Has anyone overcome this condition

Ears, nose and throat
21

I agree with the ladies.  If you haven't experienced this hell you have no idea as to what it takes to cope with it.  I cannot imagine someone suffering this for years but, from replys from you and others I know that sometimes it doesn't improve and becomes a chronic illiness.  I cannot fathom someone telling someone that they had to get over an illness that you have no control over.  What if you had cancer or a heart condition, could someone just decide to get over it?  If you haven't exeprienced it long term you cannot imagine the daily torment that comes along with it.  Given the choice, all of us would gladly choose not to have experienced this but, as we all know that isn't how this condition works.  We also know that stress contributes to it and I can only imagine the level of stress that this will add for you.

Those of us that have had it, or are still dealing with it, know what you experience and share concern for your situation.  My thought, you may be better off.  What would it be next time you had an illness? 

22

Shar I've been married 48yrs on St Patricks day ,mu husbands got tinnitus as well 30 yrs  me had it for 18yrs ,but been worse tinnitus after I got illness ,then 3 yrs ago ,this swaying / rocking began ,my husbands not got this ,to which I'm thankful for as he's asthmatic ,he understands far better ,he gets the roundabout ,knows how hard I got dealing with this ,tinnitus and rhinitis going on .It changes the way you go about living your life ,but your still the same person. Just things on health front off track ,( if you can call it that ) I'm here for him and visa versa ,that's married life sickness and in health ,good and bad times .why get married if you can see things through those times .

    Some men aren't cut from the same cloth ,sad to say ,think were old school .

  Start again ,you can ,don't let that one miserable GIT stop you moving forward ,despite what's gone in past ,he's old news .Not worthy .

   Now we've all got to get this problem fixed ,so we need to keep at it pressure on Drs ,ENT's nag ,nag ,and nag even more .Go private if you can raise the cash  all we seem to be doing ,and I mean all is going from one dr to another think Gills done lots of rounds with the medical fraternity out there ,she will tell you that ,she's done the most in that regards on this site ,and doesn't take prisoners in her wake .

   So New year lets get the positives going .go get Drs to listen ,not to pop pills ,in hope this is just going to one day fade away ,we've proved it just doesn't happen .Chin up Shar life will get better,sooner than we hoped for God Willing .

23

You've done it then Anne ,less hours but it's not left you much choice Anne .A bummer this has turned out for you ,I think doing your line of work there should be comp package of some description ,in order to at least helping you more  on cash front ,trouble again all gov parties keep raising the goal post to pension age .we just missed that one thank goodness .Hope all works out Anne .

24

yes, apparently at the moment i have just missed the cut off point and have to work until 66 or 67 before i can get my state pension.  At the moment i am coming down with a cold which my husband has had for past week and everyone at work has had also, thought i'd escaped, not that i'm complaining about getting a cold but the thought that it will worsen my balance in the meantime.  I'm hoping it might have the opposite effect, but that's me trying to be optimistic.  My colleagues at work this week were commenting on how unsteady i have been this week when turning corners.  Thought it was sweet of them to notice as by now they are all familiar with my problem as they have problems of there own also and we share them with each other, bit like a support group for nurses really, then we pop off and see our patients.

25

HI so sorry you have this stress on top of the illness.  Ive had this now for over two years and sometimes just break down and cry that I cant carry on with it, luckily my hubby mostly understands so I dont have the same pressure as you.  Thats horrendous.  I just hope he gets it some time.  It is like being on a roundabout you cant get off.  Luckily Ive had a diagnosis, mine is silent migraine but none of the medication the neurologist gives me works.  Im on about the 9th lot.  Its not working. But at least I know what it is.  Ask your GP if you can see a neurologist and take the husband with you.  Much love Ill be thinking about you. 

26

Hey Anne lost count how many times in past few years I've said same thing ,If I got a heavy cold this could be reversed ,I've picked up odd bugs ,but never a head cold either ,just aches Meno aches I call them ,poorly few weeks back lasted 3 weeks ,but it was doing the rounds here .Strange how you think with this balance .

