I just found this site through a search for information on Labrynthitus.
My Dad has this, he first became ill in February this year, and was told it might take a few weeks to clear up. Now we are 6 months on and he has good days and bad days, but the bad days seem to be as bad as they ever were. So is he actually getting better?
As we did not get many straight answers from our GP we have seen private specialists and he has just had an MRI scan which was thankfully clear of anything more sinister, but it all leads us back to the labrynthitus.
So many people tell us "oh, he'll get over it eventually" but will he? is this here for good or is it curable?
I just want people to be honest with me and my family. Whatever this is we will face it together but i think we need to know the long term prognosis, as at the moment, after a few days of feeling well our hopes rise, only to be shattered with a bad spell.
We are so worried for my dad, who is 73 now but always, right up until this year, been so very fit and active, it really destroys us to see him poorly.
You advice and opinions, and experiences, would be very welcome indeed.
Sorry to hear of your Dad's troubles with labyrinthitis. Unfortunately this thing can take quite some time to resolve itself - for some it is weeks and for others 12-24 months or more as chronic compensation occurs.
Have a look at this video which will help you to understand why things are moving so slowly:
i was diagnosed with labyrinthitis 10 months ago, and i have to tell you that I am still dizzy, i have good and bad days, and it is very frustrating. I also want to let you not its not uncommon for a doctor to tell someone to wait it out a few weeks and then months later, the patient is still dizzy. This is because not a whole lot is known about the specifics of inner ear disorders, so they are very difficult to diagnose and treat. Most people on these boards have had their dizziness for months, and some years. It is very discouraging for a doctor to tell you it will clear up in a few weeks and then it just doesnt happen - but that is the story with most people with inner ear problems. It is a long process. I did not even start to feel a little bit better until around the 7 or 8 month mark. I was very active also before I became dizzy - im 22, and very into sports. I just recently started to play softball again, but it is very difficult and i usually get too dizzy to play an entire game, but i am trying very hard. The 'good' and 'bad' days are also common. Most people go back and forth from feeling good to feeling bad again. Just know that inner ear disorders do not hurt anyone physically in any way, although it does make a lot of people feel very badly. Vestibular rehabilitation has helped me tremendously, it is something you may want to look into. It is the only thing that helped me to even be able to walk around again.
It can take a while, and it's not fair that doctors tell you a couple of weeks. Some people recover in a couple of weeks but many take longer. The up and downs are typical with this stuff. It means his brain is compensating and with any learning you slip up until you finally get the hang of it. The brain is the same way. At least that is how I like to think of it. he should definatley see a specialist and see about vestibular rehab. It's good that he is active, and he should try to stay as active as he can but be safe about it. Activity can only help him get better fast, but remember to be safe about what he does and not to push himself. It's a good sign that things are getting better, it will be 1 step forward 2 steps back with this thing, but keep supporting him, it can get better.
Good luck!
