Continuing Lab problem - Inner Ear Disorders Message Board

MadEddie · 12-04-2003, 06:05 AM

Reading through all the posts here regarding Lab I don't want to scare anyone or take away their positive attitude...but....I have had what has apparently been diagnosed as labyrinthitis for 2 years now. I have not suffered nausea or any such complaints as other people but everything else I feel seems similar to what people are describing.

The doctors seem to know nothing about the condition and offer me very little help or encouragement. I have recently had a panic attack whilst driving and I now seem to (according to the doctor) have fainting attacks. This has only started to happen within the last few weeks but on top of the 2 years suffering with lab is really knocking me down.

Since the doctors can't seem to help I thought I would ask people who have experience of this condition. What kind of things can I expect? I often wonder whether what I feel is to do with lab or perhaps I have something else wrong. Does the lab get better and worse on an hourly basis? does it depend where you are and what you are doing? how bad can it get? what is a typical day? how long have you suffered? Do you get "Attacks"? What odd feelings do you get?

Doctors dont seem interested in answering these questions but it would help me stop worrying about all the odd feelings I get from time to time if anyone could help me understand what to expect so I don't worry.

Thanks in advance.

hbep · 12-04-2003, 07:26 AM

Hello there,

I realise you want answers to your questions, but possibly more helpfully can I ask what doctors haven't been helpful? What type of doctors have you seen? I came up against brick walls until I was seen by a neurotologist - specialists in the ears/brain and most importantly dizziness. They can't necessarily cure you off the bat, but they have a good handle on the condition and can try other treatments for other potential diagnosies if you don't seem to be getting better. I would recommend anyone at all with an ongoing dizziness condition to get themselves under the care of a neuro otologist. If you put 'Which Specialist to See' in to the search engine, that topic explains it.

Also, where are you based, England, USA?

best,

hbep.

MadEddie · 12-04-2003, 08:04 AM

When I initally went to the Docs I was treated for an ear infection with drugs to stop me feeling dizzy and sick. This improved the situation a little but after 2 months the Doctor said it was Migrane related and I should try to relax more. After a further 6 months of repeated vists and being told that is was migranes by several different Doctors, eventually one of them decided to send me to a ENT specialist. That happened a year ago. Is was given a hearing test and numerous balance tests and eventually told it was probably lab and it should clear up in a matter of 2-3months. After waiting 6 months I went back to the Doctors and was prescribed anti-depressants because after having lab for this long I was struggling to be positive. After being on a few varieties of antidepressants I come to where I am now. Though I think I am currently feeling the worse I felt since it started as I seem to be suffering with more than just lab.

I have been refered again to the same ENT specialist but will probably have to wait 4 months or so for the appointment (I haven't got a date yet)

Am in the UK - South Coast - Nr Portsmouth

Emsybobs · 12-04-2003, 12:34 PM

Hi MadEddie.

I feel for you. I've had Lab for 14mths but 2 years must be even worse. I must say I am shocked your ENT hasn not referred you for vestibular rehab. As Hbep says, find yourself a Neurotologist....they are better than most ENT's. I was lucky to find an ENt who specialised in dizziness who gave me the Lab diagnosis which I felt was right for me. But I am due to start rehab soon. Could you list your symptoms? And how it all started? is it worse with colds? My symptoms are not worse hour by hour, I tend to have a good stretch of a week or so then a bad stretch though at the start it was much more up andf down day to day.

xxx

willsmom · 12-04-2003, 02:41 PM

Hi Madeddie,

Welcome to my world also.

I had an acute bout of lab's too over 2 and a half years ago. I am like you still suffering the after effects of it too! drives me nuts. Been round the block with the doctors as well! at one point they infered that I was feeling things as I was stressed I THINK NOT!! So they refered me for tests to the VRT clinic and the poturograph test confirmed a vestibular problem.

I developed BPPV afther the labs so have had the epleys done. This has helped with positional dizzyness but thats about it.

My symptoms are this:

1. Intermitent feelings that either I or the room is shifting - no amount of fidgeting or repositioning myself will left this feeling.
2. Intermitent dizzyness in the head which is in the forehead area and feel quite fizzy.
3. Imbalance when I walk 24/7 of varying intensity - sometimes v mild and other times horrendous
4. Faint feelings that I am on the verge of passing out
5. Like you almost having panic attacks as it drives me nuts and scares me!
6. When feeling dizzy my eyes can feel weird too
7. Things sometimes look like they jump or shift

Hope thats answers your questions - oh I get migraines with auras too!

Ilia xx

What are your symptoms? are they 24/7 do they vary in intensity (YES mine do). The faint one freaks me out majorly and I am afraid to go out in case it happens - no I not agraphobic - I love going out really - just cannot take these symptoms! You are not alone!!