For those of you who are suffering from Labyrinthitis, I feel your pain. I have got it for the second time in my life and it is extremely debilitating. So much so that my doctor decided I ought to have a brain scan this time to check that nothing more sinister was going on. I was fine about that until a friend asked me if I was worried about a brain tumour. Then I did begin to worry a little…
The MRI process itself is very strange. You have to go in a body sized tube with earplugs and headphones on and then they play extremely loud music that doesn’t successfully block out the incredibly loud machine at all. Then you have to lie very, very still for ages. They had to repeat my scan twice because I twitched (think I might have fallen asleep despite all that noise). Best to keep your eyes closed as it’s relatively claustrophobic. I was allowed to keep my clothes on because they were scanning my head. You just have to remove all metals as it’s a magnet and you wouldn’t want to get stuck to the sides. Afterwards however, I discovered that a rogue pair of underpants had got trapped in my jeans that were causing a large lump at the back of my thigh. Wonder what the scanner would have made of that??
Anyway the results came back yesterday and GUESS WHAT??? It’s all fine. I was more relieved to actually have a brain…unless that’s a walnut in there:-
Could be a walnut?
OMG are those my eyeballs? How terrifying:-
OK so here are my Halloween masks sorted…Darth Vader perhaps?
So whilst the good news is that I have a brain, the bad news is that it doesn’t help diagnose the cause of Labyrinthitis because they can’t detect any crystals or fluid build up, so they still don’t know how to treat the problem.
If you have it, then the main symptom is dizziness – or postural vertigo. Mainly brought on (in my case anyway) when you lie down or turn in bed. Then it feels similar (in my case anyway) to having just come back from drinking 8 large glasses of revolting pub wine so that your head spins. Even worse for me has been trying to teach Pilates because moving from lying on one side of the body to do a leg exercise, to the other makes me all wobbly and doing roll-downs make me want to fall over. It’s just as well my class is made up of friends who are used to their Pilates teacher being rubbish!
So what can you do about it?
The ENT specialist I saw wanted me to do a test. Lie in bed on my back and then turn to one side and slowly see what happens. Then back to the middle and then do the same on the other side and then repeat both six times. If the dizziness only occurs on one side then it is likely to be “crystals” that are interfering with the inner ear and they treat it by manual manipulation of the head.
Because mine appears to be a bit more vague he put it down to Labyrinthitis which could be viral or otherwise just a residue build up from last time (or indeed a recurrence of the original virus) to cause additional fluid pressure in the inner ear. So I have been given some Benalistine Dihydrochloride tablets that he said would reduce the fluid by increasing the blood flow around the ear as it’s a designated anti-vertigo drug, but it also looks like it suppresses the Central Nervous System to inhibit the activity of the vestibular nuclei that affect balance. Also very addictive, but going to give them a go anyway.
You also are supposed to carry on as normal as much as you can and move a lot. He encouraged me to bring on the dizziness just a bit and then focus on a fixed point – such as a clock, until you were no longer dizzy so that the brain could start issuing new messages about balance.
Drink lots of fluids to avoid dehydration.
If it’s the crystals causing the problem (crystals? What sort of crystals?) then you may be able to try Vestibular Rehab therapy where they attempt to re-train your brain and nervous system by providing balance exercises and the strange head manoeuvres called “The Epley Manoeuvre” which didn’t do anything for me but might be worth a try.
How long does it last?
Very difficult to say, last time I was told I could have it for up to 3 months and I did. This time it feels as if it’s going a bit more quickly. Apparently in older people it takes longer to go, but the more active you are the quicker it goes.
All I can say is that it does go away eventually so be patient and ignore it as much as possible. In fact one solution is just to pretend you have been at one great big party and are constantly pissed! let me know how you get on!
Amanda in Atlanta
October 21, 2016I have never heard of this. I hope you feel better soon!
Family Affairs
October 21, 2016Thanks! Lx
Expat Mum
October 21, 2016I have a friend who has this (or something similar) all the time. Sometimes she can’t get out of bed because the floor seems to be moving.
I had one crazy episode last year which was horrible and weird at the same time. Working at my desk, I turned and reached for a pen on the floor and almost fell off my chair. When I straightened up it seemed like everything was moving around. I actually shouted out “Woah” (to no one) and grabbed the table. It lasted about 15 seconds but thank goodness, has never happened again. (Just junxed it haven’t I?)
Family Affairs
October 21, 2016Well yes, that was the feeling – sudden movement that doesn’t allow you to regain your sense of balance. How lucky for you it was so brief.! Some people literally can’t get out of bed and throw up all the time. AWFUL. Mine is nowhere near that bad thank goodness (and fingers crossed!) Lx
Amanda in Atlanta
October 23, 2016I think we call this Vertigo in the States, which would explain why I haven’t heard of it.
Family Affairs
October 25, 2016AHA – yes – positional vergigo is another term for it apparently Lx
Expat Mum
October 25, 2016I’m in the States and the friend that I mentioned doesn’t have vertigo. It has a different name and more to do with the inner ear. Very similar symptoms though.
Alice Cullerne Bown
October 24, 2016I’ve had this and apparently there is a cure (for some cases) that involves moving the head around a certain way … maybe ask Dr Google … mine went away after a few weeks but was horrible so I feel for you. Your skull is a lovely shape (of course!) xx
Family Affairs
October 25, 2016Ha ha – thanks for complimenting my brain shape!! Yes, that’s the Epley manoauvre thingy I can’ spell…Lx
Alice Cullerne Bown
October 24, 2016Just found this – for vertigo but it might work? http://www.webmd.com/brain/home-remedies-vertigo#1 xx
Family Affairs
October 25, 2016Thanks Alice! Lx
Uncle Dunc
October 25, 2016Is that really your head!? Sorry to hear about your condition…..I’m wondering if it might be genetic….as I recall your Dad complained about falling over all the time over a short period in HK. I think I have a mild form of it as well…I first noticed it a couple of years ago when I struggled to get up from the dentist’s chair. I normally seem to get it at this time of year (spring) but fortunately it doesn’t last long. GP suffered from it in her latter years but managed to counter balance it with a whisky or two. Hope it clears up soon. Dunc xx
Family Affairs
October 25, 2016Oh no….clearly is genetic and requires much alcohol then to counter-balance!! Lx