Dizziness full ear and tinnitus

[DizzyMess]

I’m so pleased to have found this group as I really thought I was alone with my symptoms. I’m really really struggling. I had a blocked left ear feeling then a few weeks later a bad spell of vertigo. I’ve been left 3 months later with tinnitus, a full ear and sinus type ache, and dreadful dizziness all day long. I’ve been on betahistine for 10 days and the headaches are horrendous but I think I should keep going in case they do help. I’m still awaiting an ENT referral. It’s so debilitating, I feel useless. Any help or advice would be so welcome.

[Beesmac]

Hello DizzyMess. Sorry to hear you are struggling. I’m assuming your GP prescribed the Betahistine - if I were you I would go back to them whist waiting for your ENT appointment which could take a long time as they can help with the dizziness and sinuses. 15 months ago I woke up with a blocked right ear and within half an hour was so dizzy and nauseous I couldn’t even stand. I was put on high dose steroids. I was told I had Labyrinthitis and am now profoundly deaf in my right ear along with musical tinnitus. So please try and see someone and ask for more help and to see if they can push for you to see someone quickly. I really do sympathise as it is a dreadful feeling . Good luck x

[Hidden]

Hi. Oh that is very difficult what you're going through. Yes it sounds like you need a talk with your doctor to discuss in the meantime, as you could be waiting a while for ENT. You could also ask your doctor to make your referral urgent, possibly...though I know waiting times are hard at the moment. I found cinnarzine helped me with vertigo and nausea. I got that from my GP while waiting on ENT. You can also buy it at the chemist as Sturgeron, used to prevent travel sickness. It helps me when the inner ear pressure builds up. Just a thought. Good luck. xx

[Spurdog1]

Hi there Dizzymess. First of all we are not doctors, but we on this group have bags of experience. First of all Beesmac is right, go back to your GP and talk more. Waiting lists used to be 3-6 months, but now I think it'll be longer (the covid effect of elongating waiting lists).What's the expression, "prepare for the worst, but hope for the best".

I'd also ask you to do some exercises, as what you describe may be menieres. The betahistine should eventually remove dizzyness, but leave you with tinnitus (but, i'm no doctor.

However doing calming exercises sitting quietly for 15 minutes regularly and find soothing music will help. Tinnitus feeds on fear and stress. I also think you need to find peace with the tinnitus, so some gentle music, enough to mask, but no overpowering (sorry, no AC-DC!!!!). I would also say don't use any form of headphones as this may not help. Talk as well (phone them) the British Tinnitus Association, who will give you plenty more advice (unless you are non-UK?), last resort if you can't phone - email them.

We've all been there, good luck. I've had T for 20 years now.

[Beagleears]

Hi DizzymessI know how you feel I have had blocked ears vertigo and Tinnitus for 2 years now. I have finally been put on betahistine and the first couple of weeks were bad as it made me feel very sick and I did have a slight headache but not too bad. Now I am in my 5th/6th week and vertigo is gone completely but I still have tinnitus and blocked ear feeling. I have to get my ears cleared out every 3/4 months anyway as I have a dry skin condition in them that stops the wax from exiting my ears properly so I think that's why they always feel full. Keep trying with the betahistine as it has worked very well for me and not having to suffer vertigo and feeling off balance all the time has been a great relief. The tinnitus has gone away though but I can live with that as vertigo was horrendous. As others have said contact your GP to get further help and advice. Take care of yourself and good luck I hope betahistine works for you soon.

[Beagleears]

Sorry tinnitus hasn't gone away.....typo error

[Tanney]

what dose of betahistine are you taking? It's best to start at a low dose....such as 4mg twice/day and then titrate over a 3 month+ period up to maintenance dosage of 16mg four times/day. Headaches and other side effects usually occur when you start betahistine at maintenance dose level.

When you do see the ENT please make sure you get a hearing test. That can confirm or deny some inner ear diseases....particularly with the symptoms you now have.

I wish you good luck!

[Barbiebabbs in reply to Tanney]

A second hearing test is what made my ears start ringing

[Kimijo66]

HelloDizzyMess, unfortuantly betahistine side effect is headaches, sounds like you have Meniere's disease? or a really bad sinus infection? Have you tried a netti pot for your sinuses? Diet plays a roll in that also. Salt is a big one. I too have Tinnitus severe and started with the TRT training as of yesterday. Do you have neck issues? Mine is caused by tight muscles in my neck and TMJ. Try some Pink noise and see if that will help distract you from the tinnitus.

[Happyrosie]

I would add. If betahistine doesn’t really suit, there are other drugs that help nausea and dizziness and can be prescribed by your doctor.To help the nausea, you need to train your brain to follow what your eyes are telling you and not what your ears are telling you. There are exercises for this which you can research easily online but I think the best way to start are those from the Spine &Brain Foundation where you simply sit and move your eyes or your head (not at the same time), gradually lengthening the time you do them and the frequency, then adding more of their exercises as you improve.

[Rickardo]

Hi DizzyMess.I hope you can get seen soon at your local hospital audiology dept. I was on Betahystine for a short while but I found they did nothing for me at all. I then swapped them out for a similar tablet callen Cinnarazine and I have found these to be helpful with my severe T. There is no cure but I find Cinnarazine and a pair of hearing aids do help mask my T.

Regards Richard.

[Mat189]

Hi. You are nearly the exact same as me!I started to get fullness and tinnitus in my left ear. I think my right ear also feels full. A week on and then a week off. Then a few days on and of. I’ve had 2 vertigo attacks this week so far followed by tinnitus. I went private to ENT. Gave me Betahistine and went for hearing test. I have to go back next week. I’m not sure if it’s worth the money by reading so comments but I’d do anything. I’m only mid 40s and 2 young kids. I never appreciated my health!

[Barbiebabbs in reply to Mat189]

I wouldn't take too many hearing tests my ear wasn't ringing until I took a second hearing test 3 months apart and it started it ringing so loud it made my head ring

[DizzyMess]

Thank you so much for all your thoughts. I called ENT this morning as that seems to be the main thing in getting a diagnosis. Would you believe there is a 47 week wait currently and I am 8 weeks in! So I’ve bitten the bullet and booked a private consultancy, appointment is Wednesday.

I was told to take 3 x betahistine a day so looks like the high dose from day 1 is causing the headaches but I’ll keep going in the hope that they ease. At least until my appointment.

It’s helping to hear all your thoughts so thank you all again. Lots to research now.

[Mat189]

When I look up Menieres it says you have attacks that usually last a few hours. I don’t regularly get the vertigo. More the fullness in my left ear and tinnitus for up to a week. Then maybe a few days ok then back for a week. I thought Menieres was having all 3 at the same time but not for weeks. Any advice?

[DizzyMess]

I’ve read various different things so I’m also not sure. Mine is full ear and tinnitus all the time with vertigo attacks lasting a day it so. However maybe I will know more after my consultation on Wednesday and will then let you know. It is a real minefield isn’t it?

[DizzyMess]

A bit of update - I had my private ENT consultation. He is sure it is not menieres and I am now off the betahistine. I am already coming out of the zombie foggy feeling. I have to get an MRI and a hearing test plus some physio. So although I still don’t know what the issue is I am in the system and moving along. Hope you are all ok x

[popsicle777 in reply to DizzyMess]

any updates?! i’m very similar!