labyrithitis

[starfishdisco]

Hi this virus hit me on september 14th 2011, But I had experienced a few dizzy moments before this date, To date i still get the odd dizzy moment that only lasts a few seconds and still get moments of being off balance, Is it true that residual symptoms can last for months even years afterwards? Also what are the chances of getting this virus again?  During this time should I cut out any foods etc that may bring on the dizzies?

Thank you x

[Londres70]

Hey.......happy to hear from you.

So sorry to hear you are having problems again dear.  

PM me.

[starfishdisco]

Hi how are you getting on these days? I have been quite dizzy, off balance, feel nauseous and get that motion feeling like in a very rocky boat for the past week :-/ unsure if I have been hit with this virus again or if it's my brain needing retrained?? It's difficult to tell :-/ hope you are doing well :) xx

[Londres70]

Hey dear.  :<)

Yes, that's pretty much true about this never really 100% subsides; your brain just learns to compensate.  

I am not doing too bad.  I can't complain because I am able to work and do my hobbies, so I feel fortunate for that.  2 1/2 years ago I was a mess when all this first started.  

How's the little one?  Are you able to take care of him?

[starfishdisco]

Hay love, no sadly not 100% it does still affect me but not as much/often :) Ive been told once you have this it never really leaves you :( that news was pretty crap but atleast it's not constant x how have you been lately x not been on much lately has had a lot going on x

[Londres70]

Are you 100% again?  Thank goodness someone is.  I am still battling this but not so frequently.  

I am so happy for you dear.  

[starfishdisco]

Hay so glad you are doing fine now :) I am finally over it thank goodness, so that took a total of 6 months eek but do glad I'm finally over it xx

[Londres70]

Well....to be perfectly honest, you shouldn't be drinking alcohol with this condition.  I would avoid it entirely.  Then, the lying around saturday and sunday added to the situation.  

I seem to be doing ok for now.  

[starfishdisco]

Hi :o)  

I went on a night out on Friday and drank a bit too much, saturday I lay all day I could move my body hurt so much and then again on suday just laid about mostly and now past few days been having the dizzy head, the dizzies only last a few seconds but had quite a few during the day at work on Tuesday, Monday I only had maybe 2 :o(  So annoying, I dont know what brought it on, Do you think it was possibly cause I didint move much on sat and sunday and also I was tired monday and tuesday from my little boy not going to bed till about midnight!! Nightmare lol hope your doing good xx

[Londres70]

Yes, I can't imagine not having anyone to help if you are experiencing this terrible condition.  Thank God for my husband.  

I noticed my energy level is actually returning slowly.  I am able to work, work out, etc. and feel "normal."  The first year dealing with this was the worst; my energy level was awful.  

Are you feeling any better dear?

[starfishdisco]

Sorry lol when I say shattered I mean very very tired :o) Yeah Im very lucky they all helped out I don't know what I would have done otherwise :oO I read on the internet a poor lady who had this and has 3 kids and no one to help :o( very sad x

[Londres70]

Oh my goodness, I couldn't imagine having a little one to take care of with this.......I feel bad for you.  Good thing you have others to help you though.  

I tend to stay very active, but occasionally, if I am sitting too long throughout the day I will notice I get that "unbalanced" feeling briefly.  I still have problems walking up and down stairs; sometimes it feels as if the stairwell is swaying.  

I am not sure what you mean by "shattered."  

[starfishdisco]

I really hops so too, I had a few funny moments yesterday but I feel the unbalanced-ness and wee dizzy moments come on when I am shattered are you the same?  Ive been quite bad and not been doing my exercises, but will really try and make sure I do them, just got a lot on the now, but thats not an excuse.

Im so glad your husband has been really helpful for you, you def need someone with this virus, I luckily had my fiance, sister, mum and dad to help me look after my wee boy as for about 3 weeks I couldnt be around him as his running and jumping made me dizzy it broke my heart hearing him play and not being able to go join him, Im making up for lost time now though :o) x

[Londres70]

Yes, terrible indeed.  I wouldn't wish this on anyone to suffer through.  It took me a while to get properly diagnosed.  

I hope you and I fully recover soon.  We deserve it, don't you think?  

I am a "tough cookie" so I just keep pressing on.  

