Sharp Blue: Labyrinthitis Comments, page 8

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1. Comment by Rich (not Baker) on March 19, 2007 4:09 AM permalink

Hi all, I have been a Labs sufferer for 3 years at least now and have posted in the past. I had gotten 90% better and have been this way for the past 3 years but not 100% better. My ENT is of the belief that I might just have to live with it. However, I am of the belief that there is still a virus in my body that is causing this. This week I started taking Lomatium Dissectum caplets. I am noticing a difference for the better. Will keep the group posted on its results for me. (please make sure you read about it and its allergies before anyone tries it)

2. Comment by chris on March 19, 2007 9:08 AM permalink

hey guys. its been 18 months for me....crazy i know! im doing alot better although i still have mild dizziness and swaying feeling alot. nothing nearly as bad as it was but i just can't kick this thing. i heard its an average of 2 years to recovery....i hope thats somewhat right.

i was dx'ed with right inner ear weakness....told i would be well in 3 weeks....haha yeah right. i do have alot of good moments though but this is a very slow recovery for such a crappy illness

3. Comment by mac on March 20, 2007 8:51 AM permalink

can somebody tell me how in the world did alicia molik the australian tennis player also with labs,recover in 1.5 years and playing strong tennis once again..how how how!!!!

TJ..

4. Comment by Robert E. on March 20, 2007 6:20 PM permalink

Hello everyone,

Just discovered this group and so this is my first post. Have read several of your posts which has been encouraging--thank you. Was diagnosed with labs after being rushed to an ER last winter with what I thought were cardio symptoms. The doctor said the labs would clear up in a few days, but it lasted 4 months.

Began again late fall with the usual respiratory distress of the season and it has been a rough winter, but I have learned to control some of the triggers and to some degree the "panic" reaction of the body. Unfortunately the past few weeks, I have had a couple of episodes where I thought I was having some sort of cardio episode and would pass out, shortly after lying down to sleep. I would then immediately get up to walk around (which helped), then went back to bed, but keeping myself mostly awake the rest of the night, with the heart beating strongly (exhausting). I don't know if this is positional related and I should try sleeping sitting up, but it seems as if I cannot allow myself to just nod off to sleep, but have to find a way to "ease" myself into the "right level" of sleep or will jerk myself awake for fear of passing out. Has anyone had similar symptoms? Also had sensations in the teeth, jaw and face which were a bit confusing. Hate to go to doctors, but went to see one who thought I should do a stress/nuclear dye test for the heart. The $4000+ pricetag "scared me straight" (not to mention my aversion to nuclear dye in my bloodstream), and I am thinking my symptoms are more vestibular/neurological and related to the labs. Would appreciate any feedback.

Thanks!

5. Comment by Julie on March 21, 2007 1:25 AM permalink

Hello Everyone ,

It's 14 months for me, i decided to go get an ENT exam in 2 weeks, I am nervous about the caloric test because I know it triggers vertigo and some people get sick.... Could anyone let me know what was there experience it would be very appreciated.

Thanks

6. Comment by Cathy on March 21, 2007 4:13 PM permalink

Hey Mac,

The reason why Alicia Molik is back to her NORMAL self because she did VRT...doesnt mean the exercises that the doc gave her...she started to practice tennis when she started feeling better.. I to have been playing tennis and riding my bike...It all about retraining your brain, it really is.

Hope everyone is feeling well! Cathy

7. Comment by chris on March 22, 2007 9:46 AM permalink

tj.

well if i remember correctly she recovered but wasn't 100% yet and im guessing that playing tennis is one of the greatest forms of VRT there is. she probably was very good with it and i read that she said that it will be a while still before she is good again

i just hit 1.5 years and im doing alot more and alot better than i was. but still couldn't compete in tennis

8. Comment by Sam on March 22, 2007 2:46 PM permalink

Alicia Molik Recovered just like you will... and you will be able to play tennis too :)

9. Comment by Robert Leung on March 23, 2007 6:15 PM permalink

Hello everyone: I was diagnosed with VL about 1 month ago. I didn't know what it was, but I thought I could get rid of it easily. How wrong I was! I seemed to recover after a few weeks but then suffered a relapse about 1 week ago. I hit the 'net again and came across this site. I'm encouraged that there are others like me with the exact same symptoms, but I'm discouraged to hear that many of you have been suffering with this for years and that often, we will live with this for the rest of our lives. I just want to thank everyone for posting because I've learnt a few things from you, such as the need to learn to control the triggers to minimize attacks and so forth. I've started taking natural meds to help boost my immune system, so if anyone can offer any advice on what I should take because it worked for them and they "swear by it", please let me know. Thanks!! Robert robert@innerworks-inc.com

10. Comment by Ravyn on March 23, 2007 11:49 PM permalink

Julie, I just took the VRT tests about three weeks ago including the caloric test. In my case they used air instead of water but I'm told that water is the same, it just feels wet (go figure!). They blow or pour warm water in the ear for about one minute then they do the same with cool air or water. It wasn't bad. The noise the machine makes is actually more annoying then the vertigo that is induced from the procedure. The vertigo lasts for about 20 seconds, then the audiologist or doctor will make you focus on their finger in front of your eyes to stop the vertigo which works nicely. It's really not that bad. I wouldn't want to do it again but I wouldn't be scared to do it again either.

I'm still experiencing head positional vertigo or a slight rocking or "off" sensation when I look up or when I move my head up and down while lying on my back in bed. Is this normal? I know many people have dizziness three or more times a year and I'm hoping this isn't the case for me. I seem to heal pretty quickly from these Labs. attacks but then it comes right back and I'm right where I started from. No doctor will tell you this but I really thing once you get Labs, for some people, it simply keeps coming back to haunt you. I can deal with the "off" feeling if I turn my head but I can't deal with the full on dizzy, vertigo, rocking sensation again!!!

I guess the best way to avoid a relapse is to take vitamins, eat right, exercise and maybe take some herbal or supplemental immune boosters. Has anyone had any luck with Oscillococcinum? I'm told that it is safe and can be used as part of a daily regimen to stay flu and cold free. I never get the flu or a cold though. The last three attacks of Labs. were completely symptomless except for a small fever of 99 and the dang dizziness!!!

11. Comment by chris on March 24, 2007 6:33 PM permalink

sam

hey...how long did it take you to get 100%

12. Comment by julie on March 25, 2007 1:36 PM permalink

Hello Ravyn,

THanks a lot for the response, i will try to think more positive before the ENG test and hope it will not be that bad : )

Julie

13. Comment by Sam on March 26, 2007 5:59 PM permalink

Chris,

About 9 months total to get to 100% on some days... I was recovering all the way, symptoms would gradually decrease, but at 9 months I could say that I would have extended weeks/months at 100%.

14. Comment by Jennifer on March 27, 2007 1:35 PM permalink

Got diagnosed with Vn in Sept 06...Started really feeling better 1 1/2 months ago. Felt good this past weekend (close to 100%, some off moments)...I am into 7 months and noticing good moments. Today, I have dropped again...feel crappy. Is that how you all felt when healing? Up days then down days...but all in all..I am starting to do things I never would have done even a couple months ago.

15. Comment by sue on March 27, 2007 4:46 PM permalink

Hello fellow sufferers !

I've had this (whatever it is !) for 15 months, much better now but not 100%. Symptoms included dizzy, pains in neck, head swelling, ear problems & tinnitus , muscle/joint aches, migraine,vivid dreams, depression. Seen Doctors, Neurosurgeon, Balance specialist, ENT . Diagnoses included Virus, BVVP,Labs,Meunieres,Menopause, degenerative osteo, C6 disc damage, etc. Medication included Stimatil,Betahistine (Serc) but get safe relief from Ginkgo Biloba.

I think there's a worldwide epidemic !

Hang in there....it improves with time

Sue.

16. Comment by Sam on March 28, 2007 4:24 PM permalink

Fyi -- I took xanax & SSRI's throughout my recovery... I couldnt deal without it.. I took very little Xanax -- less than .25mg a day

17. Comment by David on March 30, 2007 12:03 AM permalink

Hey everyone, I have been suffering for thirteen days. I went to see a ENT today. I am sorry but after that I have a feeling that I am better off fighting this on my own and looking elsewhere for support. Like here .. I stumbled on this site and was amazed. Ent told me it would be a month or so and I should be fine. He says he sees this all the time. Then I start to read all of your stories and whoa it has been years for some. I feel for all of you. I guess I have my fingers crossed. I was given a prescrip for Mec but I think I will go it alone.

So just to cheer everyone up I will give you my story of the onset.

I like so many was on the plane setting behind this very ill girl who constantly was blowing her nose and all that. I have to say it was disghusting,full flight what could I do.(I have been told that a cold or flu usually brings this on ??) I became ill three days later. Wow did I mention I was on my way home to get married ! Nothing like a cold for the big day. I went out on Thursday night and before I went out I took a few blasts from a nasal spray bottle. Gross but hey clears the stuffy head,(I dont know why I feel compelledto say this I just feel it like a key or something..who knows). So out on the town for a few drinks. I dont drink and have been working in a country the past four months that does not have alcohol,you know against the religon. So I also feel that is key I had six vodkas not to much for an Irish Catholic. I get home and I go to bed the next day I wake up and BOOM I cant hardly stand up.Hey maybe this old guy has a hang over. But it persists. I sleep another hour and BOOM I have to get up to go puke. Tough trip to the DRY HEAVES I can not believe I didnt run into the wall. I slept the rest of the day. I had rehearsel dinner that night what am I going to do. I managed to get up and have a snack. I did run into that wall on the way to take a shower ! I pulled it together and made the rehearsel and the dinner. I felt dizzy the next day as well but managed to have a beautiful wedding symptom free.THank Heavens. I did not know what I had but hoped it would go away. I spent a week in Key West and started to feel alot better.

Now here I am almost four days back home and I see an ENT because I leave on a plane to go back overseas on this following tuesday.

I never have felt ill again I get vertigo when I look up and sometimes feel drunk dizzy or what I like to call off kilter all day. I am tired alot and for a guy who is an avid runner and bodybuilder this is killing me. I dont have trouble with noise or light or planes just the dizzy. I do get a stiff neck but hell all I do know is sleep.

