Labrynthitis (VERTIGO!!) Please help me!!

[jaxnRN]

I had an Upper resp. infection a few weeks ago. But this past Friday I had a few dizzy spells during the dayn the at night, I fell down and was unable to get up at ALL!! I spent the weekend in bed, unable to walk without help to the bathroom. I took Meclizine with little benefit.

Then, today I went to the ENT and was diagnosed with Labyrthnitis. (vestibular neuronitis). I have been in TEARS for days now. She said it will take several weeks to clear up and that symptoms may last for a year!

I cannot drive. I cannot walk without help and my world is in CONSTANT motion. Without the Meclizine q4h I would be vomiting all the time.

The worst part of this is that I have been really getting healthy lately. Working out, lifting weights and my diet has been SO clean. I have dropped 15 pounds in 2 months, a VERY healthy and slow pace. But now, I cannot work out.

I cannot even sit for very long. I don't think that I can do this and of course, I don't have a choice. There is no treatment and everything I read, states that symptoms last for SOOOOO long.

I am looking for any "best case scenarios". Does anyone have any experience with this? Any words of comfort or encouragement that might make this time easier to deal with?

I HAVE to get back to work. I HAVE to be able to drive my kids to school and go to the grocery store. I HAVE to resume my workouts. I CANNOT become a couch potato again.

My anxiety level is peaking I know this, so I might sound kind of stressed! But I went from feeling on top of the world last week, to a dependant who cannot do any activity of daily living without extreme effort!

I know that someone out there can help me!

[missmercy]

Sounds like you 've had a really rough time!! I am sorry that you are feeling so cruddy! You'll be in my prayers.

I have a dear friend who suffers from Minieres (sp?) and he swears that his extremely low salt diet has greatly reduced his vertigo. he takes ginger pills to combat the nausea too. He has been managing quite well!! Don't know if it'll help.... but it's an idea. Take it easy. Rest, rest, rest....

[Shed13911]

I can sympathize with you as to what you are going through. I had an URI(Upper Resp Infection) 2 weeks ago and was feeling very similar to what you are describing. I could barely stand up because of the dizziness and nausea. Mine was dxed as a sinus infection and I had alot of fluid in my eardrums. I had a constant ringing in my ears. I was able to take decongestants and after 2 weeks it got better.

I know that does not help you much but I will pray for you and keep you in my thoughts. I hope someone can come up with something else that will get you on your feet sooner. :)

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

Oh that's an awful feeling. Hopefully this will be a one time thing.

[saribeth]

Oh you poor baby...I was dx with Meniere's 4 years ago...and the meclizine did nothing for the vertigo...I have horrid tinnitus but by the grace of God have not had any vertigo...ENT put me on triamterene HCTZ qd...very low sodium and no CHOCOLATE! Since I have not had the vertigo in several years I eat 5 tons of chocolate and my Na intake is nothing to brag about...it took about 3-4 weeks for the vertigo to subside...I had it about 3-5 times a week...hang in there you will get better sooner than later...one more thing, I discovered that if I sat upright it made the N &V go away...made for very long nights...thinking of you a lot!

[georgia peaches]

Here is a link to an exercise that may help....

http://yalenewhavenhealth.org/library/healthguide/IllnessConditions/topic.asp?hwid=hw205649

The Brandt-Daroff exercises have been known to help - even if only to 'moderate' the symptoms somewhat by effectively 'tiring' the nervous system response to movement.

Give them a try, and please keep us posted.

I had an episode of BPPV about 3 months ago, and know exactly how you feel. It's HORRIBLE!

Best of luck -

John

[BrandyBSN]

Yes! I can relate! I had the first ear infection that I had had in atleast 14 years 3 months ago, and am still suffering from the dizziness plus a perfed eardrum.

Drink LOTS of water, it helps with the draining, and also swallowing seems to make the pain better (if you are still hurting).

I'm past the pain now, but i can't turn my head quickly from side to side, or look up and down very fast. Its been over 2 months, and It is just now starting to be better this week.

It is terrible, and I hope you get better very soon.

BrandyBSN