POZ Community Forums
Off Topic Forums => Off Topic Forum => Topic started by: HIVworker on August 04, 2006, 11:37:03 am
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I am suffering from severe Vertigo right now, which my doctor said was labyrinthitis. Anyone else suffered from this? It feels like I am drunk without the fun. It makes working in the HIV lab impossible and I'm not even going to try.
If anyone has had this, how long does it last? I'm taking Antivert for it, but it only makes me sleepy.
R
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I've had this before and it TOTALLY sucks. The first time it happend I wasn't sure what the heck was going on. It was so bad I couldn't even see myself in the mirror as my vision kept moving from right to left, right to left.... driving - out of the question.
I also agree that the Antivert is useless.
What did seem to alleviate things however was to get my blood flowing. Something about working out would change pressure and give reprieve for awhile. Try going for a brisk walk or run.
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I had this when I was a kid! But I HATE David Bowie so it was no suprise!
(http://www.bookmice.net/darkchilde/lab/button.jpg)
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No, this induces a different sort of nausea altogether...
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Hi R,
Sorry youre going through this. This is a topic I know a heck of a lot about.
I started getting episodic vertigo 5 years ago lasting from 20 seconds to 20 minutes. They were self-contained and afterwards I was fine.
Then several months ago I was feeling funny outside - a moment here a moment there. I didnt understand what was going on - for awhile I thought I was going crazy. Then one day it got so bad outside I realized it was my balance. There was no spinning this time, but EVERYtime I was OUTside, I felt like I would fall down...crossing the street was a bitch...it was like crossing a street of 20 to 30 feet looked like a mile to me. They said it was sensory overload and my brain needed time to compensate for the mixed messages it was getting from my inner ears...more specifically, the vestibular nerves.
They dont know exactly what the problem is but I probably had a virus at some point that damaged one of the vestibular nerves. We balance ourselves because each nerve gives equal but opposite signals to the brain as to our position in the environment - if they are not equal and opposite, then the brain perceives motion which causes the dizziness. It took 4 to 5 months but now I can get around outside even though I know something isnt quite right. This is a bitch especially when you live and work in NYC!
They prescribed me antivert which didnt do shit except make me tired. When you have trouble balancing yourself the last thing you need is to be drowsy.
I went for vestibular rehabilitation therapy and was taught exercises and little tricks to help my brain compensate for the disorder...not sure if it helped but they believe it speeds up the process.
Labyrinthitis...I am guessing your vertigo is lasting a minute or less each episode? Or is it constant? When I had the vertigo I couldnt read or look at my computer...it is truly debilitating. Are you experiencing ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or any hearing loss at all? Is the spinning occuring all the time or when you turn over in bed or make sudden movements with your head and body?
Please see an ENT (ear nose throat doctor) and let them do a hearing exam and ENG and an MRI of the auditory canal wouldnt be a bad idea. Im confident this will clear for you shortly but I know its horrible while youre going through it. The thing is, they will know its your inner ear but theyll probably say its of idiopathic origin...basically they have no clue why it happened.
If you have any questions feel free to PM me and you can gladly PM or email me any questions you may have.
I hope youre feeling better soon! Please keep us posted.
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Jeff,
Ive done almost all of that stuff on the list already. It's a viral infection of some sort and it is certainly giving me all of these symptoms.
It's not nerve damage yet. I don't have a tumor or bleeding in the brain. It's Labyrinthitis alright - I also know the difference between vertigo and dizzyness and trust me it's vertigo.
I just wanted to hear other people's experience, I'm getting good medical help, but I know it can take a long time to clear up and leave lasting damage. So thanks for your story it was useful.
R
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Was your ENG totally normal? No abnormal nystagmus noted?
My vertigo...the true spinning was episodic like a couple of times a week and rarely a couple of times a day....self contained like I said on and off for 4 years...then no spinning for a year so I though wow its finally gone....then the whole imbalance thing started...my symptoms morphed.
With spinning I couldnt see or read or work during those few moments....the imbalance I cant walk outside...dont know which is worse. Luckily its improved.
Id like to hear from others as well.
Hope youre feeling better - I know it sucks.
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PS. I got roaring in the ears...and I modified my post to make it less rude. This thing really shortened my fuse...apologies for that.
...and thank you for your support. I just feel useless right now.