  Glad you got work friends to talk to ,that helps ,they see the problem you have first hand ,so your mini support group all good ,think women ,help women far greater ,hence why I prefer my 2 female Drs ,no complaints from me for them .theyve tried to help .Got to speak as you find .

   They come up at work with any clues Anne ? 

  Few women I know locally caught in same trap as you with this pension shift .Never fair Anne .

27

Hi Terry thanks for your kind words,he just thinks I m weak because I ve the anxiety part get a hold of me,I want to get back to some sort of normality but I get very bad panic attacks,mostly in shops because of the lighting and travelling,because I get so travel sick.how do you cope with day to day life? Xx

28

Hi Paula thanks,I m so pleased you have a lovely husband,it helps if you have support.i was diagnosed with labythrinits about two years ago,I fought with doctors for four years before I was diagnosed.You have all been so lovely and given me a lot of support it makes me feel like I m not so lonely thank you ❤️

29

I luv u Marlene you ve really cheered me up thank you xxx

30

Hi, I started to get travel sick again after all these years (had as a child, mainly,on buses or back seat of cars, okay in the front!!).  I discovered a homeopathic remedy that,s great called Cocculus, that I take two,of before I go out. Preferably an hour before, but,if I forget just chuck a couple back as I walk out the door to bus stop. Also coca cola, preferably flat, Always carry a bottle with me, it,s good for travel sickness.  I have found that all my little natural things to help me cope with day to day life help me to stay sane!

31

No one gets through this life troubles free Fudge ,That's saddest part hey .

  Keep smiling ,well as best you can .think what he's said can come back to haunt him ,that's been known to happen ,keep that in mind .xx

32

I doubt that you are weak.  Anxiety is common with this condition as others will attest.  You do have to push yourself to get that behind you as best you can.  I have been on several drugs for the anxiety.  Gabapentin helped me some but, now when I feel panic I take a Xanax.  I know that the benzos slow compensation but, I find it helps me more than any other and I only take it as needed.  Stores drive me crazy so, unless absolutely necessary I avoid them.  Especially, those with high ceilings and large floor space.  I get a feeling of sort of like being in a snow globe.  Spin him around several times at a high speed and he will easily see what we have to deal with.  I am in my 10th month and things are beginning to settle down for me.  The store issue is my greatest challenge and some days just feeling a bit off.  Just got over ther flu so that doesn't help either.  I finally got over motion sickness a couple of months ago.  I took Zofran and an over the counter drug in the US called Nauzene.  The Nauzene helped me more that the Zofran.  I dealt with Agoraphobia for probably 3 months but, found that each day that I pushed myself things began to improve as well.  There are so many degrees of our symptoms that sometimes it is hard to ensure that we are comparing apples to apples with symptoms.  I see from some of your posts that you were working so I can't see the weakness part.  Anyone that can go to work feeling like I know you have felt is a strong person in my book.  One thing that is used widely in the US to treat ongoing dizziness, vertigo, is Intratympanic Steroid Injection.  Guy I know in Louisiana went to a clinic in the US, Shea Clinic, and Dr. Shea told him that that was the only thing that would get rid of ongoing vertigo.  This process gets the steroid directly to the inner ear.  Of course all that, as with anything else, depends on where the damage is and how bad the damage is.  My Otologist has mentioned it for me but, I m still seeing steady improvement from VRT.

I know that sometimes anxiety sets my symptoms off and sometimes when I have symptoms it makes it worse.  But, with this condition it is understandable where the anxiety comes from.

I just completed a round of steroids for a virus after getting over the flu and have felt better the last few days.  All in all I feel 90% - 95% back to normal now.  Still have some bad days though.

As I said earlier, anyone that can find the strength to deal with this everyday has no sign of weakness having seen it from the inner side myself.  What he should be showing you is positive reassurrance.  That in itself is what it takes for you to be able to deal with the anxiety.  

