I found this board about a month and a half ago. It has truly been a blessing. After seeing a handful of doctors and getting tested and scanned for what I thought was just about everything and finding nothing, I stumbled on to things that I never knew about, could not have imagined, and some that I have been experiencing myself. An overview of the past 9 mos:
One day I was just sitting down and my ears popped. They have been crackling and popping with swallowing and yawning ever since.I feel "off" sometimes a little disoriented the degree varies from day to day. For about 6 or 7 mos I had a constant headache. The first few mos I was feverish on and off (low grade).About 3 mos in, I got my first swollen gland behind my left ear. The fatigue was getting worse. I put up with these symptoms for a semster of college before I could not take it anymore. I had one dizzy spell when I was home for Thanksgiving in November, I was at a red light and all of the sudden the gas station in front of me started spinning. I freaked, of course. I came home for x-mas break and told my parents I wasn't going back. At that point I had been treated numerous times for a "sinus infection" yeah I didn't have one obviously, and had sinus x-rays. Everyone kept saying "there doesn't appear to be anything wrong", but there definitely was ( I know you all can relate). I was pale for a month straight, into February. Then I started getting my color back. For about 2 mos I did nothing but sleep at night and lay on the couch all day. I felt so lousy. Slowly, I started doing more things. The anxiety itself did a number on me for the past 9 mos. My symptoms were magnified and I experienced everything from heartburn, chest pain, paplatations, to sleepless nights and severe headaches. In the middle of an emotional breakdown I found this site. NO ONE had EVER mentioned labyrinthitis to me. The last doctor I saw told me that I might have had some eustachian tube dysfunction but no big deal...NO BIG DEAL??? He didn't know what was going on, concluded that I had an anxiety problem, and neglected to refer me to someone who could have helped me. I believe that I have a very mild case of viral labyrinthitis. I have improved very slowly but am now seeing the difference. I started eating garlic everyday ( I am on my 2nd week) and have felt the best these past days in 9 MONTHS! I bought Dr. Carol Weekes book "Hope and Help for Your Nerves" and am doing well in controlling my anxiety. If any of you are religious, try praying to St. Jude, he does the impossible. I have hope, and my prayers are with you all. Thanks for being there, and Good Luck!!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif -Gwen

Hi, I also have mild L'itis and have had it for 7 mths now. Also taking Garlic supplements (must have ALLICIN in) and they have kept bugs at bay. I have also had the viral symptoms you describe but they have lessened now. can you describe your dizziness? Is it worse in crowded places? xxx

Emsybobs,

The dizziness is more like I feel as though I am in a dream world rather than the spinning kind. I only had one the spinning dizziness once, Thank God...I do think it is worse in crowded places, I feel so much better when I am home.

Sound just like my dizziness...am approaching the 7 mth mark - it goes on for such a long time doesnt it?! xxx

I must say that I just found this web-site and it has been a godsend. I've spent the last six weeks thinking that I'm going crazy. Although I got a diagnosis of labrynthitis early on in the process, I still feel like people think I'm crazy. No one really understands what it's like to have a low-grade headache, motion sickness, and nausea every single day, hour after hour. I'm wiped out, I'm sweating all the time.

Thanks for your words of encouragement. It's just nice to know that there are others out there that "feel my pain."

hfulfrost, you have certainly come to the right place, this board is really great. Emsybobs, what kind of doctor diagnosed your mild lab. and how did it all first start for you? Another thing, how do you talk about it with people (friends etc.) I seriously think that a lot of mine think that I am nuts by now...this is such a strange illness!!!! GO AWAY ALREADY - Gwen

Gwen151,

I can't help but talk about it all the time! I know you understand. It's taken over my life. My co-workers are empathetic, but I think that they are getting tired of hearing me tell them that I have motion sickness 24/7. The Vestibular Disorders Association has a video that's supposed to help friends and family understand what we're going through. I'm thinking about buying it. I'll let you know what I think.

Whenever I am feeling really weird, I try to come to this board because just reading about other peoples symptoms helps a lot. Its so funny how fast your life can be turned upside down. Mine started a week before I was starting college, 3 hrs away from home...It was a nightmare being up there and having to deal with this alone. So now here I am not really in school at all. I am now no longer trying to go back to the school 3 hrs away, instead I am transferring to one in my city but in order to do so I have to take some math class somewhere else during the summer...how many colleges can I go to in one year??? This year has been an unbelievable learning experience on top of everything else...IF YOU HAVE YOUR HEALTH THEN BE HAPPY~*G*

Hi Gwen, I first went to about 3 doctors who diagnosed L'itis. The 3rd Doc then referred me to an ENT who confirmed L'itis. He said L'itis can start gradually, it just means the damage is less severe.

The past 7 mths have been a nightmare to be honest, at first I talked about it all the time, I couldnt hide it from people. People dont understand that you can have it so long so they now presume I am fine or make me feel weird for still having it. I dont even understand how I can have it for so long! It is all v tough, I just want an end to it. xxx

I'm talking about it all the time, too! It really takes over your life. I can't think about anything else. All that I want is to feel better. I try to stay positive (especially at work), but it's so, so difficult when you have constant nausea, dizziness, and motion sickness.

I, too, have found a sense of belonging here. I'm checking the website at least 2-3 times a day, just to read what everyone has to say. (So thank you all for visiting the website and letting us know about your stories!)