lisa2211

Hi
This is the first time I have posted a message on this site, or any for that matter!
In desperation for answers to my symptoms I found this site and your story by chance and cried all the way through reading it.. I dont know if I was elated to find fellow sufferers or sad to know that so many others suffer, without diagnosis, these dibilitating symptoms. At least I no longer feel like a complete hypochondriac basket case!
My story? I am 40 years old and have suffered with my ears since childhood,recurrent infections,tinitus and poor hearing. After many years of pain and treatments I had an infection so severe that I ended up having major surgery, a partial mastoidectomy,(basically they cut into the back of my ear and drilled and sucked out all of the infected tissue from the bones in the mastiod cavity in the inner ear).
My recovery was slow and painful and I was left with even poorer hearing, ongoing dizziness and a very dodgy looking shaved head on one side!! Needless to say I didnt go out much for several months.
Then after a few more years of regular hospital visits for treatment for infections, dizziness and wobbly vision I was told,after exploritory surgery,that there was an infected mass in the mastoid cavity and I needed a total mastoidectomy. I had the surgery,the stitches,the pain the shaved head and the rehab physio all over again, nice!
Since then I have lived with symptoms on a daily basis. Last year I woke up and couldnt get out of bed, as I sat up the whole room seemed to spin and I felt sick,this went on and worsend over the next few days,I saw my GP who diagnosed suspected Meniers Syndrome,got anti biotics and travel sickness tabs these had little effect and the symptoms got worse,I became more scared and convinced it was serious. I was eventually referred to ENT for all the tests and was told I had BPPV and given excercises. The 'episode' as I now understand it, lasted several weeks and was horrible. I had dizziness, nausea, flickering vision,sinus pain,congestion,headaches and pain behind my eyes. I seemed to live on pain killers,sudafed and Diazipam. I rarely went out, couldnt drive, which meant I couldnt work as I am a driving instructor, and became very depressed as there seemed to be few answers, little help and no cure. I have since had two more episodes in the last year each lasting several weeks I have had many consultations and more symptoms including neck pain, hearing loss and joint pain. The most recent diagnosis was Laberynthitis and I am now taking Betahistine Hydrochloride. I too have tried many avenues for help,pain relief and diagnosis. I have seen chiropractors had massage and physio, I've been referred to neurology, rheumatolgy and ent, and I've had bone scans, CT and MRI and still nothing is conclusive! So until I can find a genious doctor and a cast iron diagnosis with a miracle cure this is me sitting/laying here living day to day as best I can. x
Yours wobbly and forgetful
lisa2211