Mrs Draggle is off work at present (got a four week sick note) with 'labyrinthitis' - a viral ear infection.
Her doctor says there is an epidemic of it. It seems it lasts a minimum of four weeks, and that one patient had it six months!
Symptons are dizziness, vertigo and in extreme cases vomiting.
They can only prescribe for the dizziness, it's up to your immune system to deal with the virus
She would like to write this herself but looking at the computer screen makes her dizzy.

Has anyone else got it, or knows someone who has it, and for how long?:(

Sounds remarkably like something I had a while ago - took about 2-3 weeks to clear up fully :o

I was diagnosed with Labyrinthitus a year ago, but it turned out to be Leiukiemia. Oh buggar. I've had a transplant and I'm better now so done be down beat.

MAKE SURE THEY GIVE YOU THE RIGHT DIAGNOSIS

Originally posted by dylan_61
I was diagnosed with Labyrinthitus a year ago, but it turned out to be Leiukiemia. Oh buggar. I've had a transplant and I'm better now so done be down beat.

MAKE SURE THEY GIVE YOU THE RIGHT DIAGNOSIS

Thanks for the advice - good news that you're better now.
I notice you replied to my stopping smoking thread. Do you mind me asking - did the news/going through the treatment kick you off into a smoking phase or did you get through the whole thing without smoking?
I think you know where i'm coming from....

How strange. I have been suffering with the same recently but blamed my hormones. I have not been to the docs with it though.

I have an ear problem at the mo, but not that bad. Know a few people that have had it over the last year.

Originally posted by draggletail
Thanks for the advice - good news that you're better now.
I notice you replied to my stopping smoking thread. Do you mind me asking - did the news/going through the treatment kick you off into a smoking phase or did you get through the whole thing without smoking?
I think you know where i'm coming from....

Bit of both. It made me stop again and forced me to start, which I hated, so it made me start again, then stop.

I'm also taking my ex girlfriend to court so I can see my daughter. That has a bigger effect on smoking than anything else. Having a child taken from you makes dealing with Cancer seem like childs play. I can see why the guys at fathers 4 justice are so extreem.

PS I've stopped again, thanx 4 the concern

I had it on and off for years until i tried "ear candles" I know it sounds strange, but it worked, you have to buy them on line or go to a salon , i had mine done at centre parks then bought some in America, I have treated a couple of friends including my son whohad repetative ear ache-and he hasnt had a problem since. look up hopi ear candles and read all about it. :)

Thanks, caronp. My wife has heard of them, but not thought to try them:thumbsup:

In fact she's taken this further and made an appointment for Hopi ear candle treatment with a therapist called Audrey Scully.
audreyscully.co.uk

Not wanting to disagree with a doctor (well I do actually - there are lots of useless doctors) but...

Does the vertigo/dizzyness come on with a rapid move of the head? Like getting out of bed, or standing up, or turning round or leaning down?

Originally posted by Tony
Not wanting to disagree with a doctor (well I do actually - there are lots of useless doctors) but...

Does the vertigo/dizzyness come on with a rapid move of the head? Like getting out of bed, or standing up, or turning round or leaning down?

Yes, these symptoms she was told are vertigo. But she has a general feeling of dizzyness as well as these more severe symptoms which are brought on by movement.

No promises here, and this is not a diagnosis, but it's exactly the same as something I had a few months ago - Benign Positional Vertigo. It is NOT a virus (lazy diagnosis).

It's very unpleasant so I have lots of sympathy. The first thing that goes through your head is that you've got a serious head/brain problem. The first I knew was when I got out of bed and just fell face first onto the floor for no reason. :huh:

Here's the test.

Sit on the edge of the bed and lay down backwards, then turn the head to the right. Repeat the whole thing but turn to the left. You will find that it brings on the vertigo (posh name for dizziness). You will probably notice that the eyes flicker and roll back too - it's very weird to be able to bring it on deliberately, but that's what happens.

It will only work on one side. The ear facing down is the ear with the problem. ie turn the head to the right it's the right ear.

All it is is loose calcium crystals in the inner ear canal that have floated into the wrong place and are hitting the nerve sensors that control balance.

It will clear up on its own after about 2-3 weeks as the crystals dissolve naturally. The doctor can provide tablets to nullify the effect (sort of like sea sickness tablets), but I don't like drugs for the sake of it so I let it clear up on its own.

The website (http://www-surgery.ucsd.edu/ent/PatientInfo/info_bppv.html) gives a very good rundown.

Thanks for this Tony. These include the symptoms she has had but they have now cleared up - as you say, within 3 weeks. However, she is still experiencing dizzy spells, especially when walking, so that's a mystery. But thanks again for taking the time to explain it.

hope the ear candles work, i must buy some more, they are great for this time of year what with hay fever, good luck x

I've also been waking in the night with earache. Is this part of it too?

Not BPV no. Just falling over for no good reason ;)

I've had two episodes of labyrinthitis in the past 18 months. First time was on holiday in Tunisia and I thought it was sunstroke. Second time was the day I moved to this place and I thought it was a stroke brought on by stress of the move and too much physical exertion. My doctor soothed me both times and put paid to rampant hypochondriosis. I now have a prescription for tablets which knock the worst symptoms on the head should it re-occur. My cousin who lives in darkest South Wales has also had a few bouts over the past year. Maybe we have a DNA weakness in the family.

I have Labyrinthitis - at least that is what my GP says it is. I have been off work now for 6 weeks. He has referred me to ENT to confirm diagnosis and look at future options. But of course the waiting list is 4-6 weeks just to hear from them, then you have to wait again for the appointment. All very frustrating. I've never been this ill in my entire life. it is horrendous. Wouldnt wish it on anybody!!!!
I was taking Stemetil but they didnt do anything for me. Am now taking Serc which seems to be helping.
Also having lots of tension headaches related to the Labs.
Theres a great website at Labyrinthitis.org.uk - they are very supportive and it gives a link to a brilliant Forum for fellow sufferers. They have been great with me.

Slightly off topic.
Theres a Chicken Pox epidemic here in Leicestershire.
Lock up your kids!