I Wouldn't Wish Labrynthitis on My Worst Enemy - Inner Ear Disorders Message Board

hfulfrost · 05-13-2003, 10:49 PM

I've had constant (i.e., 24 hours, 7 days/week) motion sickness, dizziness, and nausea for about six weeks now. I've just found this website and I'm discouraged to think that I may feel this way for a much longer time.

I was diagnosed with labrynthitis about three weeks ago. I've had motion sickness like this on and off my entire adult life, but it's never stayed for more than a day. This is simply horrendous. It started with that horrible headache (tingly kind of numbness and pressure in the back of my head) and motion sickness. While the headache has subsided, the motion sickness and nausea are still there -- all the time. It's the worst when I look down.

I'm also hot and clammy most of the time and feel very detached from reality (like the women from Scotland who also posted a message today) -- almost like I'm in a dream.

I have a very time-consuming, high stress job; and it's been very difficult to work. I've taken a few days off, and left work early a couple of days. I'm just finding it so hard to function. When I drive (which I realize is not advised), it's a hundred times worse.

The ENT says that it's a virus and I have to let it run its course. He prescribed 2 mg of Valium twice daily. He told me to stop taking any antihistimines or decongestants. (I have taken Zertec D daily, and often take benadryl for the nausea that I've experienced before.) He said that the compensation process will be extended if I take these types of drugs.

I don't like to take the Valium during the day because it knocks me out. I'm going crazy. I stopped my sinus meds and tried accupuncture. That helped for a few days, but then I got a head cold which set me back again. I'm trying sea-bands now, and a homeopathic remedy for motion sickness. Nothing seems to really help the motion sickness and that detached feeling.

Over the last two or three days, I've started to feel pressure (with occasional pain) in my right ear. It's getting worse over time, and I'm worried about hearing loss (which seems to be a problem for some people on the board). I have another ENT appointment this Friday and will ask about it.

I just want to know that I'm not go to suffer like this for a year or more. Is there anything else that I can do to ease the symptoms or speed up the compensation process? HELP!!!!

[This message has been edited by hfulfrost (edited 05-14-2003).]

Miza03 · 05-14-2003, 07:19 AM

Hi Sorry to hear you are suffering.
If you have labyrinthitis you can speed up the compensation process by doing vestibular exercise. They will more than likely make you feel worse at first, but they do work. Check out the VEDA homepage or search for Vestibular Therapy. The first time I had lab I suffered for almost six months, but it did go away. I now have another case, I think. It doesn't seem to be as severe, but the compensation is not occuring as quickly as I would have hoped.
Take Care
M

[This message has been edited by Miza03 (edited 05-14-2003).]

brownjt1 · 05-14-2003, 05:01 PM

hulfrost,
Your symptoms sound almost like mine. Almost constant nausea, 24hrs/day for weeks at a time, with intermittant periods of head fog/ detachment/ dizziness/ off-balance feeling. Mine has been going on for 7 months now (hate to scare you). How bad is your nausea (do you throw-up,etc.) Mine is fairly mild most of the time, but the fact that it goes on and on and on is a real bummer. At first promethazine seemed to clear it right up, but after 2 months it totally stopped working. I find that riding in a car and having an empty stomach make me worse. If I eat a whole bunch of food, my nausea almosts clears up for a few hours. I also was given valium but it doesn't seem to help much (except to put me to sleep). Hopefully you will start to feel better soon. I was put on a 2week course of prednisone which seem to help quite a bit for a while, but unfortunately not completely.

noey · 05-14-2003, 05:44 PM

I know you are discouraged but one thing you have going good for you is your doctor seems to be on the right track. My doc never would refer me to an ENT. I pretty much knew after my own research that I was dealing with l'itis. Mine started last Dec.11 and I just want you to know that as of about 6 weeks ago, I'm 90% better. So it may not go on for a year. I know a lot of people on this board have suffered for a long time but try to stay positive. And I'm sure you have already been told to stay active. This was no problem for me. I am a stay at home mom with two boys. There was no relaxing. I'm convinced that helped speed up the process. It was not easy and it didn't feel good.

Noey

hfulfrost · 05-14-2003, 09:13 PM

brownjt1,

Thanks for your reply. You know what, you are absolutely right -- driving in a car, and having an empty stomach make it much worse! And, when I eat, I feel a little bit better for a short while. (It's just so wonderful to have validation of all of these crazy symptoms!)

My nausea and motion sickness is constant. I have not yet vomited, although I've come close a couple of times (saliva build-up in my mouth). It's horrible, but not to the point of vomiting.

I'm going to be seeing the ENT on Friday and mention the drugs you've tried. I just can imagine living with this for 4-5 more months (or possibly longer).