I hope this goes away I mean far far away. I hope this leaves us all. It is truely a handicapping disease,part that sucks is you have to keep on going..you deal with it. So that was my story what a vacation and wedding huh. Lucky for me my wife is the greatest. I tell you I would be lost with out her right now.Thanks Kimmy !

13 days and I am going to count every damn one till I am 110 %

I pray we have all just counted are last day....Here is to the morning

18. Comment by megan on March 30, 2007 4:16 PM permalink

hey folks, going to see the rheumatologist in may to rule out autoimmune disease. had a recent flare-up during which both ears felt like they were going to explode, tinnitis was sooooo loud, right facial tingling was bad. since my right ear acted up worse during this spell i have that full, inflamed feeling under my right jaw now. so here's my question: did any of you folks get that globus feeling (like something is swollen in your throat, neck) along with your ear symptoms? that feeling is almost more disturbing than the dizziness. haven't posted in awhile-sorry. david, thanks for your story and i hope your crap doesn't drag out like some of the rest of us, jennifer, yeah just when i think i am getting better, here comes several crappy days. that's why i am going to the rheumatologist. sometimes i just feel that my ears are burning or inflamed as well as my neck/throat area. i don't get it. maybe i should do like david and stay the hell away from doctors. just fyi, i was recently put on a stomach acid reducer to make sure i didn't have reflux. doesn't seem to be helping but the dr. just wanted to rule it out so i tried it. i didn't know this but acid reflux can cause ear pain. get well, megan

19. Comment by Lloyd on March 30, 2007 11:43 PM permalink

just wanted to know if anyone has tried equitab for vertigo? i saw an ad for this and wanted your opinion. thanks.

20. Comment by David on March 31, 2007 1:17 AM permalink

Megan, Thank you for the wish you well. I like wise will wish you the best. I have to admit it , I have always been into the whole naturopathy,hollistic medicine thing so I will go that route. I use a lot of supplements and massage therapy for my weightlifting,if I stumble onto something that nips this I will post it here for the benefit of all. I am an avid weightlifter slash gym rat. I refuse to let this stop me. I am so glad that I am as strong as I am. I swear I would have been on my butt a couple of times. I went to the gym and just had a light day with high reps. I think this helps to teach the boy control of movement. I have a friend who does his entire workout with his eyes closed. I'm sure that would control any onset dizz I get. never got to dizz. I am not afraid to say when I was young I used some illeagel steriods.If this persists I will try them again to rid me of this. I have heard of other weak roids like prednizone being prescribed. I can only imagine what effect a full blown anabolic like winstrol or anadrol would have. I wonder what HgH would do. Steriroids are just that a drug that supercharges the body. If one was to take a strong cycle of roids it may JACK up your immune system and body enough to wipe this shit out considering it is suppose to be viral in nature. Megan thanks for hello and Everyone who takes the time to listen to me ramble David

21. Comment by Robert E on April 1, 2007 8:14 PM permalink

I agree that doctors don't really understand what's going on. One kept on offering "anxiety" meds--no thank you! Feel I am better off researching and handling it myself. One CAN control one's body and the triggers of these symptoms. My feeling is that the nerves affected around the labyrinth can send the brain all sorts of confusing signals that affect not only balance and the ear, but other areas as well.

I have had some success with magnesium (Natural Calm) helping me to sleep and feel better, though one has to find the right amount and perhaps not take it every night. The milder weather seems to help too.

22. Comment by David on April 2, 2007 12:03 PM permalink

I spent the day trimming trees and digging up fence poles on Friday. I never touched a chainsaw !! but used a pair of those trimmers that extend on a pole and you pull the string. I had to stop about every three minutes but managed. I finished buy pulling up a fence row that was concreted in. I say it was a grueling day. The key here is that was day 14. I awoke on day 15 almost symptom free. I am sitting here today,early morning on the 17th day. Today is the first day I awakened without any sympton not one. I will spend the day today monitering my conditionas we all do. I am going to see my GP today to get a general physical. I will fly back overseas to my job on tuesday. I pray that 18 hours of flying does not mess with me. Flying actually never effected me. I will keep posting from overseas. I hope everyone reads this knowing tommorow you could wake up from your bad dream. Day 17 and no sympton present.

23. Comment by Julie on April 2, 2007 2:10 PM permalink

Hello,

After 14 months of lab, I am still struggling with constant dizziness, head pressure and earpain. I am afraid that it's going to stay like that forever or develop in meniere's one day. Just when I get a couple of " not that bad days " i drop and feel like crap for weeks. I have found articles that talk about acupuncture to treat meniere'e disease, so it should help for Lab symptoms as well, i am going for my first appointment this week i will keep you posted. Does anyone have tried acupuncture and found some relief with dizziness, earpain or head pressure ?

articles on acupuncture: http://www.acupuncture.com/conditions/meniere.htm http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0ISW/is_244/ai_111271910

Thanks

24. Comment by Robin on April 4, 2007 4:11 PM permalink

Hello Fellow Labbies,

I came down with VL in Aug. 2004. It lasted about 9 months. I went to every doctor I could find, had all the tests to eliminate what it wasn't. All to the same results. It will get better - it just takes time. I had about 6-7 good months and then it came back again - not as fierce, but I felt dizzy and the depression that set it was really tough. The Labs coensided with menopause and many of the symtoms are similar. I resisted go on anti-depressants, although I found valium helped stop the spinning. I found exercise really helped, if I could get myself out. I had pretty much gave up and figured this was it, I would have to learn to accept living with it. I have continued to work all the way through this illness, but certainly not at 100%, not really even at 75%. I had given up on doctors when I found out that JFK Hospital in Edison, NJ had a whole department that studied dizzy problems. I found a Dr. Phillip Kramer. He diagnosed MAV and put me on low dosage of Zoloft and explained about migraines. They can manifest themselves in different ways, including dizziness. One of the symtoms of migraines is light sensitivity. I thought I simply had sinus headaches. Well, I have been feeling much better. Many more days are 100%. Major barometer changes still get me light-headed. But, much of the depression has lifted, I wish I had tried the anti-depressants earlier. Good luck everyone and keep your spirits up. It will improve.

25. Comment by Anna on April 4, 2007 4:40 PM permalink

Hi, dizzy people

FYI

I am doing much-much better, than even 3 months ago (see my earlier posts).

My regimen:

Diet: No salt, no caffeine, a lot of fresh and cooked vegetables, fruits. Eating 4-5 times a day in smaller portions. Medication: Paxil 20 mg a day to make me more stable emotionally Supplements: Ginkgo Biloba A LOT OF REST. Walking in moderation.

I will keep you informed.

Stay STRONG!!!!

Anna from OKLAHOMA (35 years with IT, ALL KINDS of horrible and scary symptoms)

26. Comment by megan on April 4, 2007 7:34 PM permalink

hi all, david, i am so happy for you and i mean that. julie, i've never tried acupuncture but if you do it, let us know if it helps. i have heard it helps a lot of things so go for it. robin, what is mav? is it migraine associated something? anna, i am glad you are feeling better. yep, i've had the weirdest, disturbing, and scariest symptoms but i guess i am not going to die. still trying to get answers though. i got my prescription for anti-depressants filled but just too scared to take them. if i knew they would make things better i would. i just don't want to feel worse. take care all and get well. megan

27. Comment by mork on April 5, 2007 6:58 PM permalink

everyone thinks i'm putting it on

28. Comment by chris on April 7, 2007 1:41 AM permalink

a year and a half and while its gone away alot....its still here and everyday. although i do have alot of feel better moments.

im worried about lyme disease....any thoughts on that?

29. Comment by Robert E on April 9, 2007 10:27 PM permalink

NATURAL ANTI-DEPRESSANT ALTERNATIVES

For those interested, here is a really good resource with lots of great articles:

http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/

30. Comment by Robert E on April 9, 2007 10:40 PM permalink

When I was taken to the emergency room at the time of my first attack of labs, the ER doctor gave me Ativan, which I thought was just going to be an anti-histamine to help dry up the inner ear. It not only did not help me walk or feel any better, it made me feel so much worse and forlorn, like I was looking at life through a long tunnel. I would not have given that drug to my worst enemy. I found out later that it is a psychiatric drug like Valium, sometimes prescribed for vertigo. Evidently, the drug manufacturer paid Johns Hopkins to do research to find out how many different applications could be found for their drug, a common ploy of big pharma to increase their sales.

For those interested in avoiding dangerous side effects and finding natural alternatives, here is a really good resource I found with lots of great articles:

http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/

31. Comment by Sam on April 17, 2007 2:51 PM permalink

I think Rich is on vacation!

32. Comment by Rhonda on April 17, 2007 11:09 PM permalink

Hello Meagan, Julie, I finally tried acupuncture as well, Meagan it turns out that it is better to be paronoid about getting messages! Acupuncture got rid of my neck problem which was bothering me for three years, however next two days I had that same crappy feeling. Vertigo all night long and the throat thing Meagan was talking about. Well I went back to my Acupunterist(DR) Herbaligist and told her what happened she told me the acupuncture would not be able to get rid of the dizziness, however she gave me some herbs and prescribed vitamin B and niacin to flush out the years.I am glad to report that both seem to be working I feel 100% better. The best part although not for my doctor is she told me that she had suffered from the same thing for a month before she was able to get rid of it and has had success with four other patients with the same problem.I am convinced allergies are a definate contributing factor. Thanks Rhonda

33. Comment by Katie on April 18, 2007 4:31 PM permalink

Hi, all!

There is hope. I am about 90% back to normal now from my symptoms beginning in February of this year. I had an Epley procedure scheduled last week and cancelled it. My doctor said if the vertigo came again I could reschedule. I honestly think it got a lot better when my doctor was having me lie down quickly on each side while he looked at my eyes. That seemed to produce a marked improvement. The ginko biloba helped a lot, too. I was nervously anticipating a cross-country (USA) flight, fearing that the plane ride would bring back symptoms again. Despite quite a bumpy ride from Dulles to San Diego, everything went great! I really hope all the rest of you experience a cessation of your symptoms. I know from experience my vertigo will come back, but through everyone here I've gained coping skills to get me by until the dizziness disappears - thank you!

