labyrinthitis versus Mal de Debarquement - Inner Ear Disorders Message Board

Jules00 · 05-17-2003, 10:07 AM

Hi all, what a great forum this is! Thanks for being here.

I am in the intial stages of trying to obtain a diagnosis for what's going on with me, and I'm wondering if any of you out there have experienced the same or similar sensations as I am experiencing...

My troubles started about a month and half ago with some troublesome ear/sinus congestion. I took some OTC decongestion meds, and they seemed to work okay in terms of clearing out the blocked feeling in my ears. Then, about a week ago, I woke up feeling slightly off-balance....actually, more like a constant "rocking" sensation. I experience this sensation 24/7, whether I am sitting or lying down, or standing up/walking. There is very little change in the feeling (i.e. I feel pretty much the same no matter what position my head or body is in), and unlike some of you here, I don't feel sick nor light-headed nor is my hearing affected in any way. I never feel like I'm spinning (i.e. I haven't gotten spinning vertigo)--it's just this rocking/slight up-and-down feeling. It feels *exactly* as though I am on a boat, actually. And oddly enough, the sensation greatly reduces whenever I ride or drive in a car.

I went to the doctor a few days ago (after I realized it wasn't just a tempoary issue brought on by stress or whatever), and he speculated that it is probably labyrinthitis, although he sent me for the usual battery of tests to rule out more serious conditions (I won't get those back for about a week).

Since the doc mentionoined labryinthitis, I have been searching for info on it online. Somehow, though, my symptoms don't seem to be typical or classic of Labryinthitis (gosh that's hard to spell! haha). Or maybe they are, I don't know...(?)

What's kind of freaking me out is that my symptoms seem to match this rare disorder called "Mal De Debarquement" (or MDD) better than they do labryinthitis. From the little info I could find on MDD, sufferers seem to have this problem for YEARS and YEARS....(sometimes 15 or 20 years!), and there is no cure nor any real treatment for it. Needless to say, the idea that I might have MDD is rather worrying. The only thing is, MDD sufferers almost always first experience their symptoms after being on a boat cruise or an airplane. I haven't been on a boat or a plane in months...however, I was in the process of moving from the 15th floor of my apartment building to the 17th floor (via the elevator--with its up and down movement) just before this feeling started. That may sound silly, but I was going up and down and up and down on the elevator for literally hours, carrying my stuff from my old apartment to my new one.

At any rate (sorry for rambling!), my question is this (besides asking if anyone else has experienced similar symtoms to mine): Is there a relatively sure-fire way to test for Labyrinthitis? As I said before, the doc I saw just seemed to be speculating, and I would like to have a firmer diagnosis so I can possibly stop worrying that I have the rarer/weirder (and seemingly much longer-lasting) MDD disorder.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[This message has been edited by Jules00 (edited 05-17-2003).]

MSG41 · 05-17-2003, 10:27 AM

Jules, if you find an answer to this question, please let us all know, because I am wondering the same thing. Also, if you find a doctor who says 'I just don't know' let us in on that too. Seriously, the problem is that you can't go into the inner ear to check things because it is so small and delicate. Inner ear problems frequently resolve themselves also, and of course no one wants to 'hear' that. People have done post mortems on menieres sufferers, with mixed results. My impression was its caused by a number of unrelated things. Good info on the ear I have found hard to come by. I never heard of that other thing.

Emsybobs · 05-17-2003, 10:37 AM

I agree with MSG, I would love to hear of a test to be sure of L'itis but I doubt there is one.

My symptoms are also v simlar to MDD (L'itis symptoms can be) but mine is much worse with head movements. I also didnt go on a plane or boat. Anythingto do with pressure, for example, a lift could cause ear problems as the inner ear is so delicate. More research needs to be done into inner ear stuff I think! I very much doubt you can get MDD without going on a ferry/plane. Let us know if you find out any answers. xxx

Emsybobs · 05-17-2003, 10:39 AM

Also, I dont think MDD presents sinus problems too, as it is not like an infection. I am about to search the internet and check on this now! xxx

Jules00 · 05-17-2003, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Emsybobs:
I agree with MSG, I would love to hear of a test to be sure of L'itis but I doubt there is one.

My symptoms are also v simlar to MDD (L'itis symptoms can be)

Hi Emsybobs...so, Labryinthitis symptoms *can* be similar to MDD? That's interesting to know...I wonder what differentiates the two disorders, besides the suspected causes?

MSG: If I find a doc who says "I don't know" I will surely pass his/her name along..(although I wouldn't hold your breath..haha).

Even if there are no definitive tests for Labryinthitis, then what are the more common ones docs do? I want to be sure to ask the doc to do them the next time I go.

Thanks so much for your replies.
p.s. Emsybobs...my sinus troubles were pretty much gone by the time this rocking sensation started (just to help you with your internet search).