high pollen counts and weather changes. I saw an ENT who thinks I am nuts, and the next appointment at my neurologist is August 20. I hope to be over this by then.
The one thing I keep remembering is that the neurologist told me that I had permanent damage to my vestibular system and any middle ear infection might do this to me. Small comfort but I am trying to remain positive. I want my life back............again

Hi Marilyn
Sorry to hear you are suffering..
It is a coincidence that you are in NJ and have a similar problem.
The severity of my symptoms is variable. Worse with weather changes, pollen counts and tiredness.
The most important thing is to try to not get depresssed because it makes it worse.
I took antibiotics for the initial infection. I think they worked for that but have no effect on the inner ear. I have been experimenting with decogestants and antihistamines. Ibuprofen is my best friend.
Take Care
Mia

Mia,

I'd be careful with antihistimines and decongestants. I've been told that the longer you take them, the longer the compensation process will take. (I've generally found that benadryl reduces the motion sickness and nausea, but I'm not taking it at the direction of my ENT.)

It's interesting that two people began with sinus infections on March 15, 2003. I think that's when I caught my labrynthitis -- on March 14, 2003. That was my mom's birthday and we went out for dinner. Two weeks later my mother was in the hospital with vertigo and my symptoms began -- severe headache (numbness and pressure in the back of my head), motion sickness, nausea, dizziness, lethargy, and so on.

We live in California, but I think it's a very strange coincidence. Anyway, take care and hope we all feel better real soon.

Thanks for your reply.
I have been trying to limit my drugs unless I really need them. Like when my allergies are so bad that I cannot breathe. Ibuprofen is about the only thing I take regularly. Other than liver damage, is there any long term side effects of it? I still have swishing in my ears almost every day. I don't remember having the swishing before. When the swishing is bad the dizzies are bad.