• Symptoms of Viral Labyrinthits/Vestibular Neuritis

    As so many people are asking "is this normal? Should I be feeling like this?", I thought this list of symptoms as published by the Vestibular Disorders Association might help put your minds at rest. It doesn't mean everyone with experience all the symptoms, although some unfortunates do or have in the past!!! It's important to remember that you CAN and WILL make a full recovery from your balance disorder.

    Vertigo and dizziness
    ▪ Spinning or whirling sensation; an illusion of movement of self or the world (vertigo)
    ▪ Lightheaded, floating, or rocking sensation
    ▪ Sensation of being heavily weighted or pulled in one direction

    Balance and spatial orientation
    ▪ Imbalance, stumbling, difficulty walking straight or turning a corner
    ▪ Clumsiness or difficulty with coordination
    ▪ Difficulty maintaining straight posture; tendency to look downward to confirm the location of the
    ground
    ▪ Head may be held in a tilted position
    ▪ Tendency to touch or hold onto something when standing, or to touch or hold the head while seated
    ▪ Sensitivity to changes in walking surfaces or footwear
    ▪ Muscle and joint pain (due to difficulty balancing)

    Vision
    ▪ Trouble focusing or tracking objects with the eyes; objects or words on a page seem to jump, bounce,
    float, or blur or may appear doubled
    ▪ Discomfort from busy visual environments such as traffic, crowds, stores, and patterns.
    ▪ Sensitivity to light, glare, and moving or flickering lights; fluorescent lights may be especially
    troublesome
    ▪ Tendency to focus on nearby objects; increased discomfort when focusing at a distance
    ▪ Increased night blindness; difficulty walking in the dark
    ▪ Poor depth perception

    Hearing (NOTE: There is NO hearing loss with vn)
    ▪ Hearing loss; distorted or fluctuating hearing
    ▪ Tinnitus (ringing, roaring, buzzing, whooshing, or other noises in the ear)
    ▪ Sensitivity to loud noises or environments
    ▪ Sudden loud sounds may increase symptoms of vertigo, dizziness, or imbalance

    Cognitive and psychological
    ▪ Difficulty concentrating and paying attention; easily distracted
    ▪ Forgetfulness and short-term memory lapses
    ▪ Confusion, disorientation, difficulty comprehending directions or instructions
    ▪ Difficulty following speakers in conversations, meetings, etc., especially when there is background
    noise or movement
    ▪ Mental and/or physical fatigue out of proportion to activity
    ▪ Loss of self-reliance, self-confidence, self-esteem
    ▪ Anxiety, panic
    ▪ Depression

    Other
    ▪ Nausea or vomiting
    ▪ "Hangover" or "seasick" feeling in the head
    ▪ Motion sickness
    ▪ Ear pain
    ▪ Sensation of fullness in the ears
    ▪ Headaches
    ▪ Slurred speech
    ▪ Sensitivity to pressure or temperature changes and wind currents

    Love Frances xx
    This article was originally published in forum thread: Symptoms of Viral Labyrinthits/Vestibular Neuritis started by Frances View original post
    Comments 18 Comments
    1. ellieanne's Avatar
      ellieanne -
      "It's important to remember that you CAN and WILL make a full recovery from your balance disorder."

      Thank you so much for this article, expecially this quote.
    1. Sueannan's Avatar
      Sueannan -
      Hi,thanks for that. Sadly i have not made a full recovery. Thinking of asking my GP,if he thinks Reflexology,would help. At moment working with physio,doing Exercises of the eyes etc,early days yet,has anyone tried this,and found it works. Susan.
    1. dangermouse's Avatar
      dangermouse -
      OMG
      The cognitive thing describes me to a T. Plus I have a lot of forms to fill in for work and if I get any sort of interruption, I make a mistake and have to start all over again..
    1. AndyJacobs's Avatar
      AndyJacobs -
      This is exactly what i have, can anyone help me find the right person to talk to about starting to improve my condition?

      Andy
    1. Wahmuk's Avatar
      Wahmuk -
      As I read and mentally checked off the majority of these symptoms and planned to talk to my GP about my ongoing dizziness problem (again!) and maybe this time attach a NAME to it, I came across the caveat that this is a relatively temporary problem, that it can last weeks or a couple of months at most. I have been living with these symptoms for YEARS without relief, so I wonder if this is possible with this particular disease?

      I've had dizzy spells since I was a small child (I am now approaching fifty!), and as I have grown older many other symptoms have appeared. I have had little luck with doctors even understanding that there is a problem. Indeed, the Balance Clinic at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, said that I do not have a balance problem.
    1. catherinebones's Avatar
      catherinebones -
      Quote Originally Posted by AndyJacobs View Post
      This is exactly what i have, can anyone help me find the right person to talk to about starting to improve my condition?

