Hi Patrick,
I came on here in April with exactly the same symptoms but it was suggested that I was coming on the forum a little too soon and that it should clear up soon, so I left for a while.
I think that's really great your partner is so understanding about it and that you can rate it to help give her an idea of how it is for you on a day to day basis, I hadn't thought of that and people have found it hard to help because they think I look completely fine.
My symptoms are very similar to yours. My face also felt numb and as though someone had put a really tight clamp around my head, giving me a huge headache. I found it really hard to go outside, I couldn't walk for more than 15 minutes before nearly fainting, and being in busy places with lots of people walking past really aggravated the vertigo. I think your symptoms of tingling may be due to the anxiety, as I've had anxiety myself and that was quite common.
The doctors initially told me it was Labyrinthitis but ENT have since said it's BPPV. I asked them what could have caused it and they said hitting my head, an ear infection etc. But none of this happened to me (at least I don't think so).
What did the doctor prescribe you? They gave me Cinnarizine which for the most part has got rid of the symptoms. The only downside is that I have to take 6 tablets and it made me so exhausted. When I first started taking it, I noticed I could take it for a couple of weeks and then come off for a couple of weeks. But over time this happened less and I could barely manage 3 days without it. I figured it was because my body was becoming dependant on it for equilibrium, so I weaned myself off it so that I'm now on 3 tablets a day, which still works for me. If it hasn't already been suggested to you, maybe you could ask about this medicine to your doctor?
It's been really tough, I think we're so used to having medicine to fix things that we feel really lost and vulnerable when there doesn't seem to be a cure for something and the diagnosis isn't 100%. Due to all of this after 7 months I haven't been able to go out a lot and I failed my Masters interview which was pretty easy to pass. The Cinnarizine caused me to gain some weight too, but I don't mind that if it gets rid of the symptoms for now while I try to get rid of this for good.
ENT tried the Epley Maneuver, which did nothing, and they got me to do the Brandt-Harroff exercises, which also did nothing. I had my MRI last week and I'm waiting for the results, but the doctor said it probably won't show anything (*relatively* good news!)
I'm now considering seeing an Osteopath, or trying Homeopathy. There may be some alternative way to help the symptoms and help the body correct itself.
I wish all of you the best, and best of luck with the VRT Lynda and Sarah.
Please, people the Lorentz transformations are only valid for vc. Consider communications using entangled particles. Then transmission times are zero, and no causality contradictions occur. Only invalid use of the Lorentz transformation gives a causality contradiction.
Lynda- I have had all those feeling you describe. I hope the VRT is going good for you. I am almost 4 months into VRT. I am noticing I am having better moments, even moments where I feel normal for a while! But I still struggle day to day. I feel off, not drunk anymore though. I have talked with a lot of people who are 2 or 3 years out and most of them are saying they are 95% better...I agree Patrick- it's like 3 steps forward, 2 steps back...this thing can hang on and on!
Hi Sarah/Lynda,
I am still in the middle of this and about to go to a neurologist to hopefully confirm my diagnosis.
I am really hoping I have Labs because the other thoughts swimming around in my head are worse.
It's been 4 months for me and my symptoms include things both of you have said.
I believe that part of the problem is that the symptoms compound on top of each other.
For example, I get to the end of the day. I am tired, grumpy, just want to lay down. Then I notice my eyes not focusing. This makes me anxious. I then notice everything else (twinges in my legs for example) and I don't know if this is a symptom or just because I am relaxing for the first time all day.
It's relentless at times, and then at others I feel great. It feels like an upward slope but with days sliding back
Wish you both the best!
Have been living with this dreaded illness for 12 months and have only just got somewhat diagnosed. Symptoms at first were diagnosed as thyroid problem and had thyroidectomy in Dec 2012. However symptoms persisted and finally saw an ENT last week who said there is some inner ear damage and am starting VRT tomorrow!! Really hope it helps. Current symptoms- feeling drunk, off balance, headache, ear pressure, tinnitus, flushed face, feel uncoordinated,very cold, prickly feeling in body, heavy chest, sore blurry eyes,, extreme exhaustion. Think that's it??!! Anyone else have such wide symptoms ?? A little scared about the future here.
Hi everyone. I have had Labs for a year now. It took 9 months to get a proper diagnosis, so I started up VRT in June. I have been doing VRT for 3 months now and have seen an improvement...I still feel off though, like my heads in a fish bowl and my vision is off, eyes are tired and brain fog!!! I am hoping there in a end in sight. a year of hell that I don't wish on anyone. If anyone has any tips, I am afraid I'll be like this forever.
Hi All,
I am an English guy in Australia
Like many other people who find this page, I got a massive sense of relief reading it - I am not losing my mind!
About 3 months ago I was at work and my vision went, my balance went and I got scared. I went to the doctors who said stress/alcohol/sleep deprivation was the cause (I had just got a new puppy, work was hell and I had been drinking heavily. Oh, and my apartment is mouldy and damp)
I stopped all the bad stuff and started living really well (no alcohol, good food etc). Things improved a bit but I still got major bouts of dizziness, and I started spotting more and more symptoms. I had my eyes checked, hearing checked and an MRI - this is important to do. It helped remove any more serious conditions
The ENT specialist mentioned Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This doesn't feel right to me as I have many more symptoms than just dizziness (see below)
I feel better now - I wouldn't have been able to type this on my bad days
I found it helpful to put a number on the bad days - Using 1 to 10 with 10 being perfect. It meant I could tell my partner what I felt like and she could understand. I had many days that were 2 or 3. I don't have any of them at the moment (I can still be a 6 or 7 though).
My worst times were at shopping centres. My eye test was in one and I nearly asked them to call me an ambulance I feel so bad. Work was also bad. Looking at computers, turning to talk to people, being inside then going outside
Here are the symptoms that I had combined with ones I can find on this page. I thought it might help if someone out there is trying to find information about Lab.
All this started for me the week before my birthday - so I know it has taken pretty much 4 months to feel like I am getting better. I am still not formally diagnosed - I am writing a letter to my ENT speciallist to ask his opinion
I hope this helps someone get some piece of mind and to all the other people who have added comments...THANK YOU ALL!
Sublingual vitamin b12 liquid drops. Cured everything. look into b12 defeciency. worked for me within a month.
I have had vertigo for 8 years off and on. After a six month reprieve it has started again. I have not been truly diagnosed, but have seen a gaggle of doctors. MRIs ruled out brain tumors and MS and they are fairly confident it is not BPPV and think it may be migraine related...but my symptoms seem very labrynthitisy...numbness of the face anyone? After an episode I feel like I have sinus infections or tooth pain and often end up at the doc or dentist for treatment, only to be told "you don't"...I'm tired of going to doctors and paying their bills only to be looked at like I am a crazy woman....which I admit to being...I always feel like I have sinus or ear drainage running down my throat...do you?
Thank god I found this place. Just knowing that I'm not alone has made me feel a little better.
My name is Nick and I (probably) have labyrinthitis. I got my diagnosis about four hours ago, after four attacks of room-spinning vertigo and nausia over the last six months or so. And this weird, constant feeling of lightheadedness that I've had in between them.
Reading your stories its reassuring to know that my symptoms aren't me going crazy. It was hard getting the GP to understand my symptoms. 'woozy and lightheaded all the time'. Thank god I work for an ex-nurse who understands exactly whats going on with me - although whether that helps if I need to take months off work remains to be seen.
Curse this disease! Where does it come from?? One day you're fine and the next you're as good as paralysed, when you're not busy throwing up. This illness is some sort of sick joke. Damn it. I am not taking this well.