Is it Labyrinthitis? - Inner Ear Disorders Message Board

Mica09 · 01-10-2003, 07:42 AM

I've posted here a long time ago and since then I still feel the same. The last doctor (neurologist) that I saw told me that I had recuring Labyrinthitis. I would like your opinion, here is my story.

I've been dizzy (not the spinning type) 24 hours a day, 7 day a week for the past 15 months. The first symptom that I had was a feeling that I was walking on a very mild slant (feeling pulled to one side) but never lost my balance. After about a week of that the dizziness started.

Symptoms:

I could describe my dizziness as sometimes being borderline vertigo. There is no spinning more like a mild wax and wane type of feeling.

I sometime have periods were I feel more unsteady or being pulled to one side, but I always walk in a straight line. My balance feels worse in the darkness.

I feel more unsteady or dizzy in a room full of people or full of objects.

At my worst I also can feel my brain (numbness when I move my head) and a fuzzier vision.

I sometime feel pressure or ringing in my ears, but these are mild,last a few seconds and doesn't happen very often.

What bothers me the most is that dizziness that never goes away.

I saw many doctors: ENT, neurlogists, GP's etc.

I had an Xray, CTscan, MRI, multiple blood tests, all negative.

I tried several medication. Nothing helps.

Doctors don't know what I have cause my symptoms are not classic.

A few weeks ago I saw a neurologist that told be that my condition was probably due to recurring Labyrinthis. He said that sometimes when it comes back the symptoms are not as severe (vertigo wise I guess), to hang in there and that the symptoms would eventually go away.

That is very encouraging but it's been 15 months!!!! Do you think Labyrinthitis could last that long??

Emsybobs · 01-10-2003, 10:21 AM

From what I know about the dreaded Labrynthitis (I also have it)your symptoms sound just like mine and do match the typical diagnosis of the ailment. I have had it for 3 mths and it is improving. I also have an off balance feeling, not dizziness as such and crowds make it far worse as does the dark. I had ear popping and ear fullness but it has now gone. My ENT told me L'itis could last for "several months". 15 mths is a long time. Has it got ANY better? Were you on the medication a lot? As medication can hinder the adaption process.

After 3 mths, I have recently found that I now have "good days" as opposed to the dizziness feeling being bad all the time. I am doing exercises given by my ENT. Were you given any?

It does sound like L'itis to me. Maybe you are just unlucky in that it keeps reccurring. I would perhaps see a different specialist. Keep me updated and the best of luck.

Mica09 · 01-10-2003, 10:38 AM

Thank you for your reply.

I don't find that my symptoms have improved that much but I guess I can say I'm more used to them. There is not a day that goes by that I can say I'm symptom free. The dizziness is always there. On medication or off, I feel exactly the same.

What are the exercises you are doing?

Subs30 · 01-10-2003, 10:54 AM

Sounds like "L's" to me on one side--also. I have it--got it about 6 months ago. Some times "L" is followed by BPPV--says some of the medical research. The hyper-link below--is a good(at least as far as I could find) write-up on it all. These guy's(Doc's) located in PA--are not the " Center of Excellence" for this condition--as is Northwestern Univ. How ever it is a good write-up to understand this little understood condition. And yes as you will see from the various medical research--it can last a long time--but only for a few. My guess is like me you got "L" from a virual infection---which led to BPPV--the BPPV will not clear up--until the "L" is gone--but as I say just a guess. (click on it):
[url="http://www.pneuro.com/publications/dizzy/bppv.html"]http://www.pneuro.com/publications/dizzy/bppv.html[/url]

Good Luck

Emsybobs · 01-10-2003, 05:47 PM

They are exercises for Vertigo and being off balance - the main one being moving head sharply to left then centre (whilst holding a finger out infront of you and focussing on the finger when your head is in the centre) then sharply to the right - repeat this all quickly until you feel unsteady. Do it while sitting down.

The explanation above sounds likely. Let me know how you get on.