Vestibular Neuritis / Labyrinthitis

[Chris Holland]

Hi Everyone,

About 10 months ago I had a serious bout of Vestibular Neuritis / Labyrinthitis, a (viral) infection of the vestibular nerve and labyrinth which resulted in heavy vertigo for about 3 - 4 weeks and came with tinnitus, hyperacusis, distorted sound perception (underwater sensation), headaches and sensitivity to light.

Safe to say it sucked.

However, all symptoms subsided after about 6 weeks and after around 8 weeks I was back to normal with the exception of occasional fleeting tinnitus in my right ear after a night out but this did not really concern me.

Now 10 months later I started to experience tinnitus in my left ear which now also crossed over to my right. It's a high pitched ringing (same as before) but now it's constant (24/7). I don't experience any other symptoms as I did before with the neuritis however I keep thinking this might be connected somehow.

As a footnote I do need to say that I was under immense stress for a very long time and I was also not taking care of myself properly, I did not sleep enough, used pre-workout sups (loads of caffeine), trained 6 times a week, worked fulltime (sales job), drank on the weekends and I smoked weed. This could all have excarcerbated an already weak spot in my inner ear system as well so I am putting it down to an accumulation of factors that spurred on the tinnitus to now become constant.

Has anyone here had any similar experience (vestibular neuritis / labyrinthitis)?

Best,

Chris

 

[fish_bowl_head]

Hi, Chris. Perhaps you'll be one of the luckier ones.

My severe vertigo/nystagmus attack was nine months ago. The initial distress diminished after two days, but for weeks I had the feeling that I was listing to the right, like the Titanic sinking. I saw my PCP, had CT scan, MRI, xray of cervical spine, and saw several specialists. I had more advanced vestibular tests (VNG, etc.) which did not provoke vertigo or nystagmus. I even did vestibular rehab (which did nothing) in hopes that it would help. I concluded, before the doctors, that I didn't have BPPV, Meniere's disease, and probably didn't have MAV. I didn't have an ear infection or illness at the time of my initial attack. Meclizine was of no benefit; doctors didn't want to prescribe a benzodiazepene.

I developed what I don't know how to describe: head fog that feels like my head is in a fish bowl or a tight helmet. For the first month, movement around me was unpleasant. I couldn't get groceries, as customers were moving erratically and too fast. I was fatigued simply from moving and focusing on my own balance. For a time, I had cognitive delays and couldn't think of words. (I could write normally, but when speaking to someone it was difficult to construct complete sentences as usual.) I wanted to avoid movment.

Tinnitus began full force in my left ear, and hisses 24/7. My right ear, which has had eustachian tube dysfunction for years, treats me to cave sounds, and pulsatile tinnitus when I'm tired or in bed. More sensitivity to sounds. Fatigue.

I didn't receive any diagnosis of VN until this week, and it was VN. My doctor didn't discuss or explain VN, didn't speculate as to cause; I know only what I've researched. He didn't seem to grasp how debilitated I am within my own head.

During recent audiology tests, I had such a strong reaction to certain sounds, I involuntarily jumped in my chair. The audiologist simply told me to try and sit still, which was irritating. I have still a degree of hyperacusis, IMO. When I listened to a certain tone in my left ear, my right ear felt as if an ice pick had been driven through it. Certain sounds and levels of noise provoke an automatic negative response.

I'm nine months out from my sudden attack of vertigo, and I still have a full head, "brain fog," heavy head, tinnitus, disequilibriuim, and the constant feeling that I simply want to sit, have my head supported, and close my eyes. There must be a component of visual stress in whatever's going on. My vision hasn't changed, but I tend to avoid moving my head or eyes much. It must be tiring, visually, for the brain to spend energy on adaptation. I'm comfortable staring at the TV or at a wall. I'm far less active than I was before the onset of VN, if that's what it was. My ability to concentrate has decreased. Thinking takes a lot of work. I'm still sensitive to light.

I read that 95% of people with vestibular neuritis recover completely, within a few weeks or months. I've read comments from patients with similar experiences, and they all say it gets better before long. That hasn't been my experience, but there may be variables of which I'm unaware.

I'm lost at this point. The recent doctor didn't have an awareness of the chronic, debilitating head/cognitive heaviness and flat perception. It's debilitating. Whenever my allergies flare, or my glands swell to fight infection, my head/ear symptoms are exacerbated and my head feels like a heavy melon that's going to roll off my neck. (And I'd feel better if it did.) He addressed only the disequilibrium, suggesting that Paxil can sometimes help. I'm sure he thinks my problems are caused by anxiety. (Which they are not, although I feel more anxiety now because of the effects of these symptoms.) Tinnitus? That didn't merit any of his time. You get used to tinnitus. (If you don't have it.) All I received were suggestions to mask or ignore tinnitus.

I wish I could be more encouraging, but I think it's important to share both positive and negative details. It's not as if most of us have gotten clear, concise, helpful answers or treatments from the medical experts. There's so much they don't know, and with which they don't have to live. The vestibular system is very complex.

I hope your progress continues, and that eventually you will be restored to pre-VN function. I believe that's possible for some people. I also believe it can take longer in some cases. Honestly, it may never go away completely, especially if nerve damage occurred and impacted sensitive pathways. The ears/vestibular system work together, so if both sides aren't 100% and working together, tinnitus can result. (Among other issues.) The brain is an exacting master.

 

[glynis]

I had a really bad go of it and had meds off the doctor but the attacks kept coming and hearing and tinnitus got worse along with lots of other symptoms.
Went ENT and put on meds and had tests 12-18 months later was told I had Menieres.....
Just keep a log of your symptoms.
Love glynis

 

[Tweaker]

I was told I had Labrynthitis at end of 2010. This was a few months after my bad T started. I had proper vertigo at the time. I still get dizziness some days but not enough to stop me working. A feeling like my head and body are a bit disconnected. Not sure if it's to do with the Labrynthitis or not or just somehow connected to my tinnitus and dodgey ears. Prochlorperazine works best for vertigo. I take it on a bad day.

 

[Chris Holland]

Hi, Chris. Perhaps you'll be one of the luckier ones

All my symptoms subsided fortunately, only the Tinnitus is left but it could be unrelated seeing as all my symptoms subsided after 8 weeks. Your symptoms don't really sound like Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis to be honest ...

 

[Rim Chokor]

Hi chris, i have your same case .
Im suffering from vestibular neuritis from 6 weeks ..im feeling better now but i still have blurred vision and tinnitus . my doctor told me that tinnitus will not go away and i should learn to live with tinnitus
Any update with your tinnitus?