34. Comment by Lauren from Wa State on April 19, 2007 5:20 AM permalink

Hi Everyone, It's been a long time since I've posted and wanted to share something I discovered and maybe some of you may relate. Go to http://www.mwilliamson.com/hearingloss.htm SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF IMMUNE INTER EAR SYMPTOMS WITH NYSTATIN: I was diagnosed several years ago with candida and took the antifungals, modified my diet and thought I had gotten better. The problem was I let myself return to my old nasty eating habits, tons of sugar and processed foods and loads of different antibiotics with no probiotics and have been living with this overgrowth of yeast that is taking over. I made an appointment with the doctor (he's a real MD who gets it) who originally diagnosed my Candida overgrowth and next Monday I will start a very longterm regiment of antifungal drugs. I have to start with diflucan for 21 days to kill the yeast(WOW-THATS A LOT-HOPE MY LIVER WILL HANDLE IT) and then I will start the Nystatin. He told me that I can also irrigate my sinus with the powder. He also ordered a stool test but only for laboratory proof that I have Candida. My mouth is coated white every morning and I have visible fungus on a few of my toenails and was diagnosed with IBS 2 years ago. No one made the vertigo/dizziness/deafness connection until now. Now that I have grossed everyone out I will say that this is the first time in three years that I feel confident that I'm on the right track. Check out some of the symptoms of Candida overgrowth and see if any of you notice any similarities. Most doctors believe that only the extremely sick (HIV/AIDS, cancer patients,etc.) develop Candida. I'm living proof that this is not true. I hope that this information might help some of you. I know that this dizzy world we live in makes us so desperate to find answers and not all of us deal with the same issues but its sure worth looking into. I will keep you all posted as to my progress - if any. Hi Anna, Hope you're doing better. Lauren from Wa State

35. Comment by LoraB on April 19, 2007 6:43 AM permalink

Hello. I'm new here. I had a brain tumor removed 2 years ago near the acustic nerve. After surgery I lost complete hearing, along with tinitus. Needless to say I went to the dr after our 5th child was born for off balance and surreal feeling. The tumor was found with MRI. Since surgery I live off balance and with a surreal feeling. I also have wierd attacks that seem to be what you have described....not sure if they are anxiety or just the part of the condition. I fight depression. I finally broke down and started a very low dose of Lexapro...does not seem to help but I don not want to up the dose (hate taking meds). I went to neurologist and she thought the attacks might be sensory seizures but seem to me to be more of the outer body surreal feelings??

Just looking for support from others who are living this condition.

Blessings, Lora

36. Comment by kim on April 19, 2007 10:19 AM permalink

hello everyone, have been reading this site for a couple of weeks now and have found so many comments that ring true with my situation. Luckily I've never had the dramatic spinning that leaves you sick but for the past two and a half years or so have had problems with dizzy spells,balance problems,trouble walking properly. Initially I also had lots of jumping nerves, which have settled to small ones that aren't noticeable to other people, and being startled very easily. Like so many of you I've seen neurologists who told me it wasn't their department,ent who said it wasn't an ear problem, psychologists {on the advice of a very rude neurology registrar} who didn't consider my problems psychological. MRI twice showed nothing considered significant, but an 'incidental lesion'that remains unexplained in an area unrelated to balance. Over time I've learned to live with things to some extent. Work can be difficult. Big shops are one of my main issues, I can go in feeling pretty normal and five minutes later am getting spaced out and tripping myself up. Does anyone else feel like their legs take on a life of their own ? The last neurologist said this was a reaction to the balance issues, but it doesn't really feel that way to me. One thing I find helps is not to think of yourself as ill, rather that you have a medical condition. Am waiting to see another ent as the last one blew me out abruptly. Really I want some explanation for the symptoms as it's very difficult to remain undiagnosed. It's been educational and comforting to read so many other folk have similar long tern issues. Thanks to Rich for the site.

37. Comment by Anna on April 20, 2007 9:23 PM permalink

Hi, everybody

Just an update for all dizzy people.

I am continuing with my DIET free from SALT (sodium) and CAFFEINE. They are enemies for your inner ears and for your heads in general. And they can cause a lot of your dizziness, vertigo, headaches, noise and light sensitivity, loss of balance, anxiety, nightmares, sweats, etc. etc. Slowly but surely this diet has been doing its healing job for me. I am still very sensitive to weather changes, I am still very nervous (I take 20 mg of Paxil for this). But I have been improving month by month.

Watch what you eat!!!!!

Anna from OKLAHOMA (35 years with IT, ALL KINDS of horrible and scary symptoms)

38. Comment by Anna on April 21, 2007 12:35 AM permalink

Everybody - attention!

Lauren from WA state found a wonderful study:

http://www.mwilliamson.com/hearingloss.htm

It is about all of us - dizzy folks! I am reading it right now.

Anna from OKLAHOMA (35 years with IT, ALL KINDS of horrible and scary symptoms)

39. Comment by SANDIE on April 21, 2007 12:24 PM permalink

Hi everyone,

Anna, I hope you continue to improve, good luck to you.

Chris, you are at appx 18 months now, and still feel mild dizziness and a lot of swaying. Just to let you know that I am at the two year mark now and your symptoms have been very similar to mine. You were diagnosed with VN is that right? I was diagnosed with this too due to the fact that I was left with this constant swaying, off balance feeling, when all of the other symptoms had gone. This continued daily for months but has been gone for about two months, so here's hoping it will be the same for you.

At the two year stage now, I am not completely recovered but life is good again. I am not scared of this illness now but take it as it comes. Mostly I have 'attacks' where I feel really wobbly for a few minutes or I feel like the ground has moved for a couple of seconds and that's about it. However, these do not happen everyday. Now and again, I can feel weird for a couple of hours, usually when I am really busy at work (I work in a garden centre which has a glass roof, on a very busy checkout and it gets real hot). This can be awful but I know it is going to pass so I just get on with it.

Everyone - Keep active, change your diet, especially cutting out sugars. I sincerley believe that the key to recovery is looking after yourself and to keep moving to reeducate your brain.

Take care

Sandie

40. Comment by megan on April 21, 2007 5:41 PM permalink

Rhonda and all dizzy folks,

I am glad that you understand that horrible throat feeling (but I am also not glad that you have it). It is literally as if someone has their strong hand up under my jaw and is squeezing as though I am being choked. The feeling waxes and wanes but it is more disturbing than the dizziness. I do feel that it is muscle spasms in the throat. and like you, i am beginning to believe that it could be food allergies. after my trip to the rheumatologist in may (for autoimmune disease) i will head to the allergist if nothing abnormal is found. i might do it anyway as i am starting to believe my symptoms might be food related. i have always been able to eat what i want so this is hard for me to understand. i have cut out all alcohol, caffeine, most salt, and all processed foods. I also don't even eat that much sugar in the junk form. i have been wondering about gluten though which is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and oats. cases of celiac disease (gluten intolerance) seem to be increasing. so i am going to ask to be tested and in the meantime avoid all cereals, processed foods, and bread, as well as crackers, cookies, etc. i seem to feel better when i don't consume the gluten so we will see. i am almost at my 1 year anniversary of this junk. i think i will go celebrate.

megan

41. Comment by Lauren from WA State on April 23, 2007 6:41 AM permalink

Hi everyone, Today is the first day of Diflucan (anti-fungal), Primal Defense (a probiotic), Blue Heron (to absord the toxins emitted from dead yeast/fungus), Antibody IgG2000 (more powerful than colostrom because I was not breast fed as an infant), and Med Cap GI(Aloe Vera and L Glutamine to heal my gastrointestinal tract) and so far so good. No adverse symptoms like headache or stomach upset. The Dr. recommended I take the meds on a full stomach. It will be 14 days before I start the Nystatin that was used in the study (www.mwilliamson.com/hearingloss.htm). I have to get the rest of the fungal issues under control first. Please don't think I'm volunteering myself as a guinea pig. I was down this road 10 years ago (before the deafness/vertigo) so I know what to expect. I told my otolaryngologist before my sinus surgery in 2002 that I thought my recurring sinus infections were fungal and he agreed but offered me nothing but a very painful surgery to correct a deviated septum and reconstruct my blocked right side due to a car accident in 1972. Read the Mayo Clinic study on chronic sinus infections where they state that 96% of all recurring sinus infections are FUNGAL. It is NO coincidence that it was my right ear that suddenly went deaf 2 years after the surgery. The reason that I jumped on this immediately is because if it was the fungal form of Candida Albicans that caused all this then the same thing could happen to my left ear and I would be completely deaf. To not be proactive could spell disaster for me. Especially with something so benign as Nystatin. Hope you all have found the study from House Ear Clinic. Their institute looks fantastic and they appear to be highly credible. Lots of research going on there. Don't give up hope-we will get our answers and our healing. I'll keep posting as I go along in this process. Please keep me in your thoughts-you're all in mine. Lauren

42. Comment by Maggie on April 23, 2007 8:02 PM permalink

Hi, I found this site a few weeks ago, and have just finished reading all your posts. The first thing I want to say is - I'm just so relieved to find others like me! I can relate to all your stories, and it's so good to know I'm not alone! It is just over one year now since I woke up one morning with vertigo - the full blown, room spinning made me throw up sort! I thought I'd just got up too quickly so went back & slept for another hour or so, still there when I woke again. Staggered downstairs for a drink, but was so giddy I had to go back to bed again. Slept for another 3-4 hours and when I awoke, the vertigo had gone, just had the most horrendous headache - like someone was tightening a vice around my skull. The next day I was so tired - I had glandular fever ( think it's called Epstein Barr now) when I was 18 - am 53 now - and once every 10 years or so, if I got a viral infection, I'd feel very weak, tired and lethargic, but gradually I would get better and thought I would this time! Forgot to mention that 2 weeks prior to this had a sore throat and bad cold. When I went to see my GP the following week, he diagnosed viral labyrinthitis and said it could take 2-3 months for me to recover. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I finally got an ENT appointment last November, got a dianosis of labyrinthitis with eustachian tube dysfunction, have been to the Balance clinic for tests and assessment and am currently seeing a physiotherapist for vestibular exercises. My main problem is the fatigue, which although has improved since last year, has meant I'm unable to work. I was a nurse which meant long hours on my feet and I just don't have the energy any more. I constantly have a feeling of pressure in my ears - the left one especially, and the greater the pressure, the worse I feel. I also get the throat/neck gland swelling but no doctor seems interested in that. I too keep hoping that one day I will wake up and be better!