33

Hi Terry,thanks for your help,I don t work I  can t at the momment.i do take on board that I have to push myself and I am doing just that now the withdrawl from mirtizapine have gone,that floored me for 16 weeks!! I m petrified to try any more anti depressants after my experience,I do take the odd bit of diazapam if I really need it,but I ve read that can hinder recovery.i have read up about the steroid injection it's something I m going to look into a lot more.Now I m back on my feet I ve started taking my dog out for more walks it helps my confidence,I think that's some of my problem now,I fought this for so long my confidence is very low.i had a chest infection a fee weeks ago and had to take steroids and my balance has been quite a bit better.i know I ve got a lot of hard work ahead of me I just hope I don't get another attack that ruins all my hard work like it did last time.Thanks again and I m so pleased you feeling well x

34

Just read I can t take Xanax because I have asthma x

35

I lost my best friend of 20 years with this, as I had to give up my social life of rock and roll. cant possibly jive etc with this.  But then what sort of a friend would dump you at your lowest.  The GP thought I had anxiety and all in all I ended up with two panic attacks.  However, I found a better GP and got referred.and am on anti depressants whch are good.  Duloxetine.   They have helped.  A lot of the symptoms from last year have improved but not the dizziness.  Try some different ADs.  Might work for you. I managed to keep working but only until Dec.  Now looking for another part time job. Sometimes I just have to abort any shopping trips but have felt better making myself get out there if just for a walk. But not in bright lights. Can only go where I know though in case I pass out or fall over. Its a hard one.  I wonder why this all starts and why they cant stop it. Mine started after I stopped HRT,  Ive asked to go back on but they wont let me due to cancer issues. Keep hunting for that illusive cure.  Some people find it. xx

36

He can email me too!! It's a terrible condition to live with! I'm still waiting on a diagnosis but I have also been experiencing dizziness for over two years and I can tell you - you receive v little sympathy from people!! I would not wish these symptoms on my worst enemy BUT I have to admit I wish some of my 'nearest and dearest's' could experience it for one day, just be in my shoes for one day...then see how they feel!! I know that sounds selfish but it's the only way there would be complete understanding. 

I have changed completely as a person and I swear I literally woke up one day feeling different, thee was no major signs, I can't remember feeling ill and boom 2 years on I am still in the same boat?! 

37

How are you feeling today?  Seeing progress I hope.

38

Hi Terry,I m ok thanks,I have been taking my dog out for little walks,to help my confidence.My husband has calmed down and said sorry,he's always a pain around christmas time,thanks to you all for your support.My ears especially my left ear feels  blocked and feels like a lot of pressure,but if I burp it clears for a few seconds then it comes back.i The doctor said my ear is clear.i m feeling quite sick and just a little woozy and very fed up.How are you feeling? 

39

Yes I am with you there Debs.  the only family I have in this country, live 20 Mins away,,with cars (I don,t drive), have no sympathy and no interest in my problem for past 4 Years, except once when I went to see a private holistic Dr down in Susex, and that was just because it was private and 'interesting', so,I have mostly erased them,out,of my life as they have done with me!!mmI truly hope karma gets them one day and they experience what I have every single day?

The good news is I have managed to,get an appointment after the consult with Neuro,otology in Dec., for next week.  although it is VRT which I,ve tried before,,I was assured theirs is 'different'.  really want it to work so I can manage to move away from area (and those two!), as I could literally not physically manage a move the way I am at the moment. ,Just one days' (only a few hours that is) activity, ie shopping,,or housework, and I,m wrecked!!  so Debs, no you are not selfish, it,is them actually that are!  I was same as you, woke up,different person, and I've told all the consultants I,ve seen this, and going by others like,you on here, it is pretty common so they MUST have heard it before eh?  And yes we are all on that boat, but I feel,it,s even worse than that Don,t you as it affects everything you do,,bending forward or even looking down when standing up especially is a no no and how many actions in daily life includes that movement?  Hundreds!

40

I have felt fairly well the past couple of weeks. I have the same issue with my left ear, feeling full and often times I can pop it open. Been worse the last couple of weeks after clearing up 2 or 3 months ago. Been taking steroids a couple of weeks and they seem to help me more than anything. The full feeling is probably fluid on your inner ear versus in the middle ear where the ENT can see it. My experience has been when that feeling dissipates the dizzy feeling gets better also.