Ear infections

[cincrazy]

Any of you on here ever experienced the pleasantry of an inner ear infection? It's caused me a great deal of vertigo, which in turn causes anxiety. I just feel off balance and out of sorts. I've been prescribed medicine, so that's good, but can anyone give me any idea when the symptoms will slow down or disappear? This has caued me to miss two days of work already, and I'm afraid if I miss anymore, my job may be in jeopardy.

[reds1869]

I haven't really dealt with ear infections per se, but I have MS and two of my primary symptoms are vertigo and balance issues. It can be very frustrating but in my experience employers can be quite understanding; I suspect more so in your case where the situation is obviously temporary. I hope you feel better soon. The medication I take to alleviate symptoms does a good job of making me functional at work, though I'm not allowed to drive while on it.

One last piece of non-health related advice (with disclaimer that I'm not a lawyer, yada yada) is to document your doctors visits and any Dx/Rx. The paper trail could come in quite handy.

[cincrazy]

Originally Posted by reds1869

I haven't really dealt with ear infections per se, but I have MS and two of my primary symptoms are vertigo and balance issues. It can be very frustrating but in my experience employers can be quite understanding; I suspect more so in your case where the situation is obviously temporary. I hope you feel better soon. The medication I take to alleviate symptoms does a good job of making me functional at work, though I'm not allowed to drive while on it.

One last piece of non-health related advice (with disclaimer that I'm not a lawyer, yada yada) is to document your doctors visits and any Dx/Rx. The paper trail could come in quite handy.

Thanks a lot, I appreciate that. Best of luck to you and your MS treatments. How long ago were you diagnosed? My best friend's mother has battled it for close to twenty years. She's an incredibly strong woman.

[reds1869]

Originally Posted by cincrazy

Thanks a lot, I appreciate that. Best of luck to you and your MS treatments. How long ago were you diagnosed? My best friend's mother has battled it for close to twenty years. She's an incredibly strong woman.

I was diagnosed a little over three years ago, even though it feels like logner than that. My treatment has gone well and quite honestly at one point I made the decision to not let the disease define or control me. I've seen far to many people with MS sink into total depression and malaise and have vowed to never "be that guy." Best wishes to your friend's mother.

[muddie]

cincrazy,

I've got a fair amount of hearing loss for a couple of reasons. Primarily loud music but I did have a number of ear infections as a kid growing up. I've got to ask, is your blood pressure in a reasonable range? I'm assuming so but I'll ask based on my experiences. Good luck as well.

[Mutaman]

Go see a decent Ear nose and throat specialist. I just had a bout of "swimmer's ear", but I guess that's not a big deal. Drops quickly resolved the problem.

[cincrazy]

Originally Posted by muddie

cincrazy,

I've got a fair amount of hearing loss for a couple of reasons. Primarily loud music but I did have a number of ear infections as a kid growing up. I've got to ask, is your blood pressure in a reasonable range? I'm assuming so but I'll ask based on my experiences. Good luck as well.

Actually the blood pressure's been trending high lately. And thanks for the good luck

[cincrazy]

Originally Posted by muddie

cincrazy,

I've got a fair amount of hearing loss for a couple of reasons. Primarily loud music but I did have a number of ear infections as a kid growing up. I've got to ask, is your blood pressure in a reasonable range? I'm assuming so but I'll ask based on my experiences. Good luck as well.

The dizziness from the vertigo really made my heart race, made me very anxious. After repeated readings my BP did go down by the time I left, but it was about 160/90 initially. But that's the norm for me, I get pretty bad whitecoat hypertension.

[cincrazy]

Originally Posted by Mutaman

Go see a decent Ear nose and throat specialist. I just had a bout of "swimmer's ear", but I guess that's not a big deal. Drops quickly resolved the problem.

Thanks Mutaman. If this doesn't heal reasonably soon, I certainly will. He mentioned that I have swimmer's ear in one ear as well. Gave me some drops for that.

[Tommyjohn25]

I had one back in 2009. Same exact symptoms that you're describing. Stupid think hung around for over a month! Granted I didn't get any medicine for mine so hopefully that shortens yours. I've never had anxiety once in my entire life before that experience, and that was Almost as bad as the vertigo.

[cincrazy]

Originally Posted by Tommyjohn25

I had one back in 2009. Same exact symptoms that you're describing. Stupid think hung around for over a month! Granted I didn't get any medicine for mine so hopefully that shortens yours. I've never had anxiety once in my entire life before that experience, and that was Almost as bad as the vertigo.

Totally agreed. The anxiety is killing me right now. I'm afraid to go anywhere or do anything because I don't know when the vertigo will strike. I can be feeling relatively ok, then BAM, everything's spinning. Both ears are bothering me also, which doesn't help any. The meds I've been given don't seem to be helping. And I've missed every day of work this week but one, and I'm still in my first 90 days, so I'm hoping they don't decide to let me go.

[Tommyjohn25]

Yeah, that's why my Dr. didn't give me anything. He didn't believe anything but time would be of any help. I hope you don't lose your job though. I have a very understanding boss that was patient with me through it, fortunately.

[redsfan1980]

god these are horrible... i had one when i was a kid and i cried so much because of the pain

[cincrazy]

So.... I'm still having problems, making my anxiety worse. I've had brain tests, heart tests, blood work... all fine. They say my ears look ok, that it "may be an inner ear issue," but that it's hard to diagnose. I mean really? This is what I have to go on? Does vertigo persist even after the ear infection is gone?

[KoryMac5]

Could be the crystals inside your ear causing the dizziness. Went through this a month or so ago when I would get up fast or move my head quick. I would google benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and check on the excercises that they give you to correct it.