Labyrinthitis

Elenkalubleton I am suffering badly with Vertigo at the moment which I believe has the same symptoms as labyrinthitis. This is the second time in the last couple of weeks and the dizziness and feelings of nausea are horrendous. I also have tablets for the dizziness but I don't feel they are having any effect.

Some years ago there was a big fuss in the papers about somebody getting sick pay for being "Dizzy" lots of shock, horror in the Daily Mail of course. Anne Widdecombe wrote a very good article about her experience with Labyrinthitis, explaining how totally debilitating it is and how long it lasts. She pointed out that it is very difficult for someone to go to work if they can't get on a bus or walk down the street without throwing up. She made it very clear that "Dizzy" isn't anything like as minor as it sounds.

I too had it, it was truly awful. I couldn't stand up, without falling over. I ended up crawling on my hands and knees to get to the loo.
It did eventually settle down. I was warned that I could have a recurrence, but fortunately it hasn't happened.

Thanks all,just hope it goes soon.?

DH had an attack of labyrinthitis on May 13th. He thought he was having a stroke, very frightening. Still feels dizzy most of the time. Pills and head manoeuvres haven’t helped so far. Seems to last differing times with different people. Good luck Elen.

Yes, I’ve had it too some years ago. I would wake in the night to the room spinning and sometimes had to hold onto the walls to keep upright. It did pass but recurred to lesser and lesser degrees. I haven’t had it for sometime now (fingers crossed) but do find my balance isn’t as good as it used to be.

You have my sympathy. It’s not nice.

You may get some relief if you get a friend to do the Epley Manoeuvre - lots of YouTube videos to choose from. I've known people get considerable relief from this and a GP friend confirms that it can do no harm provided the person doing the manoeuvre supports the head throughout the procedure.

Several years ago I had Labyrinthitis and went deaf in one ear and very much reduced vision in one eye on the same side. I was ill for weeks and it has definitely left me with a list to port, occasional disturbances of vision and occasional mild attacks associated with twisting my neck!! Severe attacks like this are not common I am told. There was no warning I just stood up from the sofa and hit the floor. Hopefully it wont come back again. I hope anyone here who is suffering from this gets some relief from the anti-emetics but you do need to rest as well.

You are right sar, symptoms aRe exactly the same. There are previous posts re this which i have respomded to. i have been a sufferer for about 30odd years, so you all have my sympathy. It is truly awful.
However have been taking betahistamine every day and have not had an attack for over 4 years. Glory glory. Check out the injections with gp, they work instantly.

I believe the Epley manouvre is for the condition where little bits of debris get into the inner ear..it has a long name like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo ...think that's it. Labyrinthitis is different. both are debilitating but usually self limiting

You poor thing, you have all my sympathy. BPPV only lasts up to 15 seconds on moving your head in certain directions or looking up, down, left or right., it sounds more like labyrinthitis, but shouldn't take six weeks, mine is generally bad for only a week, and then starts to ease off over next two weeks. I couldn't take the tablets, make me feel like a zombie, just resign yourself to a few days lying still, and it will go.

I had this many year ago and it is truly awful. I couldn't even drive as my balance was so off and the nausea was awful. It did gradually get better, but it did take me around the 6 weeks for it to go.

I still get it now and again now, usually when I have been ill, but it has never been as bad again as it was the first time.