inner ear...maybe someone can help me - Inner Ear Disorders Message Board

animallover05 · 04-18-2005, 05:50 PM

I have been reading alot of the post, and it sounds like inner ear is my problem. I went to the Doc last Friday and he told me that I had classic symptoms of an inner ear problem. Here is a list of the symptoms, please tell me what you think.

Dizziness(I'll be standing still and everything around me looks like it is still moving)
ear pain in right and left ear
ringing in both ears

Also, I would like to know if chewing gum could aggravate the problem.
and also stress?

unadventurous · 04-19-2005, 11:10 AM

Hi animallover,
It does sound a lot like an inner ear problem. I have not had the pain, but I do have the type of dizziness you describe and I used to have the ringing, I've been diagnosed with vestibular neuronitis.

Stress can definitely make symptoms worse, as I'm sure you've noticed on this board... the anxiety can sure take it's toll.

Chewing gum might make things worse if TMJ is the problem, and there are some people on this board who have a lot of info on that. I know that when I went to see my second ENT he said that TMJ could be a reason for some of my symptoms and he gave me some massage techniques and exercises to help out the tension in my jaw. I also went to a dentist who confirmed that I grind/clench my teeth... she told me I shouldn't chew gum for long periods of time.

Seems like your next step would be the neurotologist, since your doctor seems to think you have the classic symptoms of an inner ear problem maybe he can give you a referral.
best,
Cori

animallover05 · 04-19-2005, 11:10 PM

Dear unadventerous,

Thanks so much for replying. I know it probably sounded kinda crazy that I would ask everyone else about all this, especially since I have been to the doctor, but still it helps to find someone dealing with the same problems. I would like to know if this stuff can come and go at just any time, because sometimes it might be the middle of the day before the symptoms begin. I am taking antivert for the problem and it helps some. Are you on any medication? Again any and all info on this stuff is greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch.

unadventurous · 04-20-2005, 10:58 AM

hi again!
It's not crazy to ask about any of this stuff, I've found more information and support on this board than from any doctor I've seen, so ask away, that's what this board is here for!
My dizziness was pretty constant, but it's different for everyone, so it could come and go. There are certain times of the day and different locations where I feel an increase in symptoms...
I was taking antivert when all of this started, it helped a little, but never got rid of my symptoms completely. I decided that antivert wasn't the best thing for me for two reasons; it made me really tired, like I couldn't function tired, and I discussed with my acupuncturist and read on this board that taking meds to decrease symptoms doesn't help you compensate as quickly. If your brain doesn't realize there's a problem it takes it longer to figure out how to work around the problem. I'm not saying that the antivert or any drugs I took weren't helpful to get me through the worst of times, because I certainly used them when I felt like I had to, but I didn't want to have to rely on the meds forever. Vestibular rehab has done wonders for me, more than any drug ever did.
Have you seen an ENT or looked into seeing a neurotologist yet?
- cori