Anxiety and Labyrinthitis?

[Beowulf]

No, we aren't ignoring you. Simply saying that no matter the cause of the anxiety, there are skills you can learn to reduce it.

Yep. For most of my young adult life, I was prone to nightmares until I learned to confront the "monsters" in the dreams. I have been nightmare-free for about 20 years now. But unfortunately, I think I need to better deal with my new anxiety, since my throat closes up in my sleep and I wake up gasping for breath. Hairy, but I will deal with it next week.

 

[Danb]

It sounds like what you need most is to physically stabilize your body to avoid dizziness.

Yes that's exactly the point. I'm seeing my doctors next week at Mass Eye and Ear in boston.

 

[AlleyCat]

Sorry to be snarky, but its like im being ignored.

Okay. Sorry we were trying to help by sharing some experiences, whether alike or un-alike. On this forum, aside from a few heated threads, most of us are supportive of one another. Oftentimes sharing something that doesn't seem related to something else rings a bell for someone and does help, intentional or not.

 

[sallylou]

You may need a neurologist because your nerves and dorsal root column may be effected. This may be more than labyrinthitis.

Does hearing loss run in your family? Could you have otosclerosis? Your audiogram might offer some insight.

The truth is that there's probably nothing that the doctors can do. I've accepted that this is my "new normal." Several of us here have syndromes that effect more than our hearing. It sounds like counseling would be helpful in accepting and adjusting your new situation. This forum is a good place to get support. I highly recommend connecting with your local Deaf/HOH community for support in real life.

 

[Danb]

Okay. Sorry we were trying to help by sharing some experiences, whether alike or un-alike. On this forum, aside from a few heated threads, most of us are supportive of one another. Oftentimes sharing something that doesn't seem related to something else rings a bell for someone and does help, intentional or not.

You're totally right. I didn't think of it like that. I'm sorry i got angry.

I guess i'm used to people telling me not to complain, so i got mad. I shouldn't have.

sallylou, thank you i will keep the otosclerosis in mind when i visit the doctor. I know that the bones in my ears have fused together from inflammation. I don't know what that's called though. Either way you're right, this is the new "normal" for me.

I used to be extremely active too. I would play hockey 4 days a week, kayak on the weekends and play golf or tennis before kayaking.

I'm having a hard time meeting deaf people around me because i have other health problems that came out of remission, which makes it difficult to work even just part time now. So i don't have much money, or good health, to get out and do things, unfortunately. Its difficult to see the positives when there are so many negatives.

I'm only 36. i didn't think this was supposed to happen until i was older, or at least slowly over time. I guess i'm not as well adjusted as i thought.

 

[sallylou]

Welcome to the club! I'm falling apart at a young age, too. I have good days and bad days. I get very fatigued and I come here. Seriously, this is only a forum but you'll find support here.

I don't know what your ethnicity is but that makes a difference. My gene was inherited from my maternal side of English/Scottish descendents. Otosclerosis is a disease of pasty, white people. Bechet's disease exists in Ireland. The Carthart notch at 2k is associated with stapes fixation. I've got that notch and sensorineural hearing loss. PM me if you want more info.

You mention inflammation. You have a rheumy right? My rheum gave me some pain meds that got me moving again.

 

[Danb]

My grandparents came from Itally and France. The italian side are all 6 feet people. French side are all short, 5 feet. My brothers are 6 feet, i'm 5 feet. Both brothers are healthy except being a little overweight.

Both sides of my family were completely healthy until they started reaching age 50. I've had autoimmune diseases since birth. RA first, then hearing loss, now chronic urticaria. None of them have rheumatoid arthritis. I don't have RA now but i have chronic urticaria (arthritis for the skin) Its weird.

Now two thirds of each side have hearing problems. One is deaf. 2 have Meneire's. 1 wears a hearing aide. And 1, my father, has balance issues. 1 of them has Psoriasis.

I've had many ct scans and mri's especially for my cochlear implant, but no doctors ever mentioned osteosclerosis. They always said everything looked normal except for inflammation inside the ears.

They told me the bones in the ears fused together from inflammation so my balance is not good.

