Hi all,
Hoping you might be able to help. I'm a 30 year old male.
Around 3-4 weeks ago, I had a vertigo 'attack' for the first time in my life where I was very dizzy but still able to walk during it, it lasted 10-15 seconds then went away. Then every day since I had been getting the same 'attacks' 3-4 times a day. One of the days I had a bad attack where I woke up dizzy for around an hour and only ibprofen and sleep would get rid of it. I haven't had an 'attack' now for 4 days but have continued to have 'lightheadedness' with the feeling of a dizzy attack coming on.
With this, I have noticed extreme fatigue where I wake up tired. I have been having around 10 hours sleep a day and still tired.
For the past 6-8 weeks I have had this recurring cough with white phlegm but no other symptoms.
I have also been feeling a bit sick in the stomach as well and some diarhorea of a morning but that has now gone away.
I have seen my doctor, and she 'thinks' it could be viral labrinthitis but has ordered a blood test.
I suffer from TMJ and have 4-5 months ago been through 3 dental surgeries (which had complications - infections) and as such had been on 7 courses of antibiotics.
Due to my TMJ I have (as long as I can remember) had tinitis (high pitched) which i could really only hear in a quiet room. I notice now my tinitis is a little louder (high pitched) and my ears seem to pop every now and then.
When the doctor looked into my ears, she said that my left ear has a lot of ear wax, and my right ear looked 'cloudy'.
Hoping you might be able to shed some light on this problem.
Thanks,
Anthony.
Hi Anthony,
really does sound like labrynthitis. If that's the case, it might take a bit of time to get back to feeling normal. - standard medical response is 2 - 6 weeks. Basically, you might have had some damage done to the nerves I your inner ear - viral infection possibly. Your brain can adapt fine, but it has to relearn and make new connections. Repeated movements teach the brain. Tinnitus often results from labrynthitis as does some loss of hearing. Get a referral to a neuroses tubular doc or an otarologist Know that's spelled wrong). Hang in there, Anthony. It will get better!
best,
linda
Thank you very much Linda for your reply. This has been really getting to me. I haven't heard of the specialists you have referred to, they may be called something different in Australia. I was thinking of asking for a referral to an 'Ear Nose and Throat' specialist after my blood test. I'm assuming my blood results will come back fine, but I find out on monday. Thanks again.
I should also say that I have no fever and my blood pressure is OK.
Trips to the dentist can set things off. Esp if he tilts your head down, feet up. The vibration from the drill or file can shake a crystal loose and get it floating around. Esp if you have a infection or fluid to help it move around. Had it happen to me before. Was real bad trying to get home.
Thanks Waffalobill. I've had 3 dental surgeries in 3 months. 2 of them under general anesthetic.
I had a benign cyst in my jaw (slightly smaller than a golf ball) removed from my left jaw. But weeks after the right side got infected and needed to be drained / scraped under local anesthetic. Then the left side got infected and I needed to go under (GA) for the surgeon to remove the bone graft that got infected. That was approx. 4 months ago.
Sorry should say the first surgery was 4 months ago.
Hi Anthony,
ENTs can be good, but you will get more info from a neurologist or otolaryngologist. I went to a neurovistibular clinic and had a series of test including VNG, ENG, ct scan, MRI and hearing test. I found out that I had specific damage to my left inner ear likely as a result of labrynthitis - post cold virus. I was prescribed VRT which is vestibular training. physiotherapist gives me exercises to do based on my situation. I have to repeat certain head and body movements a number of times throughout the day. When they no longer make me as dizzy, new exercises are added. It is very helpful and I can see leaps and bounds in recovery. Some of the tests just rule out other stuff and some diagnose specific areas of weakness. My best advice to you is not to get disheartened. Keep as active as possible so your brain can relearn and rest when your brain gets tired from all the new learning. Walking is especially beneficial. You may find that your brain adapts very quickly or that it takes a little longer to adjust. Some people recover with no therapy at all. I had a wicked case and initially really had to push myself to move even when dizzy. You'll find that you'll have good days and bad days and eventually just good days. I often take a sleep aid at night to make sure I get a decent rest, but I don't take any anti dizzy Meds during the day because that slows recovery. You'll probably recover quickly because of your age.
Best,
linda
Got my blood test results back, everything in normal ranges (as expected). Dr told me to increase my water intake 3-4 litres and take a high dose Vitamin C. Seems strange to me. She also said that I must take the Stemetil prescribed (i've been avoiding it as i've read your body does not compensate properly if you take it - i've just been putting up with the diziness.