      Andy
      best place to start is an ENT consultant who specialises in balance problems,
    1. catherinebones's Avatar
      catherinebones -
      Quote Originally Posted by Sueannan View Post
      Hi,thanks for that. Sadly i have not made a full recovery. Thinking of asking my GP,if he thinks Reflexology,would help. At moment working with physio,doing Exercises of the eyes etc,early days yet,has anyone tried this,and found it works. Susan.
      exercises have been successful for lots of peolple, apparently helps if they are tailored to you - can you see a physio specialising in vestibular physio?
    1. Amy Almeida Pope's Avatar
      Amy Almeida Pope -
      i began with a diagnosis of vestibular neuronitis then after much testing learned that my vestibular nerve was damaged beyond repair i tried vrt to no avail i went originally to an ent after my family doctor could not treat my vertigo symptoms any longer . i then was referred to an inner ear specialist after undergoing an outpatient surgery to place dexamethasone steroid directly into my eardrum which did nothing. i then had a vestibular nerve sectioning this was a hard surgery and i am still recovering after 2 months my vertigo is under control but still am very dizzy especially when the weather is changing this has been a roller coaster ride and a very long year does any of this sound familiar to anyone or am i the only one to experience this??
    1. MI_Dreaming's Avatar
      MI_Dreaming -
      I have all of the symptoms and more that are listed above..my MRI came back clear and just waiting for my EP test on mon. I have had these symptoms starting almost a year and then in march I had a bad spell for weeks that stoped me from working and driving. It has slowed down now, thank god! I have 3 kids to take care of..was very difficult for that month. Now the spells only happen when Im trying to do to much and when I shop. I cant handle looking at shelves of many things or looking at shopping carts, patterns..ect. Before I couldnt even go in stores at all! It was like I was having mini seizures. I felt like I was dieing..
      I also see trails 24/7 and crazzy floaters.. and images are frozen.
      Does anyone eles have this? I just cant wait to find out whats wrong and fix it!
    1. Nicola Hitchings Gordon's Avatar
      Nicola Hitchings Gordon -
      [QUOTE=MI_Dreaming;163332]

      I have been experiencing the same thing since this year March. I've been told that it's down the viral Labyrinthis which has left me with permanent damage to my right ear. I tried doing Vestibular rehabilitation at home and was advised after seeing a Occupational adviser that I need to have Occupational Therapy and vestibular rehabilitation in order to basically retrain my brain and body to intemperate information since the damage caused will never return. I hope this has been of some help and wish you all the best. I understand how frustrating it can been trying to function as one used to.

      I do hope things will improve for you. Good luck.
      Nicola
    1. awalkerphoenix's Avatar
      awalkerphoenix -
      Quote Originally Posted by MI_Dreaming View Post
      I have all of the symptoms and more that are listed above..my MRI came back clear and just waiting for my EP test on mon. I have had these symptoms starting almost a year and then in march I had a bad spell for weeks that stoped me from working and driving. It has slowed down now, thank god! I have 3 kids to take care of..was very difficult for that month. Now the spells only happen when Im trying to do to much and when I shop. I cant handle looking at shelves of many things or looking at shopping carts, patterns..ect. Before I couldnt even go in stores at all! It was like I was having mini seizures. I felt like I was dieing..
      I also see trails 24/7 and crazzy floaters.. and images are frozen.
      Does anyone eles have this? I just cant wait to find out whats wrong and fix it!
      I can relate to you. I am just now reading this post...have things improved? I have had Vestibular Neuritis for 1.5 years now. My eye floaters popped up at the one year mark, the same time I started tapering off an anti depressant a doctor put me on for possible migraines. I don't know if the AD or the VN caused the eye floaters. The floaters have been around for almost 6 months now. I am not sure if they have gotten better or I am just more used to them. I have read a few people who get them from Vestibular disorders, but also have reads tons and tons of people who get them when withdrawing from an AD.

      I have had all kinds of eye problems since this started. After images or Palinopsia, has been there since the beginning. Not sure what you mean by frozen images though. If you stare at an object and move your head side to side, is it hard to keep the image in focus? This is called Gaze Stability, and mine has finally improved with VRT.

      I have been doing tailor made VRT for 7 months now, and it has helped with my balance and head and eye movement. I am still not 100%, but feeling much better day to day. I am no longer having "bad" days, but still feel like I am not myself. I do believe in VRT, but in reality, it could take years of it for me to get back to where I was before this happened.

      Have you had balance testing?
    1. Schmoozie's Avatar
      Schmoozie -
      Quote Originally Posted by MI_Dreaming View Post
      I have all of the symptoms and more that are listed above..my MRI came back clear and just waiting for my EP test on mon. I have had these symptoms starting almost a year and then in march I had a bad spell for weeks that stoped me from working and driving. It has slowed down now, thank god! I have 3 kids to take care of..was very difficult for that month. Now the spells only happen when Im trying to do to much and when I shop. I cant handle looking at shelves of many things or looking at shopping carts, patterns..ect. Before I couldnt even go in stores at all! It was like I was having mini seizures. I felt like I was dieing..
      I also see trails 24/7 and crazzy floaters.. and images are frozen.
      Does anyone eles have this? I just cant wait to find out whats wrong and fix it!