 

[Hollykins1]

Dan,

I just found this post and wanted to let you know I truly understand how you feel. I have Meniere's Disease and suffered vertigo and loss of balance from that. I had surgery for the Meniere's, and it's almost 7 months later and I've still not recovered my balance all that well. It is a reason to have anxiety.

I am doing vestibular physical therapy, focusing on my visual problems. Now, I see well enough - but it's that eye movements, overwhelming visual stimuli and crowds make my situation worse.

The physical therapy is helping. It's akin to training or re-training if you will, the brain to compensate correctly. For you, this might not be a total answer but might well be worth looking into.

 

[Smithtr]

I have anxiety disorder and stress high anxiety not perfect not easy!

 

[sallylou]

It's good news it that your MRI and CT only showed inflammation. The bad news is that your MRI and CT showed inflammation. Right? :roll:

My heart goes out to you while you are dealing with autoimmune problems. I have skin issues, too, and it's the most bothersome part. Itching sucks!

Sounds like a dominant syndrome because it's though the generations. You might consider seeing a geneticist. The problem with specialists is that they only look at one part of the picture. I haven't had much luck getting a definitive diagnosis but I hope that I get one for my kids in the near future.

 

[AlleyCat]

You're totally right. I didn't think of it like that. I'm sorry i got angry.

I guess i'm used to people telling me not to complain, so i got mad. I shouldn't have.

sallylou, thank you i will keep the otosclerosis in mind when i visit the doctor. I know that the bones in my ears have fused together from inflammation. I don't know what that's called though. Either way you're right, this is the new "normal" for me.

I used to be extremely active too. I would play hockey 4 days a week, kayak on the weekends and play golf or tennis before kayaking.

I'm having a hard time meeting deaf people around me because i have other health problems that came out of remission, which makes it difficult to work even just part time now. So i don't have much money, or good health, to get out and do things, unfortunately. Its difficult to see the positives when there are so many negatives.

I'm only 36. i didn't think this was supposed to happen until i was older, or at least slowly over time. I guess i'm not as well adjusted as i thought.

That's okay. I'm only a couple years older than you, actually. It can get frustrating. And for different reasons. I can hope you might find something useful here, and if not, at least you know you have people around you that can try to understand Hang in there!

 

[Danb]

That's okay. I'm only a couple years older than you, actually. It can get frustrating. And for different reasons. I can hope you might find something useful here, and if not, at least you know you have people around you that can try to understand Hang in there!

Thanks. I like the new avatar. It used to be pink right, with a smaller cat?

I gotta admit its a little weird talking with people who understand, but its a nice weird.

For those who have balance problems, what medicine worked for you? And do you take it everyday?

 

[Hollykins1]

For those who have balance problems, what medicine worked for you? And do you take it everyday?

I sparingly use Valium. On a really bad day I'll take it, anywhere from once to three times during that day. 5 mg. It can be a good vestibular suppressant, and it also can help with anxiety. Definitely one of those "discuss with doctor first" options.

It was a BIG help before the VNS because if I took it as soon as I realized I was having, or about to have, a Meniere's attack it generally lessened the severity and length of my attacks. I also would take some on a day when my balance was totally off. I didn't use it daily, mostly because of my own fears of addiction.

Since the VNS, I've not used it that much. About a month ago I had a very bad "backslide" attack. Went to the hospital...to make a long story short they thought I had a brain infection. Short story - they read the CT scan wrong. BUT, I still had completely backslid to the condition I was a day or two after the VNS surgery.

Valium kept me sane as it was like having a non-stop vertigo attack - only not quite. I couldn't stand or walk without almost falling. I walked "drunk". Valium helped. My hearing dropped yet again. Life stopped again, just when I was starting to get one back.

It's been a battle to get back to where I was. And that is where the vestibular rehab has helped me tremendously. I've worked through much of the physical effects (drunk walking). It's the remnant vision triggers I am now really working on. Those exercises are called VOR Adaptation. (vestibular-ocular-reflex).

I'll be honest, I wasn't thinking it'd help all that much. But it has. Only your doctor can tell you if it's something that might be worthwhile trying. After all, we all have other issues going on and nothing is a one-size-fits-all thing.

Hang in there - people want to help and be of support!