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Dont worry about it. I didnt mean to make it sound like I was talking down to you or anything. I just know youre a scientist and would understand everything I was writing even if it wasnt your specialty. Its just that I totally understand how you must be feeling. I have gone through hell with this thing - more than people realize. Then I have to listen to people ask me if its psychosomatic or if its in my mind...but thats another issue.
Just follow the doctors instructions and Im sure youll be alright...its fairly common and my guesstimate is that 2 to 3 weeks youll be back to normal.
PS Talk about the roaring in the ears...well sometimes at night when its quiet I cant sleep because I hear noises in my HEAD...not my ears but in my head...the best way to describe it is to say it sounds like glass breaking in slow motion. Its messed up.
Little Steve has Menieres but thats a totally different animal.
Try to relax - I know its tough - but this will resolve for you.
Please keep us updated.
Take care.
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Neuroscience was my PhD. Not that this means anything for this condition. As a virologist for the past few years it frustrates me to hear a doctor say, "It's probably viral" because I want to know which. I know science doesn't have an answer and I know it is trite to complain on a HIV forum about it. But it has really screwed with my work and I have to ask people to do my experiments for me because if I reach up I have a chance of falling down - not what you want to do with flasks of HIV in your hands. It has put me in a right pissy mood for sure. And Antivert makes me sleepy too. I struggle to keep my eyes open at work.
I guess I should suck it up for the next few days and get some rest as the doctor and you said. Bloody ears. Who needs them!
R
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But it probably is viral. LOL So try to relax and get some rest. Im sure youre going to be fine.
And only those who have experienced this know exactly how u feel and I can assure you that it isnt trite.
I was terrified my problem wasnt going to go away but the docs assured me that everyone is different and it would eventually clear up and it has.
Your case is different and itll be a shorter time span. Its frustrating I know, but you just have to wait it out.
Take care.
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My mother had this, pretty badly, about 18 years ago. It was an acute self-limiting episode. Yep, "something" viral. I've come to loathe the word "idiopathic" since that time. R, I think you're just going to have to sleep this one out.
I'm going to make one feeble suggestion which may only aggravate you: if you're like me at all, the not-being-able-to-do-anything is making you bored, cranky, miserable. When I get one of my blinding headaches (not very frequent, thank goodness) I'm as unhappy at the fact that I can't read or write or watch telly as I am in physical pain. So I just listen to lots of music (Bach cello suites recommended for any kind of head pain). Are you a books-on-tape kind of guy?
Jay
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Thanks Jay. I think it is a herpes virus, but there is little research in it. I am very much a cello sort of guy (used to play) but I prefer Elgar.
Thanks for your comments. I'll ride the storm and stay in bed. I've been feeling like I am on the bow of a ship all week - and it isn't the Titantic and I feel far from the "King of the world"
R
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Ack, I have never experienced that condition, though it sounds awful... especially for a researcher who does lab work! I hope you are back on your feet soon.
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What is it with you Brits and Elgar? ;) I was somewhat shocked to hear Matt (newt) claim that Elgar's Second Symphony is the most under-rated piece of twentieth-century music. I've always ranked Elgar alongside Rimsky-Korsakoff and the like; Edwardian schlock. (Now Britten -- there's an under-heard British composer.) I think too much "Land of Hope and Glory" has clouded British judgement. Jay
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I like him because he grew up where I did ;). He's very British. I guess it takes all types and I like Elgar.
R
PS. I agree about Benny Britten.
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Someone please send me links to samples of the music in question. Me likee the good compose.
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For a sampler go to the second tune on the Amazon website
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002VEQGG/sr=8-4/qid=1154751653/ref=pd_bbs_4/102-5127509-8177709?ie=UTF8 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002VEQGG/sr=8-4/qid=1154751653/ref=pd_bbs_4/102-5127509-8177709?ie=UTF8)
I. Adagio - Moderato - Jacqueline Du Pre
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aw man, nice. Like to explore new stuff like that. Thanks, Dizzyman.
:D
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That's what they were calling me at work too :( ;)
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Pomp and Circumstance, March 1; England's "reserve" national anthem, played at graduation ceremonies too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_29H-uiWOs
Benjamin Britten's opus 23 for two pianos. He was a good fag. The most overtly homoerotic thing he did, I suppose, is the opera Billy Budd, with a libretto by E.M. Forster.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqb7vAYk4w8
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You grew up near the Malvern Hills, lucky you. J.