Maggie.

43. Comment by Jennifer on April 23, 2007 11:33 PM permalink

Maggie, thanks so much for your post. I am sorry you are dealing with all of this as a nurse. Do you find that many in your profession don't know much about this illness? Have you done any exercises for labs? What symptoms are you still dealing with? I am on my 8th month, much better..but decomp'd a bit this week.

44. Comment by Maggie on April 24, 2007 12:09 PM permalink

Hi Jennifer, I haven't found anyone - co-workers, my GP even the doctors in the ENT clinic didn't seem to know anything. The last doctor I saw in the clinic just said it could take 2-3 YEARS, and that most people eventually recover. They didn't want to see me again there, just said if I have any problems to go back to my GP.The only one who understands is the physiotherapist, but nearly everything I've learned is from this site. I have been doing VRT exercises for about a month now and haven't noticed any improvement. He did say that I would feel worse for a while - and I do! I see him again next week. My main symptoms are the feeling like I've had a drink and feel slightly 'tipsy' with vague feelings of nausea. But the severity of this does fluctuate with the how great the feeling of fullness/pressure inside my head is. I don't know of anyone else gets this, but most of the time my head/face feels so cold, as if there's no ciculation there! Sorry to hear you're a bit decomp'd this week - hope you start to feel better soon.

45. Comment by Julie on April 24, 2007 1:47 PM permalink

Hello,

Chris and Sue, or anyone who had lab for over a year.. I have a question for you, do you have any fullness or pressure in your ear and mild pain . I have a lot of pressure in my left ear even after 15 months, the fullness wasn't there as much in the beginning...i don't know why it does that , i still have a lot of dizziness everyday, but the fullness is there almost everyday and it's starting to worry me. Please let me know if you still have those symptoms.

Thanks !

46. Comment by lauren in WA State on April 24, 2007 8:14 PM permalink

Hi Julie and everyone else with the dizzies, I have the pressure you speak of in my right ear. To me, it feels like something trying to push itself out. When I got Labyrinthitis almost 3 years ago, I also had a numbness sensation on my face. For those who aren't familiar with my situation, refer to page 6 about half way down the page. My otolarygologist-surgeon said that there was nothing more he could do for me and said that I could come in for hearing tests anytime I wanted do and that was about it. I'm still experiencing all the same issues with the exception of vertigo, (which lasted for several hours with uncontrollable vomiting) it's now just periods of being dizzy and unstable. I can't be in crowds and I only go to stores that have shopping carts to hang on to. This keeps me steady and gives me the confidence I need in order to be in public. I don't want anyone to see me stumble or walk like a drunk. Weather changes are horrible for me. I feel so much better when the barometric pressure is up and its sunny and warm. I'm sorry to see that there is a whole new group of people out there experiencing this.

Day 3 of my yeast/fungal treatment: The "die off" has started although tolerable. I woke up this morning with a slight headache and I'm kind of slow and still tired. This is normal so nothing alarming. I irrigated my sinuses with Sinu Cleanse and this always makes me feel better. Really clears my head. I'm actually glad that I'm having some die off reaction. It tells me that I do have a yeast problem. If there was no excess yeast, there would be no toxins to make me feel icky. My sister just finished a course of Diflucan for a yeast infection and her only die off symptom was being very tired. Her yeast infection was localized and any woman who has had this, knows how awfully uncomfortable it can be. She got hers after a course of antibiotics. Hopefully she will watch her diet and yeast overgrowth won't become her problem. I've noticed that no one but Anna has commented on the study from the House Ear Institute. Red flags went up for me when I noticed that a lot of you were getting some positive results by eliminating your sugar intake and eating better in general. This is the exact diet protocol that goes in treating yeast overgrowth. When I read the study and saw the percentages that showed marked improvement with dizziness and improved hearing by medicating with Nystatin (which is an antifungal drug used to treat yeast infections) I thought we might be on to something. Even if the hearing doesn't return in my right ear, just to be able to drive again or walk a straight line all the time is worth it to me. My medical book defines Labyrinthitis as "an inflammation of the Labyrinth caused by a virus or bacteria. What if a third cause is the fungal form of yeast. Anyone who has had a yeast infection knows the inflammation it causes. Those of us who cannot seem to shake this monster after the usual "it's a virus-it should go away in a few weeks" know that something caused this; it is not normal to feel this way and no one seems to offer a cure so we try to connect the dots and get a clearer picture of what has happened to us. That is how it is for me. I will never stop trying to get my life back. I have accepted that I might just be this way from here on out but I refuse to give up hope that we will find a cure. Everyone-Remember the old saying "You are what you eat!" There really is something to that.(I used to drink Coke for breakfast) Take care, Lauren from WA

47. Comment by Maggie on April 24, 2007 8:17 PM permalink

Hi Julie, I get that too! The greater the pressure/fullness, the worse I feel. Not so much pain - just an occassional 'stabbing' pain behind my ear. I was told it was due to Eustachian tube dysfunction and that it could take up to 2-3 years to get better!! I had it in both ears originally, but after having steroid nasal drops, I woke up one morning and the right side had cleared. Now I am having a nasal spray, but that does not seem to help at all.

48. Comment by Rich on April 24, 2007 8:26 PM permalink

By the way, the brief interruption of service until the last few days was my fault. A few dozen spam messages per day had started to get through the filters so I increased the sensitivity by a couple of notches. Unfortunately, this seemed to classify some real comments as spam and I've been so busy that I didn't notice the lack of comments until it was pointed out to me by Lauren.

At that point I manually went through around three thousand messages in the spam folder and published anything that looked like a real message. However, the folder is set to automatically delete spams after a week, and scanning two or three comments per second by hand is obviously prone to error so we may have still lost some comments. I'm very sorry if one of yours was affected, and I've now turned the sensitivity back down so it shouldn't happen again.

49. Comment by sue on April 24, 2007 8:40 PM permalink

Hi Julie (april 24th post)

Initially I did have fullness, pressure & ringing in both ears (with pain in front and below the ear) but this (and the head swelling ! ) has eased with just 40mg ginkgo biloba morning & night . After early acupuncture I used to feel a "draining of the ears" into the back of the throat which to me signified some kind of mucus infection. Am now just bothered with reflux sore throat, coughing spasms and the odd silent migraine. I too am convinced the medical profession are at a loss with what appears to be an epidemic out there ( I personally know 4 people at work and two close friends who have had our symptoms) But after 16 months I feel much, much better 80% - so hang in there everyone and take or do whatever works for you ! sue.

50. Comment by Anna on April 25, 2007 6:39 PM permalink

Hi, everybody

Rich Baker - I understand your trouble with this spam filter. I cannot stop thinking, that you are SO KIND for supporting dizzy people on your site. Thanks, thanks and thanks.

Lauren and everybody - I am watching Lauren's antifungal fight with great attention. I talked to my daughter who is a postdoc in biomedical sciences (microbiology and immunology) at Harward Medical School - she said, that many problems in our body can be caused by different spieces of fungus. They grow like crazy even in a lab dish when they have special conditions. They are afraid of acids and they love darkness and moist. I am looking for a doctor in our part of Oklahoma who will agree to treat my dizziness, headaches, sound sensitivity, fatigue, etc.etc. with a new approach - as it is a possible fungal invasion in my body.

Meanwhile I am improving very slowly but steadily being on my no-salt-added, no-sugar, no-caffeine, no-dairy diet with lots and lots of raw and cooked vegetables and low-sugar fruits. I am taking Aspirin plus Tylenol as needed (in fact I have to take them everyday for my headaches). Out of prescription drugs I left only anti-depressant Paxil (20 mg a day) and mild diuretic Dyazide.

Everybody - stay strong and never give up hope!

Anna form Oklahoma (35 years with THE DIZZY MONSTER)

51. Comment by julie on April 26, 2007 1:50 AM permalink

Thanks Sue, Maggie and Lauren for your answers. I hope the fullness, ear pain and blocked ear will resolve itself in a couple of months. Everytime I swallow or I yawn I hear my left ear popping and it can get really annoying. The worse is the dizziness , every morning when I wake up, I just can’t believe that it’s still there after 15 months.I have periods when I get depressed and negative about my situation , but I usually try to stay positive, eat well, take my vitamins, exercise everyday and sleep well, ,everything to get better as soon as possible and get my old life back. Summer is coming so it will help everybody to feel better !

Thanks everyone !

52. Comment by kim on April 27, 2007 3:24 PM permalink

Just wanted to pass on a tip given to me by a doc about problems shopping. It's kind of obvious when you think about it, but I'd never tried it before and it does help. Don't try to shop aisle by aisle,but half an aisle at a time - pick the left or right side, focus on that side only, then go back and do the other side. This cuts out glancing from side to side. Focusing on your own mission and forgetting other shoppers also helps. I've more or less got used to side stepping like a drunk and am past caring what others think. It's horrible when things start to seem too much to cope with and there are times I feel very lightheaded so just have to stop and stare at the floor until it's better. I saw an interesting tv programme with a girl who had a phobia about fainting in public. She imagined the shop would grind to a halt, everyone would rush to watch and paramedics would be called. A psychologist took her shopping and as she watched from a distance, he pretended to faint,ending prostrate on the floor. Two people stopped to check on him, nobody else batted an eyelid. So there is help there if you need it, but not a complete circus. Made me feel a bit less self conscious out and about.

53. Comment by Annette on April 28, 2007 5:55 PM permalink

Hello to all; Glad to run upon this website. I was diagnosed with Lab this week, after already suffering about a month. Feelings of dizziness, vertigo, nausea and pressure in my head/ears as all of you have described. I am also not hearing up to par and having trouble concentrating at work. MD prescribed metriclycline this week and it helps some with the motion sickness bue makes me sleepy. So either way, I just want to stay in bed. This really affects a person's life and can be discouraging... but good to know I'm not just crazy-- there are others that have it! DR said to come back in a couple wks if not improved. I'm guessing he will sned me to an ENT if I have to go back. My boss also recently was diagnosed with Lab and ended up goign to a chiropractor for treatment. She swears the therapy from the chiropractor got her over it. I would say anything is worth a try to get over such a yucky feeling.... Anyone do the chiro thing with good results? Thanks!

