posted 10-17-2001 11:57 PM         

I have had inner ear problems for approximately 4 years now.
It all started as a cold which I had and I went flying and after that my left ear got blocked for many weeks, this eventually cleared up, but since that time I have had problems with my inner ear.

The main problems occur in the morning, I will wake up and my eyes will twitch back and forth, this is accompanied by a feeling of nausea and unsteadiness.. My left ear feels like there is something inside that needs to be removed - partially full feeling.

This may cause a dizzy spell that lasts about 20 seconds in which my eyes twitch rapidly, and I lose all orientation. After the dizzy spell generally the eyes stop twitching.
Eating can sometimes bring this on also.

I had been to many doctors and specialists about this, I have had tubes put in my ears, but this had no-effect.

I get the feeling that my ear specialist has no idea what is wrong and puts me on medication more hoping that it will go away than the medication will help.
This is not going away, it has effected my life in a major way, mornings are a total write-off, and I do not feel 100% at the best of times.

My ears don't ever feel right I can click them, and they are never clear. I am sick of doctors making light of this, and hence I have a very poor opinion of the doctors I see.

I any one has any information, or just wants to chat about ear problems of a similar nature, please email me on covertsquirel@hotmail.com.

Thanks

posted 10-18-2001 07:41 PM         

Thanks for your reply, I have not been diagnosed with anything as yet. I get the feeling that the my ENT has no idea what it is, or thinks I am exaggerating...

posted 10-20-2001 04:28 PM         

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is probably the most common single cause of vertigo in the US. It has been estimated that at least 20% of all patients who present to the physician complaining of vertigo have BPPV. However, because it frequently is misdiagnosed, this figure may not be completely accurate and is probably an underestimation.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is defined as an abnormal sensation of motion that is made worse by certain positions. These positions usually trigger specific eye movements (nystagmus). The character and direction of the nystagmus is specific to the part of the inner ear affected and the pathophysiology.

An easy to understand cause is that in your ear, you have spiral canals that have fluid in them. When you move, the fluid moves also to let you know which way you're going. In BBPV what happens is there are small crystals or deposits in this fluid so when you move, these deposits brush against the hairs in the canal and so may make you fell like you're going a different direction. It sends a wrong nerve signal and causes dizziness/vertigo.

The eye movements you have (Nystagmus) are a classic symptom of BPPV.

The good news is--there is a cure It's called Canalith Repositioning. It has a 95% success rate.
What it does is that you sit and lay and turn into certain positions so that the deposits in your ear, rotate around in the canal until they are out of there into a part of your ear that doesn't matter. Your doctor can do this.

posted 10-24-2001 12:05 AM         

I found a good artical about BPPV with I found helpful..
http://www.tchain.com/otoneurology/disorders/bppv/bppv.html

Thanks for suggesting this may be the problem.