Hey guys, first poster here. I'm 21 from Australia, just recently turned 21 and have had what I would describe as either Labyrinthitis or Vestibular Neuritis. I take it I'm more learning towards VN since I don't have hearing loss from what I can gather. I've only seen my GP once and haven't been referred any where else. I'm about a month into this, so I take it I'm in the chronic stage of it so I'll most likely need rehabilition for it.
I had it for a week at first when it first started, it was severe, bouts of vertigo which lasted for 10-20 seconds accompanied by 24/7 severe dizziness. I went back normal for a week, didn't have any issues, and then it hit me again a week later with only bursts of vertigo for 1 time and that was for 1 day, then accompanied by dizziness again. I had few days were I thought I was getting better again, followed by days where it was crap again.
Within my first week of it all, I did go to the hospital in which they tested my thyroid which was normal, made me do some general eye tests like following the pen with my eyes, touching my nose then touching the doctors finger, they checked my left ear in which stated I had a 'slight' ear infection.
Within my 3rd week I seen my GP who told me he couldn't see any case of an infection in my ear, but regarding my symptoms I explained told me I might have labyrinthitis.
Now that I'm in my first month of having this, my dizziness as almost completely stopped, I no longer feel dizzy or "in motion" all the time, but I do get dizzy if I turn to fast or do certain actions which make me slightly dizzy.
My vision seems to have taken quite a toll on all of this though, my depth percetion seems out of whack, my eyes seem a little slow, though they have gotten better of the weeks.
I have problems with fatigue and "slow, heavy" body for the first few weeks, but has since seemed to have gotten a lot better, almost 100%
My main problem though currently whilst in my first month of all of this is trying to sleep with nystagmus. I don't have nystagmus in general where my ears are affected in general use, but only when I close my eyes, which makes sleeping almost impossible since my eyes just "flutter" whilst I try to sleep, it's annoying and very dibilatating since I can't sleep with this happening.
My main question is; do I have permanent damage and will I never be 100% again due to this illness, and will the nystagmus when my eyes are closed ever stop? The only thing that has helped was some oxazepam that the hospital prescribed me with for my anxiety since it basically knocks me out for the night resulting in me being able to sleep, though I no longer have any tablets left since they gave me 3 and I know that taking any type of drugs can hinder any sort of compensation process.
I'm booking another appointment with my GP in the following week, and I'll most likely force a referral to a neurologist, though I know I have either Labs or VN so it really doesn't matter, and I'll most likely just get diagnosed and referred to rehabilitation or I won't be diagnosed.
What's your guys' opinions on this? My only issue is I really hope this isn't permanent and I'm only a month in with all of this and I'm already starting to see better results, but I'm scared this nystagmus will never stop and I'm scared I'm already in the chronic stage of this illness.