54. Comment by Anna on April 29, 2007 9:54 PM permalink

Just went shopping in Wal-Mart for an hour this morning! I grabbed on my shopping cart tightly, I wore my Bose noise-cancelling earphones, I was quite tired and very slow, my husband shopped for different things in the same store (much more on his list, than on mine). But I DID IT!!! Thing thing was absolutely impossible for me just two months ago!

My progress with HEALTHY EATING has been so slow, but it has been PROGRESS.

Lauren - thanks, I started eating only less sweet fruits - and improved my situation even further. I am intended to visit the candida/yeast specialist in Edmond, OK.

Everybody! Stay strong - you are not alone. Keep looking for answers.

Anna from Oklahoma (35 years with IT, the current bout have started 3.5 years ago)

55. Comment by Cathy on April 30, 2007 2:36 PM permalink

Anna, that is awesome!!!! You going to beat thing thing!!! I am so happy you are feeling better and getting out and about!!! Its about time girl!!!

Cathy

56. Comment by Anna on April 30, 2007 2:53 PM permalink

Some correction to my previous post:

I drove the car to and from Wal-Mart (10 min drive from the house)!!!! THIS thing was impossible just two months ago.

Anna from Oklahoma

57. Comment by Kathy on May 1, 2007 1:33 PM permalink

I've had morning motion sickness for about 7 weeks now. Some days I cannot leave for work & drive for 3 or 4 hours after I have woken up & then I'm like a zombie at work. I get nausea, dizziness & buzzy ears. Some nights I'll get a panic attack every 2 or so hours. Wake up with my heart racing & ears pounding. Doctor diagnosed Benign Positional Vertigo & has recommended the Epley physio, which I think helps a bit. I've been to have cranial osteopathy (like chiropracter), which has helped me sleep better, but does not seem to be alleviating the morning symptoms. I'm also going through the menopause & find the symptoms are exacerbated by hot flushes. Alcohol and salt are real menaces, particularly together. Driving & being in a car worsens the symptons as well.

58. Comment by Bettina on May 2, 2007 4:38 PM permalink

Hi, Often this diagnosis of BPV or other labels do not help that much. Did you have any dental work done in the months before this started? Have you fallen or taken a blow (car accident, for instance)? These can cause a biomechanical malalignment. Often we do not remember that we had a filling replaced in the month or months before the symptoms started. I didn't.

I couldn't work, was nauseated all the time and generally miserable. Diuretics helped just a little. I went to many ENTs and practitioners. Finally a good cranial osteopath/ craniosacral practitioner plus a tip top orthodontist/ dentist recognised this as a malalignment of how the teeth come together, then transmitted, through chewing, to the head and eventually to the dura (meninges of the brain) that tug on bones where the ear canals are located.

I was better in no time. It required cranial work inside the mouth and having one miserable filling filed down.

Epley manuever is often very useful if a bit of the internal part of the ear has broken off and is floating/ trapped in the ear canals.

There are many other causes of vertigo, but I write of this one as it is often overlooked.

Oh yes, I am an MD in a university integrative medicine center, and my work is primarily osteopathic and cranial.

Please feel free to contact me.

Bettina Herbert, MD

59. Comment by Annette on May 3, 2007 3:52 AM permalink

Kathy, I can sure relate to the morning sickness.... I told the DR if I had a uterus, I would swear I was pregnant. It's that same nautious feeling. Except-- with the dizziness and whooshing! I have troube too, getting ready for work in the mornings. I take shower- then have to lay down for 10 mnutes. Dry my hair- lay down for ten minutes, do my make-up- lay down, etc. It is very frustrating to say the least. I feel it at times when I'm driving, if I have to scan the road from side to side or look quickly. I don't mention this to anyone because they would not let me drive if they knew it was that way. Last weekend, it seemed to "peak" and I was so glad I had read Kim's advice on shopping. Didn't understand till it happened to me-- I was at Wal-Mart and scanning the isles which just really threw me for a loop. I did as Kim suggested and held on to my cart, walked slowly, and focused on only one side of the isle at a time. And it really helped! I am glad to say though, that today was day #3 with minimal dizziness and no meclizine taken!! I felt great! I am praying it stays away. Forever... for all of us.

60. Comment by Laura on May 3, 2007 10:02 AM permalink

Thank the good Lord this site exists or I would have gone insane! I haven't been diagnosed with anything yet but have the same symptoms as the majority here (ear pressure, off balance/dizziness, fatigue, lack of concentration, etc). Going on 3 months now. What I find helps to some degree is Ibuprofen. It seems to reduce the swelling in the inner ear, therefore reducing the symptoms. There has been mention of accupuncture which I have had two sessions so far. Unfortunately I wasted my money on that. It helped alot with the anxiety/fear factor but it didn't take away the other symptoms. It may not have worked for me because I couldn't tolerate all the areas where the needles needed to go, only half of them. If you are not sensitive to being stuck with needles, you may want to try it,because I knew of one person who had 3 treatments and her symptoms went away. As for Ginko, I tried it and felt my symptoms increase, but maybe it was my imagination. Has anyone tried any herbal immune boosting combinations?

61. Comment by karen on May 3, 2007 11:34 AM permalink

Just want to find comfort really. My symptoms started 5 weeks a go with losing my balance acouple of times within the first week. The GP said I had Lab and the feeling of the ground moving went away after a week. Then I suddernly got very sick / with extreme nausea the following monday.It was horrific and stayed for hours. This stays with me on and off now. When I'm not feeling nauseous I feel spaced out, wierd and very anxious.I constantly need to pop my ears now as well. I get the feeling I'm going to pass out when I/m out. Shops and restaurants are the worst. I am constantly worrying about what I have got. I have seen a neurologist who says she agress with my GP. I still worry. Nothing seems to help. I am trying accupuncture. Does anyone else get this strange feeling in their eyes. Its so hard to explain.it feels like I have had contacxt lenses in for a long time. I like being outside in the fresh air but hate the inside. why is this? I am going off to buy some Ginko to see if this helps. I just feel so strange and in a world of my own.

Karen

62. Comment by kim on May 3, 2007 2:02 PM permalink

Karen, like you I'm much better in the open air and run into problems indoors. Large busy shops are the worst thing going, I avoid things like parties and clubs. One doc explained that the vestibular system, when not working properly,can't process all the information input via the eyes and ears so gets overwhelmed. This is the case in shops because of people milling round, bright lights, lots of shapes and colours,looking around to find things. I am good at walking at a fast pace while looking straight ahead but trip up if I glance to one side. Pottering around a shop is much more difficult, I guess it's like riding a bike is easier when you're going fast, harder to balance when you go really slow- not that I'd dare ride a bike these days ! I used to wonder if I was getting claustrophobic indoors, though knew I wasn't frightened. It seems the weird feelings, which are very hard to explain, come from information overload.

63. Comment by Anna on May 3, 2007 3:35 PM permalink

Cathy - You are funny with your immitation of my usual mistakes in English. "You going to beat thing thing!!!". You made me smile! Thank you for the encouragement. We all need it so much.

And I am continuing to improve!

Lauren and others - tomorrow I am going for "fasting and oral" glucose tolerance blood test. My blood will bee drawn from vein in the morning after 10 hours of prior fasting, then I will be given some glucose solution to drink and the blood will be drawn every hour three times more. All this is quite important as I had two types of hepatitis viruses infection (A and B) so my liver MIGHT have problems in delivering enzymes for digesting sugars. I MIGHT be dizzy because of that. I will keep you informed.

I love you, dizzy folks. Clunch your fists - never give up!

Anna (55 years old - 35 years with IT - grrrrr!)

64. Comment by Cathy on May 3, 2007 10:55 PM permalink

Hi Anna, I have a bad habit of not reading my writings...TEE-HEE!!! Feel so dumb!!! HAH!

I am glad you are getting a blood test! There are so many reasons why people are dizzy these days. I hope you find the factor of all of this unnessary illness.

I am in my 14th month and I am back to my old life again. I get little blips here and there, but i know that will go someday...I would say im 98-100%...but most of the time I am 99%.

Cathy

65. Comment by karen on May 3, 2007 11:00 PM permalink

Does anyone get this strange eye feeling. Is it eyestrain? but my eyes hurts quite alot.

Karen

66. Comment by Cathy on May 6, 2007 2:09 AM permalink

Hi Karen, from my experience with this darn this thingm is that the eye strain is a normal symptom...your eyes are relearning to balance. My eye strain was a very bad and made me very tired. It goes away though. Hopefully yours only lasts a few more weeks.

Does it feel that your eyes are out of wack?? Vision wise?

Cathy

67. Comment by laura on May 6, 2007 7:04 AM permalink

Yes, my eyes have gotten worse since my ear/dizziness problem. They ache very badly the longer I stare at a computer or am exposed to various forms of lighting for a prolonged period. For several hrs I'm okay but after about 5 or 6 hrs, the pressure in my eyes builds up and I feel so exhausted and have sinus pressure too plus my anxiety/fear level goes up. This (whatever it is) is the worst thing i've ever experienced and what's worse is how no one at all understands it and i'm always labeled as depressed. I wouldn't be depressed if I didn't have this thing. I would be jumping for joy if this thing would go away.

68. Comment by karen on May 6, 2007 11:43 AM permalink

Thanks Cathy, but what does 'out of wack mean'. Laura I sympathise with you totally.My doctor says I'm anxious and depressed but that is only becuase of this illness. if it would get better and go away i would feel on top of the world. I just feel it i am never going to feel normal. There is always that nagging paranoid self at the back of my mind that there is something elese wrong with me. I'm going into work next week to see if I can handle it ( only for a day). I'm nervous all ready.

69. Comment by Cathy on May 6, 2007 1:23 PM permalink

Hi Karen, what i mean out of wack, is that do they jump when you look at an oject or get blurred vision. It is all a part of this vestibluar illness.

Cathy

70. Comment by Laura2 on May 6, 2007 1:47 PM permalink

Hi everyone!

First of all I'd just like to repeat what most people have being saying...I am so glad to have found this site!

My symptoms began about 3 weeks ago where i began feeling almost cut off from the world. I was still doing usual things - work going out with my friends etc. but i felt like i was on another planet and my brain was full of wool.

A few days later i started feeling extreme dizziness even when sitting down i felt like i was sinking. I found it very hard to concentrate and was confused. I was also extremely fatigued with a very heavy head. All very worrying symptoms - I am only 19!