      I have this exactly...have you found out what it is or has it gotten better. I have had issues since last March 2011 with some bad times in July in particular
    1. jewels's Avatar
      jewels -
      FRUSTRATED!!!!!! Is all I can say. I have been dealing with extreme dizziness for more than 2 years and have pretty much all of the symptoms listed above. I have seen so many doctors it isn't even funny ,and had every test possible, with little explaination. I feel like they just guess and make me feel like I'm crazy. I recently look a leave from my job because driving is nearly impossible. I have 3 young girls and all I want is to be able to take care of them without having to lay down.
      Gosh, I sound so negitive...... I really normally have a pretty positive attitude. But I haven't known anyone with the same issues as me It's kinda nice to get it off my chest. What kinda of tests did you all recieve to properly diagnose your condition? and what treatments helped?
    1. laurenb's Avatar
      laurenb -
      Hi this is my first post. I first had labs in 2004 and was very unwell, since then I am mildly dizzy all of the time and then I get bad bouts where the symptoms are much worse and these last for a few months at a time along with severe headaches, does anyone else suffer with headaches? My GP keeps saying its stress although I did not feel stressed, although I do now as I am in a bad stage. The headaches feel like immense pressure on my head and I cant think properly and find it really hard to concentrate. I have finally been referred to the local ENT department at the local hospital and am awaiting an appointment. but now not sure if I need to try and find a specialist in these disorders.
      Feel like I am going mad and find it hard to function, I have two small boys and have no patience with them and find the noise difficult to tolerate.
    1. pombonted's Avatar
      pombonted -
      Hi Lauren,

      Sorry to hear that. Many people with vestibular symptoms and problems also have migraine. I'm not sure where u are from but a referral to a Neuro-otologist would be a good start. If there is nothing going on in your ears at the moment it's unlikely an ENT can do much other than organise hearing tests and vestibular testing to see if there is any permanent damage from the Labs. Do u know if u got any tinnitus and/or hearing loss from the Labs? Were u ever given any formal VRT to assist with your residual symptoms? If migraine and head pressure are the main problems now then you may need some medication to assist. Also are you a aware that there could be a dietary component and which foods to avoid bc they may be triggers? There is another condition called MAV, Migraine Associated Vertigo that can be common amongst those who have sustained vestibular damage, or vestibular migraines. Do u ever have any vertigo or is it mainly dizziness, imbalance etc ?
    1. Shellywhit's Avatar
      Shellywhit -
      Hi I'm new to this site today, I have been suffering with labs since feb had the scan that was clear, I've started vrt last week and all of a sudden I have really bad nausea and sickness, I feel I've gone backwards rather than forwards, I've been off work for 8 wks which worries me to death, does anyone else suffer sickness ?
    1. pombonted's Avatar
      pombonted -
      Hi Shelly

      Sorry to hear that. If u are not coping with VRT for the moment, then perhaps back it off. It might be too much too soon. U need to be able to do the exercises and be disturbed by them, but u should be able to return back to "pre-exercise" feeling within about 15 mins. Do u have a formal VRT program?

      I know it's stressful but it is quite common for symptoms to be persisting in excess of 8wks. Try not to stress too much as it will inhibit your recovery. If u can't do VRT for now then try to do as many normal activities as u can manage. This is also great VRT. Try not to get depressed and avoid activity and withdraw. Avoiding things is the single most thing u need to That's what u need to avoid most, even though it's the most natural feeling we have.
    1. Shellywhit's Avatar
      Shellywhit -
      Quote Originally Posted by pombonted View Post
      Hi Shelly

      Sorry to hear that. If u are not coping with VRT for the moment, then perhaps back it off. It might be too much too soon. U need to be able to do the exercises and be disturbed by them, but u should be able to return back to "pre-exercise" feeling within about 15 mins. Do u have a formal VRT program?

      I know it's stressful but it is quite common for symptoms to be persisting in excess of 8wks. Try not to stress too much as it will inhibit your recovery. If u can't do VRT for now then try to do as many normal activities as u can manage. This is also great VRT. Try not to get depressed and avoid activity and withdraw. Avoiding things is the single most thing u need to That's what u need to avoid most, even though it's the most natural feeling we have.
      hi thanks for the reply i really appreciate it, since the vrt im more dizzy and sick all the time not just after excersise, im back there next week so hopfully they will be able to advise me, is it common to feel so sick all the time.i had a couple of good weeks where i had no sickness and little dizziness thought had cracked it and wham after vrt its back just like day one

      thankyou
      shelly