My symptoms recently have changed - i think its a slow improvement. Now i have a drunkeness / floating feeling, severe fatigue and sea sickness feeling. I feel like the diziness 'comes on' more so when i'm around a group of people, when the humidity is high or i'm feeling stress/anxiety.
The Dr. didn't want to refer me to an Ear Nose and Throat specialist, because she thinks its a viral infection and will go away on its own in 2 weeks (it's been 4 weeks). I persisted though and will book one to see what they say.
Hey Anthony,
i suspect your doc is right - viruses can be awful. You probably feel dizzy in a group of people because you're brain has to take a lot of movement around in account when trying to maintain your balance. Do some light repetitive exercise if you can - like walking.
...pressed "send" too quickly.
keep positive Anthony. You'll be fine.
Best,
linda
Thanks for your support Linda, it is appreciated.
Anytime, Anthony. I know how exhausting it is to feel dizzy and fuzzy in the head. The more tired you get, the dizziier you get so take lots of rests while you're recovering. You poor wee brain can't work on overdrive all day. Try and take advantage of rest times. It's no different then if you had the symptoms of a bad cold. Pamper yourself a bit. Do quiet things. Fall asleep to a favourite movie. I' just about recovered though a full day at work is pretty tiring. I've worked through all through this. I'm on about week 6.
Best,
linda
I have a bit of an update on my symptoms.
Feeling a little steadier now.
Symptoms are now:
Fatigue
Feeling a bit like i have a pendulum inside my head where my head feels a little off balance (hard to describe)
Tinitits loud
Thing that seems to be getting me the most now is the tinitis that i can hear all the time (hissing). I do feel that i have slight degradation in my hearing too, I hope it will come back to what it was...
I have decided not to take the Stemetil, i've been more active recently doing lots of walks trying to get my body to compensate, I think it's working, as i'm feeling more stable and not dizzy as such anymore (besides the pendulum feeling).
Sounds like you are on the mend. Being as active as possible is fantastic. Don't forget to do some repetitive movements - like standing feet together eyes open 30 sec then closed 30 seconds then repeat twice. Shaking your head from side to side for 30 sec while focussing on one point then up and down then repeat twice. There are lots more - check the web, but these two are the basics. At first you feel dizzy, but after a few days, the dizziness gets much better. It's amazing what your brain can do. I liken to my old days as a competitive figure skater. The first time you spin around, you get dizzy. With more practice and more reps, you can spin forever and not get dizzy. You're on the right path. Good job!!!!!!
Thanks Linda. I will take note of those movements as you've suggested.
Appreciate your reply it is difficult to stay positive with this, but your replies have definitely helped.
Hi Anthony,
i've been through it and have come out the other side. I don't often check this site, but it did help me and your story sounded so familiar. I know it's hard to stay positive. It's scary. Just know that it will pass. Working at the exercises and staying active makes it pass faster!
best,
linda
Updating everyone on my current status.
I'm now going into my 6th week.
How I currently feel:
Feeling about 90% better. I definitely have developed anxiety and depression regarding this and my dental surgeries. I'm now seeing a psychologist to work through it.
I have an on/off 'rocking boat' feeling happens whether I'm standing up or laying down. It definitely gets much worse around crowds of people and I can feel my anxiety heightening around crowds now for some reason (never had this before). When this happens I get a sick feeling in my stomach (that feeling when something is seriously wrong).
I'm still having issues with bad fatigue. At times I have more energy but overall feel drained most of the time.
The other issue I've noticed is like a strange 'brain lag' it's hard to describe but its like my brain is very slightly delayed when I'm moving around. It's like my brain is processing movement slightly slower than it should. I'm not sure if that is due to the fatigue.
My tinitis has slightly lessened but not by much, it is still high pitched hissing and noticeable.
My ears still feel like I've been on a plane and need to be popped slightly (not by much).
I'm going to see an ENT in the next few weeks.
I know the feeling. Hard to think. Kind of a lost feeling. Like all of a sudden you forgot how to do things you been doing for decades. Think that comes with the anxiety. I never liked crowded places to begin with. Now even less.
Had a bad headache yesterday (tension type). Today I wake up with a cough, phlegm and sneezing again. Looks like I have caught another virus..... no idea when this is going to end...