I was diagnosed with VL only a few days ago which has put my mind at rest slightly. I am however worried at how long this is going to last!!!

I have however over the last week developed a very odd symptom...My feet are going cold and are turning a very dirty grey. I dont know if this could be attributed to VL, all the lying down im doing or something more serious. Any thoughts?

71. Comment by Laura on May 7, 2007 9:23 AM permalink

Laura2, I like the way you describe your symptoms. It's exactly how I feel but whenever i've tried to explain my symptoms, the best I can do is say I have ear pressure and dizziness or that it sometimes feels like the back of my brain and ear drums are being squeezed. As for the grey feet thing, I've never heard of that as being a symptom of an inner ear problem. What does your doctor say about that? Yes, Karen, going to work with this problem is quite difficult. I find that when I take it each hour at a time and after each hour I congratulate myself for getting through it, then it's easier.

72. Comment by abs on May 7, 2007 2:22 PM permalink

Hi everyone, was diagnosed with Labs about 6 weeks ago. Although I've had a whole host of weird and scary sysmptoms the most concerning for me is the anxiety and pnaic attacks. Before I got this I had never had a panic attack in my life and now I'm having them on almost a daily basis and the anxiety is sometimes unbarable. I'm even having all kinds of muscular chest pains which the GP says is a result of anxiety. Just wondering if anyone else has been suffereing from anxiety as a result of this????

73. Comment by laura2 on May 8, 2007 5:30 PM permalink

As for the grey feet thing i spoke to the nurse and iv got an appointment to see the doctor next friday. She said it could be poor circulation and its made worse because iv not been doing anything for 2 weeks! I'll let u no tho when/if they find out!

Abs, thats exactly what has been happening to me, chest pain (right in the middle of my chest) and going into what could only be described as anxiety attacks. The doctor took a blood test to see if iv got some sort of bacteria in my stomach that could be causing heartburn (made worse by stress) but im doubtful its that. I must admit though they have died down alot since iv been diagnosed, i think it was due to me thinkng it was something more sinister wrong with me.

This really is one complicated infection isn't it?! Id never even heard of it before i was diagnosed!

74. Comment by megan on May 8, 2007 10:52 PM permalink

dear abs, yes, yes, and more yesses. i never had a panic attack in my life either before this crap. i also had right-sided chest pain which i never had before. the anxiety in the beginning was unbearable. it was as though i had no control over it. it was bad enough to make me cry. as the days pass, symptoms should fade. the worse thing is that we don't know when we will be completely symptom free. hang in there. it is over 11 months for me.

megan

75. Comment by abs on May 8, 2007 11:45 PM permalink

Thanks guys, its reassuring to know that the anxiety is linked to the infection. I'm starting to find it easier to control by reminding myself that everything i'm feeling is part of the virus and not some other underlying and dangerous cause. But it is difficult to not panic when i suddenly feel light headed or weak or get pressure in my head ect ect. I think its also made worse by the fact that one minute i will feel fine and then suddenly the symptoms are back.

As for the chest pain, I get it on both sides of my chest and in the middle, sometimes its a sharp pain and sometimes it feels like muscles moving but I have noticed it improves when my anxiety levels are low and gets worse when they are high. GP says it will go away eventually.

My latest symptoms are ice pick headaches, where it feels like someones stabbing me in the head with an ice pick. They only last a couple of seconds but are very frightening. I've been told there nothing to worry about and probably are not connected to the infection but they only started after I got the infection so just wondering if anyone else has had them?

It starting to seem that the dizzyness is the least of the problems that come with the infection!!

76. Comment by Nate on May 9, 2007 7:58 AM permalink

Hi all,

What a wonderful discussion!

I've had some odd symptoms for a week or so and concluded that I probably have VL. I'm scheduled to see a doctor on Friday to find out for sure.

Fortunately, I seem to have a relatively mild case, but I wanted to check in with you guys about something first. A lot of you have talked about severe episodic vertigo. But, my symptoms seem to be more constant that episodic. I definitely feel a bit imbalanced when on my feet -- like I'm a bit drunk without all the fun parts. And I feel a *slight* spinning sensation when I'm doing things like walking at night or arising from bed. But I'm not near the point of nausea, and am able to do most ordinary things without incident.

Put a bit differently, on a scale of 0 to 10, my Veritgo/balance symptoms are sometimes a 3-4, and sometimes a 1-2, but never a 0 and never much more than a 5. It's more constant than episodic.

Is this consistent with the course of VL, or should I be looking toward something else? The other symptom I have which leads me to think its VL rather than some other cause of vertigo is a mild ringing in my left ear.

thanks, Nate

77. Comment by megan on May 9, 2007 4:40 PM permalink

hi abs, another thing i have now that i didn't have are what i now know are migraines-and probably vestibular migraines. i rarely ever even got a headache before this!! but what i feel is a vice feeling on the lower left side of my head, deep into my left ear, and partially into my neck. it feels as though that part of me is being crushed. it is accompanied by dizziness and it lasts for approximately 2-3 days with the symptoms peaking and then lessening over the days. i said the same thing you did regarding that the dizziness is the least of my worries. the symptoms are so damn scary. i thought i was going to die at the onset of this as i feared i was having some sort of stroke. the thing that bothers me most is that, although i am much better, i still feel very weird in the head. thinking that there is something wrong with my brain does provoke some anxiety. keep in mind that you are dealing with 2 kinds of anxiety-the kind brought on by this disorder which you have no control of and the kind the comes with just plain worrying about when this will go away, when will i be normal, when is the dizziness going to stop, etc. try not to let the anxiety take over as it will slow down your road to recovery. i know it did mine. you just hang in there. it sucks but it ever so damn slowly seems to fade. you may want to research on the web the connection between inner ear disorders and anxiety as there is so much evidence that the 2 are closely related. also just for the heck of it, look at your lifestyle, especially diet. so many folks on this site have been helped by changing eating habits. it has helped me feel better as well-no caffeine, no alcohol, very low salt, no processed foods, lots of fruits and vegetables. stay as active as you can. if you overdo it, you may get severly dizzy. going for walks seems to help a lot of people. take care, megan

78. Comment by Anna on May 9, 2007 9:43 PM permalink

EVERYBODY on this site - old and new.

Read CAREFULLY AND ATTENTIVELY of what Megan wrote as of May 9, 2007: "it has helped me feel better as well-no caffeine, no alcohol, very low salt, no processed foods, lots of fruits and vegetables. stay as active as you can. if you overdo it, you may get severly dizzy. going for walks seems to help a lot of people. take care, megan"

Megan is absolutely right! I AGREE completely, because I too feel better on the same diet and lifestyle! Keep in mind, that I have delt with IT for 35 years.

Lauren from WA (smart lady!) and others - On May, 29 I scheduled an appointent with a doctor - specialist in Allergy/Immunology and fungal infections. Her office is in Edmond, OK wich is not far from our town. My husband will drive me there. It is important, that the doctor agreed to have a look at my complicated case. I will let you know about how it went.

Meanwhile, I am doing all this good DIET and WALKING and I am trying my best not to give up. I am still very emotional, tense and irritable (who wouldn't?!!!)

Hold on everybody!

Anna

79. Comment by Laura on May 10, 2007 6:15 AM permalink

Well, went for a haircut today and just doing that was hard. Sitting there with my dizzy head and pressure in the right ear mixed with the pressure in my eyes from the lighting was almost too much for me to tolerate. Fortunately the hairdresser was quick. But what i'm bummed about the most is how my friends call and invite me to do things that I can't do. Simple things like going to movies or driving somewhere to meet them sets my anxiety off. How is it that some people are helped by anti-anxiety medications when this is an ear thing. How does this medication clear up the infection or whatever it is?

80. Comment by Sam on May 10, 2007 6:34 PM permalink

Laura,

Anti-anxiety meds help alot of people with inner-ear disorders. This is because many of them, (benzos) in particular act on the central nervous system, numbing the effect of the signals from the brain, which tends to mask the dizzy feelings. Its very similar to Drinking alcohol.... Now in any case, lets say you were taking a anti-anxiety med that did not affect the CNS. This would also be beneficial since many who suffer from inner ear issues also have anxiety issues, and removing those issues is said to help compensate or heal.

Sam

81. Comment by abs on May 10, 2007 7:18 PM permalink

Thanks megan. I haven't suffered from that type of headache...yet. But I do get lots of pressure in my head like someones pushing it and around my ears and temples.

My diet has changed a lot since I got this and it happened by accident. I just don't want to eat greasy or salty ect food and I find that chilli really sets me off. I've also quit smoking as a result of this. In the beginning I was still smoking and i noticed that sometimes it didn't effect me and other times it made things so much worse and triggered the anxiety so now whenever I want a ciggarette I just think of the anxiety attack that will follow!! At least some good has come of this! I also find walking helps its just a case of being able to get up and start walking when I feel weak and my balance is off. And also sometimes my heart will start thumping if i try to do too much.

My anxiety levels are improving, whenever I start to feel off or get a new scary symptom I just try and control my imagination or it will run wild and I will have a panic attack. I am still suffering as a result of anxiety though.

My latest symptom is eye pain. Its weird, it feels like my eyes are really strained but its not strain because even when their closed I can feel it. It comes and goes. Optician said my eyes are fine and GP said its not related to the virus and my eyes are probably not producing enough tears or something and gave me a perscription for eye drops. Has anyone else experienced this? Its realy uncomfortable.

Nate- i have no idea if you have VL or not. Although the way your feeling sounds a lot like how I'm feeling now, I do get worse than that and at the beginning I did suffer from vertigo and could barley get out of bed. Best to check with a doctor.

82. Comment by laura on May 11, 2007 5:30 AM permalink

Thanks Sam. That makes sense but I'm weary about taking them because I fear i'll feel like a zombie. I've tried anti-depressants in the past and they made me feel dizzy, headachy and spaced out, more so than I feel now. Does anti-anxiety medication have the same effects as anti-depressants? Yes, Abs, I've been getting eye pain but only in my right eye. It feels like there is a big dry spot on it and at night, I have partial blindness in that eye. I had the eye thing years ago and I find it helps to take an anti-inflammatory.

83. Comment by Beatle Mark on May 11, 2007 5:20 PM permalink

Hi all.