My husband has been AMAZING through all this.  He is truly my rock.  

[starfishdisco]

Goodness me its terrible that they wrongly diagnosed u when all you needed was exercises to do, Im glad u finally got the correct diagnosis. Hopefully you'll fully recover v soon

[Londres70]

Not a 100% sure about that, but I don't think so. So little is known about inner ear disorders.  

The first physician, who was a GP, stated "Oh, this is Labyrinthitis and this should go away in 2-3 weeks.  Well, when it didn't, I consulted two ENT Specialists.  One stated "possible Meniere's" and the other stated it was indeed Meniere's.  Well, in the end, they both were wrong.  My last consult was with a Neurologist and he concluded that I had Unresolved Labyrinthitis and gave me the exercises to do and told me to take NO medication.  The GP and Neurologist were correct.  

The med I did take helped, however, it prolongs the brain's compensation to this awful crap.  

[starfishdisco]

Thats good that you keeping active, I know the feeling of uneven ground or bouncy ground. Do you know if us having this virus makes us more prone to developing menieres disease?

[Londres70]

I have been doing the exercises since 2011, but I also stay moving with exercising and work.  I jog with my dogs and hubby almost everyday.  I feel great moving, but I still get symptoms when I am walking on uneven ground, stairs or sometimes when I am completely still (laying or sitting).  It has been a LONG road to say the least.  

[starfishdisco]

It is indeed :-/ I also got exercises to do only just started them last week so hopefully they do the trick, how long have you been doing your exercises for? I have a friend who had this at 17 and again 4 years later but she just kept pushing herself and didnt rest the 2nd time that it went into her nervous system :-( shes been dealing with it for years now, but finally can c light at the end of the tunnel x

[Londres70]

At first I was told to take tablets and rest and now its taken forever to beat this crap.  I didn't rest that much, but I sure took the meds religiously until I consulted a Neurologist and he told me DON'T DO THAT.  That was after a couple of years of taking medication on and off.  The medication did help me a bit, but apparently it is not good for your brain and compensation in regards to the damage that was done.  

MAKE SURE YOU MOVE AND TAKE NO MEDICATION.  The Neurologist that CORRECTLY diagnosed me told me that.  He also gave me vestibular exercises to do.  

I tell you this is some crap, but I keep pressing on.  

[starfishdisco]

Oh dear thats horrible, especially you being on the mend then getting hit with it again :o(  Ive taken so long to get better because I stayed mainly in my bed for about 5 weeks and only just found out afterwards that you should try and get up and move about as much as possible after the first few weeks to get your brain compansating for the damage, also I took the tablets for about 4 weeks and got told also afterwards that taking them stops the brain compansating as quickly,,, shame the warnings were afterwards, atleast if I get hit with it again I'll be more knowing and not try and not move all the time :o/

[Londres70]

I had my first bout in August 15, 2009-August 25, 2009.  Then, I was on the mend and felt better.  I was told this was a virus affecting my inner ear and it would be "cured" shortly.  Two weeks went by and I was better; about 90% better.  Then, again, wham, down again.  The second time......uggg!!!! The second time really did some serious damage and I have NEVER felt 100% me since then.  I have learned to live with the damage I have been left with and cope.  

I saw an ENT Specialist and a Neurologist.  The Neurologist was actually more helpful though.  

Not having your sense of balance at all times is down right awful.  

[starfishdisco]

Hi thank you so much for your reply, I hope u fully recover soon, did u get hit again with this virus or are the problems just from the first time? Gawd neither would i, the doctor said I had it mild but I dnt feel it was mild although I was never sick with it but felt nauseas alot :-( did u go to an ent specialist? They cld check if u have any damage from the virus. I really hope both of us neva hv it again <3 x

[Londres70]

Yes, it is very true you can have residual symptoms after the actual infection is gone; I am living proof.  Was very ill with Labyrinthitis in 2009 and still have problems.  

Your chances of this infection reoccuring is about 50%.  

I noticed that caffeine or anything caffeinated, too much sugar or salt bring brief episodes of dizziness on.  Oh, yes, also a lack of sleep is NOT good.  

I also took tablets for about 2 years; they helped some. I did do some vestibular exercises given to me by a Neurologist.  

I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.