Suffering from Labyrinthitis (Vestibular Problem)

[Amish RakeFight]

Has anyone ever had or known someone who has had Labyrinthitis?

I would be interested to hear any details as to it. Symptoms, diagnosis, recovery period, causes, treatments, medicines, impact on flying, etc.


I realize there is some info online, but I'm looking for personal accounts of how it was dealt with. Apparently, many people seem to have this ailment and go undiagnosed for years.

Any and all info would be helpful.

Thanks.

 

[TV9Driver]

I was diagnosed with a viral inner ear infection (vestibular nuerotitis). My symptoms were nausea, headaches, ringing ears, mild dizziness(more like lightheadness). I have had no vertigo symptoms though and my balance has been fine.

Alot of people have vertigo/vomiting issues with Labrynthitis, but my symptoms seemed to be rather mild. I did have to take myself off flying status though.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

I just read the post in your thread. I think this is what I have too. It's really scary and has made me feel like I'm having an anxiety or panic attack. Your mental faculties are so focused on balance that your thinking actually becomes distorted and fuzzy. I found myself tilting/leaning my head unconsciously too. I've got the symptoms you listed as well as some hearing issues. I'm seeing an ENT on Monday.

Aside from medicine, there appears to be some exercises one can do to help alleviate this feeling.

Here's something called the Epley Maneuver which helps restore balance. There's actually a YT video on it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa6t-Bpg494


Here are some exercises I found as well. They actually help.

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/labyrinthitis/page6_em.htm

Talk to your doctor about certain maneuvers or exercises (Brandt and Daroff exercises and Epley maneuver) that may speed your recovery. These positions attempt to rearrange tiny particles inside your ear and/or desensitize you to their effects.

• Sit on the edge of your bed near the middle, with legs hanging down.
• Turn your head 45° to your right side.
• Quickly lie down on your left side, with your head still turned, and touch the bed with the portion of your head behind your ear.
• Hold this position-and every following position-for about 30 seconds.
• Sit up again.
• Quickly turn your head 45° toward your left side and lie down on your right side.
• Sit up again.
• Do 6-10 repetitions, 3 times per day.

 

[TV9Driver]

Yeah, the Eppley manuever is only if you have BBPV - Benign something something Vertigo. That's when you have the loose rocks in your inner ear. It won't do anything if you have labrynthitis or a viral infection. My doc did give me some vestibular excercises to do to retrain my brain so that it figures out what my eyes and ears are telling it. Things like standing with your feet together and looking straight up and then straight down ten times and then repeating with your eyes closed. Then look from one side to the other 10 times and then with your eyes closed. Things like that.

I also have some mild hearing loss in my right ear. The problem is I haven't had a hearing test in so long, it's impossible to determine if the virus caused it or if flying planes in the right seat for 10 years caused it. I also have tinnitus (ringing ears).

Another thing you might look into, and i'm going to see a specialist tomorrow about it is TMJ. I never thought that a jaw problem could cause these symptoms, but a fellow pilot told me his story about going through the same thing i am and it turned out to be TMJ. The joint is located millimeters from your inner ear so if it gets inflammed, it causes all sorts of problems for your ear - dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, nausea, bad headaches, - all the same symptoms for a vestibular nuerotitis.

Like I said, i'm going tomorrow to find out if I have it, so i'll keep you posted.

 

[TV9Driver]

By the way, don't just go to an ENT. Find a neurotologist - an ENT that specializes in inner ear disorders and problems. I went to a regular ENT first and he wasn't much help. The inner ear stuff is so complex you really need to see a specialist.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Dude, this is uncanny. I am experiencing EXACLTY what you just described, including the TMJ which I refuse to address. I've been told countless times I need a mouth guard for sleeping as I grind my teeth. This has led to some TMJ issues too. My jaw doesn'tclose right and there is periodic clicking I feel and hear from both sides. I fear I may have worn away the discs.

Your mention of these exercises is helpful. I've been dealing with this for over a year and after seeing a GP for blood work and getting an MRI by a neuro, they found nothing. So I chalked it up to my bad fortune and the anxiety that went along with it. I've been coping withthis for some time now and have been compenmsating, but I certainly feel like something isn't quite right. Whats also intersting is that the issue is in my RIGHT EAR as well. I get tinitus too and dont know if its from the props or my early clubbing days standing by the speaker.

Please feel free to add any more to this ailment as I am in the same situation as well. A perusal of info online shows that there are a lot of people who seem to be suffering from this yet can not find the correct diagnosis from their physicians.

Anyway, I'm glad to have heard more on this topic. I felt that there may be some vestibular issues and someone I know had coincidentaly just mentioned it out of thge blue and was describing exaclty what I felt and that he was cured by the Epley method perfomed by his doctor.

Once again, I appreciate any future info. This disorder has made my life very different socially over the past year and a half.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

By the way, don't just go to an ENT. Find a neurotologist - an ENT that specializes in inner ear disorders and problems. I went to a regular ENT first and he wasn't much help. The inner ear stuff is so complex you really need to see a specialist.

I think you're right about that, although I never heard of this type of doctor. I will definately seek one out as the last ENT seemed to not have even considered this.

The funny thing is, my GP performed every possible blood test and the neuro found nothing on the MRI. I even went to an ENT and he said does your right ear hurt? it looks infected or soemthing. Here's somedrops to put in. It ghould go away in a few days. BS. That ENT cured nothing. Since these docs. couldnt figure anything out, I figured I 3was losing my mind or developing panic attacks.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

One thing that sort of worries me is that it may be casued by alcohol consumption. I noticed that when Ive drank a lot the night before, the symptons are much worse than when I refrain for a few days.

Have you been told to abstain from alcoholic bevs? (please say no!)

 

[TV9Driver]

I was told to try and get out as much as possible. They didn't say anything about alcohol and i've had a few in the last few weeks with no ill effects.

Are you having vertigo episodes or are you just mildly dizzy or lightheaded? If you are having continuous periodic vertigo episodes, you might want to look into Meniere's Disease - I hope that's not the case.

go to www.heathcentral.com and type in TMJ symptoms. I printed the page out - it's amazing how similar the symptoms are to an inner ear problem.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Dude, I came across that term Meniere's Diesese and it seems a lot worse. I'm hoping its not the case.

To be honest, I'm a perfectionist who worries a lot about details and can sometimes get stressed over things. I also bottle a lot of emotions up. This all leads to teeth grinding which leads to worn TMJ joins which leads to the inner ear issues/symptoms.

What tests were performed to determine whether you had Labyrinthitis vs. Meniere's.

I'll hopefully know by Monday afternoon. If it is Meniere's (which seems worse and possibly permanent); off-hand would I lose my medical over this?