I remember the lowest point(s) of this illness – during that time, I loved to read about people who improved or got better. It really did give me a glimmer of hope.

So, periodically, I like to return the favor.

I have been feeling better for several months now with some minor occasional blips. I just wanted to tell everyone that this does get better. It took about 2 years for me but I think I had a particular bad case of whatever this is.

The dizziness decreased over time (with VRT) and has become an off-balance feeling which I can deal with ok. The dizziness in the past was horrible, very bad and constant - mixed in with true, whirling vertigo. The vertigo used to last for 5 or 6 days but the last time only lasted for a few hours. Not bad. No real vertigo for about 8 months now. The constant dizziness, head buzz, fog, neck pain, ear clog, tinnitus, etc. was brutal for over a year. Then ever-so-gradually started to go - then come back - then go - then come back - over a period of hours or a day. The ups and downs were also brutal but it kind of signified that something is trying to give and I hoped the good times would get longer and longer, which they did.

At this time, the tinnitus almost went away - it was very bad for the first year or more, then gradually decreased - it flares up here and there but no big deal. It used to "try" to drive me crazy (if I let it).

The neck pain decreased with exercises - tough at first to get through the pain but easy now. This worked for me but you should be very careful with exercises – talk to your doctor first.

Over time, I figured out the following has helped me: Low-sodium diet (very important) neck, jaw, face and shoulder stretching (several times daily - very important to me) plenty of water everyday diet changes (healthy only, no junk, low sugar) no alcohol, nicotime fresh veggie/fruit juices daily with my home juice machine lipo-flavonoid pills vitamins Zyrtec (daily allergy med really helped me – I still take this) rest when possible relax the mind, etc. Dramamine 2 (the "purple" container which is really Meclaszine). I take this when I feel something really bad coming on (almost never anymore). Sudafed tablets (the drowsy kind). I take these as needed but hardly at all anymore.

I also found that if I moved my head around a lot while walking or jogging a bit, it helped in the long run although it was extremely hard to do at the time.

I have tried accupuncture which I believe helped a lot. I tried an allergist and neurologist (tried migraine prevention meds and they seemed to help last year), a neurotologist, all sorts of tests (I’m sure you know the ones).

So, please hang in there – it is horrible but it will get better. I do believe you have to help yourself in addition to seeing doctors, etc. In fact, I think my self-help got me through this. I also view my illness as a wake-up call which resulted in major life-style changes that will be lifelong for me.

You will get better – but you need your help to do it.

84. Comment by Anna on May 11, 2007 9:05 PM permalink

Hi, everybody

Bealte Mark - What a great post from a person who really knows this long-term problem. Your allergy seams to play a big part in your past horrors. I remember you very well, Beatle Mark - you live in New York - a very tough place even for a very healthy human being. Not talking to us, dizzies.... Great to hear, that you improved so tremendousely! It is an inspiration for all of us.

Dizzy people - neverlose hope! Help yourselves!

Anna from OK

85. Comment by Rhonda on May 13, 2007 8:06 PM permalink

hello Meagan I have the migranes you are talking about,always have only the vertigo is relatively new, the acupuncture seems to help the migranes, but my doctor prescribed imitrax and that works really well for me with no side effects except for the usual post migrane tiredness, crankiness.Glad to hear it sounds like you and Anna are doing much better. Thanks Rhonda

86. Comment by mick gossling on May 13, 2007 10:10 PM permalink

So hello again dizzies, I haven't posted for some time now but I have tried to read a lot of your posts.

Hell this is a struggle, I know we all have some pretty bad times with these dizzy monsters but there really are worse things to suffer from, doesn't feel that way when you have this nonsense though eh?

I am still struggling with my monster too, been told there is nothing else that the ent can do for me now, the professor I saw the last time said it seems like the balance nerves in my ear must be damaged after all the different infections and stuff I have hade over the years, also they can't cut the nerve as I have problems with both ears and compensation may be impossible.

Just to try and help some folks if I can, This thing will give you all sorts of other things to deal with, clumsiness, numbness, anxiety, vision problems, depression and many more besides, I could sit and cry if I thought about it how long I have had to suffer with this, 30 years and still counting! I am determined to be as cheerful as I possibly can through whatever I go through now, I may never be fully well but I can still smile and intend to whenever I can, so this thing can go and take a running jump I will not let it depress me anymore.

You will all find a way to cope, your own way is what is best for you, all of us are a little different and find some things help were others don't, as for the doctors etc remember NO ONE KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT ANYTHING! think about it and you will realise it's true, we know more than the doctors and we can't cure this thing quickly so what chance can they who do not feel it have?

I can read all the books on this planet about motor racing and become an expert without even sitting in a racing car! that's what some doctors have managed to kid us about too they know all the theory but not the reality so listen to your own body, it will tell you what to do and when to do it if you take the time to listen.

Good luck and happines to all of you.

Mick.

87. Comment by kim on May 14, 2007 5:33 PM permalink

Thanks, Mick, reading your post made me smile.

I went to see an ent chap last week who asked a couple of brief questions, did two easy tests, and said " You've definitely got balance problem, it's ear related and I'll send you for more specific tests and to rehab. " I was stunned! After years of " Don't know," and " It's probably nothing," there was this man seeing my problem and offering help. To be fair, the last neurologist pointed me in his direction. Several visits to the first neurologist plus a stay in hospital under him resulted in " I have no clue what the problem is " How can you get such different responses from people ? Lets hope rehab is of some use. I'm very thankful that my GP has always been sympathetic and willing to listen, despite not knowing what the problem was. I've bent his ear on many occasions to let off steam. Work is hard at the moment. I've recently gone back after six weeks off with a bad patch. Half the time I'm covering up feeling spaced out and it gets very wearing. Having to do things more slowly than before but I'm still clearing my work, so I guess that's an achievement.

88. Comment by Anna on May 15, 2007 12:41 AM permalink

Mick - your cheerful post is amazing! It made me smile (as well as Kim). It is so hard to cheer up people around you when you are in such pain both moral and physical, in such awful discomfort. You manage to do so. THANK YOU!

Of course - you just SHOULD become experts in our trouble.

I am doing slightly better a little bit more. One tiny step at a time. My mother says, that my patience is "endless", I start thinking, that it IS endless....

Anna from OK (35 years with IT - on/off)

89. Comment by abs on May 15, 2007 6:56 PM permalink

Hi everyone, just an update. I haven't had a panic attack in almost a week!! But I have been very close a lot of times and the anxiety does still get me down but I guess it means I'm learning to control them. I'm still suffering from dizzyness, tiredness and weakness, head pressure (especially at the back of my head) sometimes it feels like my head is about to explode (anyone else get this?), ear ringing, ear aches, eye pain ect ect. I'm having blood results because I guess the GP thinks there might be something else going on, he was surprised when I said it had been over 7 weeks. But don't think its goin to come back with anything. I'm trying to continue life as normal bt it is very difficult. How does everyone else cope with getting on with things?

90. Comment by mick gossling on May 15, 2007 10:35 PM permalink

Hi again fellow dizzies,

Anna and Kim, I try to have a laugh as much as possible, Saves me crying anyway

Just to add a little info if possible for some of the symptoms some of you may be having from this vestibular thing, The aches and pains may come from being less active because of the limits with labs etc on your activities, The fatigue is from having to concentrate on keeping your balance, which normally is a natural motion, with vestibular problems such as labs etc you spend a lot of energy just staying upright.

The anxiety and panic attacks will subside a bit when you get used to the symptoms of being dizzy a little more, I used a natural product called kalms and it was a great help, I take only serc now that helps me but won't help everyone.

Rest as much as you feel the need to, this will save your energy for helping you with your balance, try to relax as much as possible too, I used relaxation tapes for quite a while and even though at first they didn't seem to help I started to fall asleep during them after a few weeks use :o)

Reduce sodium intake from either salt itself or sodium products such as some indigestion remedies etc, they can have high sodium in them to quell the acid in the stomach.

Do your best to get proper sleep, this is the only time your body has to heal itself, all of the time you are awake you are using more energy than when you are asleep.

Remember, there are no magic potions for this it will take time to start to feel better, all of us heal to a different time scale but it will happen be patient and as strong as you can be, again we are all different, keep your sense of humour and don't get depressed if you can possibly help it, depression takes ages to get better from.

Good luck and good health to all of you, and keep your pecker up! :o) Mick.

91. Comment by Laura on May 17, 2007 7:41 AM permalink

Yes, having a sense of humour helps as I now refer to my condition to friends as 'zombie-itus' But the spaciness, head-pressure and fatigue I can handle to a point, but this anxiety is making me feel limited. What activities do you find makes you feel most anxious? For me it's driving, being on crowded busses and anywhere where there are loud noises. I wish I lived in a small town or somewhere where everything is slow-paced. Living in a busy city intensifies everything.

92. Comment by Lindsey on May 17, 2007 2:34 PM permalink

Hi all,.. Its been great to find this site.. It seems that so many have also been going through what I have!

I had Labs about a year ago and have just finished a course of phsio for my residual VOR problem. I am loads better, but am having an off day today. I've been feeling a bit strange for a few weeks actually! I dont think its coming back, I think its just a blip.

Just a quick question... does anyone find that stress kicks their symptoms back off again?? I am finding that if I get myself uptight I am all over the show for a few days... but it does eventually settle. I am starting a new job next week and I think the anxiety may be what has kicked this episode off. Dont get me wrong, I'm not back at gripping the floor to stop myself falling off stage, but I continually feel like I am on a ship at sea. I have had to have a medical for my new job and have told them about it, but I hope the stress of a new job doesnt knock me back!

Its been great to hear all your stories, as you have all helped me to explain to others how I feel, as I sometimes lack the words.

Take care all!

93. Comment by sandie on May 18, 2007 12:02 PM permalink

Hi Mick

Your posts are great, so refreshing! I can't believe you have had 30 years of this junk. Poor you!

I'm at two years with it now and having a bit of a relapse at the moment. I had four really good months before this relapse and I'm back struggling with the dizzy monster again! It is so frustrating and I hate to take time off work because I don't think people(i.e. my boss and others), can even be bothered to understand what you are going through.

I laughed when you mentioned the doctors, what the hell do they get paid for? We DO know more than them about this thing and it is such a simple thing to research, there is so much information on the internet! I go into the surgery and they start getting out books and tapping stuff into their computers, and I sit there thinking, 'I could do that!'.

