VIral Illness - CNS and Anxiety

About 5 weeks ago I came down with what has been diagnosed as viral labyrinthitis - low grade fever, equilibrium problems and feelings of being very sick overall.

I have had a past anxiety disorder which was well controlled with lifestyle, exercise and diet. On the third night of this illness I woke up with a full blown panic attack. Since then I have had lots of HPA axis driven symptoms: anxiety, agitation, nightmares, adrenalin rushes, burning skin, face flushes and a return to CNS/anxiety conditions I have not had for over 12 years.

These are not simply a psychological reqaction to illness and are at a very high level.

Is it possible for a viral illness or the immune system to drive the HPA axis (fight-or flight stress reaction)? I have had several viral illness over the years without any CNS involvement. Usually I get over them in a normal course....this on is hanging on forever and with the CNS involvement it is more than frightening and discouraging.

I have had the normal CBC and chemistry panel and all were normal.

Razz

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

There is certainly a possibility of a viral effect on the brain tissue since labyinthitis is so much an extension of neurological tissue.  If so, it is probably self limiting, and anti-anxiety medications can give you temporary symptomatic relief.  If your internist or neurologist also thinks it might be what I am suggesting is possible, ask them about a short course of steroids.

[scotsman9]

Hi Razz,

I just came across your post and was wondering how you are progressing from the anxiety created by labyrinthitis? I am in *exactly* the same boat as you although I never had an anxiety condition in the past. Last August I was literally catapulted into the world of anxiety when I came down with full blown labyrinthitis that day. I'm certainly much better now but continue to have a residual anxiety issue hanging around. Like you there is no psychological process to the symptoms. They just happen. It feels like something (the virus) has turned my CNS upside down. I have been awakened many times in the night with full blown panic attacks in the past too. In January I started taking a low dose SSRI in an attempt to "break" the cycle. I feel pretty good while on this med but anytime I reduce the dose to try and get off, the symptoms start creeping back in again. It's been a very long and tough road for me and hope that this condition will simply run its course and evaporate.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Cheers....Scott