 

[sallylou]

I have disequilibrium so I run into things a lot. I kust deal with it. I don't have vertigo, which is far worse. Vertigo needs treatment by a specialist. Hope that you get some relief soon!

 

[Danb]

I sparingly use Valium. On a really bad day I'll take it, anywhere from once to three times during that day. 5 mg. It can be a good vestibular suppressant, and it also can help with anxiety. Definitely one of those "discuss with doctor first" options.

It was a BIG help before the VNS because if I took it as soon as I realized I was having, or about to have, a Meniere's attack it generally lessened the severity and length of my attacks. I also would take some on a day when my balance was totally off. I didn't use it daily, mostly because of my own fears of addiction.

Since the VNS, I've not used it that much. About a month ago I had a very bad "backslide" attack. Went to the hospital...to make a long story short they thought I had a brain infection. Short story - they read the CT scan wrong. BUT, I still had completely backslid to the condition I was a day or two after the VNS surgery.

Valium kept me sane as it was like having a non-stop vertigo attack - only not quite. I couldn't stand or walk without almost falling. I walked "drunk". Valium helped. My hearing dropped yet again. Life stopped again, just when I was starting to get one back.

It's been a battle to get back to where I was. And that is where the vestibular rehab has helped me tremendously. I've worked through much of the physical effects (drunk walking). It's the remnant vision triggers I am now really working on. Those exercises are called VOR Adaptation. (vestibular-ocular-reflex).
!

Wow that's pretty much what i've read, valium, promethazine and one or two SSRI's hellp the labyrinthitis. Along with the vestibular/ocular exercises. Thank you for posting about that!

Of course now people are going to think..... yeah, we told you so... you take anti-anxiety meds so it must be anxiety. They don't realize that neurotransmitters like gaba, serotonin, etc... are actually located throughout the body's nerve endings, especially in the ears.

The reason the valium works, from what i've read, is because glutamate receptors are firing in the ear. The excess firing can cause tinnitus, inflammation, vestibular, and other problems. Valium increases GABA, and GABA lowers glutamate. Some of the SSRI's work the same, indirectly increasing GABA. But taking pure GABA doesn't make it into the brain, so you have to take a med that stimulates release of it, like Valium.

Anyways, I had been thinking of asking for a script from my Dr. for those reasons. I guess now's the time.

Thanks again!

 

[sallylou]

When you have a molecular difference, it effects many parts of your body. It's all interconnected.

 

[jillio]

I know, i get it. I understand what you said but its not true. The point is that even the counselor suggested not putting myself in situations that will trigger dizziness, which in turn triggers the anxiety. His own analogy was "beating a dead horse".

Think about someone who is on a long sea voyage. Gets seasick. Being sick causes anxiety because no one likes being sick. You wouldn't expose yourself to being at sea everyday if you're prone to getting seasick, would you?

Just curious, are you a psychologist or a counselor? If you are please suggest some helpful techniques, i'm all ears. Maybe i haven't tried them this past year and a half since going to the counselor.

Also the treatment is mainly vestibular physical therapy, not counseling.

The bolded is one of the coping skills to which I am referring.

 

[sallylou]

One thing that helps me a lot is to mentally go to a childhood place where I feel safe. I imagine all of the detail of that place. In my case, I imagine my grandmother's house. Somehow, it interrupts the anxiety. You could even carry an item that reminds you of your place.

Another thing that helps is keeping a favorite book nearby. When I start to feel anxious, I read a little Jane Austen.

 

[KristinaB]

When I was going through severe depression, I would have something that represented "my happy place" and for me, it was a picture my father took of a palm tree with the inter-coastal and the island of Palm Beach in the background. Now that I am here near that location, I need to find another item for "my happy place".

 

[jillio]

One thing that helps me a lot is to mentally go to a childhood place where I feel safe. I imagine all of the detail of that place. In my case, I imagine my grandmother's house. Somehow, it interrupts the anxiety. You could even carry an item that reminds you of your place.

Another thing that helps is keeping a favorite book nearby. When I start to feel anxious, I read a little Jane Austen.

I do the safe place a lot with anxious clients. I find it very effective. I start it with guided imagery in office, and then transition to use on their own.