I believe there is only one way to beat this thing, look after your body, cut out all the junk, and plenty of exercise. I walk my socks off on a regular basis and though it can be tough at times it makes you feel much better and helps your brain to compensate. I have been getting a little complacent of late because I was feeling much better, not walking so much and eating sugary stuff again and look what has happened, it has come back to haunt me again.

But I know what I have to do, I have to confront it and get it out of my life again or at least to an acceptable level.

Take care everyone

Sandie

94. Comment by karen on May 19, 2007 2:57 PM permalink

hi eveyone i have had labs for 8 weeks now. just when i thought i was feeling every so slightly better i got a migraine and have felt really dizzy, spced and tired ever since (4 days) IS THIS NORMAL WITH LABS. I am due to go for a neurology appointment in july but just feel paranoid about 'other causes' of these symptoms. All i want os some slight improvement, and when i get itgo back ten steps. It is the strangest feeling a get in my head. i feel very surreal, happiest when i close my eyes. i could also sleep all day. Hope to bring better news bext time,

Karen

95. Comment by Rhonda West on May 20, 2007 7:19 PM permalink

Hello Anna, Meagan, Everyone I found some interesting websites that have to do with viatamin defiencies http://www.biblelife.org/vitamintoxicity.htm I finally found a doctor (I have posted this before) that finally found a way to get rid of my symptoms she also suffered from vertigo and used the same treatments herself.I went to get acupuncture to get rid of the soar neck,shoulder, and that (like Meagan and I have been paranoid about set off my vertigo again, and I went back, she said the acupuncture would not get rid of the vertigo however she prescribed niacin and B6, with some herbs( she is a master herbalogist as well.) I also found another interesting website http://chetday.com/vitaminbdeficiencies.html Some of the vitamin defieciencies in both websites seem to match the symptoms everyone is complaining about. Hope this helps, Rhonda

96. Comment by Rhonda on May 20, 2007 11:56 PM permalink

Hello Karen, Yes I have had a migrane Or felt symptoms for days at a time and then feel exhausted the next couple of days You feel like you do after you have had the flu or cold for a while. Worn out tired Lindsey Yes, I have felt that stress (whether it is brought on by ourselves or outside forces)

97. Comment by sandie on May 21, 2007 2:05 PM permalink

Hi Mick

Reading through your post I notice that you mention serc. Please could you tell me a bit more about how you feel that it has helped you, how much you take, how long it takes to start having an effect, how long you have been taking it, etc.

My doc has prescribed me serc too. I have been taking it for just over a week and I did start to feel better. I do have asthma and it started to get worse so I stopped for a day as it has to be used with caution in asthma patients. My balance symptoms got a little worse so I started to take them again. Would it have this effect as quick as this or is it just coincidence. How do you feel if you come off them? I am also having my house painted so this could have explained the asthma getting worse.

Thanks Mick.

Sandie

98. Comment by mick gossling on May 21, 2007 2:41 PM permalink

Sandie, I have been taking serc for over three years now, I took 3X16mg a day at first but I have now cut it down to 2X16mgs, I have tried to stop it altogether but I get very very dizzy after about 5 or so days, so I simply take it again and I then feel better after a couple of days, Serc is supposed to act quite quickly, some people take it only when they feel dizzy spells starting up.

Please remember Sandie I have had many things as well as having full blown labs 4 times in a year! cholesteatoma of the left ear leading to a radical wall down mastoidectomy, right ear otitus media and mastoid etc so as I have said before, not all things are the same for all people, You will know if something is of help to you or not, for example some people can't tolerate aspirin but others swear by it, so see how you go on with serc and if it doesn't help go back to your doctor. And good luck.

Just a little mention to everyone who uses this site, I think we should all make a small donation to the rich's tips jar, seeing as rich as helped us all so much over the time with this site he has more or less given over for us to use and get help from.

So thanks again rich, you are a true gentleman.

Mick.

99. Comment by Lindsey on May 22, 2007 1:21 PM permalink

Dear All,

I am having a bad day today.. Feel like I have gone back a number of paces. Sometimes I find doing exactly what you dont want to do can help! I have had very uneasy, unstable feelings today and the head feels like it is wobbling all over the place! Today I have decided to have a go at confronting all my triggers head on!

Have just made myself walk out of the office through a shopping centre (crowds, artificial lighting) to get my lunch. I called into a supermarket (Busy shops) to get some gingko biloba. I did this in my heeled shoes (body vibration aggravates the ears) and managed to humm a song to myself (vocal vibration) to get myself back to the office. I had managed to get through 3 verses of "jerusalem" before I got back! Strangely enough, I have come back, settled, and dont feel so bad! It was very uncomfortable doing it though!

I have noticed alot of people complaining here about feeling eye strain? This is exactly what I had. Basically, the physio told me that my vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) was out of synch due to my labs. When the balance mechanism gets damaged, the eyes are working harder to take in more signals to the brain in order to compensate, hence they get tired easily. Alot of my physio was gtting my eyes to work in synch with my balance mechanism and also removing my sight so my other senses could learn to compensate too.

I strat my new job next week and am worried that it will cause me problems. I must get back to my healthy eating and exercise regime though - I think that really helps.

Hope you are all ok...

L.

100. Comment by kim on May 22, 2007 5:54 PM permalink

Sandie, further to your question about serc, it really is as Mick says a case of judging for yourself. I tried serc 16mg 3 times a day when advised to come off stemetil,( which actually was a help regarding dizziness. ) It was the hardest two weeks I'd had in a long time waiting for the tablets to have any effect. Once they did start being of some limited help, my ears started to get very uncomfortable, then the sides of my neck,which I guess may be where the eustacian tubes are. Add to this they upset my stomach, so I was not a happy bunny. After three weeks I gave them up, it took another week for my ears to settle down. Now I take stemetil on a very limited basis when having a bad day, like having a safety net I suppose. One of my work colleagues swears by serc for her problems and has no side effects from them. It's probably best to keep an open mind, you will be able to judge how things are for you very soon.

101. Comment by Anna on May 22, 2007 9:05 PM permalink

Hi, all

Mick - you are ALSO a true gentleman as Rich Baker are. It is great that you mentioned a donation issue. I feel a bit ashamed that I never payed any attention to the Tips Jar. Of course I immediately rushed to make a donation to Rich's website, but... Well - I have a slight problem with payment through PayPal.com They told me, that I had already "RECEIVED" instructions on my forgotten password, but in reality I have not received those instructions from PayPal.com. I will wait - maybe the time difference of USA and Europe is the problem as PayPal has European assignment.

Rich Baker - thanks for holding this webpage!

Anna from OK

102. Comment by Rich on May 22, 2007 9:12 PM permalink

Thanks for the sentiment, Mick and Anna. However, I think I'd feel quite strange receiving tips for moderating this comments thread when other people clearly contribute much more to the community that's formed in it. The "tips jar" is really there just in case someone ever feels that they'd like to give a tip after reading one of my articles. (So far nobody has :)

103. Comment by chad on May 24, 2007 12:47 AM permalink

hello....most people probably know me on here i used to post alot...i was diagnosed 28 months ago....i have improved a tom but i am still not 100 percent...i went to a ENT about 2 years ago and they ran the tests with the ears and said i have labs...ive had mri's cat scans blood work etc and labs it was......im hoping one day i will be back to normal...i was told i will be one day but it hasnt come yet......im learning to live with it but i do still have a bad day here and there......any questions please respond

104. Comment by sandie on May 24, 2007 12:31 PM permalink

Thanks Mick and Kim,

I have actually given up the serc after 2 and a half weeks as I do not feel they are doing me any good. My balance was actually getting worse and I too have had an uncomfortable stomach. I have been off them for 3 days now and my stomach still feels weird. Also, what concerned me most was that my asthma has been much, much worse and I have been quite scared at times. I have only suffered very mild asthma for years, but a couple of months ago it got a little worse and I was given a preventor inhaler to use twice daily. Serc is to be given with caution to asthma patients although my doc seemed to think that it would be fine. However it has been much worse over the last 10 days or so, so that is the main reason I have decided to do without the Serc. My balance has been much better today, maybe a coincidence I don't know, and my asthma has been better.

Kim, can I ask how long you took stemetil for? Thanks for your input.

Sandie

105. Comment by Nancy on May 24, 2007 1:37 PM permalink

Hi, I wanted to share my story and see if I am headed in the right direction. I went to work 1 week ago (in a school) and started getting dizzy, I tried to ignore it, hoping that it would go away, but it didn't. About 30 minutes later, I had to sit down as everything was spinning around me. When I was sitting, I felt as if I was going to fall, a bit nauseous, my hands were trembling and I was very flushed. My co-workers called 911 I truly felt that I was going to die! and I spent the day at the ER, they did a ct-scan and some blood work and everything came back normal. The ER doctor said that I have Vertigo or Lab as you all call it, I also saw my GP who confirmed the diagnosis. I am "fine" when I am sitting doing pretty much nothing, hard to do when I have 3 kids. I did try to go back to work yesterday, but as the morning progressed I continued to get dizzy and a flushed feeling came over me. It seems when this happens that I am having an out-of-body- experience. I have no ear pain or ringing, only a headache that is like a band in the back of my head. My questions are? 1. does this sound like true Lab to you, 2.should I have an MRI done to rule anything else out? 3. Has anyone seen a chiropractor for this?, I have one that has helped me with some lower back problems, I have been reluctant to see him, thinking that he might "stir" things up in my head and make things worse. I would appreciate any help or direction anyone could give me. I truly cannot imagine going for months like this!!! Thank you, Nancy

106. Comment by Anna on May 24, 2007 5:43 PM permalink

Hi, all

Lidsey - high shoe hills are quite bad to keep your balance. Your back and neck muscles are tight enough even without such awfully dangerous things as high shoe hills. I would suggest you to wear flatter soles for awhile.

Sandie - serc (bethahistine) did not help me even a little bit. Some people say, that it DID help them. Who knows, apperently their problem is different....

Rich Baker - do not be shy, boy. Just to keep this page from the flood of spams takes a lot of time....

Anna from OK

107. Comment by Julie on May 24, 2007 11:58 PM permalink

Hello ,

This is a question for Chad wh