Vestibular Neuritis

[Ivan123]

Hello. My name is Ivan and I have been suffering from eustachian tube dysfunction & tinnitus. I went to see a gp who told me it will pass in matter of weeks and gave mr a nasal spray. After over a month of no improvement I went to see a diffent gp but again I was told to wait.

Last week my tinnitus got extremely loud and although it has been bearable since it's still worse than what it was.

Last night I felt dizziness and I immediatelly lost conciousness, fainted and hit the floor with my head. I immediatelly went to a local a&e where I was told I'vr got a virus in middle ear and that I'm suffering from Vestibular Neuritis.

I was not given any medications, just been told it will pass withing a week. I cannot sleep due to feeling like I'm falling immediatelly after I fall asleep.

Has anyone experienced this? What was your experience like? At the moment I feel like I'm constantly on a roller-coaster.

[Wringing1212]

Hello Ivan,

I'm not a doctor but after reading your post, can't help but feel a little concerned about the passing out bit. My guess is the falling sensation is vertigo, which is easy to understand but loosing contiousness suggests the possibility of something more urgent.

How are you feeling now? Any more fainting spells? Are you feeling well enough to seek a second opinion?

[Ivan123 in reply to Wringing1212]

I feel much better now, thanks for asking.

My head is still spinning and tinnitus is loud but I do feel stronger and I can finally sleep.

I did a little bit of research and passing out is not uncommon it takes few seconds and it should not happen again. Also apparently this vestibular neuritis only occurs once in a lifetime which is a relief since this nerve controls the balance of my body. I've been also reading that the symptons peak very quickly...in matter of days and they will all go away within 3 weeks which I hope they do because my tinnitus for months was like hissing and now I've got music playing in my war. I am seeing the GP tomorrow but I'm not holding my hopes up as so far I have learned more from people online than the doctors.

[MBOY1 in reply to Ivan123]

Ivan,

Sorry to hear about your problems. I’ve had pretty severe eustacian tube dysfunction for over 4 years as result of rapid weight loss following radiation of my neck for oral cancer. Permanent white noise emanating from ears and it feels like I went up in an airplane 4 years ago and have never come down. I’m in western U.S. and seeking hearing specialists that may be able to help. Prior to this I was already wearing hearing aids. They help but not in all situations. I have some tinnitus as well but nothing apparently like you’ve experienced. I do know balance and middle ear issues are related.

[Ivan123 in reply to MBOY1]

Hi MBOY

I'm sorry to hear about your condition and I pray for you and the others that you will finally get the cure that you need.

My tinnitus sounds like a constant music being played in my ear. Guess the expression 'music to my ears' got a new meaning.

To be frank the tinnitus and weak hearing in my right ear I can get through despite making it my life more difficult, but fainting and losing conciusness was my most scary life experience ever. You just lose control of your body for a moment and let the gravity to do the work. Hopefully (as also the doctor suggested) this is all connected and theres no more serious issue. They did various heart scans and tested my brain functions and everything else appear to e normal. I also for the first time ever feel mucus at the back of my throat and I am hoping this is my ear clearing despite the tinnitus sounding like there's a tiny violin constantly playing in my ear. I will know better in few days