things are different this time...(labyrinthitis) - Inner Ear Disorders Message Board

iceprincess777 · 10-19-2002, 11:56 AM

Hi guys,
I posted a couple days ago.

Is anyone out there??

Anyway, last time I had labyrinthitis, I spent a month or so on Antivert, & doing boring balance exercises.
It took a long time for me to get better.
This time I took the advice of a doctor at my walk-in clinic.
He said not to take the Antivert or anything, because it would delay the process of my brain compensating.
It has been very tough, lots of nausea, but it seems to be helping already.
He said the balance exercises are very boring, so people don't stick with them. He suggested trying video games for gaze stabilization, and sports like golf, and touch football, and Yoga for balance.
At first I thought he was nuts, because I assumed I'd puke my guts up, but I have been keeping VERY active the past fews days, and I am almost 100% better.

He said the absolute worst thing I could do would be to medicate myself. Even though when I wake up first thing in the morning and feel super dizzy, I force myself to go for a long walk and pass the football with my husband. Not only has it helped my emotional well being, but it is really speeding my recovery.

Just thought I'd share my recovery with anyone who is on the same boat.

Take care, Iceprincess

Emsybobs · 11-23-2002, 05:21 PM

Hi Iceprincess...I have also heard that taking medication for VL can stop your balance mehanism compensating and adjusting to the problem. I asked my Doc who said there is no research in the area as yet. MY VL isn't too severe but ongoing and highly annoying and I have also resisted any medication. Can I ask howlong it took for you to get over VL the first time you had it? I've now had it for 6 weeks. Does it reoccur and when? After a cold? Thanks.

stagger · 01-17-2003, 08:34 AM

Hello Iceprincess

Just wanted you to know how positive I found your letter. I passed it on to my daughter who lives in Melbourne. Yesterday she flew to Adelaide to see a doctor that she had heard would be able to help her with her dizziness. She has been told to exercise as much as possible but not overdo it. My daughter tries to stay off her medication as much as possible but if you can't function at work then you have no option but to take the medication. Anyway, I am happy to say that my daughter is feeling a bit more positive about the whole thing and believes that she is going to get better.
In case you are interested, my daughter told the doctor that she grinds her teeth and she was told that there is a connection between the nerves in the ear and the jaw. While my daughter definitely had an inner ear virus which left her with a damaged nerve, it is a possibility that the grinding of the teeth will perhaps aggravate this complaint. So, this now becomes a dentistry problem!

a concerned "mom"

Emsybobs · 01-17-2003, 10:21 AM

Like what happened with IcePrincess, it is usually the first bout of L'itis that can last a long time but if it re-ccurs, then it doesnt last as long generally. At least this is what I am hoping!