Labyrinthitis

SillyMangoX

Such a scourge of a condition! Was first diagnosed in December after suffering from panic attacks and persistent vertigo, am intolerant to serc so just had to grin and bear it! It's back now, got stemitel on Saturday but it's not helping so my gp is sending me into the medical assessment unit tomorrow to get a brain scan. Has anyone else gone through this before? It seems from the research I've done that once you get it it can recur a lot

Dizzyblonde

I've had all the tests a couple of times and a scan is par for the course. Labyrinthitis damages part of the balance mechanism in the inner ear, and after a while most people's brains learn to compensate but for some vestibular rehabilitation is needed (exercises designed to suit the individual and taught by a vestibular physiotherapist).
I see you're in Clare, and as far as I know the only public clinic for balance issues is in Beaumont Hospital. They've also got a great team of physios. It's worth getting a referral since it's still a problem for you all these months later.

*eadaoin

Hello Sillymango - Dizzyblonde & I are both very familiar with vertigo and balance issues (unfortunately!).

My understanding of it is this: it's not that the labyrinthitis reoccurs, it's that the initial illness can cause damage to your balance system, but usually your brain will compensate for this damage and you'll go back to normal. But for some people when you get sick, or tired, or numerous other things, your brain can forget this compensation and you'll go back to being unbalanced again.

The vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) that Dizzyblonde wrote about is the way to retrain your balance system so that this decompensation won't happen to you - or if it does you can use the exercises to get back to balance again.

It's a good step to have the scan/tests and find out exactly what's causing your vertigo and then figure out what will help you recover. In the mean time you could see if anyone in your area does VRT. You might also find this website helpful: http://vestibular.org/

I hope you're feeling OK, I know that the panic & anxiety that vertigo can bring on is difficult to manage - the two can go hand in hand, and I find that once you know that it makes it a bit easier to handle.

SillyMangoX

Thank you so much for the support and information guys, I'm actually in hospital at the moment after having a ct and will possibly be going for a different scan in the morning so we should be able to get down to the root of the problem! Does anyone know are these kind of things genetic? Apparently my grandmother used to get labyrinthitis twice a year!

Dizzyblonde

I'm glad you're having the scans and try not to worry. I haven't heard of it being genetic, although some dizziness can be migraine related and that often runs in families. At least you're in good hands, the doctors will get to the bottom of it.

Feel free to PM me, I know how reassuring it can be to talk to other sufferers.

SillyMangoX

Out of hospital now, they offered to let me stay an extra night but I really didn't see the point! The ct scan was clear and my neuro exam was better today so once I passed the test of being able to walk up and down the corridor without falling they gave me the option of leaving! The doctor recons it was a virus causing it, and said its more than likely something that shall recur when stressed or with whatever triggers I may have, the joys of it!!

Dizzyblonde

I'm glad your scan result was clear, it must be a huge relief.

*eadaoin

Good news on the scan being clear, hopefully you'll be back on your feet again soon